AFL ladder Round 10: Geelong-Adelaide clash can be season-defining as Western Bulldogs, Richmond respond

FRIDAY night’s clash between Geelong and Adelaide will be huge as the Cats attempt to stick with the top two teams. Where does your team sit after Round 10?

Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer booted five goals in the win over St Kilda. Picture: Getty Images

THERE was so much on the line for the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, and both teams responded.

Friday night’s clash between Geelong and Adelaide will be huge as the Cats attempt to stick with the top two teams.

Melbourne overcame a tardy first half against Gold Coast to stay in touch of the top eight, with the hopes of St Kilda and Essendon were dented, while Fremantle didn’t play like a finals team against the Crows.

THE TACKLE: MARK ROBINSON’S ROUND 10 LIKES AND DISLIKES

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NO EXCUSES: ‘GALLANT DEFEAT’ NOT IN BOLTON’S VOCAB

JON ANDERSON analyses every club after Round 10.

1. ADELAIDE (8-0-2) 145.0%, 32PTS

Their season is starting to resemble Carlton in 1995, who was dominant but for being towelled in Rds 8-9. Winning at Geelong this Friday will tell us more.

2. GWS GIANTS (8-0-2) 117.90%, 32PTS

I guess at some stage the football world should accept Greene is one of the best 20 players in the game, if not 10. Read into it what you like but for me they are premiers, given no more injuries.

3. GEELONG (7-0-3) 116.3%, 28PTS

Interesting player Stewart. Looks and even plays like an old-style footballer. Boasts impressive closing speed and good one-on-one. Would enjoy working with Scarlett.

4. WESTERN BULLDOGS (6-0-4) 108.4%, 24PTS

Finding out their best forward set-up is the key given there are so many machinations. Liked the in-close work of Jong, while Dale’s development excites.

5. RICHMOND (6-0-4) 108.2%, 24PTS

Good, tough win. Don’t worry about Bolton’s numbers for he’s going to become a very exciting Tiger. As for the ladder, you can’t help thinking they should be sitting second.

Dustin Martin celebrates on the final siren after Richmond defeated Essendon. Picture: AAP

6. WEST COAST (6-0-4), 101.9%, 24PTS

Many people overrated this crew. In fact they may have been part of it. They run very well one way and get a stich when it doesn’t go their way. Very hard team to follow.

7. FREMANTLE (6-0-4) 81.5%, 24PTS

There are totally unacceptable losses and this was one. Fyfe is interesting. He’s had a good year but nothing like the highs of 2015. Is his mind fully tuned in?

Nat Fyfe struggled against the Crows. Picture: Getty Images

8. PORT ADELAIDE (5-0-4), 144.%, 20PTS

If the measure of a team is even performance then coach Hinkley can be relatively satisfied. Hartlett is a player who can make a difference given he’s a fair way off at present.

9. MELBOURNE (5-0-5) 111.7%, 20PTS

Garlett just reminded Blues fans of what their forward line could look like, while Hibberd was one the Bombers needed to retain. Ninth on the ladder is a fair assessment.

10. ST KILDA (5-0-5) 98.3%, 20PTS

Right now they are the disappointments of the competition given their past two insipid weeks (apart from the Eagles in Melbourne). Their ball use is much ado about nothing

11. ESSENDON (5-0-4) 97.6%, 20PTS

Over-possessed the ball by stuffing around with unnecessary handball. And lost the key moments up forward when Rance and Astbury won out. A player or two short of the eight.

Jobe Watson walks off the MCG after the loss to Richmond. Picture: AAP

12. COLLINGWOOD (4-0-6) 100.2%, 16PTS

They play in patches, which you can get away with against a Brisbane. Look a far better side when they bring the ball through the corridor. Just ask Elliott and Moore.

13. NORTH MELBOURNE (4-0-6) 96.7%, 16PTS

They have players with enough talent to produce, despite being out of the game for large periods. Require another tall up back and class in the guts, which may be Kelly and Martin.

North Melbourne survived a scare from the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

17. HAWTHORN (4-0-6) 79.1%, 16PTS

Just like the old days with all the guns firing in Hodge, Burgoyne, Roughead and Mitchell, even if the latter looks different. Maybe the type of win that kickstarts them.

15. SYDNEY (3-0-7) 100.1%, 12PTS

Sure they didn’t see it coming after the past three weeks. At home, a finals drive to play for, coming off three wins in a row and they fail to turn up early.

16. GOLD COAST (3-0-6) 84.3%, 12PTS

Teams know that if you hang in long enough, you will get a crack at the Suns at some stage. They just get far too little out of their bottom six.

17. CARLTON (3-0-7) 78.9% 12PTS

If you don’t hear “three votes, Carlton, B.Gibbs” on Brownlow night, then feel free to organise a lynching party. Cunningham is starting to pick up the tempo, so they have found another piece.

18. BRISBANE (1-0-9) 64.0%, 4PTS

Rich, Taylor and Bastinac need more ball to ease the workload on Beams and Zorko, although Barrett and McCluggage are showing the right signs.

Originally published as AFL ladder Round 10: Geelong-Adelaide clash can be season-defining as Western Bulldogs, Richmond respond