AFL report card: Jon Anderson rates every club after five rounds
WHO’S been good, who’s struggling and who has question marks over them? After five rounds of the AFL season, JON ANDERSON looks at every club.
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CONTENDERS and pretenders, sliders and risers — after five rounds the AFL power map is fast taking shape.
Jon Anderson and Champion Data look deep inside your team to identify what’s working, and what isn’t, after Round 5, 2017.
TEAMS: FULL ROUND 6 LINE-UPS
TIPPING: WHO DID THE EXPERTS PICK IN ROUND 6?
ADELAIDE
THUMBS UP: In a sea of bright lights, Charlie Cameron’s growth from small forward to dashing midfielder has been vital for the Crows.
JURY’S OUT: Troy Menzel has been in and out of the side and had just four possessions in his side’s thumping of Gold Coast last weekend.
TICK: Plays turnover game better than anyone — averaging 88 points a game from this source.
CROSS: No negatives.
BRISBANE
THUMBS UP: Eric Hipwood is just so exciting as an athletic 202cm (a la Joe Daniher) while Tom Rockliff has been outstanding on and off the field.
JURY’S OUT: Ex-Blue Tom Bell went into the year at the crossroads and right now has taken a wrong turn.
TICK: Stoppages much better — ranks fifth for clearance differential after ranking 18th in 2016.
CROSS: Time in forward half differential of -16 — worst ever after five rounds by a non-expansion side.
CARLTON
THUMBS UP: Caleb Marchbank was recruited from the Giants as a long-term key defender and has done plenty to fulfil that decision.
JURY’S OUT: As good as he has been, veteran Kade Simpson has shown signs that last year might have been the time to retire.
TICK: Blues want to control the game by foot, recording top kick-to-handball ratio of 1.82:1
CROSS: Averaging just 67.8 points per game — ranked 18th
COLLINGWOOD
THUMBS UP: The club can only hope Brodie Grundy’s commitment to the cause becomes infectious.
JURY’S OUT: James Aish is now in his fourth AFL season so his time should be now. Instead he’s unable to cement a regular slot in a packed midfield.
TICK: Defensively switched on, conceding the fifth fewest points of any side.
CROSS: Generated a goal from 18.1 per cent of inside 50s — if this continues it will be the lowest ever recorded by Champion Data.
ESSENDON
THUMBS UP: Sure, the expectations were high given he was taken at pick No.1 but Andy McGrath hasn’t missed a beat since arriving.
JURY’S OUT: Heath Hocking has struggled since an injury-riddled 2015 and missing all of last year due to suspension.
TICK: Generates a goal from 27.5 per cent of inside 50s — ranked fourth.
CROSS: Has committed 167 defensive half turnovers — 12 more than any other side.
FREMANTLE
THUMBS UP: They identified outside run and recruited an ideal candidate in Brad Hill whose dash has made a difference.
JURY’S OUT: Zac Dawson has been a wonderful survivor over 13 seasons but his recent dropping may signal the end.
TICK: Fourth best clearance differential side and generates 38 points a game from stoppages — ranked No. 6.
CROSS: Just 36.2 points per game come from opposition turnovers — ranked 18th
GEELONG
THUMBS UP: For 18-year-old Brandan Parfitt to play every game in an unbeaten side is testament to his mature head, decision-making and poise.
JURY’S OUT: Jackson Thurlow proved himself a good player in 2015 before missing a year with an ACL. Like many before him, he’s taking time.
TICK: Lethal with ball in hand, moving the ball 130 per cent above the AFL average — only GWS is better.
CROSS: No negatives.
GOLD COAST
THUMBS UP: When firing Adam Saad is right up there with the best running defenders in the game as he highlighted against Eddie Betts.
JURY’S OUT: Prior to missing Round 5 through injury, co-captain Steven May has been below the high standards he set in 2015-2016.
TICK: Ranked 17th in 2016 for disposal differential; this year they are second.
CROSS: Conceded 109.2 points per game — ranked 16th.
GWS
THUMBS UP: In a team of such highly-credentialed personnel, football’s archetypal journeyman in Sam Reid is just a feel-good story.
JURY’S OUT: Every team would love Rory Lobb on their books and he’s been going OK without reaching dizzy heights just yet.
