We are halfway through the 2015 AFL season so it’s time to take a look at how each club is performing.
Adelaide Crows
After a fast start out of the blocks, the Crows have yet to find any consistency this season – without being able to string more than two wins in a row. Being able to match it against Fremantle in Round 9 was a highlight, but they weren’t good enough to come away with the win on the night.
Highlight: Eddie Betts’ form in the first half of the season, kicking 33 goals. Sitting in fourth position on the Coleman medal tally shows that he is the best small forward in the competition.
Ranking: par
Brisbane Lions
Being the team to watch in 2015 after a strong free-agency and trading period last year, the Lions have yet to live up to the hype with many on-field and off-field problems in the first half of the season hindering their performance.
With back-to-back wins against Carlton and Port Adelaide they showed that they have potential to be a competitive team in the back half of the season.
Highlight: Prized recruit Dayne Beams finally getting some touches after a slow start to the year. He has made the Lions more competitive in games, which should hold them in good stead in the back half.
Ranking: Double bogey
Carlton Blue
Where do I start… Sacking your coach after Round 8 is not a good start, as Carlton caved into the outside pressure of the media after the board were adamant that Mick Malthouse would see out his contract.
But maybe it was a blessing in disguise. After several poor, uncompetitive performances, which led to John Barker taking the reins, the players have started putting up high pressure, acceptable performances on the field.
Highlight: John Barker playing the kids. This has allowed a kid called Patrick Cripps to spend more time in the middle of the ground and be the shining light for the Blues in the first half of the year.
Ranking: Bogey
Collingwood Magpies
As we are just ranking the teams on the first half of the year, the Magpies’ performances this year have exceeded everybody’s expectations, sitting 8-3 after 11 games. The Magpies sit a game clear in the top four after not dropping a game in the past month.
What lays ahead in the back half of the season will have the Magpies fans biting at the fingernails hoping their good form can compare to the better teams of the competition.
Highlight: Adam Oxley. After a breakout game against Melbourne on the big stage, Oxley has been a key to the Magpies’ success in the first half of the season being the loose man in defence. But Oxley will learn how tough football is over the coming weeks.
Ranking: Eagle
Essendon Bombers
It looked like the Bombers were going to be set free from the drug scandal that has been over their heads in the past two seasons, but it came back into the spotlight causing them to under-perform on the field in the past two months.
With a win against the Hawks in Round 2 it seemed that Essendon were going to be a team to watch in 2015. But with only two wins in the past eight weeks, the players and coach are coming under heavy scrutiny.
Highlight: With a six-goal haul in Round 8 against Brisbane, Joe Daniher showed the supporters that he can be a big key forward. Supporters are drawling from the mouth in excitement for the years to come.
Ranking: Bogey
Fremantle Dockers
Plenty of people went into the season thinking the Dockers would be thereabouts in the top four but never thought they’d be 10-1. They are sitting on top of the ladder after the bye.
After an average final series in 2014, the Dockers have come out firing in the first half of the season, playing like the team to beat in 2015 while playing down all the hype in true Ross Lyon style. The Dockers have overcome several off-field issues this season, but have not flinched on-field.
Highlight: Can’t go past the one and only Nat Fyfe. He has stepped up his game again this season and proven that he is the best player in the competition. He has not yet had a bad game this season which will be proven on the Monday night of grand final week.
Ranking: Eagle
Geelong Cats
No one could put their finger on how the Cats would perform this year with them slowly defying the general rebuild stage after a club has had so much success. The Cats have been able to weather the storm well in the first half of the season, sitting 6-6.
They are a couple of spots out of the eight and are yet to prove themselves, but they have shown signs of being a top eight team against quality opposition.
Highlight: Sitting in limbo, Josh Caddy’s past month of football has shown that he deserves a spot in Geelong’s future team as they progress to contend for the flag in years to come.
Ranking: Par
Gold Coast Suns
Since we were talking about the general progression of teams, the progression of a young team is generally an inconsistent, upward slope. Yet the Suns have gone the opposite this year.
