While the race for the finals is a marathon, not a sprint, it is important to get out to a good start. Having gone alphabetically through Adelaide to GWS in part 1, let’s continue to analyse how each AFL team will be faring after the first five rounds
Hawthorn – 1st
2014 will start just like 2013 ended, with the high-flying Hawks dominating, but Freo will get revenge for the grand final in Round 3.
I doubt it will trouble Hawks fans too much since they won the one that matters.
Melbourne – 10th
The Demons will be the big movers at the beginning of 2014, with Paul Roos and an injection of midfield talent rejuvenating the club.
With three wins after five rounds, the Demons will shoot up the ladder to 10th but they could even be as high as sixth depending on percentage.
North Melbourne – 3rd
The Kangaroos are the other big climbers at the start of this season. North Melbourne will be on four wins, equal with the Hawks and Dockers.
They showed so much promise last season and they will reach new heights if they can just hold it together in red-time.
Port Adelaide – 11th
The Power won’t have the same early season surge they enjoyed last season. Two wins from five will see Port Adelaide falling to 11th on the ladder.
Port will soon learn that the fixture gods are not so kind to finalists.
Richmond – 5th
The Tigers will be at the bottom end of the top-liners in 2014. Richmond will only fall to bogey-side Collingwood in the first five rounds, otherwise it’s clear sailing for the yellow and black.
St Kilda – 18th
The lowest of the low, St Kilda will be suffering at the bottom of the table.
The only team I can see this club beating in 2014 is fellow cellar dwellers, the Lions.
Sydney – 4th
The Swans will still be competing with the top tier of teams. Just like the Tigers, Collingwood is on the only speed bump in the first five weeks.
The only problem for the Swans is its getting crowded at the top.
Western Bulldogs – 15th
Don’t be fooled by the Bulldogs’ late-season form last year; they will be too strong for the Giants but that’s about it, with one win from five outings.
West Coast Eagles – 9th
A kind opening draw, the best home ground advantage in football and a return to the form of 2012 will see West Coast end the first five rounds in positive territory.
Sitting just outside the eight after Round 5, West Coast will be one of several mid-tier teams battling it out for a finals birth.
Ladder after Round 5
1 Hawthorn four wins
2 Fremantle four wins
3 North Melbourne four wins
4 Sydney foor wins
5 Richmond four wins
6 Collingwood three wins
7 Geelong three wins
8 Carlton three wins
9 West Coast three wins
10 Melbourne three wins
11 Port Adelaide two wins
12 Essendon two wins
13 Gold Coast two wins
14 Adelaide two wins
15 Western Bulldogs one win
16 GWS one win
17 Brisbane zero wins
18 St Kilda zero wins
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