Football lost its collective mind in round three – there were upsets galore including an unfathomable result in the final game of the weekend.
All the wash-up from AFL Round 3
» Eight quick takes
» Team of the Week
It did serve as a reminder, however, that in a league of professionals, preparation and application is every bit as important as ability.
Last week: 1
Ladder: 1
The Crows’ slow starts will eventually catch up with them if they can’t find a way to correct things – they’ve trailed at quarter-time every round – but another win against a quality opponent keeps them at the top of the rankings.
Last week: 3
Ladder: 5
The Giants are good, damn good. Not much else to say about them at this stage.
Last week: 4
Ladder: 4
There’s no shame in losing to the Crows. Port took it up to their crosstown rivals for most of the night, but unfortunately when good teams play each other, a good team loses. This week’s clash with the Giants looks the game of the round.
Last week: 6
Ladder: 3
Hard to get a read on the Cats. For the second week in a row they got out of jail. Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood again took charge when required. They’re good, but it’s hard to tell how good.
Last week: 5
Ladder: 6
Struggled to get things on their terms after quarter time and didn’t adapt to the weather as well as the Tigers when the rain hit. Jack Darling keeps giving his critics ammunition. Why isn’t he better?
Last week: 2
Ladder: 9
Playing like a bunch of guys who spent the summer being told how good they are. The Dogs had a round-low six tackles inside 50 at the weekend – things aren’t working as they’d like.
Last week: 10
Ladder: 2
The Tigers’ win over the Eagles was full of toughness and class. It was the win of a good footy team, maybe even a very good one. Alex Rance looked like Alex Rance again after a poor first fortnight. Wet-weather footy rocks. Daniel Rioli… drool.
Last week: 7
Ladder: 8
Will be kicking themselves after kicking themselves out of Saturday’s game against the Cats. Were the better team in general play for most of the afternoon but wasted far too many chances. A fresh test awaits in the weeks without Max Gawn. This still looks like a good footy team.
Last week: 11
Ladder: 10
Did what they had to against the Lions. Nick Riewoldt is a cyborg. They have Hawthorn’s first-round pick.
Last week: 9
Ladder: 7
Their two wins don’t look so impressive now. Now they must set themselves for a clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval – ooph.
Last week: 14
Ladder: 12
The Pies finally got reward for effort after a couple of frustrating weeks for Collingwood fans. The first quarter was extremely impressive.
Last week: 8
Ladder: 16
The Swans can just about kiss finals goodbye. Development could soon become a priority for John Longmire with so many inexperienced players required to contribute.
Last week: 12
Ladder: 17
The Roos are showing plenty of pluck and are playing an entertaining style of footy, but they continue to concede loads of scoring shots to opponents – 31, 27 and 34 in the first three rounds. They’ll continue to be a pain in the bum for good sides. Wins will come.
Last week: 14
Ladder: 14
Of all the pieces the Blues have in place in the early stages of their rebuild, Brendon Bolton might be the most significant.
Last week: 18
Ladder: 11
A 188-point turnaround in two weeks. Dominated from start to finish against the Hawks thanks in no small part to Gary Ablett jr, who for the 26th time in his career recorded at least 35 disposals and two goals – turns out he’s still pretty good.
Last week: 17
Ladder: 15
Where has that energy been? It would have been easy for the Dockers to fold after the Dogs took a handy lead into the final change; instead, they ratcheted up the intensity and pressure and outscored the reigning premiers 31-1 in the last quarter.
Last week: 15
Ladder: 13
It could have been worse if the Saints kicked straight, but a five-goal loss on the road against a decent team is nothing for these developing Lions to be ashamed of.
Last week: 13
Ladder 18
Wow. Not even Cam Rose could have seen this coming. Just… wow.
Pete
Guest
Totally agree with you there Cam. Richmond may be 3-0 and Sydney may be 0-3 but I'd still rate the Swans a better chance to make the eight then the Tiges ! Trying to predict where teams are at and where they will end up is one of the best discussion points at this time of year.
Ben
Guest
I couldn't sum up Geelong better - they're good, but we don't know how good. I've been shocked as the "experts" predicted them hovering from 7-10th. It was the same last year and they finished 2nd. Sydney were the last team Geelong wanted to face last year as they matched up very well to them and were bundled out in embarrassing fashion. (As an aside I think Freo and North are the other teams that match up well against Geelong) What was the main problem? Inefficient conversion of inside 50s. In the 3 games played so far, you have to say that Geelong has massively turned this around. No more slow creep forward. There I50 efficiency is elite. Big tick to the Geelong coaching staff there. Even if the Harry Taylor experiment is bad for Harry Taylor every other Geelong forward is firing and excelling at their role. They have really gelled so far this year. It's ironic then that their back line feels like the weaker link this year. When Harry has gone back this year he has had immediate impact. What's their other big problem? Over reliance on Dangerwood. This hasn't fully been resolved yet, but there are some signs that the second tier and new blood are stepping up. It's here and the bottom 4 players that the uncertaintity and inconsistency lies. If Geelong get that right then maybe they could go to the big show. Either way they will be up and about at the pointy end of the season.
hal
Guest
I feel that way about Hawthorn. I was rapt when GCS smashed them. I am up and about that they are the bottom of the ladder, with no wins. That being said they will probably come out and beat us.
