Hawthorn slipped in Round 17 while the top-four battle heats up after round of upsets
HAWTHORN, Geelong and North Melbourne’s loss has opened the finals door for GWS and Essendon while the top-four battle is heating up. See where your team is placed after Round 17.
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HAWTHORN were meant to walk over Brisbane. No one told the Lions.
The Hawks threw away a golden chance to cement a place in the top-eight but put in an insipid performance at their second home in Launceston.
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Together with Geelong and North Melbourne’s loss, the finals door is now wide open for GWS and Essendon to charge through in the run home.
Meanwhile, the top-four battle is heating up with the top six teams separated by just two games.
1. RICHMOND (12-0-4) 135.0% 48pts
Nothing to panic about Tiger fans. In fact a timely wake-up call before the real stuff. And on that, Dustin Martin would seem to be shaking off the cobwebs. Jayden Short is that in name and height only. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Martin (110) was the only Tiger to crack the ton. Trent Cotchin (60) and Josh Caddy (54) kept in check.
2. WEST COAST (12-0-4) 122.4% 48pts
The Eagles became land rats, owning the MCG rather than being mesmerised by it. And it was all about width, switching it like a chess board until they found checkmate. Scott Lycett was massive. Injuries: Nic Naitanui (knee). SuperCoach: Jack Redden’s (154) super year continues. Jeremy McGovern (132) hot as well.
3. COLLINGWOOD (11-0-5) 117.6% 44pts
When the Pies play in September, there’s a fair chance it will be one-on-one, so why did they consistently allow West Coast a spare? But they will have far better structure with Mason Cox back, Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Steele Sidebottom (48), Scott Pendlebury (74), Jordan de Goey (73) and Jaidyn Stephenson (40). Go figure!
4. SYDNEY (11-0-5) 117.3% 44pts
A win for the world, from Sudan to Sydney. Hopefully Aliir Aliir and Majak Daw will inspire so many more. As for the Swans, is there a more resilient team in recent history? New kids, new talent. Injuries: Josh Kennedy (back). SuperCoach: With Kennedy (27) injured, Dane Rampe, Isaac Heeney, Buddy Franklin and Luke Parker scored tons.
5. PORT ADELAIDE (11-0-5) 115.9% 44pts
A team craving respect and with so much to play for goes and serves up that. Then again it’s why the Power has been the query side all year and why it won’t win the flag. Injuries: Robbie Gray (concussion), Paddy Ryder (hip). SuperCoach: Ollie Wines (140) tried to the lead way. Chad Wingard (105) handy.
6. MELBOURNE (10-0-6) 130.2% 40pts
The beauty of this team is how settled it is seven weeks out. And it’s one that has finally nailed it’s top end draft picks in Clayton Oliver, Jesse Hogan, Angus Brayshaw, Christian Salem and Christian Petracca. Top four? Beat the Cats first. Injuries: Jack Viney (toe). SuperCoach: Oliver (136) and Max Gawn (131) hot again in two-man club war.
7. GWS GIANTS (9-1-6) 111.1% 38pts
Thought big Dawson Simpson was huge against Toby Nankervis and if he can maintain that standard, then the Giants remain a genuine flag chance when Jeremy Cameron, Tom Scully and Brett Deledio return. Injuries: Josh Kelly (wrist). SuperCoach: Dawson Simpson (122) led seven Giants to the ton.
8. GEELONG (9-0-7) 119.5% 36pts
If Cam Guthrie is having a shocking night by foot, why would he continue to take kick-ins during the third quarter? Who didn’t make that call, the senior coach, defensive coach or on-field leaders? Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Patrick Dangerfield (158) back to his best. Quiet night for Brandan Parfitt (26).
9. NORTH MELBOURNE (9-0-7) 114.2% 36pts
With Kayne Turner out, the Roos were lacking forward crumbers, and even with him in, it’s an area they need to target. In terms of aesthetics, North are easy to watch. Injuries: Turner (concussion). SuperCoach: Jack Ziebell (124), Todd Goldstein (123) and Ben Brown (120) couldn’t quite get them home.
10. HAWTHORN (9-0-7) 114.2% 36pts
Just when it seemed they were on track, the Hawks go to their second home and put their cue in the rack for an insipid second half. Hardly the display of a deep September aspirant. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Tom Mitchell (159) had 100 up at half-time. Liam Shiels (136) and Jaeger O’Meara (124) handy as well. But others?
11. ADELAIDE (8-0-8) 98.7% 32pts
The Crows have the tools to create some September havoc but will they get in? Reckon on their day they are as good as most contenders but their percentage will cost them. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Defender Rory Laird (133) is averaging 111. Tom Doedee fell back with 67.
12. ESSENDON (8-0-8) 97.7% 32pts
Darcy Parish’s best game for the year was a plus given his up and down form. And Devon Smith’s pressure remains off the charts. In fact is there a better one in the game in those facets? Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Half the Dons broke 90 with only Brendon Goddard (47) and Ben McNeice (13) failing to crack 50.
13. FREMANTLE (7-0-9) 83.6% 28pts
As appealing as Geelong’s Tim Kelly is, Sean Darcy showed why he won’t be part of any trade. Luke Ryan is going to be a beauty, so now it’s a matter of Cam McCarthy rediscovering the magic and Harley Bennell playing to his level. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Ryan (140) back to his best and averages 96.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS (5-0-11) 73.1% 20pts
An eight-goal loss is probably a fair indication of where the Dogs are at. Josh Schache shows a bit more each week and now needs to add the one percenters to his game. Lachie Hunter’s consistency is admirable. Injuries: Nil SuperCoach: Jack Macrae (131) and Mitch Wallis (116) started off strong. Ed Richards (46) down on his usual output.
15. ST KILDA (4-1-11) 77.8% 18pts
OK, the Saints’ year has been far from saintly, but they would have to be excited with 201cm Rowan Marshall, a one-grabber with some serious athleticism. A 2017 rookie pick who would go first-round this year. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Jack Steele (144) was tops, but 14 players scored 79 or more.
16. BRISBANE (4-0-12) 91.7% 16pts
Talk growing about how good the Lions will be in two or three years. Stuff that, what about 2019? Each week a new bud blossoms, suggesting their recruiting staff have got it right. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Plenty to watch for next year including Hugh McCluggage (113) and Cam Rayner (76).
17. GOLD COAST (3-0-13) 62.2% 12pts
The Suns don’t get close to playing four quarters. But Lachie Weller will be a positive in 2019, as will Will Brodie. Got to somehow entice a ready-made player. Are there any surfers out of contract? Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Jaryd Lyons top scoring with 99 says it all.
18. CARLTON (1-0-15) 60.9% 4pts
In a sea of negativity, let’s look for positives. Zac Fisher is going to be a ripper and Harry McKay has something, although it might be as a 200cm on-baller than the key forward he was recruited to become. Injuries: Matthew Kreuzer (ribs). SuperCoach: Patrick Cripps (156) shone again.
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Originally published as Hawthorn slipped in Round 17 while the top-four battle heats up after round of upsets