By Andrew Wu
The mid-season byes have begun, and in the first of our mid-season report cards, we take a look at a club that has exceeded expectations, one that is making painfully slow progress and two who have slid down the ladder.
Carlton (12th, four wins, seven losses)
Who’s hot?
In his 10th season, Jack Silvagni has been a revelation in his new role as a defender. Silvagni’s ability to stop high-quality forwards, from a key type like Aaron Naughton to the medium-sized threat like Patrick Dangerfield, intercept and launch counter-attacks is one of the reasons why the Blues, for all their problems, has been one of the more difficult sides to score against. A streamlined George Hewett is having a career-best season in the midfield at the age of 29, and Nick Haynes has overcome a horror start to life as a Blue by turning the clock back to the pre-pandemic years. Tom De Koning was the best ruck in the competition in the first month, but his form has tailed off. Jacob Weitering had been in All-Australian form before two below-par games coming into the bye.
Jack Silvagni has been a revelation in defence for the Blues so far this season.Credit: AFL Photos
Who’s not?
The Blues need more from their superstars. Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow are having reasonable years but are capable of finding another level. Harry McKay has struggled with consistency since returning from a mental health break, though his best has been the reason why the Blues have won. After another interrupted preseason, Sam Walsh has become just a player, unable to run opponents off their legs like he used to. The same can be said of Blake Acres, who is not having the same impact of his first two years at the club.
Verdict: So much more was expected of the Blues, who have been one of the most disappointing clubs of the season. Despite having two Coleman medallists in their forward line the Blues are having enormous difficulties scoring. Their lack of class small forwards has hurt, but their ball movement is slow and imprecise. They are as tense as a patient visiting the dentist. Similar problems were overcome in 2023 when they mounted a stunning run to the preliminary final, but they do not have the same quality on their list. A friendly draw over the next month will give Blues fans hope but a finals berth is unlikely.
Grade: D+
Tristan Xerri is mounting a case for All-Australian selection this year.Credit: Getty Images
North Melbourne (17th, two wins, one draw, eight losses)
Who’s hot?
After a slow start to the season, Tristan Xerri is again mounting a strong claim for a maiden All-Australian blazer. The ruckman, with his attack on the ball and wholehearted manner in which he plays, has become the Kangaroos’ on-field spiritual leader. Small forward Paul Curtis has continued his improvement and, with 19 goals to the bye, is on track to pass his career-best haul of 30 last year. Cameron Zurhaar has rediscovered his bull-at-a-gate ways in attack to add much-needed bite to the forward line. Veteran Luke Parker has justified his acquisition on the field even if his greatest impact might be felt in the locker room.
Who’s not?
This might be harsh on North’s leading possession-getter but Caleb Daniel is not having the impact he should. A damaging kick at his best, Daniel has often erred on the side of recklessness with his ball use by taking low-percentage options deep in defence. In his third year at Arden Street, Griffin Logue cannot get a clear run at it due to injury and now form. Dropped amid North’s horror run, Logue is yet to reclaim his position in the side. The Roos need more from experienced duo Aidan Corr and Zac Fisher, who have both had stints in the VFL.
Caleb Daniel: Plenty of possessions but more impact needed.Credit: Getty Images
Verdict: As painful as this season has been for their fans, North have actually improved. At this stage last year, they were winless with a percentage of 55.9 and uncompetitive. This year, they have been in contention at three-quarter-time in eight games. The question is whether North should be further advanced after five seasons in the bottom two.
Given they have traded away their first pick, the Kangaroos would have expected to have picked up an extra win or two instead of being in the familiar position of 17th.
Grade: D+
Port Adelaide (15th, four wins, seven losses)
Who’s hot?
Port’s best phase of the season came after Zak Butters returned from injury. Butters was instrumental in Port’s best win of the year, against Hawthorn, but needs more help in the guts. The Power cannot afford to lose him. Moved to half-back, Connor Rozee has maintained his high standards while others’ have fallen, though Port need him in the middle as well as providing run out of defence. Though not necessarily built for it, Mitch Georgiades has prospered being the main man in the forward 50. Miles Bergman’s star is on the rise though he, like Butters, may be on the move at season’s end.
Who’s not?
Esava Ratugolea, Ivan Soldo, and Jordon Sweet were recruited at the end of 2023 to help Port take the next step. Eighteen months on, those moves have not had the desired effect. Ratugolea is struggling in an overworked defence that does not get enough pressure on the ball from up the field. Sweet lost his spot after being monstered by Tim English, and his understudy Soldo is out of favour. The move of Jeremy Finlayson into defence lasted just one disastrous game against Collingwood.
Verdict: Ken Hinkley’s 13th and final season at the helm at Alberton is headed for an inglorious finish. Preliminary finalists last year, Port are headed for a bottom-six finish. The impending handover from Hinkley to Josh Carr is an easy target to explain Port’s poor season even though many had tipped them to be this season’s slider. The club would not have seen such a drop coming, given they traded out their first-round pick for Jack Lukosius, who has been injured.
Most concerning is how quickly the Power have waved the white flag when things became difficult. Five of the heaviest losses of the Hinkley era have come in Port’s last 24 games.
Grade: E
Ed Richards has been a midfield weapon for the Western Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images
Western Bulldogs (seventh, six wins, five losses)
Who’s hot?
Ed Richards has morphed from a capable half-back into one of the game’s best midfielders in the past 12 months. Richards’ speed and penetrating left foot makes him a major weapon for the Dogs. Rebounding defender Bailey Dale, who had a career-best 49 possessions a fortnight ago, is on track for a second All-Australian blazer. Tom Liberatore is defying Father Time. Small forward Rhylee West is one of the most improved players in the league, thriving since taking over from the injured Cody Weightman. Matt Kennedy is close to the recruit of the year since his move from Carlton, revelling as a midfielder who can also be dangerous when moved forward.
Who’s not?
Veteran defender Liam Jones has struggled after having his pre-season severely disrupted by a serious hamstring injury. He lost his place to former cricketer James O’Donnell, who has performed admirably in the key defensive post alongside the rejuvenated Rory Lobb. Injuries threatened to derail the season. Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Sam Darcy have all spent significant periods in a star-studded casualty ward at Whitten Oval, but all are either back or will return shortly after the bye for the Dogs’ run to September.
Verdict: So much could have gone wrong for the injury-hit Dogs but coach Luke Beveridge has navigated a safe passage through treacherous waters. A contract extension looms. At the start of the year, most Dogs fans would have happily accepted a 6-5 record and seventh given their extensive injury toll. The wins they banked while undermanned have given the Dogs a serious chance to break into the top four in the second half of the year. Of their remaining 12 games, only four are against teams currently in the eight, and they leave Victoria only twice. Though they have been close against the best, their next challenge will be to claim a scalp to stamp themselves as a top premiership contender. They’ll get their chance straight after the bye against Hawthorn.
Grade: A
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