AFL ladder Round 15: Tigers into top four as premiership fancies tighten up

A HUGE Richmond win and a nailbiting draw between Geelong and GWS has left just six points separating fourth from first as the AFL ladder gets seriously tight.

A Dustin Martin masterclass helped Richmond leap into the top four. Picture: Getty Images

A HUGE Richmond win and a nailbiting draw between Geelong and GWS has left just six points separating fourth from first as the AFL ladder gets seriously tight.

A glut of four teams sits on 32 points, occupying fifth to eighth, leaving Sydney and the Western Bulldogs to chase them.

Four teams behind them are two games out of the finals, but their chances are becoming ever-so-slim now.

THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES FROM ROUND 15

Herald Sun football reporter JON ANDERSON runs the rule over your club.

1. GWS — 10 wins-1 draws-3 losses, 119.3%, 42 points

Have the Giants ever fully clicked this year? And if Greene doesn’t play, then no flag. Starting to think they are the most vulnerable Cup favourite of the last decade, based in Mumford’s ageing body.

2. ADELAIDE — 10-0-4, 135.5, 40

Workman-like rather than premiership-like. The Crows are a gun midfielder shy of a flag. And an in-form Walker. Will be interesting to see the frenzy when they hit the trade table.

3. GEELONG — 9-1-4, 113.3, 38

The Cats can win the flag. Chris Scott would be publicly fuming and privately ecstatic given a preparation that normally would suggest a loss. Simpson, the son of Bart, has the pace that makes a difference.

A Dustin Martin masterclass helped Richmond leap into the top four. Picture: Getty Images

4. RICHMOND — 8-0-5, 112.2, 36

I have a view that Hardwick is an extremely good coach, despite never having won a final. The Tigers have arguably two of the best three players in the game, but still need to bolster their bottom four.

5. PORT ADELAIDE — 8-0-5, 131.7, 32

But for one blip, the Power rivals GWS and Melbourne as the competition’s most consistent sides. Consistency is one thing, eliteness is another.

MISCHIEVOUS SAINT: FANS FURIOUS AFTER RIEWOLDT 50M PENALTY

ROOS WHACK: AFL GREAT SLAMS COLLINGWOOD LIST MANAGEMENT

BUCKS SILENT: NO TALK ON COACHING FUTURE

6. MELBOURNE — 8-0-5, 110.8, 32

No panic stations, although Viney’s immediate future is massive given his body and soul presence. And Salem’s disposal is equally missed. And then there’s Garlett’s forward pressure.

7. WEST COAST — 7-0-6, 102.6, 32

The key is to get the Grand Final moved to Etihad. Superman had kryptonite, the Eagles have the ’G. Lendl at Wimbledon, Mickelson at the US Open, some sporting units just don’t fit.

8. ST KILDA — 7-0-6, 98.8, 32

If the Saints miss the eight it will come down to goalkicking. So get Peter Hudson in as a consultant, because he proved with Stewart Loewe that a bad kick can become a reliable one.

Which Buddy is better? The Sydney version or his previous incarnation as a Hawk? Picture: Michael Klein

9. SYDNEY — 6-0-7, 108, 28

You get Tippett’s mind right, as in football is more than just a pay cheque, and you have a side that can shake down the thunder from the sky. Has Buddy been better for Sydney or Hawthorn?

9. WESTERN BULLDOGS — 7-0-6, 96.6, 28

You can be looked upon as a side that got lucky in September, or a serious football team. At the moment it’s the former which doesn’t do the Dogs justice, but it’s their call.

11. ESSENDON — 6-0-7, 101.8, 24

Where were the Dons leaders when it mattered late? You want names? I speak of Goddard, Watson and Heppell. That’s what cost them and what might just make the difference for the eight.

Gaz celebrated his 300th in style, but it was his young teammates who stood up against North. Picture: Getty Images

12. GOLD COAST — 5-0-8, 89, 24

When the Suns run, and tackle, and play for each other (which they don’t always do) then they are an enjoyable football side to watch. But which team is going to turn up, the committed or the casual?

13. HAWTHORN — 5-0-8, 82.5, 24

Clarkson will get a “make him an offer he can’t refuse” from the side he helped beat yesterday, but Mitchell, Burton, Hardwick, Brand, Howe and O’Brien will keep him in brown and gold.

14. FREMANTLE — 6-0-7, 80.3, 24

I suspect the Dockers will be brutal come trade time as they attempt to put the pieces together because they are a few goals off the big boys. Walters is the second best player in history with neck tattoos.

15. COLLINGWOOD — 5-0-8, 97.1, 20

An honest side that clearly isn’t good enough. Now it becomes about next year. Does Buckley stay? If he goes, do McGuire and Pert go with him?

16. CARLTON — 5-0-8, 82.1, 20

What a competitive outfit. The next step is developing a brand that can sustain September. And finding five more who can play at that level. Reckon the original SOS will find them.

17. NORTH MELBOURNE — 4-0-9, 92.6, 16

Figure the Roos supporters get it. It’s all about developing the kids. And on available evidence, most can play. But they are two midfielders short and another gun forward.

18. BRISBANE LIONS — 2-0-11, 71, 12

Witherden is starting to look like a total steal at 23 in last year’s draft’ courtesy of a broken leg that lessened his exposure. Zorko was huge, even better in his post-match interview with the F bomb.

Originally published as AFL ladder Round 15: Tigers into top four as premiership fancies tighten up