SuperLadder: Jon Anderson assesses your club at Round 18
THE WESTERN Bulldogs have reached the stage where they need to work out just who wants to be there next year and beyond. Jon Anderson assesses every club after Round 18.
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MELBOURNE blew a chance to be in the top four following its after-the-siren loss to Geelong on Saturday night.
Amazing, the Cats dropped out of the top eight despite their last-gasp win as Hawthorn jumped them after thumping Carlton.
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Sydney and Port Adelaide will also rue costly defeats as nine teams vie for five spots in the finals log-jam.
JON ANDERSON takes a look at where your club stands at Round 18.
1. RICHMOND (13-0-4) 137.9% 52pts
Every so often teams develop a brotherhood, a predictability in what each other will do. It often leads to success, although not always the obvious on-field joy these Tigers display.
2. WEST COAST (13-0-4) 125.8% 52pts
From a September angle, Jetta had the dancing shoes on, Cripps brought the pressure and Darling was back to pre-injury form. Plus the Lycett-Vardy ruck tandem worked.
3. COLLINGWOOD (12-0-5) 121.7% 48pts
Daicos is two to three years off but will be some player, while Mihocek is just smart recruiting. Love ‘em or loath ‘em, the Pies playing well is massive for the competition.
4. SYDNEY (11-0-6) 114.2% 44pts
When you have you have a lot of kids, it leads to inconsistent performance, irrespective of your culture. But the Suns? I didn’t think the Swans could win it beforehand, certain now.
5. PORT ADELAIDE (11-0-6) 113.1% 44pts
The Power’s tackling after the long break was the stuff of textbook, but why wait so long with so much to play for? Has there ever been a stronger 20-year-old than Powell-Pepper?
6. GWS GIANTS (10-1-6) 112.3% 42pts
The gentle giant Simpson played the game of his long AFL life, one for the good guys. As for Shaw, he runs like a broken-down horse yet plays with such a natural feel for the game.
7. MELBOURNE (10-0-7) 127.9% 40pts
For vision and execution by hand, Oliver is the best since Greg Williams. As for the loss, doubt it happens next year. For instance, the Demons should have gone backwards with 96 seconds to go.
8. HAWTHORN (10-0-7) 119% 40pts
Poppy and Breust highlighted why the Hawks’ small forward set-up was arguably the best ever when Cyril was around, and still more than handy. Mitchell will be a very worthy Brownlow winner.
9. GEELONG (10-0-7) 118.2% 40pts
Arguably Stanley’s best game in the hoops, while rumours of Ablett’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Menegola goes under the radar and Henry will be a beauty with strength and time.
10. NORTH MELBOURNE (9-0-8) 108% 36pts
Got beaten for speed which is rarely the case. Or maybe it was just commitment to the cause. The Roos have earned respect this year so to serve that up was disrespectful to their brand.
11. ESSENDON (9-0-8) 99.9% 36pts
Fantasia is like De Goey and Robbie Gray, just such a match-winner. Bellchambers’ season has been significant. As for the eight, the loss to a team named Carlton will haunt the Dons.
12. ADELAIDE (9-0-8) 99.1% 36pts
Greenwood is one of those rare X-factor players who just finds goals. Crouch would find the pill at an anti-football gathering. Melbourne on Saturday determines the Crows finals fate.
13. FREMANTLE (7-0-10) 82.8% 28pts
Wilson’s run is game-changing and the Dockers are finding kids such as Duman, Banfield and Cerra. The key is snaring a key forward come the draft, for they don’t grow on trees at the Dockers. Injuries: Nil. SC: Neale (118) just keeps delivering and averages 108.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS (5-0-12) 71.4% 20pts
Probably reached the stage where the Dogs need to work out just who wants to be there next year and beyond. And on recent evidence they need to trade and trade hard. And prune. Injuries: Honeychurch (concussion), Dahlhaus (ankle). SC: Twelve Dogs didn’t make it to 60 points.
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15. ST KILDA (4-1-12) 75.9% 18pts
The Saints get the chance to shine on a Friday night and they go and serve up that crap. And it’s not as if money is flowing freely for a club extremely reliant on hand-outs from big brother. Injuries: Nil. SC: Steven just 52 but Gresham (110) continues to shine.
16. BRISBANE (4-0-13) 91.8% 16pts
Walker is an AFL equivalent of Samson, a far better performer with hair. Witherden continues his push for the Rising Star. Just needed more from some old heads to stone the Crows. Injuries: Nil. SC: Witherden (131) gets better each week, while keep an eye on Rayner (70) next year.
17. GOLD COAST (4-0-13) 65.1% 16pts
Captain May didn’t play like someone wanting to leave the Suns, while Miller continued his push for b&f. Kolodjashnij is a serious player who is hopefully on the way back after a horror run. Injuries: Nil. SC: Young (128) and Weller 9112) superb and Thompson had one of the best 20 SC points games seen.
18. CARLTON (1-0-16) 59.6% 4pts
The worst part is the Blues seemed to be trying. Devoid of confidence but it won’t prevent Cripps from staying, because of his close bond with Charlie Curnow. And there lies the future. Injuries: Fisher (ankle), Jones (knee). SC: Cripps (122) the only Blue in triple figures.
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Originally published as SuperLadder: Jon Anderson assesses your club at Round 18