How your team has fared since from Round 2-5 of AFL season
Richmond are at the crossroads after a horror month since the restart. But their win-loss record could be much worse with their Round 5 triumph acting as a facade. EVERY CLUB’S RESTART RATED
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In a shortened season, the first month back after the competition’s pandemic-enforced shutdown was more important than ever.
Most sides suffered at least a small hiccup and, at this stage, it is difficult to gauge who is the true premiership favourite — let alone who will make the top-eight.
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The WA and SA teams had it tougher than others, forced to brave the Gold Coast hub away from home, the experience galvanising Port Adelaide but taking a toll on West Coast.
Meanwhile, some teams, like Geelong, were blessed with a dream early run, as others, like Hawthorn, faced a horror draw.
It means their win-loss record can only tell you so much relative to the hand each side was dealt by the coronavirus pandemic, the difficulty of their draw, the nature of their wins and losses and their overall expectations entering the season.
How did each team fare in their first month back?
See how your team rated since the competition restart.
Adelaide
Record since restart: 0-4 (0-5 overall)
Position: 18th
Grade: F
Key stat: The Crows have scored a goal from just 16% of their inside 50 entries since the season restart (ranked 18th).
We knew a dip was coming but no one could have predicted it to be this dramatic. A Showdown drubbing set the tone for a Crows horror show over the past month, failing to register above 46 points. A lack of hunger and inefficient ball use has marred their play – the latter ultimately costing them a chance of nabbing their first win on Sunday. The excitement of developing youngsters is the only thing bringing a smile to Crows supporters at the minute.
Brisbane
Record since restart: 4-0 (4-1 overall)
Position: 1st
Grade: A+
Key stat: The Lions rank No. 1 across the competition for contested possession differential, time in forward half differential, inside 50 differential and points scored since the season restart.
Brisbane look to be the most convincing side after a flawless restart, culminating in a comfortable win over the in-form Power. Superstar Lachie Neale, who has gone to another level this season, and Hugh McCluggage are arguably the best inside-outside midfield combination in the competition and coach Chris Fagan’s attacking brand is paying dividends. They look close to unbeatable at the Gabba but the true test will come in the next fortnight on the road against Geelong and Greater Western Sydney.
Carlton
Record since restart: 2-2 (2-3)
Position: 12th
Grade: B
Key stat: The Blues have won the hitout-to-advantage count by five per game since the season restart (ranked third).
Carlton has improved significantly from last year but their slow starts have come back to haunt them. They failed to turn up against Melbourne and fell just shy following a spirited comeback and conceded seven of the first eight goals to St Kilda in Round 5. This has soured an otherwise impressive month where they’ve notched two wins, headlined by their unlikely triumph over Geelong at the Cattery. In season’s past, these nailbiting wins over Essendon and Geelong would have been losses.
Collingwood
Record since restart: 1-1-2 (2-1-2)
Position: 10th
Grade: D
Key stat: The Magpies have scored from 40% of their inside 50 entries since the season restart – (ranked 10th) and have averaged just 30 points from their intercept possessions (ranked 16th).
They say a week is a long time in footy, and it feels like an eternity ago that Nathan Buckley’s men schooled St Kilda in Round 3. Since then, the Magpies have suffered successive defeats with the suspension of star Steele Sidebottom and Jordan De Goey’s police charge going on in the background. Their loss to Essendon was particularly damning, unable to capitalise on the ruck dominance of Brodie Grundy and clearly hurting from the loss of injured interceptor Jeremy Howe.
Essendon
Record since restart: 2-1 (3-1)
Position: 5th
Grade: B
Key stat: The Bombers have scored a goal from 26% of their inside 50 entries since the season restart (ranked fourth).
We can cut Essendon some slack for their disappointing showing against Carlton after their training preparation was hindered by COVID-19 enforced lockdown. They responded emphatically in an inspiring victory over Collingwood, stamping their authority as a finals contender. The Bombers are sitting pretty in fifth with a game in hand and if they can bring the same defensive pressure with them to the Gold Coast hub, they could be 5-1.
Fremantle
Record since restart: 1-4 (1-3)
Position: 16th
Grade: C
Key stat: The Dockers have lost the inside 50 count by 10 per game since the season restart (ranked 16th).
