SuperLadder Round 20: How your team is faring in the run home to finals

He might have polled three votes in a losing team on Sunday and Jon Anderson writes Marcus Bontempelli is ‘everything a Brownlow medallist should be’. Will he be the first Bulldog since Adam Cooney to win the medal?

The Tigers, Lions and Eagles are all in pursuit of the Cats' tenuous hold on top spot.

Top of the AFL table has all of a sudden become a race in four, with the Cats’ struggles opening the doors for West Coast, Brisbane and Richmond.

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The Cats’ loss to the Dockers allowed the victorious Eagles and Lions to draw level on 56 points, with the Tigers — who whacked the Dees — one game back.

Meanwhile, Fremantle, Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide are all hunting Adelaide’s place in the top eight.

SEE THE LADDER AND YOUR TEAM’S RUN HOME BELOW

The Tigers, Lions and Eagles are all in pursuit of the Cats' tenuous hold on top spot.

1. GEELONG — 56 points, 130.5%

The Cats’ last win that truly resembled a top-placed side was two months ago against Richmond. They looked slow against Freo and, despite Chris Scott’s natural optimism, reality says they arguably don’t know what their best side is a month out from September.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 North Melbourne (GMHBA)

Rd 22 Brisbane (Gabba)

Rd 23 Carlton (GMHBA)

Cats have lost four out of seven but a big percentage means they would have to lose two of their last three to miss a top-two spot. Round 22 clash with Brisbane could decide whether or not they keep top spot.

2. WEST COAST — 56, 117.3%

No side scores quicker than the Eagles and only Richmond can match them for quality of their bottom six. In fact, if you are of the belief that it’s all just too soon for Brisbane, then a Tigers v Eagles Grand Final is the logical way to go. Suspect they are a better team than last year with the improvement of Ryan and Rioli.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Adelaide, (PS)

Rd 22 Richmond, (MCG)

Rd 23 Hawthorn (PS)

The win over Carlton gives them a real chance of nicking top spot from Geelong. Clash against Richmond at the MCG becomes a massive pre-finals test.

3. BRISBANE — 56, 116.5%

What happens when you put yourself in a top-four position for ultimate glory at least a year before schedule? The reality is you take flags whenever available because form can be fickle, although you just don’t get the feeling Chris Fagan and his crew will let that happen.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Gold Coast (Gabba)

Rd 22 Geelong (Gabba)

Rd 23 Richmond (MCG)

The Lions were seventh after Round 13 (percentage 103.1). After seven straight wins and two home games to come, a top-two spot is now within reach. Win all three and the minor premiership could be the spoils.

4. RICHMOND — 52, 111.3%

Nothing too special on a forgettable evening against the Demons. Toby Nankervis getting through the VFL was vital, his absence being highlighted by Max Gawn’s dominance. And those who watched the VFL said Marlion Pickett isn’t far off being unleashed come finals time. It’s all falling into place.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Carlton (MCG)

Rd 22 West Coast (MCG)

Rd 23 Brisbane (MCG)

The Tigers are purring — six wins in a row and a scoring average of 109.2 points in that period. Going as well as the 2017 flag year with their last three games at home. If the Cats can’t arrest their slide and the Tigers beat the Eagles and Lions, they can still finish in top spot. If they drop one, GWS and Collingwood both have a better percentage and an easier draw. Exciting (and stressful) few weeks ahead.

5. GWS — 48, 121.5%

For a team missing starting midfielders in Steven Coniglio, Matt de Boer, Josh Kelly and Callan Ward, winning three straight says something about their mental strength. Importantly Shane Mumford played his best game since the comeback and Kelly should be back this week, De Boer the week after.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Hawthorn (Canberra)

Rd 22 Western Bulldogs (GS)

Rd 23 Gold Coast (Metricon)

The cardiac kings have won their past two games by a combined three points to get back into contention for a top-four spot. The Giants need to win all three and barrack for the Lions or Eagles to knock off Richmond to snare the double chance.

6. COLLINGWOOD — 48, 113.2%

The Pies’ decision-making and skill execution was that of a very good team, irrespective of the low ranking of the opposition. Steele Sidebottom played with the cleanness of his 2018 form. Has there even been a ruckman who tackles as often and effectively as Brodie Grundy?

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Melbourne (MCG)

Rd 22 Adelaide (AO)

Rd 23 Essendon (MCG)

Were in strife with just one win from their past five games, before the Pies had a nice percentage booster against the Suns. Low on manpower, the win was important. Clash with Essendon in Round 23 could decide whether they’re contenders or pretenders.

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7. ESSENDON — 44, 100.1%

The Bombers were due after five weeks of last-gasp heroics, but that doesn’t excuse what they served up. A tackle count of 43 is low when the other side has the ball more often. Their run home is difficult, their percentage so-so. And if they do make it, don’t believe in miracles.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Western Bulldogs (Marvel)

Rd 22 Fremantle (PS)

Rd 23 Collingwood (MCG)

Shock loss to Port Adelaide has put paid to a late rush for the double chance. But the Bombers are still two games clear of ninth spot, so finals are still a monte … we think.

