Fremantle, Essendon and Sydney pick up crucial wins as Richmond and St Kilda stumble

WHY shouldn’t Essendon be the latest to stake a claim? Bombers climb and they’ve got Richmond up next. Club-by-club analysis of a crazy Round 9.

Michael Walters celebrates a goal in the win over Carlton.

ANOTHER crazy weekend and Round 9 is done and dusted.

It’s crazy to think that just seven weeks ago Fremantle lost to Port Adelaide by 89 points but now sit fifth after beating Carlton in the wet in Perth.

Meanwhile, Essendon and Sydney have improved their finals hopes after fellow contenders Richmond, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs all stumbled.

THE TACKLE: MARK ROBINSON’S ROUND 9 LIKES AND DISLIKES

THROW IT UP: WORSFOLD, SIMPSON BACK BOUNCE AXE

SUNDAY BLOG: RE-CAP THE DAY’S ACTION AND REACTION

1. ADELAIDE (7-0-2) 135.10%, 28PTS

After a fortnight of nightmares, a live kill was required. Hugh Greenwood, he of the hoops background, provides yet another scoring option and a serious tackling presence.

2. GWS GIANTS (7-0-2) 118.90%, 28PTS

Nothing like an old-fashioned duel which was what Jon Patton — Alex Rance became, the latter being a lot faster on the draw. The Giants need so much more from Rory Lobb, but hey, they keep winning.

Patrick Dangerfield kicks a goal in the win over Western Bulldogs.

3. GEELONG (6-0-3) 117.60%, 24PTS

They get hurt in crumbing the ball up forward due to the continued absence of Lincoln McCarthy and Cory Gregson. Maybe play Jed Bews as a defensive forward. Jordan Murdoch’s finest game for the club when he didn’t have the pill.

4. WEST COAST (6-0-3), 103.20%, 24PTS

That infectious disease, previously confined to the MCG, has now spread down the road. It sees them fumble, miss tackles, miss targets by hand and foot and fail to commit to acceptable effort levels.

5. FREMANTLE (6-0-3) 90.60%, 24PTS

Players like Michael “Sunny Boy” Walters and Bradley Hill are rare gems in a competition dominated by ball-gathering midfielders who aren’t all great kicks or decision-makers.

6. PORT ADELAIDE (5-0-3), 150.8%, 20PTS BYE

From a team that has at times been dishonest in performance levels over the past two years to a very consistent outfit that appears happy to do the less glamorous acts in search of team success.

Jeremy Cameron kicks the matchwinning goal against Richmond.

7. RICHMOND (5-0-4) 107.00%, 20PTS

You can look for all the excuses over the past fortnight but basically it comes down to missing crucial set shots. Get Michael “Disco” Roach down there as a goalkicking gun for hire.

8. WESTERN BULLDOGS (5-0-4) 103.70%, 20PTS

They are never out of any contest but suddenly require a patch of wins to shoot for top four. Jordan Roughead’s aggression will be warmly welcomed back.

9. ST KILDA (5-0-4) 103.10%, 20PTS

Really ordinary when it counted. Played a high possession game that brought very little scoreboard return. Stop stuffing around with it and play more directly like Sydney.

10. ESSENDON (5-0-4) 99.20%, 20PTS

In a season that has been up and down like Damian Hardwick’s heart rate, why shouldn’t they be the latest to stake a claim? Part of it has come via some astute recruiting, not always from the first round.

Joe Daniher leaps over the pack at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

11. MELBOURNE (4-0-5) 108.60%, 16PTS

A Demon takes the ball and streams forward with numbers in front of him. But wait. Let’s stop this promising foray by handballing sideways to a stationary teammate, who has an opponent next to him. Bloody hell.

12. SYDNEY (3-0-6) 100.90%, 12PTS

Jake Lloyd has been good all year but the other midfield guns in Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker are back. Dane Rampe, Kurt Tippett and Gary Rohan benefit from the run and suddenly the eight is very reachable.

13. COLLINGWOOD (3-0-6) 94.50%, 12PTS

If they can somehow manufacture something up forward, then maybe they can mount some form of challenge. So let’s move one or two of their never-ending mids forward?

14. NORTH MELBOURNE (2-0-6) 94.50%, 12PTS

They love Ben Brown, Kayne Turner and Mason Wood and you saw why. Kids who will form the nucleus of their next group to challenge. That won’t happen this year but supporters can see a pathway.

Ben Brown kicks a goal in the win over Melbourne.

15. GOLD COAST (3-0-5) 86.20%, 12PTS BYE

From a team that initially seemed reluctant, the Suns are embracing the Chinese experience and want more. But first there is the matter of righting a ship that is Sam Stosur-like in consistency terms.

16. CARLTON (3-0-6) 78.00% 12PTS

They haven’t yet been linked with a big name out-of-contract player. They will be because they have room. And not necessarily a forward given they are pleased with Pat Kerr and Harry McKay in the VFL.

17. HAWTHORN (3-0-6) 76.80%, 12PTS

James Sicily has to develop extra ways to win possession when the game turns, whereas Ty Vickery is right at the crossroads of his career. Maybe more time in the ruck but Ben McEvoy playing OK.

18. BRISBANE (1-0-8) 63.90%, 4PTS

You buy time when you are young and rebuilding, sorry, I meant resetting, but you still require competitiveness and their third quarter was insipid (bar Dayne Beams).

Originally published as Fremantle, Essendon and Sydney pick up crucial wins as Richmond and St Kilda stumble