Super Ladder: Jon Ralph looks at where all 18 clubs are at after a massive Round 11
THE Hawks pulled off a season-saving win on Saturday, even if they did get a little bit of help from the umpires. Plus, how far can the Roos go? JON RALPH rates every team in this week’s Super Ladder.
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THE Eagles are flying after winning 10 straight, the Magpies look like playing finals and North Melbourne is gunning for top four.
How many of those statements would you have believed on the eve of Round 1?
Well, after 11 weeks, they are all true.
Check out where your team sits on Jon Ralph’s Super Ladder.
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1. WEST COAST 40 PTS 133.5
Can’t underestimate the difficulty of 10 wins in a row in modern footy. Darling’s ankle the clear watch, but coasting to top-4 spot with great talls, a tagger in Hutchings, flanker Sheppard underrated, Naitanui now kicking goals. Injuries: Darling (ankle). SC: Nic Nat (129) led six Eagles in triple figures.
2. RICHMOND 36 PTS 140.5
Jacky boy barely sniffed it and yet they had 29 scoring shots with 10 goalkickers. Reece Conca and Jayden Short hungry as junkyard dogs to get the medal that escaped them. Have found one in 2nd forward Cal Moore. Injuries: Nil. SC: Dusty (85) hasn’t scored more than 105 since Round 4.
3. MELBOURNE 32 PTS 140.2
Timestamp 2.10pm, Saturday June 2 as the first hit to premiership aspirations. Sam Frost ain’t no Jake Lever. How much change out of $2.5 million securing Nev Jetta, Tom McDonald (both free agents) and Angus Brayshaw? Injuries: Lever (knee), Melksham (ankle), Smith (neck). SC: Five Dees hit at least 120.
4. SYDNEY 32 PTS 118.6
Four wins better than last year at the halfway mark. Just quietly Buddy’s wingman Hayward has 14 goals in five weeks. But Hannebery looks lame. Judged by his impeccable standards, Kennedy is down too. Injuries: Nil. SC: Sinclair (132) scores his sixth ton of the season.
5. GEELONG 28 PTS 128.6
First game with the Fab Five — Ablett, Selwood, Danger, Duncan, Kelly — all in rollicking form. Despite growing pains, 7-4 and with five at GMHBA to come. Next challenge is the Roos and coach of the year Brad Scott. Injuries: Nil. SC: Eights Cats hit the ton, led by Duncan (136).
6. NORTH MELBOURNE 28 PTS 125.1
Put your hand up if you thought Majak wouldn’t make it? His season is reflective of Brad Scott’s coaching. Scott has found new positions for Daw, Ziebell, Atley, has many players in career-best form, is in form tactically. Coach of the Year so far. Injuries: Anderson (hamstring). SC: McDonald (132) best.
7. COLLINGWOOD 28 PTS 115.7
Is there anything better in footy than a mature-age debutant? Four-goal Mihocek a ripper. Pies as loved-up as stage five clinger Jarrod in those reality TV shows. Finally the Pies are predictable — in effort and game plan. Injuries: Nil. SC: Seven Pies in triple figures. Big start for Mihocek (97).
8. PORT ADELAIDE 24 PTS 107.1
For all the hype over Port, is just in the eight at 6-4. Need to get cracking. King Kenny might wish there was an NBA-style review system for free kicks in last minutes. But Hawks dominated territory late, deserved the win. Injuries: Nil. SC: Howard (104) the only Port player in triple figures.
9. ADELAIDE 24 PTS 106.9
Are the Crows’ top four hopes shot? Touched up by Dees (91 points) and now the Giants on their own dunghill. Gibbs and Crouch couldn’t do more. Adelaide is banged up, but how much of the slump is based on it not wanting to go back to the well? Injuries: Lynch (abdomen). SC: Gibbs (116) best.
10. HAWTHORN 24 PTS 104.8
Shaun Burgoyne, who should break Adam Goodes’ indigenous games record next year, brilliant when whips cracking late. Sicily heading for third All-Aus defender slot. Season-saving win, even if umps helped late. Injuries: Nil. SC: Hawks had a staggering nine players in triple figures.
11. GWS GIANTS 22 PTS 99.9
Daniel Lloyd’s bone-crunching tackle on Paul Seedsman said it all. A season-defining win built on pressure. Zac Langdon a clever addition, Ryan Griffen is finally back. The Giants are alive again. Injuries: Coniglio (concussion), Reid (groin). SC: Ward (111) and Shiel (101) only two to hit ton.
12. ESSENDON 16 PTS 87.3
Can’t see them winning seven of the next 11 to make finals, which likely puts 2018 as a wasted year. Who of the established players has improved this year? Maybe Bellchambers. Time for a look at Aaron Francis? Injuries: Zaharakis (collarbone). SC: No one other than Bellchambers (154) and Merrett (102) reached 90.
13. FREMANTLE 16 PTS 81.3
Fyfe should go. You can’t elbow players in the head. Fans will rather 10-goal losses with a heap of kids than same old with the veterans. But will full-blown rebuild cost them chance at McGovern? Injuries: Pearce (ankle). SC: Fyfe’s (78) first game below 100 since Round 1.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS 16 PTS 75.2
Won a flag at midnight on the premiership clock. Currently at quarter past five. Million dollar man Tom Boyd spent the entire day amassing four touches. Wow. Need to bottle the spirit of the remarkable Dale Morris. Injuries: Dickson (hamstring). SC: Bont (128) best again.
15. GOLD COAST 12 PTS 68.1
Get out while you can, Tom Lynch. You have given them eight of your best years. Dew’s trip down the slide next Monday might be the highlight of his year. Two goals in the last 100 minutes. How many fans will come back to watch that? Injuries: Hall (shoulder), Young (ankle), May (ankle). SC: Miller (101) the only Sun in triple figures.
16. ST KILDA 6 PTS 71.7
Tim Membrey going from yips to 6.0 is like renowned shonky putter Sergio Garcia winning on Augusta’s lightning greens. 12-25 free kick tally didn’t help. Kids coming hard. McCartin OK and Logan Austin a big tick. Injuries: Geary (calf). SC: Eight Saints didn’t reach 60.
17. BRISBANE 4 PTS 79.1
Had three on the bench at half time and still came home like Daniel Ricciardo. It’s that kind of year of baby gains — Beams’ five goals, Rayner’s seven tackles and 21 touches. Why wouldn’t they put in for a priority pick? Injuries: Christensen (concussion), Cameron (foot), McCluggage (Achilles). SC: Christensen -3. Ouch.
18. CARLTON 4 PTS 63.5
Big lift from the Jones boy, and we finally saw a future for SOS (Son of Steve). Likely to finish in the bottom three, where forward Jack Lukosius resides. Blues need mids, but he is once-in-a-generation good. Injuries: Nil. SC: Kerridge’s 134 his best for 2018.
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Originally published as Super Ladder: Jon Ralph looks at where all 18 clubs are at after a massive Round 11