Fremantle’s win-loss record isn’t a true reflection of how the Dockers are tracking. A side injected with youth are playing a much more positive brand of footy Justin Longmuir and have been within reaching distance at stages in all three of their losses – most notably coming close to knocking off the Lions at the Gabba. Quarter-long lapses have cost them dearly but a win without Nat Fyfe will fill them with confidence with a run of games to come at home. Former top-10 selections Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Griffin Logue are enjoying breakout years, the latter standing tall in the absence of their injured key defenders.
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Geelong
Record since restart: 3-1 (3-2)
Position: 3rd
Grade: C+
Key stat: The Cats have averaged 80 points since the season restart (ranked second).
Geelong have been far from convincing but have still managed to notch three wins on the board since the restart after being blessed with a soft early draw. The best of those came in their toughest match-up against Hawthorn in Round 2 on the back of a dominant second half. They crawled to the finish line in a close win over Melbourne and had a scare at home from a Matt Rowell-less Gold Coast, before their class rose to the top. If their current form continues, Brisbane and Collingwood will make short work of them but their talent is undeniable.
Gold Coast
Record since restart: 3-2 (3-2)
Grade: A
Position: 6th
Key stat: The Suns have won the contested possession count by 10 per game since the season restart (ranked fourth).
The Suns were handed a grand opportunity with the Gold Coast hub and they have taken it with both hands. Not even they could have predicted their stunning start to the season led by young sensation Matt Rowell, who will be a significant loss. Their recent loss to Geelong is the only blip on the radar and the Suns fought back gallantly after a poor first quarter in that match – which in seasons past would have become a thrashing. With a stack of young talent in Noah Anderson, Jack Lukosius and Ben King, they are going to be a joy to watch and expect them to nab some more surprise scalps across the year.
GWS
Record since restart: 2-2 (3-2)
Position: 7th
Grade: C+
Key stat: The Giants have lost the inside 50 count by 11 per game since the season restart (ranked 17th). However, they have been able to score from 52% of their inside 50 entries – ranked No. 1 in this period of time.
Like the Magpies, it’s been two polar opposite fortnights for the Giants since the season restart. Questions were being asked after their shock loss to North Melbourne was followed by empty mind games and bravado against a Western Bulldogs side yet to fire a shot to that stage. But with the likes of Toby Greene and Josh Kelly returning, the Giants knocked off the Magpies in a similar gritty fashion to last year’s preliminary final and made short work of Hawthorn. Their side oozes talent but their premiership credentials will be on the line in tough meetings with Port Adelaide and Brisbane in the next fortnight.
Hawthorn
Record since restart: 2-2 (3-2)
Grade: C+
Position: 9th
Key stat: The Hawks have conceded 71 points per game since the season restart (ranked 16th).
Hawthorn had the restart draw from hell and supporters would have taken 2-2 any day of the week. Their rousing win over the reigning premiers was the highlight, absolutely obliterating them in the first half and proving they are a force to be reckoned with at their best. But just like the form of Ben McEvoy in his key defensive post, the Hawks have reached dramatic highs and lows since the restart, showcasing both extremes in the one game against North Melbourne, who nearly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Melbourne
Record since restart: 1-2 (1-3)
Position: 17th
Grade: E
Key stat: The Demons have won the clearance count by four per game since the season restart – (ranked fifth).
Melbourne came into the season with promise but a severe lack of spark in the midfield and presence up forward will make winning games difficult. Their solitary win since the restart left the Demons faithful with more questions than answers after nearly blowing a seven goal lead. Spearhead Tom McDonald has kicked just two goals since the restart but he’s merely a scapegoat for the horrible delivery his forward group has received. Their close loss to Geelong was a saving grace but even in that match they registered just 44 points.
North Melbourne
Record since restart: 1-3 (2-3)
Position: 13th
Grade: D
Key stat: The Kangaroos have been outscored by 15 points per game from a turnover since the season restart (ranked 17th).
The Kangaroos began the restart with a gutsy win over GWS, one of their best wins in recent years, but have failed to replicate a four quarter effort anywhere that in their three games since. Their loss to the Swans following that triumph was a familiar theme for fans who have been let down by inconsistency, with their heavy loss to the Bulldogs even more damning. Prime goalkicker Ben Brown has booted just one goal in the last fortnight and injuries to Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell underline their lack of star power, despite Jy Simpkin’s emergence.
