SuperLadder: West Coast fall, Collingwood rise, Melbourne miss chance in Round 14
MELBOURNE cost itself dearly on Friday night with poor delivery into the forward line while Essendon and Hawthorn kept the pressure on the top eight. See the Round 14 ladder with expert analysis.
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MELBOURNE missed a golden opportunity on Friday night.
The Demons dominated inside 50s against Port Adelaide but were let down by the delivery into the forward line and are now only percentage above ninth.
Elsewhere in Round 14, Collingwood moved into the top four, West Coast slipped as Essendon kept its finals hopes alive and the Suns firm for a top three draft pick.
1. RICHMOND (10-0-3) 135.0% 40pts
Reckon they are better placed now than at the same time last year, and unlike 2017 every opponent has a serious question mark about them. Forget hangovers, this is an outfit with a steely determination.
2. SYDNEY (10-0-3) 125.7% 40pts
In terms of player development, does any team do it better than the Swans? Tom McCartin, who missed 2016 with viral arthritis, is going to be a total bargain basement pick up at No.33.
3. WEST COAST (10-0-3) 123.9% 40pts
The Eagles just added to the unpredictability of 2018. Yes, they had two gun forwards out but would you back them to win over here when it matters? Let down by their much celebrated rucking duo of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Andrew Gaff (122) and Elliot Yeo (113) best.
4. COLLINGWOOD (9-0-4) 119.4% 36pts
The Pies played flat but were due after being up for a while. Given they keep winning, then winning the flag should be their aim. Do they have the forward structure to go that far? Not for mine. Injuries: Levi Greenwood (concussion). SuperCoach: Scott Pendlebury (136) leads seven into triple figures.
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COLUMN: GODDARD’S PRAISE FOR PERFECT NIGHT
5. PORT ADELAIDE (9-0-4) 113.9% 36pts
Port is starting to claim the scalps of teams around their mark. But have said it before and will say it again, to win a flag they need Charlie Dixon huffing and puffing with maximum effect. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Very even spread with just two not making it to 60. Tom Jonas (124) on top.
6. MELBOURNE (8-0-5) 127.3% 32pts
Yes, the Dees dominated inside 50s but that means stuff all unless the entries are clean, and it’s an area where their mids need to improve. Next year they won’t lose that type of game. Injuries: Neville Jetta (head knock/ankle), Tom McDonald (ribs). SuperCoach: Big Max (140) best again.
7. GEELONG (8-0-5) 126.2% 32pts
How many changes do the Cats want to make, given Cam Guthrie, Scott Selwood and Harry Taylor will all come in against the Dogs this week? Daniel Menzel is the interesting one. For mine he is a senior player, pure and simple, and his absence was the difference against Richmond.
8. NORTH MELBOURNE (8-0-5) 116.9% 32pts
Shaun Higgins is a player you pay to watch, such are his skills. Scott Thompson isn’t in the same category but for extracting everything out of himself, few have been superior. Hope the Roos make the eight. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Shaun Higgins’ (123) third straight 120-plus game.
9. HAWTHORN (8-0-5) 115.6% 32pts
Really hard to get a line on where the Hawks sit. Imagine the spark a Cyril Rioli return would bring with Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo and Jarman Impey near the goals. James Frawley starting to find some form. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: James Sicily (135) on top, while the tag kept Tom Mitchell (106) quieter than usual.
10. GWS GIANTS (7-1-5) 113.7% 30pts
Forget the potential damage of Jeremy Cameron’s act and think of it from his team’s perspective where a second of madness may mean the difference between finals and holidays. So selfish and brutal. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Josh Kelly (149) hasn’t dipped below 90 yet this season.
11. ADELAIDE (6-0-7) 110.4% 24pts
The Crows are in disarray, even with a devastating injury run. Given reviews are the go-to option of underperforming clubs, they should buckle the seat belts for a summer of soul-searching because their issues surely run deeper than the medical room.
12. ESSENDON (6-0-7) 93.1% 24pts
The difference for the Bombers was the run, with a healthy dose of it coming from recruits Adam Saad, Devon Smith and Jake Stringer. Kyle Langford is starting to repay the faith. How did they lose to Carlton? Injuries: Jake Stringer (leg), Mason Redman (ankle). SuperCoach: Seven Bombers in triple figures.
13. FREMANTLE (6-0-7) 88.7% 24pts
Brad Hill is a chance this week and Freo can’t be assessed fully unless both Hill brothers play. Then there is Harley Bennell, who to date has played two of a possible 57 games since moving to the Dockers.
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS (4-0-9) 74.6% 16pts
Ultimately it’s about next year and finding who is going to be part of the next wave. By the very nature of his style, Billy Gowers will have up and down games but surely Carlton should have persevered. Injuries: Jackson Trengove (ankle). SuperCoach: Hayden Crozier’s 137 his first ton of 2018.
15. GOLD COAST (3-0-10) 63.0% 12pts
One goal in two quarters isn’t the stuff to get those turnstiles clicking but the Suns have a side that could walk down either Cavill Avenue or Bourke St with anonymity. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Jarrod Harbrow (115) the only ton. Eleven Suns players didn’t even make it to 60.
16. ST KILDA (2-1-10) 70.8% 10pts
Now the Saints’ challenge is to prove they can go on with it, although in reality they were dominated by the Gold Coast spuds for three quarters last week. The likely return of Blake Acres and Jarryn Geary helps considerably.
17. BRISBANE (1-0-12) 78.4% 4pts
Who said Luke Hodge shouldn’t have gone north? He remains good enough as a player, while his footy IQ is invaluable for Jarrod Berry, Ryan Lester, Tom Cutler and Cam Rayner to learn from. Loved Hugh McCluggage’s game. Injuries: Harris Andrews (concussion). SuperCoach: Big payday for the 2 per cent with Hodge (164)
18. CARLTON (1-0-12) 62.7% 4pts
Find those Scottish dudes who cloned that Finn-Dorset named Dolly and get them to work on Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow. As for Kade Simpson, is he too old to enter All-Australian small defender debate? Injuries: Lachie Plowman (knee), Matthew Kreuzer (ankle). SuperCoach: Patrick Cripps (187) goes big. Really big.
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