West Coast and North Melbourne continue to surprise, sitting in the top four at Round 5
AFTER a stirring win over Hawthorn, North Melbourne looms as a genuine finals contender, turning pre-season predictions on their head. Meanwhile, fellow surprise packets West Coast sit on top.
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TWO teams predicted to be bottom four at the start of the season are perched in the top four.
West Coast and North Melbourne were both meant to be rebuilding this year but have completely turned predictions on their head, sitting first and third after Round 5.
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There are still two games to finish the round with Melbourne and Richmond facing off on Tuesday night before the traditional Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood.
A big win can send the Tigers to the top of the ladder while at 2-2 the Bombers and Magpies will both be desperate for victory and to keep touch with the top eight.
1. WEST COAST (4-0-1) 132.3% 16pts
Two trips to Melbourne for two wins points towards happiness regarding a crack at top four. Rioli looks more comfortable with each game while Yeo’s one percenters are through the roof.
2. GWS GIANTS (3-1-1) 131.7% 14pts
The Giants’ form isn’t totally compelling, which means this season will very much be decided by injury-free lists. Davis should always be rated among the AFL’s best when key defenders are discussed.
3. NORTH MELBOURNE (3-0-2) 135.2% 12pts
When it was hot early, Goldstein, Ziebell, Higgins and Brown led a side that can be seriously exciting. They have two key backs, two key forwards and some emerging kids. Why not the eight?
4. RICHMOND (3-0-1) 130.1% 12pts
Rioli is the Tigers only key injury and the KPIs suggest little has changed from last year, other than their kids are stronger. Right now they should be clear-cut flag favourites instead of sharing that billing with two teams from sin city. Can claim outright favouritism with a win on Tuesday night.
5. GEELONG (3-0-2) 116.5% 12pts
Extremely efficient inside 50m where the Cats got goals from mid-size players due to some serious pressure being applied. Half the side had played under 50 games so a win of some standing.
6. HAWTHORN (3-0-2) 114.1% 12pts
Maybe the forward pressure of Poppy and Cyril is the key. Burton down on last year and Mitchell, as prolific as he is, still needs to find ways to overcome a tag. And Jacobs is the AFL’s best blanket.
7. ADELAIDE (3-0-2) 108.4% 12pts
In terms of character, a home-and-away win that will go down as one of the Crows finest. So mentally it should be massive given the quality they have out. Top four for mine. Doedee shapes as Rising Star winner.
8. PORT ADELAIDE (3-0-2) 105.3% 12pts
Perhaps their moronic supporters should focus on the Power’s inefficiencies (and there are many) rather than booing Scott Selwood after he was illegally taken out by Lindsay Thomas.
9. SYDNEY (3-0-2) 104.4% 12pts
Sometimes you need to reinvent and such is the case with the Swans one-dimensional forward line. Maybe Parker spends more time forward given his marking ability.
10. FREMANTLE (3-0-2) 104.2% 12pts
Walters plays Robin to Fyfe’s Batman, the latter an explosive beast, the former a gifted natural footballer who plays on instinct. Wilson operates like Walters, while the giant Sandy isn’t shrinking.
11. GOLD COAST (3-0-2) 87.1% 12pts
Who cares that it was ugly, they were clearly better for three quarters. Who knows if it resonates with a transient fan base but they are at least appearing to grow with the message of their coach.
12. COLLINGWOOD (2-0-2) 106.7% 8pts
Can the Pies bring the same resolve two weeks in a row (and beating Adelaide away looks pretty good form right now)? Their inside 50 pressure has lifted so if they can stick their many handballs, then why not? A huge clash for both Pies and Essendon on Wednesday.
13. ESSENDON (2-0-2) 99.2% 8pts
When it becomes a Charge of the Light Brigade, the Bombers can match it with the best. But guerrilla warfare when it gets dirty in close has been their enemy and the Pies can play like that. Can they show up on the big stage on Wednesday?
14. MELBOURNE (2-0-2) 98.1% 8pts
Irrespective of their youth, the Demons have a rare and alarming habit of going out of games, and I suspect two of their best at arresting such slumps are the absent Tom McDonald and Jack Viney.
15. ST KILDA (1-1-3) 73.1% 4pts
Nothing is ever as bad as it seems in the AFL world as the Saints displayed, although a crowd of 15,000 is pretty bloody sick. St Kilda has to develop star power. Maybe Long will be such a player.
16. WESTERN BULLDOGS (1-0-4) 67.4% 4pts
A large leap backwards. Skipper Wood is a long way short of his Halcyon days in 2015. Sitting 1-4 with a sick percentage means losing to the Blues next week would be sayonara season.
17. BRISBANE (0-0-5) 68.6% 0pts
Despite the sadly underwhelming commentary, Cameron’s last quarter goal was one for the ages but not the matchwinner it should have been due to the ineptness of his teammates.
18. CARLTON (0-0-5) 65.2% 0pts
Went back to the last two years when the Blues got it right up back. And as such we saw Fisher, Dow, O’Brien and McKay benefit. And that means hope, despite an inglorious start to 2018.
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