Another week has passed, and another two teams’ premiership hopes have bitten the dust.
Despite a brilliant fightback in the last few minutes, Port Adelaide fell in dramatic style to Geelong. After rising from the doldrums, their dream run in 2013 is over.
Geelong progresses to face Hawthorn, a match-up that will have the AFL salivating, but will have Hawks fans very nervous due to their record against the Cats.
In the other game, Sydney bounced back from their disappointing loss to the Hawks last week to knock Carlton out of the finals.
The results set up two interesting preliminary finals, with Hawthorn facing Geelong at the MCG while Sydney play Fremantle in Perth.
Now that their seasons are over, let’s take a look at the performances of Port Adelaide and Carlton.
Port Adelaide
What went right?
For the most part, the coaching staff and recruiters at Port Adelaide need hearty congratulations for this year’s effort.
Led by first year coach Ken Hinkley, Port instilled a fitness regime which turned them from laughing stock of the competition to a competitive side playing finals in the space of an off-season– something that Melbourne has been unable to achieve over the space of many years.
The recruiters have drafted some genuinely very good players in Oliver Wines, Tom Jonas, Sam Colquhoun and Kane Mitchell.
They also brought in a refreshed Angus Monfries and Jake Neade via trade and only lost Danyle Pearce, Troy Chaplin and journeyman David Rodan.
While Chaplin and Pearce seemed like they would be big losses, players like Wines and Chad Wingard were able to step up, strengthening Port’s midfield.
Port’s fitness also allowed them to run out games better than many of their opponents. Their fitness regime allowed them to stun the competition, going undefeated in the first five games.
What went wrong?
Unfortunately Port was not able to maintain the momentum that had swept them through the first five weeks of the season and capitalise on it.
Otherwise, not much went wrong for Port. They turned Football Park into a fortress in which they claimed the big scalps of Collingwood and reining premiers Sydney.
The biggest concern for Port would have been their form on the road, where they came away with only five victories including their finals win against Collingwood.
They lost games against teams they should be defeating away from home, including games against the Western Bulldogs and the inconsistent North Melbourne.
Where to for next year?
What is needed is another year of experience for their young players.
Port revealed an array of match-winning youngsters in the likes of Neade, Wingard and Wines, who stood up and provided the great support that Westoff, Boak and Hartlett desperately needed.
Ken Hinkley has done a marvelous job grilling these players and they will be hoping it only gets better with another season at the helm.
Port has already lost Brett Ebert for next year through retirement, while Kane Cornes and Dom Cassisi may not be far behind.
Kane Mitchell was brought in from the WAFL but used only in a minor substitute role, so could be great trade bait for Port.
But for the most part, Port will probably look to hold on to its young players and work the foundations they have laid this season.
If they can do that, they should at least maintain their position in the Top 8 and get another crack at finals football.
If they are able to improve, Port may become a genuine premiership contender in two to three years – possibly the last premiership window for players like Boak, Westoff and Hartlett before age catches up with them.
Carlton
What went right?
This was a season of inconsistency for the Navy Blues – their best was pretty good, but their worst was horrible.
It started to come together in patches towards the end of the season, with impressive comeback wins against Richmond, Port Adelaide and Richmond again in the Elimination Final.
When Carlton played an attractive brand of football, they were fantastic to watch. When they were on, their run, spread and carry was back to their best of two years ago.
Despite going down in their first three games, it actually doesn’t show how competitive they were.
In Round 1 against Richmond, Carlton had several chances to win the game. They were also very competitive against Geelong and Collingwood, taking the game to both sides before running out of legs at the end.
If Carlton are able to build on those performances, they can get back to pushing for top four as they were two years ago.
What went wrong?
Carlton’s their inability to run out games and kick accurately once again hurt them. Their inability to hold out leads and close games also cost them.
Carlton held leads against Essendon (twice), Hawthorn and Collingwood, but let them slip in the final quarter to cost them the game.
Inaccurate kicking also cost Carlton games against Essendon and St Kilda, in which Carlton ended up with more scoring shots only to lose the game.
Marc Murphy being tagged out of games was another factor. The captain not being given the support he needed from his teammates to break free restricted Carlton’s previous clearance domination.
Unlike last year, in which Carlton missed the finals, the list was relatively disruption free. Murphy, Armfield, Garlett, Henderson, Jamison, McLean, Simpson, Touhy and Walker all playing over 21 games, with others like Gibbs, Judd, Yarran, Curnow, Robinson and Scotland playing 18 or 19 games.
