Sydney within finals striking distance, Adelaide and GWS retain ladder lead
SUPERLADDER: SYDNEY is eyeing off a history-making finals appearance after another win in Round 13 while Melbourne and West Coast pick up crucial wins.
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THE byes are behind us and every team has now played 12 games.
So how has the ladder shaken out? Adelaide and GWS retain their lead at the top of the table despite having the week off.
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Meanwhile, Sydney has moved into striking distance of the top eight with just two games separating fourth from 15th.
See where you club is placed after Round 13 and try to predict the final ladder in our ladder predictor below.
1. ADELAIDE (9-0-3) 141.70%, 36PTS
Mitch McGovern, so important to their mix, is close after playing in the SANFL. Then there’s the forgotten man in Anzac Day Medallist Paul Seedsman who is also back playing. His dash off half-back is an appealing option.
2. GWS GIANTS (9-0-3) 116.40%, 36PTS
It’s all about getting the troops back and getting games into them. To that end Rory Lobb, Nick Haynes, Jacob Hopper and Will Setterfield are all chances to return over the next two weeks. They also need Jon Patton to start clunking it.
3. GEELONG (8-0-4) 114.80%, 32PTS
When you claw your way back after being six goals down against a rabid opponent playing for its life on home soil, all is not bad. What is a problem are injuries to crumbing players.
4. PORT ADELAIDE (7-0-5) 134.40%, 28PTS
Most who played in this game will have no obvious memories of it within weeks, possibly days. More of doing what a man had to do, and then fly home. Darcy Byrne-Jones can play.
5. MELBOURNE (7-0-5) 115.70%, 28PTS
Well planned, well executed and well timed. In fact, it all points to happiness for a team that runs as well as any. Put Max Gawn and Jesse Hogan back in and you have a genuine contender.
6. RICHMOND (7-0-5), 109.70%, 28PTS
When we in the media start eulogising about a team or coach, you can just about be assured it will go pear-shaped. Their small forwards, who are kids, let them down.
7. WEST COAST (7-0-5) 102.60%, 28PTS
When it mattered, Sam Mitchell highlighted the wisdom of his recruitment. And then there were the dancing feet of Lewis Jetta. Oh how we have missed them after three years in the wilderness.
8. ESSENDON (6-0-6) 102.90%, 24PTS
Darcy Parish is a good chance for a trip to Sydney on Friday night. And the unlucky but talented Jayden Laverde is getting closer for his first game since the JLT whatever it was called.
9. WESTERN BULLDOGS (6-0-6) 96.50%, 24PTS
If it isn’t a premiership hangover, then it’s a very good impression of one. And the nature of the loss would suggest the disease is terminal rather than temporary.
10. ST KILDA (6-0-6) 95.00%, 24PTS
That it made for an uncomfortable night’s viewing doesn’t detract from the importance of their win. That Seb Ross, Jack Newnes and Jack Billings fired is vital long term.
11. FREMANTLE (6-0-6) 78.50%, 24PTS
You would expect a response after the horrors of the past month, although visiting Geelong isn’t ideal. The key is the giant who is given a good chance of playing.
12. SYDNEY SWANS (5-0-7) 105.50%, 20PTS
Getting so much out of lower profile types in Nic Newman, Zak Jones and Jake Lloyd spreads the load. Can they make the eight? Of course in a year where 15th is two games off fourth.
13. COLLINGWOOD (5-0-7) 101.70%, 20PTS
Jamie Elliott, Ben Reid, Tyson Goldsack and Travis Varcoe are all chances for a date with Port Adelaide at the MCG this Saturday arvo. And Daniel Wells aside, whose soft tissue injuries are becoming a nightmare, that quartet brings them close to full strength.
14. GOLD COAST (5-0-7) 88.10%, 20PTS
The type of 50-50, or even 60-40 given it was at home against an opponent beneath them, that they can’t afford to lose. Tom Lynch being obliterated by Liam Jones was the key.
15. CARLTON (5-0-7) 82.70, 20PTS
So does Bryce Gibbs stay? The Adelaide offer will be just as strong and the Blues have jumped the queue for Josh Kelly from GWS and possibly one other if Gibbs returns home.
16. NORTH MELBOURNE (4-0-8) 92.90%, 16PTS
Here’s a side that requires a major injection, make it two needles, of class. They have to finish well enough to make Arden Street an appealing home.
17. HAWTHORN (4-0-8) 76.90%, 16PTS
Grant Birchall should be right for his fourth game this year. Interesting player is the Tasmanian left-footer, one who gets the kudos from within but not always from we in the outside world.
18. BRISBANE (2-0-10) 69.90%, 8PTS
When Tom Rockliff and Dayne Beams have 35 between them, they aren’t going to win too many games. Dayne Zorko embodies everything this club hopes to become.
Originally published as Sydney within finals striking distance, Adelaide and GWS retain ladder lead
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