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With Round 20 officially in the history books, there are seven key areas which may become the talking points of the season.
7. Fremantle does not have a clutch moment player
While the David Mundy final kick on goal from Saturday night’s instant classic has been well discussed, many don’t realise that Mundy did not want the game winning moment.
On further analysis it could be argued that no Fremantle player would have kicked that goal. Matt Pavlich seems to be crueled by the post in clutch moments, Nat Fyfe can spray long shots, Hayden Ballantyne would have liked the moment but a 50-metre kick is beyond him. Stephen Hill is not as strong on the set shot.
Perhaps the guy who would have had the power of leg and the temperament to kick the goal in that moment was Ryan Crowley. In a clutch final perhaps it is not just two goals that Fremantle are missing, but the guy that will stand up where it counts.
6. Essendon have lost the free-kick count the last two weeks
While Essendon is again being dominated by the off field story of ASADA, an on-field element that has been missed is a lack of consistency from the umpires. In their past two losses, Essendon have been well behind in the free-kick count.
In a world that is ruled by conspiracy theories, it is perhaps surprising that one conspiracy that has not come out; is the AFL not wanting Essendon in the finals again in 2014. One way that the AFL can slightly sway a game is with the umpires whistle. Watch closely the free kick count against West Coast this week and Gold Coast the week after.
Typically travelling teams to Melbourne don’t fare well with the whistle. This may be the exception.
5. Port Adelaide could still be playing for fourth in Round 23
As disappointing as Port Adelaide has been in the past six weeks and as frustrating as it has been for their fans to see them slip from top spot, if results go as expected they will still be playing for fourth spot in Round 23 against Fremantle.
That is both encouraging for Port Adelaide and frightening for Fremantle. Both these clubs know that their cross town rivals are circling the eight and fourth spot might be as important for these two clubs than any other.
With two very winnable games to come, expect 1.10pm WST on August 30 to be where fourth place is decided.
4. Harry Cunningham is the only rising star that is playing a significant role in games that matter
While Marcus Bontempelli is the overwhelming favourite to win the rising star and James Aish, Lewis Taylor, Luke Dunstan, Jake Stringer and Jon Patton are all being discussed among the possibles for this award, one player that is being criminally underrated is Cunningham.
Cunningham has played every match for Sydney this year and has been a solid performer in every game. On top he has had two or three pivotal games with his three goals against Port Adelaide on Saturday as big a difference maker as any in that game. That Cunningham is having key contributions in a game between two top four contenders should be being considered far more impressive than games that those in lowly rated teams have had.
For that reason it would be controversial but you could argue that based on importance Cunningham, Zac Merrett and Luke McDonald all should be considered in the top five rising stars for this year as opposed to the bookies favourites.
3. The Bulldogs are still one win behind last year’s total
Even with their seventh win against St Kilda at the weekend, Western are still one win behind last year’s season total. As much as the some of the youth for Western does look promising, this is a group that is stagnating, not improving as a typical form line would suggest.
Given they are likely to win only one more game, against GWS in Round 23, the analysis of Western needs to be amended. This is a team that won eight games last year and will likely win eight games this year. They are a long way from being the threat that is being discussed and the list should be ready to make a move.
2. Hope is back at Carlton for 2015
Again it is easy to get swept up in the emotion and excitement that Chris Judd is going to play on in 2015. However every action has a reaction. Judd deciding to go was a reaction to budding hype that Carlton may be able to have a swift turnaround in 2015. A lot has gone against Carlton this year and it appears on the surface that the wheel may be turning towards Carlton if the last month is to go off.
They are going to be gifted a dream fixture in 2015 and Judd obviously sees this and believes that Carlton could be finals bound next year. You know Judd wants to go out in a finals game, not a meandering Round 23 clash.
1. Tom Rockliff’s season is among the most overrated in history
For all of the individual possession tallies that Rockliff has racked up, it has been practically for nothing. Opposition coaches clearly do not rate Rockliff as is evidenced by his poor performance in the AFLCA votes and the lack of a tag that he is getting despite big individual numbers.
Rockliff is the head of a new wave of players that are being overrated by fantasy players and in turn by the football public in general who look at his stat line on a Monday and think that helping their fantasy team means being a good AFL player. Would love to sit down with a Rockliff fan and highlight his shortcomings on defence and in transition. Don’t believe the hype. Rockliff is still a long way from being regarded as an elite AFL midfielder.
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