Where to for next year?
Carlton desperately need a key position player – top of their wishlist every year since Fevola left.
In the meantime, the club seems unsure of where Henderson and Waite belong.
When Henderson was moved forward while Waite recovered from another injury he seemed to run into a green patch of form. He was kept there, and upon return Waite was moved to the defence.
In their final two games, Waite has been caught out in defence. Henderson, while serviceable, has dropped on and now seems to be receiving the attention of the number one defender and needs some support from another big forward to help with the load.
Carlton have a few in the old brigade who are getting closer to the ends of their respective careers.
With Heath Scotland and Waite already above 30 and Carazzo, Simpson and Judd also nearing their 30s, Carlton may require some more support in the midfield for the likes of Murphy and Gibbs.
Carlton would also be tempted to part ways with some of their ruck stocks as they seem to be overflowing with them at the moment.
Kruezer has settled as the number one with Warnock next in line, while Rowe, Casboult and Mitchell are all available as relief ruckmen. This leaves Hampson as being deemed surplus, but not worth much.
Carlton would probably be willing to trade Warnock and a draft pick to GWS if it could secure the number one pick, which will probably be the highly touted Tom Boyd.
Others who may be looking for a new team this season after limited opportunities may include Duigan, Laidler, Joseph and Ellard.
Clive deering
Guest
Bell certainly needs more opportunity, big frame works hard and knows how to protect his mates. Perhaps we could look at off loading Waite, He is injured too often and suspended way to often. Great player when he is on the field but if he is going to be suspended when he is fit to play what is the point of keeping him? We need him on the ground when fit.
Jack
Guest
Just on te blues they won't lose any player s via returmebt next year except perhaps Scotland . I actually thought he had a poor year. We har some more games into bell and casbolt. Watson is a huge talent. Kane Lucas got his chance he will e bette for it next year. Mciness went ok. We still have some top shelf players Jamison Waite Henderson Kruser Warnick judd Murphy Gibbs yarran (if he he plays to pertntial ). Just need some of these younger bell Lucas players to make an impact and say add a dustin Martin . As far as trades go Laidler , betts, hampson and Joesph are all gone. If malthouse has been putting games into then they are staying (except betts).
Jack
Guest
Just on the blues they won't lose any player s via retirement next year except perhaps Scotland . I actually thought he had a poor year. We have some more games into bell and casbolt. Watson is a huge talent. Kane Lucas got his chance he will get bette for it next year. Mciness went ok. We still have some top shelf players Jamison Waite Henderson Kruser Warnick judd Murphy Gibbs yarran (if he he plays to pertntial ). Just need some of these younger bell Lucas players to make an impact and say add a dustin Martin . As far as trades go Laidler , betts, hampson,
Paddo
Roar Rookie
You may notice that QL:D tends to produce ruckman/key position players out of proportion to midfielders defenders etc, its called talent identification, and a lack of good big men in the AFL. Tippett, Hampson, Hale, Jesse White, Keefe, Tom Williams, Reiwoldt, Hudson, Merritt. etc
Samual Johnson
Guest
From what I have seen come out of the northern states, it is more or less tokenism having them in teams. There are dozens of equally talented players in the southern states that are over looked. A theory why is because it is a lot easier to stand out in the weak leagues. Put it another way. Your 17 year old from Queensland. Come down and see how good you are in a country or big metro competition. They would get hammered. But oddly, the AFL clubs pick them. It is a lot harder to stand out in Victoria where you have so much talent running around.
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
"If Geelong can pull a Blicavs from obscurity, and has some skill why can’t Carlton?" "Just pick great footballers, forget about athletes. They cannot do the basics." Blicavs was running steeplechase before he got picked up from the Cats, he was picked up purely for his athletic ability. I will staunchly defend Tom Bell to the death, and he comes from Queensland.
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
Too right you are, my mistake about Jonas. I read that he was picked up in a draft this year and didn't think anything more of it. Didn't realise it was the rookie draft. Absolute break out year for him. As for the duration of the mythical "window", I only said that it'll be open in 2-3 years, not how long it will be open for. I don't think they will be there next year, they still have too big a gap to close against the top 4 sides. They can push for a home final next year, they won't be top 4 though.
