SuperLadder: How your club is placed after Round 7
NORTH Melbourne has been the surprise packets of 2018, defying the critics who had nominated them for the wooden spoon this season. How is your team placed after Round 7?
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NORTH Melbourne has been the surprise packets of 2018, defying the critics who had nominated them for the wooden spoon this season.
The Kangaroos took another big scalp when they defeated the Swans on Saturday to bounce back into the top eight.
THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES FROM ROUND 7
RAGE TRADES: SUPERCOACH STARS YOU NEED TO TRADE IN
Richmond and West Coast remain first and second, but Port Adelaide was the biggest slider from the round.
JON ANDERSON analyses every club and their position after Round 7.
1. RICHMOND (6-0-1) 154.8% 24pts
Has there been a better finisher in sport? Maybe a horse named Bernborough, or US 800m runner Dave Wottle. No, forget it, nobody comes with a wet sail like the Tigers.
2. WEST COAST (6-0-1) 133.1% 24pts
Funny that the Eagles lose two contested-ball geniuses in Mitchell and Priddis yet improve that facet through the likes of Redden, Yeo, Hutchings and Cole. And they lost Shuey early.
3. ADELAIDE (5-0-2) 125.1% 20pts
Are the McGoverns the best brother duo currently playing? (Selwoods, Crouchs). And is Seedsman the best ball carrier in the caper, which is a handy asset in today’s AFL traffic?
MICHAEL WARNER, SAM LANDSBERGER AND NICK SMART DISCUSS THE BIG ISSUES FROM ROUND 7
4. HAWTHORN (5-0-2) 121.5% 20pts
Sicily isn’t a good player, he’s a very good one with the upside to become a great one. Loved the work of Mitchell when he didn’t have the ball, and the concentration of Cousins.
5. GWS GIANTS (4-1-2) 117.4% 18pts
Yeah yeah, the Giants have got injuries, but what about their game style, or emergence of new talent from a supposed conveyor belt? Thought they stood for little on Friday night, but can still win the flag.
6. GEELONG (4-0-3) 121.1% 16pts
If you find two or three players a season, then you are on a path to happiness. Geelong has found four in Fogarty, Henry, Kelly and Ratugolea, with Cunico promising.
7. NORTH MELBOURNE (4-0-3) 116.8% 16pts
When Waite, Wood and Brown line up in the same forward line, who has the match-ups for them? Hartung, maligned at Hawthorn for turnovers, has given the Roos some serious hop.
8. SYDNEY (4-0-3) 106% 16pts
We sometimes just expect the Swans to keep winning irrespective of their list profile changing so dramatically. They have a lot of faces playing who are far from well known.
9. COLLINGWOOD (4-0-3) 105.8% 16pts
Given their draw, the Pies were always vulnerable so it was a win of substance, particularly with their captain off. But never understand their non-tagging policy (this time on Zorko).
10. MELBOURNE (4-0-3) 103.6% 16pts
Finally, as CeCe Peniston sang in 1992, a four-quarter performance where every Melbourne player had some impact. Weideman has always been able to mark, it’s just a matter of confidence.
11. PORT ADELAIDE (4-0-3) 102.2% 16pts
It seems when a chance arrives to make a statement, Port curls up and lies down. Until it beats good sides regularly, it can’t be taken seriously for that silver stuff.
12. FREMANTLE (3-0-4) 88.7% 12pts
You can look at all the stats you like for the Dockers and it always comes back to the fact they can’t kick goals. Their entries inside 50m resemble a Saturday night drunk on his way home.
13. GOLD COAST (3-0-4) 81.8% 12pts
Witts has been an inspired selection, proving yet again how much ruckmen can resemble red wine. Ainsworth just needs to sharpen his disposal to become a beauty, while Miller is already.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS (3-0-4) 78.4% 12pts
The Ballarat concept is noble but are the local conditions conducive to AFL level? At least the Bulldogs allowed Macrae to ply his trade. Wonder if the men in green will notice him.
15. ESSENDON (2-0-5) 83.7% 8pts
Of the Bombers’ pre-season recruits, only Smith is fulfilling his end of the bargain with Stringer and Saad cold more than hot. Zach Merrett better get used to a tag, and more importantly out-run one.
16. ST KILDA (1-1-5) 719.8% 6pts
Oh dear. At some stage we have to accept that maybe the Saints aren’t much good. A team that will cause the odd upset, but not one that can build a compelling case for finals.
17. BRISBANE (0-0-7) 71.7% 0pts
Suspect the Lions are in better shape than some fellow cellar dwellers because their kids are so full of obvious promise, none more so than Rayner, Witherden and McCluggage.
18. CARLTON (0-0-7) 64.5% 0pts
Weitering was dominant in the VFL, now to do it at senior level one on one. As for the seniors, the worry is the Blues had a real crack and were still flogged. It’s starting to get very ugly.
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