Cruelled by injuries and many off-field issues the Suns have only been able to get one win in the first half of the season. From off-season drug issues, to alcohol issues, the Suns have not been able to be competitive under Rodney Eade.
Highlight: Hard to find one… but the Suns’ performance against the Dockers before the bye is hopefully a turning point for this young side.
Ranking: Triple bogey
Greater Western Sydney Giants
Sitting pretty at 7-5, the Giants have been able to turn their young talented players into a team which has been competitive on most occasions in the first half of the season. With wins against Hawks and Adelaide, the Giants have exceeded expectations.
Yet they have had bad lapses against the Bulldogs, Magpies and the Kangaroos. Cruelled by injures in the past couple of weeks, the Giants’ second half of the year will be interesting.
Highlight: Taking the pressure off Jeremy Cameron, Cameron McCarthy has been a shining light for the Giants in a talented team. Kicking 29 goals in the first half of the season McCarthy will be a force to reckon with in the back half of the season as they push for their first finals appearance.
Ranking: Birdie
Hawthorn Hawks
Coming into the season as flag favourites, the Hawks have had a lot to live up to in the first half of the season. With a fairly inconsistent start to the season, the Hawks finally found form in the last month, stringing three wins together in a row.
The unsocial Hawks have not spared any of the bottom eight teams in their quest for back-to-back-to-back flags, beating Bulldogs, Melbourne and Saints by a combined total of 238 points.
Highlight: Young, quick midfielder Billy Hartung has been able to break into the side on nine occasions this season, averaging 19 disposals. The outside midfielder has complemented Isaac Smith and Bradley Hill with breaking the lines and will contribute to the Hawks success in future years to come.
Ranking: Par
Melbourne Demons
With a good win in Round 1 against the Suns, Melbourne fans were excited about the year to come, but that only lasted seven days, as a poor game against the Giants left everyone frustrated.
Although Melbourne are only sitting at 4-8, the Demons have been able to be competitive for the majority of games but still have lapses which cost them the game. With a strong win against Geelong, it will be interesting to see how the Demons compete in the second half of the year.
Highlight: The upcoming talent at the Demons – players such as Angus Brayshaw, Jesse Hogan, Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas – have been exceeding expectations in the first half of the season and should have strong second half as they continue to mature.
Ranking: Par
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Only sitting at 6-6, the Kangaroos have not been able to find form all year. With big loses against Fremantle and the Hawks, it shows that the Kangaroos have not been up for the challenge in the first half of the season.
With a favourable draw in the second half of the year it will be interesting to see if they find form as they push for a finals appearance.
Highlight: Shaun Higgins has been able to play in all the Kangaroos’ matches this year and has been one of few consistent things that is associated with the club in the first half of the year.
Ranking: Bogey
Port Adelaide Power
Like the Kangaroos, the Power did not have any consistency in the first half of the season after a strong 2014 finals campaign. Only being able to win five games in 12 matches, Ports’ start to the year has been one of the worst in the competition.
After being one of the favourites for the flag at the start of the season, the Power have bowed to the external pressure and not been able to perform.
Highlight: The first quarter in Round 4 against the Hawks showed the Power can go toe to toe with quality sides but can’t bring the pressure on a weekly basis.
Ranking: Double Bogey
Richmond Tigers
After tweaking their game halfway through the first half of the season, the Tigers were able to produce one of the best months of football between Rounds 7 and 10. Stopping the juggernauts of the competition in Round 10, it showed that the Tigers are big contenders in season 2015.
But losses against Bulldogs and Melbourne show that they are still an inconsistent team at times. Seeing glimpses of the damage the Tigers can do in 2015 gives the fans hope that this might be their year.
Highlight: Not scared to change the game plan halfway through the season, Damien Hardwick is the reason for Richmond’s brilliant month of football.
Ranking: Par
St Kilda Saints
As a young team on the up, the Saints have been able to produce some strong quarters of football during the first half of the year. With a great come-from-behind win against the Bulldogs in Round 6 it has caused the Saints to have a strong mindset during the rest of the first half of the season.
After snatching a win from Melbourne, it left the Saints sitting 4-7 on the ladder with plenty of potential for the second half of the year.
