Super Ladder: How is your club placed after Round 1 of the 2018 season?

STAR performances by Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara enhance Alastair Clarkson’s genius, Magpie recruiting not to crash hot and why the Demons shouldn’t panic. Where does your club stand?

Tom Mitchell of the Hawks (left) and Travis Varcoe of the Magpies.

PREMIERSHIPS are already being discussed in some quarters while other teams have their backs to the wall after one weekend of footy.

Where does your club sit after Round 1?

1. GWS GIANTS

What didn’t work for the Giants? As the year progresses watch for Tim Taranto to rival Charlie Curnow as that difficult mid/forward match-up, given his strength overhead. Loved the ruckwork of Rory Lobb. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Four had at least 120 among eight in triple figures.

2. PORT ADELAIDE

The buzz team over summer showed what all the fuss was about. But can Steven Motlop do it week-in, week-out, and how do they cover Paddy Ryder? Importantly, Port’s bottom six can all play. Injuries: Ryder (achilles). SuperCoach: Take a bow if you had Bonner (119).

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3. HAWTHORN

Wonder what those who bagged Alastair Clarkson’s decision to trade Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis for Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell are saying now? Probably nothing despite the obvious genius of the move. Injuries: Burton (ankle). SuperCoach: If you don’t have Mitchell (167) what were you thinking?

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson celebrates with Liam Shiels and Tom Mitchell.

4. GOLD COAST

Importantly, the Suns got plenty out of kids such as Jack Bowes, Ben Ainsworth and Nick Holman. One of the more interesting teams to see how they develop under a new coach in Stuart Dew. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Holman (96) and Ainsworth (91) a promising start.

5. SYDNEY

With the game quickly moving away from multiple tall forwards, maybe it suits Buddy to have his own paddock. Could we see him wind the clock back 10 years to his only ton? Injuries: Sam Reid (hamstring). SuperCoach: A round-high 175 for Buddy and Parker not far behind.

6. ST KILDA

The pinball nature of football at Etihad sees one-trick pony tall forwards rivalling the white Rhino in terms of extinction. Paddy McCartin would have booted 70-80 in the 80s, but those days are long gone. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Just an OK start for the popular Clark (40).

7. RICHMOND

The Tigers got 98 games out of a possible 100 from Cotchin, Martin, Rance and Riewoldt in 2017. And they were their best again on Thursday, highlighting how vital good injury runs are. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Dusty (139) picks up where he left off in 2017.

8. ESSENDON

If explosive athleticism plus footy nous equals superstardom, then Andrew McGrath is well advanced. So much for being too short. Now his teammates just need to hit some targets by hand. Injuries: Z. Merrett (concussion). SuperCoach: Good start for new boy Smith (92).

Andrew McGrath beats Mitch McGovern to the footy. Picture: Michael Klein

9. GEELONG

Two weeks ago a very senior Geelong player said Lachie Fogarty was someone you would love to sign for 10 years. He showed why. Tim Kelly has similar poise. Their worry are defensive talls. Injuries: Taylor (foot), Stewart (ankle), C. Guthrie (groin). SuperCoach: What a debut from Kelly (118).

10. MELBOURNE

Hunt’s run so vital after halftime. How ironic their two best in Gawn and Petracca missed vital shots. But no panic stations on that loss because blokes who can play had quiet games. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Gawn (139) and Oliver (123) the only Dees in triple figures.

11. ADELAIDE

Without the Texan the Crows forward line is dysfunctional, Jenkins being the tallest (199cm) small forward in history. But judge them when they get numbers back. Injuries: Hampton (groin). SuperCoach: Laird (137) shows why he’s a defender worth spending money on.

12. CARLTON

May have ultimately been flattered by the scoreboard although injuries hurt the Blues. They will continue to tinker with their tall forwards to find someone who can partner Charlie Curnow. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Promising start from Garlett (61), but not for Dow (35).

Charlie Curnow celebrates one of his five goals against Richmond.

13. BRISBANE LIONS

The Lions will win their share of games but need to weed out the poor decision-makers and diabolic executioners of skills. And was two talls up forward the way to go? Injuries: Rich (ankle). SuperCoach: Martin (111) might just be your straight swap for Ryder.

14. WEST COAST

Darling is an interesting player. He looks good, can be good but isn’t good often enough. There were no surprises from the Eagles in that they were both competitive and lost (at home). Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Naitanui topscored with 113. Trade option for Ryder or Kreuzer owners?

15. NORTH MELBOURNE

Weather conditions aside, the Roos kicked just one goal in three separate quarters, highlighting their claims for a spoon that is decidedly wooden in texture. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Good start from Goldy (105) but we’ll want to see it consistently for a few weeks.

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16. COLLINGWOOD

What’s changed over summer? Not much. The Pies have still got a prolific midfield, fair to good defence and clueless forward line. Why oh why hasn’t this club recruited someone to straighten it up? Injuries: Crocker (back), Smith (h’string). SuperCoach: No Pie in triple figures.

17. FREMANTLE

Just a standard nine-goal afternoon, plus 15 scoring shots to 30. And Freo’s best players were the usual suspects. One game in but the eight? Dreamin’. Injuries: Nil. SuperCoach: Sanidlands (104) the only Docker in triple figures. Fyfe (75) had a quiet start.

18. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Extraordinary to think 23 games ago the Dogs won a flag. Yes, this is a vastly different team but yesterday’s showing was devoid of that us-against-them mentality that was so darn beautiful. Injuries: Liberatore (knee), Crozier (knee). SuperCoach: Not a good start from Naughton (25).