It was a weekend for milestones in the AFL. Brent Harvey, Matthew Pavlich, Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright – all players to have left quite an imprint on the game.
While only three of the four were carried off as winners, the celebrations were the highlight of the round.
In terms of how the finals race was reshaped, a bit more clarity came into play but there’s still a few good reasons to avoid locking things in just yet.
» The Roar’s comprehensive guide to the 2016 AFL Finals
North Melbourne – who secured a needed win over St Kilda – are joined by West Coast and the Western Bulldogs on 12 wins, sharing a three-game edge over Port Adelaide in ninth and the Saints in 10th. Mathematically, Melbourne and Collingwood a game back are still a chance, though don’t hold your breath.
Looking at the draw, the Dogs should feel safest of the 12-win crew. Getting two wins out of the final four rounds locks in a finals spot and they face Essendon and Fremantle in the final two rounds, games they are likely to win even with a stumble or two in the next fortnight.
The Eagles and Kangas find themselves in intriguing positions.
Both teams have a horror run home in the final three rounds, with each match against sides from the formidable top five – a collection of teams locked into a struggle over home finals and second chances, rendering them unlikely to put the cue in the rack.
If we assume for a second the Eagles and Kangas lose those matches, there’s quite clearly an opening for a team outside the eight who can win three of their last four while making ground on percentage. Never mind if Port Adelaide or St Kilda can win all four.
Either outcome would require strong performances, given Port have two matches against the top five while the Saints have one.
But with a comparatively lighter run to the teams they’re chasing, it can’t be called over just yet.
No change // Ladder: 5th (13W, 5L)
A big win over Essendon has helped cut the percentage gap between the Crows and fourth spot. Their next two weeks offer more chances for similar results against Brisbane and Fremantle. Presumably wins over Port Adelaide and West Coast in the final two rounds will also be needed to secure a second chance, given the top five are only fixtured against weaker opposition for the remainder of the home and away season.
+1 // Ladder: 3rd (13W, 5L)
A 90-point win over Fremantle helped lift the Swans up to second, though the Hawks registering a below-par victory against the Blues may have also pushed things along. Dan Hannebery had 41 disposals and gained 850m against the Dockers. The Swans face Port Adelaide this week.
-1 // Ladder: 1st (15W, 3L)
The Hawks got it together eventually against Carlton but they’ll quickly move on from that performance. Alastair Clarkson will be looking for a stronger first half against Melbourne.
No change // Ladder: 4th (13W, 5L)
Rhys Stanley’s five goal haul in the win over the Bulldogs could prove important if he can continue that form. The Cats will have the chance to do what Adelaide did percentage-wise when they meet Essendon this week.
No change // Ladder: 2nd (13W, 5L)
The Giants were in dominant form against Richmond in Canberra and they seem in a good spot heading towards finals. It’s on to Gold Coast this week.
No change // Ladder: 5th (12W, 6L)
Before the tough run home, it’s Derby time against Fremantle. A big win could lock in the Eagles’ superior percentage. But boy is this team in need of some momentum. They’ve been poor for a few weeks and Collingwood were ready to make them pay. On current form, the Eagles aren’t a side that will have an impact come finals.
+2 // Ladder: 8th (12W, 6L)
A clash with the Western Bulldogs awaits this week and it’s basically a must-win given who follows (Hawthorn, Sydney and GWS). The win over St Kilda, special given the occasion, added to the impression North have steadied the ship after a tough run of losses.
-1 // Ladder: 9th (9W, 9L)
Port had their largest win of the season against the Brisbane Lions. In the process, John Butcher made a timely reemergence. There’s a big test coming up this week against Sydney at the SCG. A win could set up their season with Melbourne (at home), a Showdown and Gold Coast (away) to come.
+1 // Ladder: 12th (8W, 10L)
A good response after the North loss to kick away from West Coast, a worthy scalp. Taylor Adams had perhaps his best game of the season with 35 touches, eight inside 50s and 11 tackles.
-2 // Ladder: 7th (12W, 6L)
The Dogs have North Melbourne this week and it may be a tough ask given how much is on the line for their opponents. Their light final fortnight will provide reassurance if things go awry.