Port Adelaide
Record since restart: 3-1 (4-1)
Position: 1st
Grade: A
Key stat: The Power have scored from 45% of their inside 50 entries since the season restart (ranked third).
Most laughed off coach Ken Hinkley’s finals declaration during the pre-season but his exciting brand is proving the doubters wrong. The Power’s strong defence has only been exceeded by its vibrant attack, piling on the most points so far this season – playing on unfamiliar terrain, no less. They had a slight reality check against the Lions on the weekend but overall it’s a small hiccup with Charlie Dixon at his best and exciting youngster Zak Butters playing out of his skin.
Richmond
Record since restart: 1-1-2 (2-1-2)
Position: 11th
Grade: F
Key stat: The Tigers have won the inside 50 count by four per game since the season restart – (ranked sixth). However, they score a goal from 19% of these inside 50 entries (ranked 15th)
The Tigers were lucky they were playing the underwhelming Demons on Sunday as it could have easily been a winless restart in their premiership defence. Richmond have been found out by opposition sides and looked pedestrian against St Kilda and Hawthorn, escaping with a draw against the Magpies in Round 2. They have failed to bring their high pressure game that has brought them so much success and this has made their forward line look extremely vulnerable, with Jack Riewoldt symbolic of their woes. Their road back is even tougher with six top-line premiership stars missing for the early part of their hub venture.
St Kilda
Record since restart: 3-1 (3-2)
Position: 4th
Grade: A
Key stat: The Saints have scored a goal from 30% of their inside 50 entries since the season restart (ranked No. 1).
St Kilda had plenty of time to stew over their disappointing Round 1 loss and their response has been telling. Under coach Brett Ratten, they are now one of the most enthralling sides to watch, with their quick ball movement tearing apart Richmond in Round 4. They struggled in trying conditions against Collingwood but their restart must be commended as they vie for a top-eight spot. Ex-Tiger Dan Butler has added pace and creativity to their front half, their underrated defence is standing tall and maligned talent Jack Billings is in career best form.
Sydney
Record since restart: 1-3 (2-3)
Position: 14th
Grade: C
Key stat: The Swans have lost the contested possession count by 15 per game since the season restart (ranked 16th). In Round 1 they won this measure by 17.
It’s been a mixed bag from Sydney since the restart as you’d expect from a largely inexperienced side without injured superstar Lance Franklin. However, they missed a valuable opportunity against the vulnerable Eagles in Round 5, unable to maintain the rage after a promising start. Their perplexing poor form at the SCG has continued into 2020 with both their wins coming away from home, most recently stunning the Roos. Sydney now have a crucial chance to steal a win against the injury-hit Tigers – and fortunately for them, it’s not at the SCG.
West Coast
Record since restart: 1-3 (2-3)
Position: 15th
Grade: F
Key stat: The Eagles have scored a goal from 18% of their inside 50 entries since the season restart (ranked 16th). In 2019, they were the best side in the competition for this measure.
West Coast entered the season as one of the main premiership fancies with a fit Nic Naitanui and the acquisition of Tim Kelly. Somehow, they are still in the frame with a run of games at home to come despite an abomination in the Gold Coast hub. The Eagles failed to score more than 46 points from Round 2-4, seemingly giving up when the game was on the line against the Suns as they got rolled in the second half. Efforts from a team of this calibre are unacceptable, but they managed to keep their season alive with a win over Sydney last weekend.
Western Bulldogs
Record since restart: 3-1 (3-2)
Position: 8th
Grade: B
Key stat: The Bulldogs have won the uncontested possession count by 23 per game (ranked fourth).
The doomsayers predicted the worst after two devastating losses to start the season. Since then the Bulldogs have recorded three significant wins on the trot, keeping opposition to an average of 36.7 in this period. Their defiant win over arch rivals GWS has seemingly turned their season around with their miserly defence excelling, their forwards hitting the scoreboard and ruckman Tim English going to another level. And it hasn’t been all up to captain Marcus Bontempelli either, having minimal impact in their convincing win over the Roos in Round 5.
Originally published as How your team has fared since from Round 2-5 of AFL season
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