Sydney moves within game of top four, St Kilda slip to ninth, Essendon eye finals birth
SUPERLADDER: Sydney is making the impossible possible after another win while St Kilda slides out of the eight and Essendon moves within touching distance.
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THERE’S just six weeks left in the regular season.
Adelaide lead the way and Essendon and the Western Bulldogs in 10th and 11th are just one game behind West Coast in eighth.
After a week on top of the world, St Kilda are the big losers after Round 17, going from fifth to ninth as the Eagles reclaim their place in the top eight.
THE TACKLE: WHO’S BEST: BUDDY, DANGER OR DUSTY?
MATCH REPORT: DOGS IMPROVE BUT QUESTIONS L INGER
SORE HAND: INJURY COULD STOP PENDLES FACING EAGLES
1. ADELAIDE CROWS (12-0-4) 140.4%, 48PTS
Again, if Taylor Walker fires then they look fluent with Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins and the crumbers slotting in around Tex. Their percentage should see them finish top two, but can they win the midfield when it counts?
2. GEELONG (11-1-4) 118.1%, 46PTS
By way of comparison, Patrick Dangerfield’s explosive qualities are Gary Ablett Snr-like, his versatility similar to Darrren Jarman. To think two hobbling blokes (he and Daniel Menzel) combined for eight goals.
3. GWS GIANTS (10-2-4) 115.7%, 44PTS
Probably a fair assessment of where they are at, or in the words of Bob Davis “just going”. Admire Matt de Boer and Tendai Mzungu but if they are getting a game, then the Giants are beatable.
4. PORT ADELAIDE (10-0-6) 136.3%, 40PTS
The lowest profile of the contenders but have done everything right apart from beating the top dogs. Do they have enough class? Reckon they need everything to go right.
5. RICHMOND (10-0-6) 107.4%, 40PTS
The greatest Brownlow Medal contest stays alive as Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield try to race into the human equivalent of equine immortality. As for Dusty’s teammates, they got it done but their field kicking was only fair to poor.
6. SYDNEY SWANS (9-0-7) 113.4%, 36PTS
Kieren Jack’s return to form can’t be underestimated given it pushes their midfield out to double figures. But they are reliant on Lance Franklin to beat the big boys, meaning Kurt Tippett has to get back.
7. MELBOURNE (9-0-7) 106.7%, 36PTS
Injuries were going to get them at some stage. Suspect their time is next year and beyond given how we sometimes forget how young this group is. But reckon Port Adelaide are in for a dust-up on Saturday.
8. WEST COAST (9-0-7) 102.1%, 36PTS
Josh Kennedy might not have dominated but he kicks goals when it matters. And their midfield ran. And ran a bit more. The only way they can spark in September is for Nic Naitanui to return.
9. ST KILDA (9-0-7) 99.4%, 36PTS
A strange side, devoid of consistency and at times work-rate. Nick Riewoldt, who clearly belongs in their greatest four players (Darrel Baldock, Ian Stewart and Robert Harvey) looked every one of his 34 years.
10. ESSENDON (8-0-8) 108.5%, 32PTS
Michael Hurley and his running mate Andrew McGrath are they keys down back, although Michael Hartley had his best game for the year. As for James Kelly, I have never seen him use the ball better, or make better decisions.
11. WESTERN BULLDOGS (8-0-8) 94.2%, 32PTS
Five lengths short of the 2016 model but at least they worked their dog collars off. There will be no September miracles this year. So find new faces and young Lewis Young looks like being one of those.
12. FREMANTLE (7-0-9) 80.6%, 28PTS
Do their supporters ever dream of the day when they attack, and play high risk, and go to the hot spot and then kick 20 goals. I wonder if their coach can re-invent his game plan to allow that?
13. HAWTHORN (6-1-9) 84.4%, 26PTS
Their younger players, who were largely quiet, will benefit from playing in a finals-type game at the MCG. Luke Hodge is certainly taking the attitude you should get out when you are still playing well.
14. COLLINGWOOD (6-0-10) 96.0%, 24PTS
Even in the rain, their forward set-up functioned better than most days in 2017. Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams did what good players do be responding to sub-par performances last week.
15. GOLD COAST (6-0-10) 85.5%, 24PTS
They didn’t get any favours in the injury stakes, making it harder to assess their coach. But Rodney Eade has done the hard work so why rip it away from him now? As for Gary Ablett, surely they will ask for too much.
16. CARLTON (5-0-11) 82.3%, 20PTS
It’s all about their forward line, or lack of it on Sunday’s display. Too often they lacked leading targets. Maybe it’s time to forget about “selection integrity” and just see what Harry McKay or Patrick Kerr have got.
17. NORTH MELBOURNE (4-0-12) 89.0%, 16PTS
They will keep turning them over as their committed coach searches for players who want to be part of their next challenge. Suspect Todd Goldstein may struggle to be part of that campaign.
18. BRISBANE LIONS (3-0-13) 69.1%, 12PTS
Greg Swann and co have got the first post right by creating an off-field environment that retains players. Now it’s all down to player development and getting the draft right.
Originally published as Sydney moves within game of top four, St Kilda slip to ninth, Essendon eye finals birth
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