No change // Ladder: 10th (9W, 9L)
Losing to North Melbourne hurt the Saints’ chances and they’ll definitely need to return to the winners list against Carlton at the MCG this week. Sydney, Richmond and Brisbane – all in Melbourne – await in the final three rounds. They’ll start favourites in those last two.
No change // Ladder: 11th (8W, 10L)
That was very nearly two closes in a row, this time to the weaker Coast team. The Demons had six more inside 50s than the Suns in the final quarter yet were outscored three goals to two. But crisis was avoided and the turnaround in perception about Jack Watts continues to charge along.
No change // Ladder: 15th (6W, 12L)
With the scores at 1.8 to 2.8 at half time, the Blues were well and truly in the contest against Hawthorn in Launceston. Of course, kicking 1.8 to start a game against the reigning premiers and ladder leaders is likely to come back and cost you. Still, fair to say they’ll take confidence from the performance.
+1 // Ladder: 14th (6W, 12L)
The Suns were a kick after the siren away from victory against Melbourne, a commendable effort. Tom Lynch’s kick may have not quite made it, but he had a good afternoon with two goals and 20 disposals, which was enough to land himself in his side’s top three ball winners (a sign of how those midfield injuries are having an impact).
+1 // Ladder: 16th (3W, 15L)
It was a race to the bottom for struggling teams this weekend, so much so the Dockers somehow pulled off a +1 despite losing by 90 points. (Your weekly reminder that teams are affected by what happens to teams around them – in this case, Richmond kicking three goals for an entire match was more damning.)
-2 // Ladder: 13th (7W, 11L)
The heat on Damien Hardwick ramped up again after the 88-point loss to GWS, the second defeat by more than 10 goals in a fortnight. Now to be fair, they’ve been against quite good teams, and this is a fairly youthful side. Tigers players had an average of 20 fewer games’ experience against GWS. There was a staggering 59-game gap against Hawthorn. Still, two goalless quarters in a match is noncompetitive.
No change // Ladder: 17th (2W, 16L)
The loss to Port Adelaide was the Lions’ largest of the season, though tellingly it was their eighth by more than 10 goals. This is a season to forget.
No change // Ladder: 18th (1W, 17L)
Zac Merrett has had more than 30 touches four weeks in a row and has done it nine times this year while never having fewer than 20. Good year from the 20-year-old.
true blue
Guest
I am really happy the way Carlton are going about it at the moment, as we making top eight teams wor hard for their victories. Yes we are losing but we are giving it a go in a more than honest fashion. I doubt we will beat the Saints as they are ahead of us in their development but I think we will put in an honest effort. It is great to see Carlton have some humility and long term goals. I hope power brokers at the club don't start demanding Friday night games again. Slow and steady wins the race and let's hope a new Carlton has arisen from the ashes: one that has a public face of its northern suburban working class support base, as opposed to the old Carlton public face of Menzies, Fraser, Elliott Snr and Elliott Jnr etc.
Johnny Banter
Guest
Or the premiership might be won in October... ;)
sammy
Guest
maybe, but the swans very likely may have to get there from 5th spot due to their tough run home in the last 4 weeks of the minor round - so would need to win 2 away finals to get to the GF
Terry
Guest
How is Richmond 16th ?? They should be 18th or 17th at best
andrew
Guest
mattyb, perhaps you can enlighten me on who the dogs actually best 22 is ? i have tried to be fair in doing the north list and excluded guys like kayne turner who played all finals last year and was in the side at start of season until he got injured, as think he is around 25th or so in order
Swannies
Guest
Will be a great Grand Final to watch...Swans up against Geelong. These 2 sides are clearly the best and will cruise through the finals. Good luck the rest. Swans and Geelong are well overdue for another flag. Can see these 2 teams dominating for the next 5 years.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Andrew Yeah - fair enough. As a North fan too - back in Rnd 6 I was annoyed that the Doggies were excused for losing because of no Johanissen, Murphy or Suckling (all out before the game - and replacements in the line up fit and firing) whereas North were given little credit for coping with the early loss of Turner on the night, the loss of Wright before half time (who managed to return to the field but then missed 3 weeks afterward) and Higgins who went down, struggled back, and hasn't played since. Injuries within the game are a greater curse (just ask Collingwood when the Doggies beat them). So - both teams go in this week with players that illustrate their top 30 depth.
mattyb
Guest
Your poor north influenced list is missing McLean and Williams for starters although maybe McLean might play this week,it's also missing Campbell and yes you need to count him and you should be including the three you are leaving out because of pending as your only pending to suit your sorry argument. And like Biggyd has said you need to take into account quality.
