AFL SuperLadder: Form analysis after Round 12, 2016

NORTH Melbourne is clinging to top spot on the ladder with a chasing pack of four teams on its heels. JON ANDERSON analyses where your club sits after Round 12.

Hawthorn’s big win over Essendon gave it a much-needed percentage boost. Picture: Colleen Petch

NORTH Melbourne is clinging to top spot on the ladder with a chasing pack of four teams on its heels.

Hawthorn was thought to be up against it winning a fourth consecutive premiership but the Hawks are suddenly lurking outside the top four.

Where does your team sit after Round 12 of the 2016 season?

Jon Anderson takes a closer look at every club.

1. NORTH MELBOURNE 40pts 124.2%

Thought the Roos were outstanding to stay in the game as long as they did with a depleted midfield. But next three games (Hawks, Crows and Eagles in Perth) will define their year.

2. GEELONG 36pts 139.1%

Has any midfield duo surpassed the combined 86 possessions (40 contested, 80 per cent efficiency) of Selwood and his dangerous mate? When both decide to win the ball, they normally succeed.

3. SYDNEY 36pts 136%

The Swans’ defence leaked like a sieve, which has been the knock. But they were under pressure with injuries and their midfield was unable to exert its usual dominance.

4. WESTERN BULLDOGS 36pts 128.7%

f you can run, win your own ball and then make excellent decisions, then you will play good AFL football as Caleb Daniel is proving. The Bont is fulfilling expectations, but maybe more by foot and less by hand?

Marcus Bontempelli celebrates a goal with the Bulldogs one of four clubs on nine wins. Picture: Sarah Reed

5. HAWTHORN 32pts 119%

The Hawks’ draw is fair to good so it comes down to making the top four, and God help opponents if they do given their knowledge of the ninth month of the year. Have limited depth so injuries become vital.

6. GWS GIANTS 32pts 135.5%

If you are going to make a statement then you might as well make it against your neighbour who was flag favourite. The win was achieved by evenness, which wins finals.

7. ADELAIDE: 32pts 127.9%

Lyons and Matt Crouch are picking up some of Danger’s midfield slack, and while much is rightly made of the Crows’ attacking options, their defence built around Talia and Lever is set up for years.

Eddie Betts and the Crows are coming. Picture: Getty Images

8. WEST COAST: 28pts 126.3%

So Fort Knox isn’t impenetrable! The Eagles disposal was woeful, their desire questionable. Darling, Kennedy, LeCras and Naitanui had 13 possessions between them for the second half.

9. PORT ADELAIDE: 24pts 110.3%

Robbie Gray has faster hands than Billy the Kid. Port is probably the most talented side outside the eight, but sides who play finals win most close ones. So Freo in Perth is virtually a final.

10. CARLTON 24pts 84.7%

The Blues have been up for a long time and there were no surprises from within that they hit a flat spot. They were ripe for it last week, but Brisbane wasn’t good enough. Get set to see more of their kids debut.

The Blues were flat against the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

11. MELBOURNE 20pts 105.1%

This is what footballers strive for: the MCG, screaming crowd and playing Collingwood. So how much do the Demons want it in front of Neale Daniher? We will find out a lot about Melbourne today. Viney’s return should help.

12. ST KILDA 20pts 86.6%

The Saints had a lot to prove after last week’s embarrassment. You have to love the ruck tandem of Hickey and Pierce for the future. And both got on the scoreboard.

13. RICHMOND 20pts 84.7%

The Tigers have worked out how to use their best asset. Leave him on the field and when he plays midfield, let him run the corridor. Oh, his name is Dusty.

14. COLLINGWOOD 16pts 87.3%

No side has changed more from its likely pre-season “best” line-up in 2016. Dr Injury has played his part but the Pies have also lost too many because of form issues and had four premiership players in the VFL. Just need to win and go to the bye to regroup.

15. GOLD COAST 12pts 70.9%

The Suns have the talls and are expecting O’Meara and Swallow back soon, so they will start to look like a side. They are a lot closer than their ladder position suggests.

16. FREMANTLE 8pts 85.7%

Have only beaten the worst two sides but suspect the Dockers are going to claim bigger scalps. You know Freo is travelling well when Ballantyne is huffing and puffing.

17. BRISBANE LIONS 4pts 60.5%

Is questioning Leppitsch’s future fair? Maybe not, but it just goes with AFL territory. And all the assurances in the world won’t help if the Lions remain uncompetitive because you need to sell supporters hope.

18. ESSENDON 4pts 54.2%

Would love to see Daniher floating around with a big body alongside him. As for his teammates, it’s all about who wants a gig next year? Dea is doing his chances no harm.

Originally published as AFL SuperLadder: Form analysis after Round 12, 2016