Fremantle and West Coast Eagles have produced hurricane winds of change, leaving in their wake the more fancied and star-studded Hawthorn and Sydney as September looms.
The Western Australian teams’ sudden upsurge signal a change of the guard from the dominant teams of Victoria and New South Wales over the past few years and has breathed new life into the competition.
The Dockers have been knocking on the door for the past few seasons and look ominous, but the Eagles’ ascendency from cellar dwellers last season has raised more than a few eyebrows.
In a season like no other, there is still no clear indication as to who will hold aloft the premiership flag. Emerging teams have shown ferocious intensity, while the ones expected to be at the forefront – such as Collingwood, Essendon and Port Adelaide – have crumbled uncharacteristically.
As it stands, the top 12, which ends at Port Adelaide, have a realistic hope of seeing September action, while the rest are left to lament what might have been.
Prominent among the bottom group are Essendon, who flattered early then flopped and tried to hide their slump on the supplements saga hanging over them for the third consecutive season. It’s a pathetic ploy for a team that showed early that they could match it with the best, but now has no certainty of beating anyone in the competition.
The once-proud club need to nut out their issues and regain the pride that has made them the most successful club in VFL/AFL history, with arch rival Carlton, in terms of the number of flags won.
Three of the teams lurking in the shadows of Fremantle, West Coast, Hawthorn and Sydney are the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and North Melbourne.
The Tigers and the Bulldogs are the surprise packets, showing maturity, skill and intensity. It would be wonderful for the game if they are able to take their campaigns all the way to premiership glory.
Among the bloomers from a sorry campaign last year are the rejuvenated Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and St Kilda, all of whom are showing signs they have the potential to be up with the best. The Giants are a big chance to make it to the finals for the first time this year, with some stellar wins proving they are on the cusp of the big time.
There is plenty at stake for the top dozen teams in the final five weeks of the home-and-away season. And for the first time in many seasons, I am stumped as to who will win the premiership.
Don Freo
Guest
They would have won if the boundary umpire was happy with just his match payment (12 point turnaround and a Lycett centre bounce to advantage). Where is John the Bookie?
Don Freo
Guest
Too many weak links at Hawthorn. I have them about 4th best.
Don Freo
Guest
I think McInnes is out for the season (6 to 10 weeks).
Don Freo
Guest
If you are not convinced by West Coast and Freo by now, Michael, why bother with a comment on an AFL footy site? 18 rounds are fairly informative...as are the individual games they have played. It seems a team could take a premiership and it wouldn't convince you...unless it was Sydney. Go and get a copy of "AFL for Dummies". Get a talking book if you can't read.
jax
Guest
It would take an incredible effort for Nic to get up and be mentally prepared for this derby. I can't see it happening. Sinclair needs to recover and ruck with Lycett for WC to have a fair chance. One ruckman won't give us enough ball or presence around the ground. Even then it's going to be difficult without Nic. Gov looks to be in trouble so it's between McInnes and Barrass to replace him. McInness might get the nod if Sinclair doesn't come up because he can play defence, forward and ruck. If Sinclair plays then Barrass probably plays. LeCras is irreplaceable but he is a midfielder and we have plenty. I knew that Freo would come back into form in time for the derby. Hawks and Freo are still the teams to beat. I didn't like the look of the last 10m of the Hawks game. It was an insight into the challenges that lie ahead and the challenges are mounting and significant.
13th Man
Guest
yes i think last night and next week will be better judges of where West Coast are at than rd 3. Having said that i think things are starting to swing back in Fremantle's favour for next week, they looked in far better touch today, reminding me of the start of the year where they blew teams away. Sandi, Griffo and A Pearce were all good targets up front. Get back Fyfe and Johnson next week (but McPharlin in doubt hmm) West Coast look set to lose McGovern again who is becoming one of their most important players, LeCras is in doubt after that bump (although i would only give him a fine personally) and we don't know about Naitinui obviously. This week probably proves last week was an abberation for the Eagles in my opinion. Looking forward to what will be the biggest derby yet and i might just point out that should Fremantle win next week we will go equal on 21 derbies a piece for the first time which will be remarkable considering WC won the first 9 and 15 of the first 17 derbies. Should be a great game.
13th Man
Guest
yep i have to agree, Naitinui was a big out, they may well have won the game with him but obviously very unforseen cricumstances occured (my best wishes to him and his family).
13th Man
Guest
hmm, i agree Hawthorn are the best team in the comp but Freo and West Coast have overtaken Sydney. Swans may struggle to hold off Doggies for the top 4, in fact the Doggies are in there now, what a great result that would be for two sides that weren't even in the 8 last year to make the 4. I suspect we will be seeing a bit more of West Coast and the Bulldogs in the future.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
The Hawks won by 2 goals although the wet weather brought the Hawks up a bit . Sinclair and Naitanui provide nearly that every game Can't see Hawthorn getting twice the centre clearances against WC if they're playing
Johnny
Guest
When you consider this article is about this years premiership, being at your best means in 2015. It matters not a twit what Sydney or anyone else was like previously, just this year. And Freo are better than Sydney if both had full complements in 2015. Even now after seeing the Hawks beat WCE, I believe it will be a Freo vs Hawthorn GF.
Michael Huston
Guest
That's obviously not true since Sydney's best has taken them to a premiership, two grand finals, and three straight prelims over the last few years as opposed to Freo's one grand final appearance. And should Freo win this years minor premiership, you could not possibly say theirs was anywhere near as good as ours.
JKost
Guest
Would agree that when Hawthorn are at their best, they're the best, but I'd say Freos best beats Sydneys.
jax
Guest
I think it's a bit harsh judging WC on one game way, way back in R3. Watch the replay of the game and listen to the commentators state during the first half that WC simply hadn't turned up to play and that they were not running or applying any pressure. If you don't do the most basic of fundamentals then you are always going to look ordinary. Fortunately running and applying pressure is easy to fix which is WC have barely skipped a beat since. You won't find any major kinks in the their armour other than an under named defence and some inexperience with the odd inaccurate day in front of the sticks. Running and lack of pressure in one game is not a concern at all, they were off and the opposition were very on. Big deal.
Michael Huston
Guest
First of all, this year has not seen Hawthorn and Sydney produce their best. In fact, it's both their worse seasons since 2011 IMO. Whether that says anything about the future is a debate for a whole other day. Second, I am not in the slightest bit convinced by Fremantle. The Bulldogs, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Collingwood and Richmond games came down to a nose hair on the day, and all those games were Fremantle having narrow escapes. Then there is their complete inability to match up on Hawthorn. Third, I'm not convinced by West Coast either. I take nothing from their game against Sydney, since Sydney aren't contenders. What I take is their match against Fremantle, when they looked completely out of their league. I'm not saying they won't prove me wrong, but that time needs to happen in September when the competition is at it's toughest. THEN I'll concede. Fourth, call me old fashioned but I still think when at their best, Hawthorn and Sydney are the best teams in the competition. I would absolutely love an all-WA grand final though. That is the stuff of dreams for a Perth boy.