Brissie Boy
Guest
Pretty sure that was 2012, but the point still stands. :(
Pope Paul VII
Guest
scroll
andrew
Guest
please enlighten me as to which players i have missed ?. i am happy to accept stuart crameri if you want to count him an 'ommission' . i would dispute tom campbell is in best 22 if you want to claim him. redpath, boyd and roughhead are head of him. i agree quality is relevant. i shall refrain from that subjective discussion, but respect people might have different views on the quality of the injuries and their respetive important to the structure of the side.
andrew
Guest
perry, i do not dispute the dogs injures are longer term going forward or do not purport to analyse how they stack up moving backwards in the last few months. i am focusing just on the relative strength of the sides for this weekend.
Biggyd
Guest
Fyi quality counts champ and do your research your list is flawed.
big four sticks
Guest
Hardwick has to go. This was our lowest score since 1961. We need Knights at the helm. We have only moved on one assistant coach and that was Ben Rutten. We need a total clean out of coaching staff to make Richmond great again. It will work out cheaper to pay Hardwick out than to keep him, as we will lose much more money if we keep him because we will lose members and sponsors otherwise. Our efforts over the last couple of weeks have been pathetic against sides we usually beat. The buck stops at Hardwick and the coaching staff.
sammy
Guest
or not yet peaked?
Perry Bridge
Guest
As a North fan - it's not too much fun comparing injury lists - that's like a race to the bottom. However - what I will say is the Doggies have got a couple of ACL's and a terrible broken leg - most of our guys outside of Mason Wood look to become available over the next month and that week off could be very handy for some. However - North would love to have Werribee (yesterdays win a good step but I presume Daw will be back up in the 1s to cover Waite) in the finals and they do play the first week of September when the AFL bye round kicks in - - North would love to get an extra week into the likes of McDonald, Wright, Jacobs, Higgins and Garner. Am assuming they won't be allowed to which would be ridiculous.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Peaked too soon.
andrew
Guest
first 22 north players to be missing on sat night. waite, garner, higgins, wood, mc donald, wright, jacobs. total 7. first 22 dogs players to be missing on sat night (pending selection of morris, boyd and suckling) : adams, redpath, murphy, wallis, liberatore, mc rae. total 6. yet...........the tune all week will no doubt poor old dogs and how gallant and brave they are, injury ravaged, the footy gods, sympathy, sympathy, etc.... id be shocked if you hear anywhere all week that north actually have a worse injury toll than the dogs. the reality is there is a lot of love for the dogs, and a lot of hate for north.
sammy
Guest
Adelaide since the loss to Geelong earlier in the season won 8 on the spin, lost to Geelong by 30 points at the cattery whilst playing poorly on the night and won last night. Some of those wins included beating the Eagles in Perth who at that time had lost one in 2 seasons there. Beat St Kilda by 15 goals, beat North (bad kicking on the night kept it from being a 10-15 goal hammering, beat Carlton by 10 gaols at the MCG, beat Melbourne away, beat Gold Coast away, beat GWS, beat Collingwood, Fremantle and then Essendon by 14 goals. So the form line is not bad - apart from Hawthorn, whose reads better over the last 2 months
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I'm of the opinion we are now down to 4.5 contenders (Adelaide are the half- If Jacobs is done- so are Adelaide) The poor doggies just keep on getting cruelled by injury! The Footy GOD is clearly not a Doggies supporter! I think it's Hawks / Swans Grand Final coming. They've both had the last month of spatters and are just getting themselves primed / ready for a September tilt! People should know by now, The Premiership isn't won in July/August, but September! I hope GWS can answer the issue re experience and finals as they are exciting team to watch... But I just have this feeling that the one's who've been there done that are going to have all the answers come Finals.