AFL Super Ladder: Every team’s form rated after Round 9

Melbourne is dominating one statistical category but it isn’t helping the Demons win games. What’s going on? Meanwhile, have the Bombers found their X-Factor? Jon Anderson rates every club’s form after Round 9.

Nathan Jones of the Demons in action.

Melbourne is dominating one statistical category but it isn’t helping the Demons win games.

What’s going on?

Meanwhile, have the Bombers found some much needed x-factor in the form of a star forward?

After what was a massive Round 9, Jon Anderson rates the form of every team.

BAROMETER: SEE EVERY CLUB’S INJURY LIST

GAWN: WHAT SPARKED VARDY SHOVE

GEELONG 32 1PTS 46.2%

Ryan Abbott and the transient Darcy Fort played their part, so what happens re balance when Rhys Stanley comes back? Suspect Fort’s forward nous may see him remain. Speaking of forwards, is any a better or smarter field kick than Tom Hawkins?

COLLINGWOOD 28 PTS 129.5%

Like the way they find ways to win even when not firing on all eight cylinders. And they do have a V8 engine, meaning competition for spots is at a healthy high. Maybe the way Brodie Grundy plays requires him to be solely referred to as a midfielder rather than ruckman.

GWS 24 PTS 129.1%

After the embarrassment of last week, a statement had to be made. Problem was it was in NSW, although the Giants are only team to beat Geelong and that was at the Cattery. Plus their injury list is the best of any of the top eight, obviously minus their heart and soul in Callan Ward.

BRISBANE LIONS 24 PTS 103.5%

A performance to suggest they belong in finals contention, and their draw is favourable. Cameron Rayner’s output remains poor. Is giving him some burst time on the ball the key? More likely a spell in the Magoos. Few can play at a higher level than Charlie Cameron.

RICHMOND 24 PTS 103.5%

The Tigers rebound like a pinball machine with Noah Balta a key part of that given his rare athleticism. Tom Lynch allowed the much smaller James Sicily to get in his head and ended up wrestling rather than moving. But there were signs that a big day out isn’t far off.

Charlie Cameron was electric for the Lions.

WEST COAST 24 PTS 100%

The good news is they still have the capability to play breathtaking football. Against that they have an issue in the ruck where Tom Hickey gets monstered and Nathan Vardy’s excellent 2018 Grand Final seems a long time ago. As for Shannon Hurn, who uses it better?

ADELAIDE 20 PTS 115.3%

Not too many surprises each week, indicating we are talking about an experienced but ageing list. So their time is supposedly now in term’s of Mick’s clock. Not sure they have enough firepower but the return of Matt Crouch, Sam Jacobs and Wayne Milera helps.

PORT ADELAIDE 20 PTS 107.7%

Tom Rockliff and Travis Boak could find a football on Mars, but it was the intercepting and run of Darcy Byrne-Jones from half back that helped break the game open. But the Eagles aside, we need to see them beat the big boys.

FREMANTLE 16 PTS 110.4%

It always comes back to the bloody scoreboard, or lack thereof. Then again if Jesse Hogan kicks straight, maybe they get home. The exciting part is their numbers of kids, who coach Ross Lyon is happy to get games into.

ESSENDON 16 PTS 100.8%

Zach Merrett’s all-round game is back to peak levels, while Jake Stringer is the much-needed X factor in a team that requires plenty. As for Michael Hurley, his ability to play and beat all shapes and sizes is reminiscent of Matthew Scarlett.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 16 PTS 96.4%

Bailey Smith has been a beauty to date and while not as consistent, has played four games at similar levels to Sam Walsh. Like Melbourne, his team’s issue is conversion given they win enough of the ball. In fact, they can overuse by hand at times.

HAWTHORN 16 PTS 99.7%

The Hawks were in the game until losing Ben McEvoy and Mitchell Lewis, then typically remained competitive until the dike burst open. Before injuries their height was causing problems. But the biggest problem area was skill execution resulting in turnovers under frenetic pressure.

ST KILDA 16 PTS 89.4%

Rowan Marshall didn’t play badly but he was shown by Brodie Grundy exactly what level he must take his play to, and in a clearance sense there are similarities. Sadly, his team’s win-loss record has gone to the expected script over the past month, making Carlton a non-negotiable next Sunday.

SYDNEY 12 PTS 84.9%

Starting to play a brand that can see them make a run on the bottom half of an eight that is highly unlikely to provide this year’s premier. Callum Mills is an interesting player, tough and committed but a fair way short of where his junior promise would have suggested

Nathan Jones pounces on a loose ball against the Eagles.

MELBOURNE 12 PTS 76.2%

Oskar “Ox” Baker showed enough to suggest he has a future, but whether his team does in 2019 is debatable. Inside-50 numbers have them up with the best, but that stat has become about as useful as an Australian political poll.

GOLD COAST 12 PTS 76.0%

A typical gritty performance before being overrun by too much quality and strength. Brayden Fiorini has taken time but is now a long-term gun for the Suns. Same for Jack Bowes, so it’s all about producing an environment that helps retain their kids.

NORTH MELBOURNE 8 PTS 82%

For whatever reason they go out of games in patches, such as the second quarter on Saturday night when eight players couldn’t combine for 10 possessions between them, and that is hard to do if you are running hard. Two wins from nine games in unacceptable and an indictment on this group.

CARLTON 4 PTS 76.4%

Brendon Bolton has a board that wants to back him but a handful more of these displays and sayonara. The Blues VFL team has been going OK, so key forward Patrick Kerr (six goals) and Darcy Lang surely get a look in against St Kilda.