See how your team is placed after Round 19 with expert analysis
LANCE Franklin is wounded and there’s little help on the horizon as Sydney’s season goes into free fall. Get expert analysis of every club in the wake of Round 19.
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THE finals race is heating up but Sydney is stone cold.
Lance Franklin is playing wounded and there’s little help on the horizon for the champion forward as the Swans’ season goes into free fall.
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Meanwhile, West Coast, GWS and Port Adelaide look to be making up the numbers this September based on this weekend’s results.
Get expert analysis for every club on the Round 19 SuperLadder.
1. RICHMOND (14-0-4) 137.8% 56pts
The gap between the Tigers’ best and worst player is far more minimal than any rival. Jack Higgins is like Shane Warne, emotionally built for the big stage. Eleven score involvements to Jack Riewoldt says it all. Injuries: Dion Prestia (ribs). SuperCoach: Trent Cotchin’s 55 his worst score of the year.
2. WEST COAST (13-0-5) 121.3% 52pts
The Eagles displayed nothing that would have the Tigers shaking in their boots. But players like Jack Darling and Nathan Vardy are different specimens when Josh Kennedy plays. But no silver cup for mine. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Elliot Yeo (128) and Jeremy McGovern (122) only Eagles past 100.
3. COLLINGWOOD (12-0-6) 118.1% 48pts
We reserve the term tragedy for death but in a sporting sense Matt Scharenberg’s knee is tragic. As upset as the Pies are, this group will just get on with it, meaning you wouldn’t write them out of anything. Injuries: Brodie Mihocek (ankle), Jeremy Howe (concussion), Matt Scharenberg (knee). SuperCoach: Brodie Grundy’s (155) fourth 150-plus score of the year.
4. PORT ADELAIDE (12-0-6) 116.2% 48pts
The Power are a good side, at times very good, but not a great one, which means a flag isn’t happening this year. Plus it is arguably a gun midfielder short of the cream. Injuries: Jack Hombsch (knee). SuperCoach: Charlie Dixon (127) led five players in triple figures.
5. GWS GIANTS (11-1-6) 113.6% 46pts
A win of garden-variety standards only. The Giants’ problem is, like Sydney last year, they have been playing mini-finals each week just to stay in contention. And that normally catches up with teams. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Brett Deledio (108) has hit the ton in four of eight games this year.
6. MELBOURNE (11-0-7) 127.3% 44pts
It had to happen after the Geelong game and the Dees achieved it with steely resolve. But to go anywhere in September they must help Jesse Hogan in his desperate search for some form. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Max Gawn (130) back on top, his 15th ton of the year.
7. HAWTHORN (11-0-7) 122.7% 44pts
Arguably the clearest example of Alastair Clarkson’s brainchild where Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara rule the midfield. Luke Breust is to small forwards what Tom Hawkins is to the talls, while Teia Miles is starting to look a player. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Tom Mitchell (150) has a three-game average of 167.
8. GEELONG (11-0-7) 120.3% 44pts
Jack Henry plays in a style reminiscent of Neale Daniher, and that is high praise. Brandan Parfitt’s best game for the year while Gaz is warming the engine for September. Now need Joel Selwood to hit peak levels. Injuries: Tom Stewart (ankle). SuperCoach: Tom Hawkins’ 151 his sixth ton in eight games. Eight Cats in triple figures.
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9. SYDNEY (11-0-7) 109.9% 44pts
Buddy looks about as fit as Clive Palmer and with Sam Reid injured all year and Kurt Tippett retired, the Swans haven’t been done any favours. Not sure they can win any of their next four so no finals. Injuries: Heath Grundy (illness). SuperCoach: Fourteen Swans didn’t reach 70. Buddy (52) a worry.
10. NORTH MELBOURNE (10-0-8) 110.6% 40pts
Paul Ahern is the GWS player that Carlton should have traded for, and doesn’t he look a steal at pick 69? With Ben Cunnington he provides one of the best clearance one-twos in the caper. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: You’ll be celebrating if you’ve kept hold of Ahern (124).
11. ESSENDON (10-0-8) 102.8% 40pts
Of every coach, John Worsfold is the most impassive. Wonder how he would react if he won Tattslotto? Hang on, he just might have in a footballing sense given what he has built at Tullamarine. Injuries: Kyle Langford (shoulder), Matt Dea (concussion). SuperCoach: Very deep performance with 18 players with at least 70 points.
12. ADELAIDE (9-0-9) 98.3% 36pts
Going into this season the Crows’ forward line was an undoubted strength, yet too often it has let them down, even if injury has caused problems. They have viable targets so they should trade. Injuries: Mitch McGovern (shoulder), Paul Seedsman (hamstring). SuperCoach: Bryce Gibbs (118) best, his eighth ton of the season.
13. FREMANTLE (7-0-11) 80.3% 28pts
Not sure what the Dockers stand for or what their brand is. And what type of team are they wanting to become, because it isn’t evident on the haphazard displays of the past two seasons? Injuries: Cam Sutcliffe (hamstring). SuperCoach: Lachie Neale (111) and David Mundy (100) only Dockers in triple figures.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS (5-0-13) 70.2% 20pts
Trying to think of teams that came from nowhere to win a flag and returned to nowhere, for that’s where the Dogs are right now. It’s important they aren’t remembered as a flash in the pan. Injuries: Jordan Roughead (head). SuperCoach: Three players (Jack Trengove, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae) were all 140-plus. No other Dog hit 100.
15. ST KILDA (4-1-13) 75.7% 18pts
The Saints kicked for goal like Saturday night drunks which sadly undid some serious effort from players such as Tom Hickey, Jack Steele and Jack Billings. Not sure how many of this team are in their next finals side. Injuries: Mav Weller (knee). SuperCoach: Jade Gresham (113) led four Saints in triple figures.
16. BRISBANE (4-0-14) 89.9% 16pts
The kids, who have been the Lions’ inspiration over the past month, were largely unsighted as a long season catches up with young bodies. But the bricks are ready to be put in place. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Dayne Beams (143) has scored a ton in eight of his past 10 games.
17. GOLD COAST (4-0-14) 64.7% 16pts
The AFL’s restless baby is beautiful one week, insipid the next. Game aesthetics aside, the Suns are the game’s biggest nightmare, a club that stands for nought in a transient environment. Injuries: David Swallow (concussion). SuperCoach: Steven May’s 116 only his third ton of the year, but second straight.
18. CARLTON (2-0-16) 62.5% 8pts
Patrick Cripps might be the best all-round player in the game ahead of Fyfe and Dangerfield, given there is nothing he can’t do and nowhere he can’t play. And he seems to relish the aggro. Injuries: Jacob Weitering (leg). SuperCoach: Cripps’ 173 his fifth 150-plus score of the year, but not his best.
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