8. ADELAIDE — 40, 108.7%

For evenness, it was up with their best displays this year. Now for the Texan and Fast Eddie to repeat their goalkicking heroics in Perth against the Eagles. The Crows’ worry is always speed and pacy ball movement, areas they were better in courtesy of Rory Laird and Brodie

Smith.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 West Coast (PS)

Rd 22 Collingwood (AO)

Rd 23 Western Bulldogs (Ballarat)

Back in the box seat for eighth spot but a tough fixture — and Port’s surprise win against the Bombers — keeps the door open for its crosstown rival. Its finals berth could come down to the last round against the Dogs, but none of their last three are guaranteed wins.

9. PORT ADELAIDE — 36, 106.1%

The Power is back to its topsy-turvy ways and, as such, it is hard to trust. But with a good home run, I figure Ken Hinkley’s boys can take the Crows’ place in the eight and then maybe, just maybe. Probably dreamin’. The best part of the Bomber flogging was the performance of the kids, with Todd Marshall a work in progress.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Sydney (AO)

Rd 22 North Melbourne (Marvel)

Rd 23 Fremantle (AO)

The Power are back in the mix after the upset against the Dons. Strong percentage means they could even get there with two wins if results go their way. Freo clash in Rd 23 could be huge.

10. WESTERN BULLDOGS — 36, 95.8%

The dream is all but over, but the Dogs can still have a serious say in who makes it. And they are in a better position for the future than either 2017 or 2018. Marcus Bontempelli is everything a Brownlow medallist should be, brave, humble and highly skilled, particularly below his knees.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Essendon (Marvel)

Rd 22 GWS Giants (GS)

Rd 23 Adelaide (Ballarat)

The Dogs were in decent form with four wins from their past five games, but couldn’t pull one out of the hat in Brisbane, after winning the previous five meetings between the two clubs. Could win their last three, but percentage might be the killer.

11. FREMANTLE — 36, 95.8%

Just when you think we sadly won’t be seeing his myriad faces in September, the old master Ross Lyon goes and conjures up that with a seriously young side (fourth youngest this round). Who said he can’t build a team from the crib? Why would he want to leave?

RUN HOME

Rd 21 St Kilda (Marvel)

Rd 22 Essendon (PS)

Rd 23 Port Adelaide (AO)

Just when you thought it was safe to write off the Dockers and Ross Lyon, they down the ladder leaders. Poor percentage means they may need to win all three to make it though — which is not beyond the realm of possibility.

12. HAWTHORN — 32, 98.4%

The Hawks have developed a disturbing pattern of going missing for extended periods. Paul Puopolo, at the forefront of small pressure forwards for a decorated decade, has reached that dreaded fork in the road, but James Worpel’s career is set to reap many glories.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 GWS Giants (Canberra)

Rd 22 Gold Coast (Marvel)

Rd 23 West Coast (PS)

The Hawks chances plummeted after Friday’s loss to North and realistically now need three wins and a percentage boost to make it, with other results going their way.

13. NORTH MELBOURNE — 32, 97.2%

There are possessions and then there are possessions, highlighted by the sublime disposal efficiency of Shaun Higgins. Paul Ahern is an interesting player, one who hopefully will become the regular senior player of substance he should be after being moved to a back flank.

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Geelong (GMHBA)

Rd 22 Port Adelaide (Marvel)

Rd 23 Melbourne (Hobart)

As with the Hawks, the Roos can’t afford to drop a game in the run home and must get a healthy percentage boost along the way. After five wins from nine games under Shaw, anything is possible, although they face a Geelong side desperate to turn things around at their home fortress.

14. ST KILDA — 32, 84.5%

No criticism of the Saints’ desire, but ultimately they will succumb more often than not due to a list that requires replenishing. Part of that will come from the return of injured players, but they need to get busy in trade period and maybe lose a good one (just not one as good as Ben

McEvoy).

RUN HOME

Rd 21 Fremantle (Marvel)

Rd 22 Carlton (MCG)

Rd 23 Sydney (SCG)

The Saints needed to win against Adelaide to be legitimate contenders. They didn’t. But their last three are all winnable which would get them to 11 wins which could be enough — if everything else goes their way. We’re being very optimistic. At least it’s been better since the coaching change.

15. SYDNEY — 24, 94.1%

Isaac Heeney belongs in the small group who can change games on the scoreboard, along with Jordan de Goey, Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe. His team is in transition, and we wait to see how quickly the Swans can challenge again. Look out for them to target a midfield gun.

16. CARLTON — 24, 87.2%

Even in a loss the Blues are better to watch. And by playing through the corridor more often they can get opened up by the big boys. As for their next coach, my mail is very strong that Michael Voss will get the job, although the name Clarkson still gets whispered in corridors.

17. MELBOURNE — 20, 79.9%

Most of the angst from Demon supporters, and there is plenty, isn’t reaching mainstream media and that comes back to the team’s relevance, which right now is poor to fair at best. Did the Dees just get on a hot streak at the right time last year? Presumably there will be a post-season review of everyone.

18. GOLD COAST — 12, 64.8%

Ben King is going to kick a lot of goals, because he’s such an exciting young player but also due to an excellent no-fuss, goalkicking routine. His 195cm mate Jack Lukosius might be even better, He has Anthony Koutoufides traits to his game. Will 2018 be the draft

that set up the Suns?

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Originally published as SuperLadder Round 20: How your team is faring in the run home to finals