The Roar's mid-season AFL report card

James Kelly of Geelong tackles Chris Judd of Carlton during the AFL Round 09 match between the Carlton Blues and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

After 12 rounds we are now officially at the half-way mark of the 2011 home and away season, so now’s the perfect time to assess which clubs are at the top of the class, and which clubs have plenty of homework to do.

Geelong (1st)

Some say the Cats are lucky. Others have praised their resilience. Bottom line, though, is that you don’t go 11 games into the season undefeated unless you’re a serious threat. Chris Scott has injected new life into the club and gotten more out of a few of the older players.

Key forwards were the problem area, with the likes of Cam Mooney, Tom Hawkins and, at times, James Podsiadly struggling to fire early on. But in the last few weeks Nathan Vardy has emerged. And Brad Ottens kicked his first bag in forever. And Podsiadly had a six-goal first half against Hawthorn.

So just when you thought you could pinpoint this team’s weakness, the first-year coach who can do no wrong has seemingly found the answer. Things are definitely looking good at the Cattery. Only question is whether the ageing list will seem as fresh two months from now.

Grade: A. Predicted finish (after 22 rounds): 1st.

Collingwood (2nd)

On the surface the Pies are an even better team than the one that went all the way last year. Andrew Krakouer’s been a find, Leon Davis has reinvented himself down back, Scott Pendlebury may’ve lifted his game even higher, Dale Thomas definitely has and the biggest criticism of the side twelve months ago, inaccurate kicking, is now no longer a problem at all.

But it’s not all good news. While Chris Tarrant has covered the loss of Nathan Brown, the injury front does worry. Captain Nick Maxwell has been on the sidelines, Dane Swan’s been below-par enough to be sent back to Arizona and Alan Didak – the Pies’ leading goal kicker last year – isn’t looking the player he used to be.

However, even in games where large chunks of the premiership team have been missing the Pies have looked like the same dominant side. They have an aura of invincibility about them that suggests they’ll be hard to stop later on in the year.

Grade: B+. Predicted finish: 2nd.

Carlton (3rd)

The Blues are in a lot of good books at the moment. They’ve been hyped up as genuine premiership contenders. There’s a consensus they’re a better shot at it than Hawthorn. Only problem? Well, the Blues have beaten a grand total of one top eight team so far this season. A season we’re half-way through.

To be fair, you can understand where the optimism is stemming from. Their back line was the major weakness prior to this year – they conceded the second-most points of top eight sides last season – but the answers to this problem have come think and fast.

In the key defender stakes, Michael Jamison has surprisingly elevated himself among the league’s best. Of the smaller types, the transition of Chris Yarran from forward to defender has paid dividends and so too has the addition of Jeremy Laidler. Throw in Marc Murphy joining Chris Judd as an elite midfielder and, well, it’s tempting to overlook the lack of results against top opposition.

Grade: B. Predicted finish: 3rd.

Hawthorn (4th)

My Roar colleague Michael Filosi was right to point out this week that “on their day, the Hawks are capable of beating anyone”. They’ve looked scintillating at times this season, with a game plan that looks good enough to win a flag. They haven’t always sustained that for four quarters, however.

The good news: the guns are firing (especially Buddy), Josh Gibson’s having a big year (which was needed), some younger types have slotted in well (think Savage, Shiels, Suckling), only three losses to their name (and two of them narrow ones to the Cats). The bad news: the season-ending injuries (Stephen Gilham and Ben Stratton were bad enough, Jarryd Roughead is just horrible).

In the sense that people are rating the Blues higher than them, the Hawks can be seen as flying under the radar. Whether they can remain a threat despite injuries, though, is the worry.

Grade: B+. Predicted finish: 4th.

Sydney (5th)

The Swans keep refusing to drop off. Defying expectations, the veterans of the club – save for the unlucky Daniel Bradshaw – continue to impress. Young Sam Reid has looked ultra promising. The important stat is that the Swans have only lost three games (to Geelong, Carlton and Hawthorn, no less). There’s plenty of life in this side yet.

Grade: B. Predicted finish: 6th.

West Coast (6th)

Echoing the season their West Australian rivals Fremantle had last year, the Eagles are the surprise packets of 2011. Fuelled by the sudden return to prominence of Dean Cox and Daniel Kerr, as well as the continued development of younger players, they’ve made a mockery of pre-season suggestions John Worsfold would be under pressure right about now.

