AFL Super Ladder: Form analysis after Round 9, 2016

COLLINGWOOD fans, don’t book your September holidays just yet and Cats get a reality check. Form analysis of every team after Round 9.

Brodie Grundy and Alex Fasolo celebrate a Collingwood goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

WHERE does your team sit after Round 9 of the 2016 season?

Jon Anderson takes a closer look at every club.

1. NORTH MELBOURNE 36 130.9%

Has there ever been a better running player at age 38 than the Boomer? Maybe Carlton’s Craig Bradley. In terms of a four quarter effort this rivals the Roos effort in Round 1. Should be flag favourites. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Goldy (173) hits back as leading ruckman averaging 119.

2. GEELONG 28 152%

Selwood’s teammates didn’t do enough to crash into Greenwood. The Cats began as if they believed all the premiership rubbishy spoken during the week. Injuries: Lonergan (concussion). SuperCoach: Selwood (72), Danger (86) and Motlop (47). Go figure.

3. GWS 28 147.9%

The Giants’ mid-size defenders in Shaw, Williams and Wilson are the best trio in the game, and their general depth of field kicking rivals any. The reality that a 2016 flag can happen is starting to sink in. Injuries: Buntine (concussion), Mohr (hamstring). SuperCoach: Heath Shaw (203) is a must-have defender.

4. SYDNEY 28 144.2%

It’s going to be interesting come Brownlow night to see who the umpires favour out of Dynamic Dan, Cool Hand Luke and Bud. A vital win given the Swans’ testing run home. Injuries: T. Richards (concussion). SuperCoach: Tippet (141) proving a very hand forward/ruckman. Rampe (125) hot too.

4. WESTERN BULLDOGS 24 133.9%

They don’t have the depth of GWS (none do) and Crameri’s loss has been massive. But reckon their best 22 will still cut it in September, it just may not be this season. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Picken (126) and Picken (112) passed the test, but Stringer (49) and Daniel (47) well down.

6. WEST COAST 24 129.6%

The human mops (Nic Nat and Priddis) killed it but also liked the forward/ruck play of Lycett. But until the Eagles beat a big club in Victoria, the doubts will remain. Injuries: Gaff (concussion). SuperCoach: The alternating hot/cold cycle of Kennedy (137) and LeCras (44) continues.

7. HAWTHORN 24 102.7%

Mitchell’s worst game for around a decade. And the Hawks didn’t get nearly enough from their bottom three in O’Brien, Brand and Sicily. But they remained in the contest, which suggests their competitive instincts remain. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Gunston (119) can take a bow. But Mitchell (52) typified the others.

8. ADELAIDE 20 118.4%

The Crows’ most significant win, not because of who they beat, but due to the Texan running and jumping again. Smith can hurt when allowed to run as his 719m gained highlights. Injuries: Brown (ankle). SuperCoach: Nice day to be a forward with Lynch (133), Walker (119) and Cameron (114).

Christian Petracca is delivering on the hype. Picture: Colleen Petch

9. MELBOURNE 20 113.6%

Petracca starting to show what all the fuss was about. Wait to he kicks straight. Bugg yet another from the bountiful GWS factory that can go a bit. Importantly, the Dees fielded a very young 22. Injuries: Oliver (corked thigh). SuperCoach: Eight Dees top ton led by Bugg (124). Gawn (63) quiet again.

10. PORT ADELAIDE 16 100.5%

Jonas has been told to lift his attack on the ball, not an opponent’s head. For one so talented, Hartlett lacks serious consistency. But the Power should hover around the eight. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Robbie Gray (120) showed his quality on return. Young (118) keeps getting better.

11. COLLINGWOOD 16 94.4%

Pendlebury and Sidebottom belong top three in the best midfield 1-2s in the game — Dangerfield-Selwood, Hannebery-Parker. Don’t book your September hols just yet. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Pendles (140), Sidey (128) and Treloar (115) all averaging 115 or more.

12. CARLTON 16 76.7%

Given the Blues’ loss of big manpower, the result was predictable but so was their effort which didn’t drop off. A year ago this loss would have been 120 points. Byrne is reminiscent of Kennelly. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Docherty (135) won his in-house battle with Simpson (103).

13. ST KILDA 12 84.9%

There is something very old school about the way McCartin plays full forward and it’s a pleasure to watch. He leads hard and fast, has good hands and kicks like a mule. Injuries: Billings (ankle). SuperCoach: Ross (152) and Steven (148) had days out. A lazy 117 for Nick who is averaging 103.

14. RICHMOND 12 81.6%

There is the Big Dipper at Luna Park and the Tigers, similar rides in terms of peaks and troughs. Suspect the Dipper is a smoother ride but on their day. Who can’t the Tigers beat? Injuries: Morris (concussion). SuperCoach: Cotchin (151) added credence to the growing helmet-army.

A fractured cheekbone couldn’t stop Trent Cotchin. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

15. GOLD COAST 12 74.4%

Fighting words from the Suns prez — what is it with the northern bosses? The positives include continued development from two meter Peter and Prestia’s best game for 2016. Injuries: Macpherson (knee), Ah Chee (concussion). SuperCoach: Prestia (104) only Sun to crack ton.

16. BRISBANE LIONS 4 62.1%

Reckon in time Mathieson will be a player but right now we are talking small mercies. Leppitsch has to work out who is capable of still being at the Lions in three years, if indeed he survives that long. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Zorko (120) just keeps delivering in defeat.

17. ESSENDON 4 59.7%

Of the crew that ran around yesterday, probably around 12 will be part of the action next year and beyond. So even if they get everyone back, they are still going to require some inspired selections. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Six Dons topped the ton, but four players less than 35 didn’t help.

18. FREMANTLE 4 68.4%

9-0 this time last year becomes 0-9. And the Dockers’ biggest issue is why would Hogan or McCarthy want to join what is rapidly becoming an on-field basket case? Injuries: A. Pearce (ankle). SuperCoach: Neale (148) is having a huge year in a losing side. Blakely (122) worth keeping an eye on.

Originally published as AFL Super Ladder: Form analysis after Round 9, 2016