SuperLadder: Where your club sits after Round 21
COLLINGWOOD, Hawthorn, GWS and Sydney have kept their top-four hopes alive but has Melbourne let a huge opportunity slip? Plus, the door is still open for Essendon to play finals after results went their way. How your club is placed after Round 21.
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COLLINGWOOD, Hawthorn, GWS and Sydney have kept their top-four hopes alive but has Melbourne let a huge opportunity slip?
Losses to Port Adelaide, Geelong and North Melbourne keeps the door open for Essendon to play finals if they can keep winning.
JON ANDERSON looks at where your club sits on the AFL ladder after Round 21 and with two home-and-away rounds to play before finals.
RUN HOME: CAN YOUR TEAM STILL PLAY FINALS?
MASSIVE LOSS: NORTH’S SEASON COMES CRASHING DOWN
THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES FROM ROUND 21
1. RICHMOND (16-0-4) 139.7% 64pts
It’s only fair that Riewoldt should get a bag and potentially win the Coleman given what he brings to his team. He must have a very good masseuse. Graham is the ultimate role player. Injuries: Nil.
2. WEST COAST (15-0-5) 123.4% 60pts
The only way the Eagles can win it is for Kennedy (when fit) and Darling to produce that forward tandem, because they have the crumbers. And Lycett is covering for Nic Nat. Injuries: Vardy (knee).
3. GWS GIANTS (13-1-6) 120.4% 54pts
Lobb showed a relish for ruck contests that hasn’t always been as evident, which is vital with Simpson gone. The Giants have proven themselves far more than just a lot of high-end talent. Injuries: Shaw (knee), Kelly (concussion), Reid (hamstring).
4. HAWTHORN (13-0-7) 121.2% 52pts
Another rebuild on the run from Clarkson with Saturday’s team boasting just nine of the Hawks’ 2015 flag team. Their development system is the envy of the competition. Injuries: Nil.
5. COLLINGWOOD (13-0-7) 118.3% 52pts
Sier, Mihocek and Madgen are hardly household names but proof of excellent player development. And then there is De Goey, the Stevie J of his time with similar tricks. Injuries: Ben Reid (calf).
6. SYDNEY SWANS (13-0-7) 109.7% 52pts
About what you expect from this crew. Don’t tell me culture doesn’t play a part in the Swans’ regular heroics? Heeney’s role late as a key defender highlighted his all-round greatness. Injuries: Johnson (knee), Smith (back).
7. MELBOURNE (12-0-8) 130.5% 48pts
The Dees find new ways to torture their success-starved fans. Their years will be 2019-21 and they will be great years. Spargo needs to develop length in his kicking, his teammates accuracy. Injuries: Hunt (ankle).
8. PORT ADELAIDE (12-0-8) 113.9% 48pts
Injuries cost Port the game but who was the most dangerous West Coast marking target? McGovern. So why did he not have a defensive match-up when it mattered most? Injuries: Dixon (ankle), Houston (concussion), Ryder (hip).
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9. GEELONG (11-0-9) 117.2% 44pts
A side that once prided itself on winning the close ones has lost eight games by 18 points or less. As for why Ablett was booed, you would need to ask Hawthorn supporters. Injuries: Stanley (calf), Tuohy (hand).
10. NORTH MELBOURNE (11-0-9) 109.1% 44pts
No excuses after getting the game where they wanted it by halftime. The Roos lack genuine class, that superstar midfielder who can also go forward. But they will keep hunting. Injuries: Nil.
11. ESSENDON (11-0-9) 104.8% 44pts
Francis looks more comfortable by the game while McGrath, the best all-round athlete in the game, had the run back. With Saad and McKenna, it’s a rampaging back trio that will cause nightmares. Injuries: Saad (concussion), Goddard (knee), Hooker (knee), Fantasia (hanstring).
12. ADELAIDE (10-0-10) 97.9% 40pts
If pointing the finger at individuals for why no September for the Crows, then Walker and Betts are obvious starting points. Smith’s return from an ACL has been exceptional. Injuries: Nil.
13. FREMANTLE (8-0-12) 81% 32pts
Freo beat one on the worst sides in the past 20 years, but it’s a time to be thankful for small mercies. It’s a joy to watch the evolution of ruckman Darcy, but what happens to Sandilands? Injuries: Walters (hamstring).
14. WESTERN BULLDOGS (7-0-13) 74.8% 28pts
After halftime the Dogs played with verve and, as importantly, played a very smart brand of football, particularly on entering their forward 50m after they had been bombing wildly. Injuries: Cordy (fractured forehead).
15. ST KILDA (4-1-15) 74.5% 18pts
The Saints possess a remarkable ability to remove themselves from games in a very short time span. Marshall is as rare as a Texas steak but there is something to work with long-term. Injuries: Nil.
16. BRISBANE LIONS (4-0-16) 89.2% 16pts
Witherden, he of the clean ball use, is mounting a compelling late season argument for the Rising Star award. Only four wins for the Lions, but a percentage of 89 says they are better than that. Injuries: Gardiner (shoulder).
17. GOLD COAST SUNS (4-0-16) 60.9% 16pts
The Suns might have been a hairbrained scheme in the first place, but given the AFL remains committed to that scheme, then they must receive compensation on top of the millions. Injuries: Hanley (hamstring), Brodie (hamstring).
18. CARLTON (2-0-18) 60.6% 8pts
At least lose in a jumper that isn’t so aesthetically repulsive. The Blues keep selecting players who don’t touch the ball much. So much for selection integrity. Their nickname is apt. Injuries: Nil.
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