Grade: A. Predicted finish: 5th.

Fremantle (7th)

Even going into Round 1, Freo’s injury list looked bad. It’s even worse now, with the latest addition to the casualty ward being David Mundy sidelined for six to eight weeks. The club’s most important player Aaron Sandilands is still two to three weeks away. To finish top eight after such an injury-riddled year would be highly commendable.

Grade: C. Predicted finish: 8th.

Essendon (8th)

James Hird could not have scripted a better start to his coaching career – a NAB Cup final, some impressive early performances – but the bubble has now burst. An injury to Jobe Watson was arguably the instigator. Now the question is whether they can get things back on track in time to make the finals. Two positives: Dyson Heppell and Stewart Crameri.

Grade: C+. Predicted finish: 9th.

St Kilda (9th)

If you were giving the Saints a grade one month ago, it would have undoubtedly been an F. But a corner has at least been turned. How big that corner is remains to be seen. Lenny Hayes’ injury was a cruel blow to any hopes of a serious turnaround, it must be noted. Finals are still a healthy proposition. A flag, seemingly, is not.

Grade: D. Predicted finish: 7th.

Melbourne (10th)

What to make of the Dees? Up and about one week, poor the next week. Then, after a stern whack in the media, all of the sudden they’re back up again. When this process repeats itself for half a season, it gets tiresome. Colin Sylvia’s been great, but it’s obvious the days of a dominant forward line spearheaded by Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah are still some time away. If they find some consistency, watch out. If it’s more of the same, feel free to tune out.

Grade: C. Predicted finish: 11th.

Richmond (11th)

The Tigers are a hard team not to like this season, leaving aside the last month or so. Dustin Martin has surprised a few by backing up his debut season with an even better second season. The smaller types Jake King and Robin Nahas have had impressive seasons. The problem comes when they travel interstate and, unfortunately, there’s still a bit of that to come in the second half of the year.

Grade: C+. Predicted finish: 10th.

North Melbourne (12th)

Strange sort of season for the Roos. Started slowly, but lately the individual brilliance of Andrew Swallow and the fact I’m now able to type “Daniel Wells” and “living up to his potential” in the same sentence has kinda changed all that. Two wins in a row has generated some optimism, naturally, but with those wins coming against Adelaide (at home) and Gold Coast, I’m holding back.

Grade: D+. Predicted finish: 13th.

Western Bulldogs (13th)

If the Western Bulldogs’ sole goal for 2011 was to embarrass those who dared tip them to win the flag, they would be graded A+. (Yes, I was one of them.) Unfortunately, the two bookends those tipsters were relying on – Brian Lake at one end, Barry Hall at the other – have not been themselves and spent a fair bit of time on the sidelines. Lake in particular has had his attitude when it comes to injuries questioned. Adam Cooney has also had injury problems. Take these three out of the line-up, and evidently the Dogs aren’t quite what you thought they were.

Grade: F. Predicted finish: 12th.

Adelaide (14th)

Major, major disappointments. Pre-season the Crows had a list brimming with players that could significantly lift their output, but it just hasn’t happened. Hard not to like the look of Shaun McKernan, however the negatives (players not stepping up, inconsistency, long-term injuries) far outweigh the positives here. Makes for an interesting match-up for Friday Night Football tonight.

Grade: D. Predicted finish: 15th.

Brisbane Lions (15th)

Michael Voss still has a long way to go to save his career, but at least the Lions showed some signs of life towards the end of last month before running into some quality opposition in Sydney and Carlton. Matthew Leuenberger has looked good and youngsters Jack Redden and Tom Rockliff continue to improve.

Grade: D+. Predicted finish: 14th.

Port Adelaide (16th)

Demoralising year for the Port Adelaide Football Club, both on and off the field. Only two wins in the first half of the year, and you suspect that’s the most they can aim for in the second half too. Simply haven’t been competitive on too many occasions.

Grade: F. Predicted finish: 17th.

Gold Coast Suns (17th)

Everyone’s second team this year. Pulled off a couple of upsets, but shown plenty in the losing games as well. There are a number of youngsters you could highlight, but one thing that simply must said in a summary of the Suns’ season is Zac Smith looks absolutely sensational for someone in only his fifth season of Australian football. Will probably sneak in a couple more wins before the season’s out.

Grade: B. Predicted finish: 16th.