TICK: No better side at moving the ball from all parts — No. 1 for offensive ball movement
CROSS: No negatives
HAWTHORN
THUMBS UP: Kaiden Brand. Over the past two weeks this 23-year-old has shown signs of becoming the tall defender the Hawks desperately require.
JURY’S OUT: Cyril Rioli: His Round 5 blitz against the Eagles highlighted just how much he had been missed through a strangely quiet first month.
TICK: Generated more than 60 per cent of scores from chains started in the forward half (ranked No. 1).
CROSS: Has lost clearance count by 4.6 per game — ranked 17th.
MELBOURNE
THUMBS UP: Hasn’t received the plaudits of Clayton Oliver, but Alex Neal-Bullen’s rise from bit-part player to useful mid has been significant.
JURY’S OUT: Oscar McDonald started the year well as a 21-year-old key defender before being dropped. He will be back.
TICK: Pressure factor of 189 — the most amount of pressure applied by any side.
CROSS: Ball movement has been issue, moving the ball 90 per cent below AFL average (ranked 15th).
NORTH MELBOURNE
THUMBS UP: Take your pick out of the exquisitely-talented Jy Simpkin and the come-from-nowhere ruckman Braydon Preuss.
JURY’S OUT: No goals from his last four games isn’t what the doctor ordered from Lindsay Thomas, while Andrew Swallow battles as he nears 30.
TICK: Generated 20 points per game from centre bounces — ranked No. 1.
CROSS: Has been outscored by 17.4 points per game from turnovers — ranked 15th.
PORT ADELAIDE
THUMBS UP: Given he was Pick 45 in last year’s rookie draft, Dan Houston has provided excellent value.
JURY’S OUT: For the Power to mount a serious challenge, then they require some breakout games from Charlie Dixon.
TICK: Has conceded just 79 points per game — ranked second.
CROSS: No negatives.
RICHMOND
THUMBS UP: In a reinvented forward line, 182cm Dan Butler has brought some serious intensity, and a pleasing touch of aggression.
JURY’S OUT: Sam Lloyd played every game last year, kicking 35 goals. But he hasn’t been seen since Round 1 as the Tigers rebuild their forward half.
TICK: New forward press has worked wonders, creating 33 forward half turnovers per game — ranked No.1.
CROSS: Has lost uncontested possession count by 32.2 per game — the third worst differential of any side.
ST KILDA
THUMBS UP: Dylan Roberton stands 194cm but can play on tall/smalls as required. His decision-making has improved significantly in recent years.
JURY’S OUT: It’s just what goes with being pick No.1 and Paddy McCartin continues to be put under the microscope.
TICK: Saints have converted 53 per cent of their inside 50s into a score — ranked second.
CROSS: Worst clearance differential in the competition, losing the count by 6.6 per game.
SYDNEY
THUMBS UP: Despite the indifference around him, Jake Lloyd continues to take his midfield game to new levels.
JURY’S OUT: A best-and-fairest and All-Australian, Kieren Jack’s decline at age 29 has been surprisingly rapid.
TICK: Sydney has debuted six players — the equal most of any side.
CROSS: Smashed around the contest, losing the contested possession count by 13.8 per game — ranked 17th.
WEST COAST
THUMBS UP: He was average against Hawthorn (wasn’t everyone?) but in his opening month Elliott Yeo showed signs of his 2015 form.
JURY’S OUT: You start to wonder where Lewis Jetta’s career is at, from 2012 Sydney premiership star to a struggling Eagle.
TICK: Prefers to dominate outside, recording the fourth best uncontested possession differential.
CROSS: Ranked 14th for time in defensive half differential; last season they were fourth best.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
THUMBS UP: Lin Jong, who had a bit to prove after being overlooked for last year’s Grand Final side, has quickly become a regular fixture.
JURY’S OUT: Shannon Biggs didn’t miss a game last year with his defensive dash but has been down on that form.
TICK: Big improvement in ability to convert entries into scores — No. 3 after ranking 15th in 2016.
CROSS: No. 1 clearance side last season; this year they have a differential of -4. per game, ranked 16th.
Originally published as AFL report card: Jon Anderson rates every club after five rounds
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