Highlight: Young Josh Bruce has been a shining light for the Saints up forward in the first half of the year, kicking bags of goals against Gold Coast and Adelaide.
Ranking: Par
Sydney Swans
Cruising along nicely at 9-2, the Swans have been very consistent in the first half with only a set of back-to-back loses against Fremantle and the Bulldogs in Rounds 4 and 5. The strong midfield team, complemented by the strong forward line is hard to fault.
The Swans have set themselves up to contend for another chance of the flag at the end of the year very nicely.
Highlight: Adam Goodes’ last month of football has shown that he is back to his very best and can still be a vital part of the team heading in the back end of the season.
Ranking: Birdie
West Coast Eagles
Plagued by injuries in the back line, the Eagles weren’t expected to be sitting in the top four at 9-3 at the end of the first half of the season. With an all-round team effort, the Eagles have been able to knock off Geelong, Port and stop Richmond’s winning streak to being sitting pretty second on the ladder.
The undermanned side have been able to exceed expectations by far and can be considered as a true contender for the 2015 flag.
Highlight: Jeremy McGovern has been the saviour for the Eagles’ back line in the first half of the season.
Ranking: Eagle
Western Bulldogs
A strong start to the season saw the Bulldogs win the first four of their five matches, leaving everybody surprised with their quick rise up the ladder. They quickly got brought back down to earth with consecutive losses against the Saints, Fremantle and Melbourne.
Being competitive in majority of matches this year, the Bulldogs have exceeded a lot of people’s expectations during the first half of the year and a favourable draw sets them up to compete for a spot in the finals.
Highlight: With rumours of a good pre-season under his belt, big Jake Stringer has set the forward line alight, kicking a bag of goals on several occasions in his third season at the kennel.
Ranking: Birdie
Ladder
Eagles: West Coast, Collingwood, Fremantle
Birdies: Greater Western Sydney, Sydney Swans, Western Bulldogs
Pars: Adelaide Crows, Geelong Cats, Hawthorn Hawks, Melbourne Demons, Richmond Tigers, St Kilda Saints
Bogeys: Carlton Blues, Essendon Bombers, North Melbourne Kangaroos
Double Bogeys: Brisbane Lions, Port Adelaide Power
Triple Bogey: Gold Coast Suns
Macca
Guest
A prediction doesn't Don but 7 responses arguing your case does. And I do take an interest on things people predict, it gives me a gauge on their credibility, clearly yours sits around 0. As for the education your giving me it is definitely instructional, the same way all cautionary tales are, you are a great example of what not to do.
Don Freo
Guest
A prediction doesn't indicate a care factor. You show an amazing interest in the things I predict. Keep it up. Your education is not yet complete.
Macca
Guest
For someone who doesn't care about North you certainly went to a lot of trouble defending your prediction of just days ago they are most likely to make the top 4. And you did predict the Suns to be 3 rd and North 4th and you got both horribly wrong. As for predictions from me the first is your predictions will continue to be wrong (what are you at so far this year 2 from 50) and another is the top 4 will be Freo, Hawthorn, Sydney and the Eagles.
Don Freo
Guest
What makes you think I care about North? I did tip GC to finish 3rd and NM 4th so the result doesn't surprise me. Just in case you don't know, I follow Freo and WC...not North. There's 10 games to go. Any tips yourself?
Macca
Guest
North got belted by the Suns - another game behind Hawthorn & Sydney and their percentage has got worse, still think they are the most likely to make the top 4
Don Freo
Guest
Whose?
Macca
Guest
Kerplunk- another plank falls Don, and that percentage just gets worse
Macca
Guest
Don -"Sydney will/can lose this week to Port" - there is the first of your planks dropping out, Norths job to make the top 4 just got that much harder.
Macca
Guest
You can do whatever you want Don but you can't rewrite the laws of probability. It isn't an opinion whether or not North making the top 4 is part of the most likely scenario it is a cold hard fact that it isn't.
Macca
Guest
Finally Don Franklin & Tippett both got 1 week, long way short of 3.
Don Freo
Guest
I'll actually do whatever I want to, Macca. Thanks for your instructions but...no thanks.
