What we learnt from the 2014 NAB Challenge (part I)

The NAB Challenge has come to its conclusion, and with less than two weeks to go until the commencement of the season proper, we may have seen a preview of what to expect from each team this year.

There were some thrilling matches, blow-outs and unexpected results, as last year was completely forgotten with the primary focus being what lies ahead in 2014.

After following most of the matches closely, there will be some teams that will remain where they are, some that will improve and some that may experience a decline after so long at the top half of the ladder.

I will review each team in the order of a final ladder I calculated based on match wins and percentage, and for the most part, it will be indicative of how each team may fare in 2014.

Below is the ladder calculated on match victories, and then percentage.

Hawthorn
The reigning premiers showed that they will once again be the team to beat in 2014, with two victories by a combined total of 196 points, including a devastating 131-point demolition of the Brisbane Lions in the second match at Etihad Stadium.

They proved that they will be more than capable of moving on without Lance Franklin, whose debut game for the Sydney Swans in their 35-point loss to West Coast netted only six disposals, one behind and no goals.

Against the Lions, the Hawks fielded 13 premiership players, while Justin Leppitsch’s fielded only two players with more than a hundred games’ experience, and two with more than 50 games.

Hawthorn’s midfield and understrength backline were the highlight of their 65-point win over North Melbourne, their ability to restrict the Roos to 7.11 (53) impressive given the Hawks were missing suspended Norm Smith Medallist Brian Lake.

If the Hawks’ performances are anything to go by, then it will take an almighty effort from their opposition to bring them down in 2014.

West Coast Eagles
A team who I predicted would make little improvement in 2014 surprised me the most during the NAB Challenge, putting the cleaners through last year’s beaten grand finalists, Fremantle, as well as the previous year’s premiers, Sydney.

The Eagles will be happy with the two victories over two of last year’s top four teams, but according to new coach Adam Simpson, it doesn’t mean that they are where they want to be this year.

Against an understrength Fremantle, the Eagles were ruthless in an 84-point thrashing, restricting the Dockers to ten goals while kicking more than double their score, including two super-goals, while against Sydney, the trademark that was their close contests from the late noughties returned before the Eagles pulled away in the second half.

Judging by their two impressive performances against well-rounded opposition, the Eagles know what it takes to not only perform against such seasoned opponents, but also prove everyone wrong in 2014, as they did in 2011 when they reached the preliminary final 12 months after finishing last on the ladder.

Adelaide Crows
After last year’s injuries and off-field issues conspired to see the Crows crash from within a kick of a grand final to 11th place, Brenton Sanderson’s men appear more than ready to return to the top half of the ladder in 2014.

The Crows crushed Port Adelaide by ten goals, with Eddie Betts proving his worth in his first match as a Crow with five goals. That was followed by a runaway final-quarter victory over Carlton, which they won by 38 points.

Betts’ input, along with that of James Podsiadly, will be central to the Crows’ climb back up the ladder this year, with Taylor Walker not expected to return until the middle of the season.

If those two imports can continue to gel, then the opposition defence will have their hands full trying to nullify them.

Geelong Cats
The team that just loves to prove everyone wrong will continue to do so again in 2014, even though the Cats were well below their best in two narrow victories over varying opposition.

The Cats kicked off the NAB Challenge with a narrow victory over Collingwood, and were pushed hard by Melbourne in the penultimate match of the tournament, as they look to reclaim their place on the premiership podium after two years without a flag.

However, that challenge will be made harder with Joel Selwood in doubt for their season opener against Adelaide after he suffered a hamstring injury. He joins a casualty list which includes Nathan Vardy, Steven Motlop and Allen Christensen.

Against the Dees, the Cats weren’t at their dominant best, but withstood a genuine challenge from Paul Roos’ men to win by 13 points after trailing in the second quarter and being held goalless in the last.

Injuries will derail the Cats’ bid for their first even-year premiership since 1952, but expect the club’s senior core, which will be without Paul Chapman this year, to get the job done.