Round 20 ladder: Melbourne going backwards as top eight battle heats up
MELBOURNE was the biggest loser over the weekend but it wasn’t on the scoreboard, and there are seven clubs still in the race for a finals berth. JON ANDERSON rates every team.
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PORT Adelaide was the biggest loser on the scoreboard in Round 20, but Melbourne would feel it was after sliding out of the top eight for the first time since Round 11.
The Power’s percentage took a massive hit after its record Showdown defeat as the battle for a finals berth intensified with four points separating fifth to 11th.
Essendon returned to the top eight at the expense of West Coast, and St Kilda kept its season alive.
The top four is nearly locked in as Adelaide closes in on the minor premiership.
Jon Anderson rates every team after Round 20.
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1. ADELAIDE CROWS (14-1-4) 141.5%, 58PTS
With respect to the Giants and Richmond, now we know who can claim to be the best side in 2017. And it came from the Texan, Fast Eddie, Sauce and the Crouch boys. But Tex is the key.
2. GWS GIANTS (12-2-5) 115.3%, 52PTS
The most likely they have looked for a couple of months and it’s no coincidence Coniglio was back. And didn’t mind the game of that old fella Johnson. But it all depends on Mummy being around.
3. RICHMOND (13-0-6) 112.0%, 52PTS
That’s why they recruited Caddy and Prestia, who has been well coached back to form. How appropriate they play Geelong, their long-time nemesis, to make top four a near certainty.
4. GEELONG (12-1-6) 115.1%, 50PTS
Lose six from your best 22 and most teams will struggle against good opposition. Problem is only Danger is a certainty to return this week. Suddenly their season is on the line against the Tigers.
5. PORT ADELAIDE (11-0-8) 122.5%, 44PTS
Embarrassed themselves. In fact best not to walk down Rundle Mall for the next two days. Have several players who can go missing in a game where motivation shouldn’t be required.
6. SYDNEY (11-0-8) 117.2%, 44PTS
Hayward at Pick 21 last year’s draft and Papley the rookie typifies a very astute recruiting department. And then they win at Geelong with Buddy only poor to fair. That thunder is starting to shake.
7. WESTERN BULLDOGS (11-0-8) 101.1%, 44PTS
Cloke and Redpath worked together OK and there signs that Libba is on the way back to his best clearance days. But still think they are a fair way off the cohesion required for another September foray.
8. ESSENDON (10-0-9) 107.3%, 40PTS
It’s a magic carpet ride and one Watson deserves to be part of, rather than exiting the game looking a shadow of his best. And it’s his clearance expertise that the Bombers require.
9. WEST COAST (10-0-9) 105.0%, 40PTS
They don’t have enough like Hurn, who is a total star, and Kennedy. In fact they had three or four yesterday who are a fair way off AFL home and away level, let alone finals.
10. MELBOURNE (10-0-9) 104.8%, 40PTS
Their last two weeks have been a significant step backwards, even if 2017 is before their time. Kids such as Hunt and Petracca are off the boil. But Maynard showed a bit first up, and Lewis played his best Demon game.
11. ST KILDA (10-0-9) 93.3%, 40PTS
When it mattered in the second half, it was Roberton who won the crucial one on ones. Billings in time will convert more of his many opportunities and become a 50-goal forward.
12. COLLINGWOOD (8-1-10) 100.2%, 34PTS
They were the more accomplished of an unaccomplished pair of teams in a game that should be erased from any form of historical video reference. From a positive, liked the intent of Maynard.
13. HAWTHORN (8-1-10) 87.8%, 34PTS
Mediocrity in terms of ladder position isn’t acceptable for this club but every so often you need a breather. Now they can reset, which is the new buzz word, and further develop their kids.
14. FREMANTLE (8-0-11) 81.2%, 32PTS
McCarthy showed what can be. Think how much he would benefit from a big body alongside? The former carpenter Ryan is another mature age ripper, while Fyfe is nearing peak levels.
15. GOLD COAST (6-0-13) 81.2%, 24PTS
As a season of relative mediocrity nears it completion, the focus will shift to a pair of old staggers in Eade and Ablett. Not sure the former could have done anymore, while the latter could be retirement bound.
16. NORTH MELBOURNE (5-0-14) 86.8%, 20PTS
How do you kick one goal in a half of football that is played under a roof? And 27 times you have gone inside the 50m line. I greatly admire the North loyalists who are prepared to pay for that.
17. CARLTON (5-0-14) 79.6%, 20PTS
Kreuzer’s recovery from such severe concussion was remarkable. His fellow No.1 picks in Murphy and Gibbs were equally as good, highlighting the need for top compensation should the latter leave.
18. BRISBANE LIONS (4-0-15) 70.9%, 16PTS
At a stage where they need to start winning tight games to provide the self-belief to their kids. But they did prove they can claw their way back into games and it came from their experienced heads.
Originally published as Round 20 ladder: Melbourne going backwards as top eight battle heats up
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