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
I agree Macca, the inability for Malthouse to give Bell and Graham chances in the firsts was insane, as well as relegating Watson to the VFL. I believe that it was coupled with Malthouse's persistence in using Kane Lucas and Josh Bootsma, both players have amazing potential but are not ready for AFL level football. Bootsma is far too small a body to tackle a serious key forward, as was shown throughout the year, and then there is Kane Lucas an outside running player with a lot of speed but poor disposal efficiency and cannot lay a tackle or protect a player to save his life. Bell may also not have the greatest disposal efficiency, but his ability to protect his team mates, put his body on the line and tackle like a machine is second to none. If you want to see a great moment from Bell's season, watch him lay the shepherd on Cotchin in the round 21 game. It was a thing of beauty.
Edan Nissen
Roar Rookie
Carlton was competitive but thats not good enough, against teams ranked 1-7, Carlton went 1-9 (or 1-7 if you exclude Essendon). That just simply isn't good enough. On trading the number 1 pick, I highly doubt Carlton will get it, however, what GWS need is a mature aged ruckman as Brogan and O'Hailpin got retired and delisted. I think they would be very keen on Warnock and something else, or potentially Hampson and a few other good players. I'd be loathe to let go of Duigan, as he proved in the few opportunities he can play hard at the ball, which I like to see players do. It does seem like he is on the outer at Carlton though, with the limited opportunities he was given last season. Laidler seems like he is on his way out. I could see Carlton doing Warnock, Laidler and a draft pick for Tom Boyd, but I don't think it's likely.
Dan of SA
Guest
Although Tom Jonas was 'drafted' last year (upgraded rookie) he has actually been playing for Port since 2011 - hardly a new recruit. Kane Mitchell won't be traded. He needs to be upgraded to the main list anyway. In 2014 Westhoff will turn 28, Boak 26 and Hartlett 24 and the majority of the list is well younger than them - I think the mythical 'window' will be open for at least another 6 years. Look at Geelong! Other than my gripes above, a fair assessment. B-
macca
Guest
Samual - I wouldn't say Tom Bell is useless, a little more polish and he will be great for the blues. You say the blues have a great coach and those not getting regular games need to lift but for mine the biggest issue the blues have this year is the non selection of the young blokes - Bell & Graham were in the best consistently in the VFL but didn't get picked and when they were it was often as the sub, Matthew Watson looked good at CHb and allowed Henderson to go froward but again he wasn't used until late in the year, Dylan Buckley & Troy Menzel look like they could add real spark around half forward but were under utilised and again often used as a sub and Casboult looks like he will be a better ruckman and forward than Rowe but got overlooked for long periods. These players won't improve playing at the second tier, they need to be exposed to the top level much more.
Samual Johnson
Guest
Agree with what has been written here and also that players not getting regular games this year need to really step up to the next level. They have a great coach, so it is up to them now to lift their skill levels. What has been missed is, Betts will most likely leave. He wants too much from Carlton. Will miss him, but he was too short and went missing for weeks during the season. He could do the amazing, but was too flakey to ever become a premiership player. Question marks about Yarran. He is not exactly on best terms with Coach Malthouse. Would not be surprised if he left as well. It would be great to get this Tom Boyd, if he lives up to the hype. Problem is, you cannot just get a player of that calibre with the draft system. The Giants will grab him fo certain. There are a bunch of duds that need to be culled. Shaun Hampson is the first to go for mine. If Geelong can pull a Blicavs from obscurity, and has some skill why can't Carlton? No more recruits from New South Wales(north of the Riverina) or Queensland ever again. They just are useless players when you have so many natural footballers right under your nose within an hours drive of Lygon St. This type of recruiters beggars belief. It would be akin to Canadian ice hockey clubs recruiting Mexican players because they are the right type of build and athleticism. Just pick great footballers, forget about athletes. They cannot do the basics.
Macca
Guest
On the blues, there was a good article on them on Satrday showing they had smoothed out their highs and lows this year and were much more competitve against the top sides, but they still put in shockers against St Kilda and the bulldogs and played shockers of quarters or less inside games. Their need for a key position player might not be as accute as people think with the possibility of Watson playing CHB allowing Henderson to play forward with Casboult/ Kreuzer (depending if Warnock plays) and Waite. Menzel also sahpes as an important player as he plays that in between height, On trading for the number 1 pick I would think Duigan would suit GWS perfectly, flexible, strong bodied a leader and a pyschologist, pair him with say Warnock (although he has been very good for the blues in the last month or so) and throw in Laidler or draft pick and you might get close.