AFL SuperLadder: Form analysis after Round 20, 2016
THE race to secure the double chance in finals has never been hotter after Adelaide moved into the top four in place of Geelong this weekend. WHERE YOUR CLUB SITS
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THE race to secure the double chance in finals has never been hotter after Adelaide moved into the top four in place of Geelong as a result of Round 20 matches.
The Crows’ huge win over Brisbane elevated Don Pyke’s team from fifth to third on the ladder, with the Cats dropping from fourth to fifth despite easily beating Essendon at Etihad Stadium.
RUN HOME: WHO WILL MAKE TOP FOUR?
Hawthorn’s shock loss to Melbourne means top spot is also now up for grabs, with percentage vitally important.
The Swans, Giants, Crows and Cats all remain in the hunt to knock the Hawks off their perch should the reigning premiers lose one of its next three games against North Melbourne (MCG), West Coast (Subiaco) and Collingwood (MCG).
Where does your team sit after Round 20 of the 2016 season?
Jon Anderson takes a closer look at every club.
1. HAWTHORN 60pts 120.7%
It might be the loss they needed to have although they have been gettable for a while. And to become “ungettable”, they require a heck of a lot more from ruck duo Ben McEvoy and Jonathon Ceglar.
2. SYDNEY SWANS 56pts 144.2%
You can mount a strong argument to suggest they are the best team in it. Aliir Aliir squared boasts composure that should see him play for a decade. And then there are all those darn midfielders.
3. ADELAIDE 56pts 141.1%
The Crouch boys from Beaufort had 64 between them, but how do you get a true read when they are playing a rabble? They didn’t have a bad player in a game than became all about percentage.
4. GWS 56pts 140.2%
Jon Paton’s movement was the best it’s been since returning from his second knee reconstruction. Toby Greene should be in contention for a small All-Australian forward role. Then again so should his old teammate Steve Johnson.
5. GEELONG 56pts 137.1%
None of their top four rivals play each other so as it stands they are behind the eight ball. And it won’t be won from outside the top four. And their best 22 is no clearer as they balance class with speed.
6. WEST COAST EAGLES 52pts 131.0%
Like the way they moved the ball, at times with fluency of last year. But it was on their home track where they race like Chief De Beers used to at Doomben (20 wins). The problem was the Chief couldn’t win anywhere else.
7. WESTERN BULLDOGS 52pts 116.1%
An even spread of goalkickers please every coach, but can you win finals without someone bobbing up with three or four? The tackling of The Bont is extreme for one of his height.
8. NORTH MELBOURNE 48pts 111.5%
Maybe they’re just not quite good enough against the best teams and around seventh or eighth is where they belong. Their attack was dysfunctional at best, the way in shambolic.
9. ST KILDA 40pts 95.1%
Has there been a more consistent mark than Nick Riewoldt in the AFL era? Not for mine. Importantly their forwards know how to kick goals, which becomes even more potent when Paddy McCartin returns.
10. PORT ADELAIDE 36pts 108.9%
What a miserable way to celebrate Justin Westhoff’s 200th, to go to Sydney and not try hard enough. It says plenty about their commitment to a cause and suggests this group does not have a flag in it.
11. MELBOURNE 36pts 102.6%
Most of the blocks have been put in place, with Michael Hurley’s recruitment the final piece. They have room in their cap. Dom Tyson goes about his work in an unobtrusive but extremely effective fashion.
12. COLLINGWOOD 32pts 91.1%
After a competitive month they are suddenly a chance to finish 13th and beneath the Tigers. Had their best three forwards in Jamie Elliott, Alex Fasolo and Darcy Moore out, but you still expect more from the remainder.
13. RICHMOND 32pts 83.0%
Not the result the board agitators required, although ultimately it makes little difference to the overall picture because all they did was defeat a fellow underachiever. Beat Geelong next week and it changes.
14. GOLD COAST SUNS 24pts 80.2%
The basics are in place. Jack Martin is going to be some player plus Jarrod Garlett will produce some stunning highlights. What they have to do now is learn to win the close ones, although their injured players rob them of experience.
15. CARLTON 24pts 76.6%
Given up to eight of Sunday’s team would be playing for their futures, you would have expected a little more in the effort department. They need to watch and learn from Kade Simpson.
16. FREMANTLE 12pts 77.7%
A totally different team with the giant back, as they will be with Nat Fyfe and Michael Johnson. Take the three most important players out of any team and they will struggle.
17. BRISBANE LIONS 8pts 60.3%
Daniel Merrett, Lewis Taylor, Josh Schache, Nick Robertson and Josh Walker had 10 kicks between them, which is hard to do given the way the game is played today. Right now they are doing little for the competition.
18. ESSENDON 4pts 57.0%
What was the point of the first three quarters? To teach youngsters how to win games? No. To entertain their loyal fans? No. Just an awful example of the code.
Originally published as AFL SuperLadder: Form analysis after Round 20, 2016
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