Macca
Guest
Don - This all started with you bragging that you tipped 3 of the most likely top 4 but the thirdof your most likely relies on just one of dozens of possible outcomes occurring - by definition that can not be the most likely. It may be the final result and your opinion may be right but don't try to pretend it is the most likely outcome, especially when not even you are convinced on some of the results you have picked.
Macca
Guest
No Don I am saying while it is possible that North make the top 4 it is unlikely, in fact if all the games go the way you predict but just Richmond beat North then North won't get in Front Of Sydney or Richmond. For North to make it everyone of your predictions including ones you say are iffy yourself have to go your way - that is not a recipe for a likely scenario. And still no comment on Freo slipping from 6th to 6th
Don Freo
Guest
You keep repeating what I said. What a strange line of activity. If what you say is, do I think Freo, Wc, NM and Richmond will be the final top 4? The answer is yes. I imagine, after I say this, that you'll come back with, "So Don, you're saying Freo, WC, NM and Richmond will be top 4?" Just to pre-empt that question, my answer will be, "Yes."
Macca
Guest
SO Don you have picked out 5 losses for Hawthorn (1 of which is Geelong which you say is iffy) that still gives Hawthorn 5 wins and takes it to 13 with a better percentage than North meaning they have to win 8 from 10. You have Sydney losing 5 with one of them iffy which means they will be on 14 wins with a better percentage so North would have to win 9 from 10. You have Richmond beating the Hawks so I assume you also have Richmond beating Carlton, St Kilda, the Suns, Adelaide & Essendon which would take them to 13 wins with a better percentages than North so again we have North winning 8 of 10. All it takes is for Hawthorn to beat Geelong & North to lose to Richmond on top of your other predictions and North won't make it (amongst many other things that could happen). In short North have no margin for error and that makes it unlikely they will finish top 4.
Don Freo
Guest
...and Freo and Collingwood and West Coast... Sydney will/can lose to Port this week with the hatchet men out, West coast, Geelong, Collingwood and maybe Adelaide. They also play Hawks...which they should win Hawks lose to Sydney, Freo, Port (Hawks are too slow...the only skill of Port they can't nullify), Geelong and Richmond. They might take Geelong but not when you consider the very ordinary teams Hawthorn have already lost to. GWS might take them too. I think they can beat Carlton twice...how does that draw happen for the reigning premiers? Overall, it's not looking pretty for either.
Macca
Guest
For the sake of Completeness Don - Sydney play Brisbane, St Kilda & the Suns who you would bank as wins (at least 2 anyway) while Hawthorn have Carlton Twice & the lions once which would be 3 wins - plus Sydney and Hawthorn play each other so both teams would only have to win 1 or 2 of the other 6 games to get past 13 wins. And Don it isn't "likely" that North will win 9 of 10 and it isn't "likely" that the other teams will win less than enough to get them past North - as I said it is possible but to call it likely is as silly as saying that tipping Freo to finish where they finished last year is a big slide. Oh and DOn I did take your view on board and present an alternate - then you argued your view and I countered yours - if you didn't want to argue you could have walked away long ago.
Don Freo
Guest
You don't seem to read...just argue. With Freo winning 21 games and West Coast winning 18 games, third and fourth could get in with 13 or 14 wins. WC and NM will only lose to Freo from hereon in, so all that is quite likely. Anyway, Macca, you needn't argue, just take on board an alternate view to yours and present me with your scenario. Now THERE'S a challenge!
Macca
Guest
No Don it is an undisouted fact that for North to Win 15 games and a draw this year having only won 6 games to this point the need to win 9 games and draw the other one. Now you could argue that this year is going to be an unusal year where the 4th placed side can get there by winning less games than that but the very nature of being unusual is that it isn't likely. Even being generous and saying North will get to 4th winning 7 out of 10 and somehow improving their percentage enough that still relies on Hawthorn & Collingwood winning just 5 of 10 (or Sydney just 4) and losing percentage and none Richmond Adelaide and the Crows winning more than 6 (plus with them all losing percentage) - again not likely. And again no mention of Freo's big fall?
Don Freo
Guest
...or not.