Macca
Guest
Cam - Maybe it is because Power rankings are not much more than an argument starter. When people aren't given the criteria or weighting and results often seem arbitrary I really don't see why people bother with them.
true blue
Guest
Slane: That makes me laugh. It is true. I must admit I always want to see Richmond and Collingwood lose, but I don't feel that way about the Dons. Even if Snapper was carrying on that way about Richmond and Collingwood I wouldn't have liked it. He doesn't speak for Blues fans. His comment about Essendon celebrating like they won a grand final because they beat Carlton in round 23 last year was idiotic. They were up and about because they had a year from hell and ended the year on a high note. I did not want them to get the wooden spoon. If he said such things about the Tigers I would have been offended too. Our win yesterday was not revenge for anything, it was just a win.
Andrew Young
Roar Guru
Hawthorn has got us all baffled... And was pleasantly surprised by Fremantle's energy, fast ball movement and win! good on them! As a Geelong supporter I will be very interested to see how the season pans out once the dust settles.
Nigel Fauntleroy-St John III
Guest
Yes the members pavilion is fenced off from the terraces. We Melbourne faithful are accustomed to watching the game from behind glass, with a snifter of brandy and a gin and tonic. Many fans didn't go on Saturday as they rushed up to Hotham in anticipation of catching snow. We have decided to expand our multi faith pre game blessing to include vicars from the Calvanist and Baptist faiths, who will work alongside vicars from the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist faiths. Go Dees.
Pete
Guest
Tough gig doing power rankings this year. I thought it was pretty clear who the 3 worst teams in the comp were last week but they all turned it around and won this week. This year looks like being even better than last year.
Cameron Rose
Expert
I don't understand how people can't get the rankings. It's not a championship belt scenario, where if you beat a team you go above them. Nor is it a ladder, because, well, there already is a ladder.
Slane
Guest
I was actually having a little laugh about the rivalries while watching the Carlton/Essendon game yesterday, too. My girlfriend couldn't figure out why I have so much more hatred fro Carlton than I do for Essendon but I reckon you've nailed it, True Blue. As a Richmond supporter I love to beat Essendon, but not only do I love to beat Carlton, I also love to see Carlton lose. That's a genuine point of difference for me. I want Carlton and Collingwood to lose!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Do the members not already have a private lift & entrance so they don't have to rub shoulders with the hoi polloi? I would have thought given the ever widening disparity between haves and have-nots in recent years such economic segregation would be front and centre of the MCC's priorities
BigAl
Guest
Very true Cat, I have the feeling that many Tiger fans are setting themselves up for an even harder fall than usual !
Nigel Fauntleroy-St John III
Guest
I went to get a platform built at the MCG that will hoist the Bentley up so I can view the mighty Fuchsias from it, just as Sir Robert did at Carlton. Wellington, my chauffeur is being looked after by the Melbourne club doctor. He will be up and about in no time. He got to meet big Max yesterday.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Toodle pip. Hope your chauffeur recovers. Not good for the Bentley to spend too much time idle in the garage I'm sure
true blue
Guest
I was at a refugee rally so I didn't see the game but I saw the highlights and was happy with Carlton's win. I like the look of Williamson and SPS continues to excite. As usual Carlton v Essendon games don't go to script. I was angered by Snapper's rant on Finey's final siren last night. He was disrespectful to Essendon and Matthew Lloyd's view on Carlton's list. I don't hate Essendon, I respect them. The Carlton Essendon rivalry is far different to Carlton Richmond and Carlton Collingwood. Snapper perpetuates the born to rule arrogance that has marred our club. Get over it Snapper and have some humility.
Cat
Roar Guru
When they actually accomplish something. WCE at MCG doesn't even qualify as a tough match and beating up on Carlton and Collingwood is not exactly impressive either.
Arky
Guest
I'd say his power rankings are based on not getting ahead of himself. The Dogs came into the season reigning premiers; the Tiges came into this season as a basket case. It's a bit earlier to be annointing the Tiges as better than the Dogs; it's a testament to how well the Tiges have begun the season that they're now just one rung below the Dogs, in fact. I assume they are also taking into account opposition, since my Roos are still listed ahead of the Suns and Freo despite those teams winning and North being 0-3. That streak ought to go to 0-4 after this week (seriously, North got handed a murderous first month's draw). I can already smell the top 3 draft pick from here.
hal
Guest
Richmond are right where I thought they would be; 3 and 0. I picked them to make the eight. I couldn't believe WCE were favorites. Once again they got showed up in the wet away from home. Richmond were honest and tough and deserved the win. Well done to Carlton as well. I did not see the game but saw highlights. Williamson looks like a likely prospect.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Eh, okay. Is this secretly Cam Rose? ;)
Nigel Fauntleroy-St John III
Guest
I didn't get to the game because my chauffeur had a dreadful malady, so I went to watch the game on the big screen at Royal South Yarra (don't panic it is actually located in Toorak, as it is on the east side of Williams Rd). I was disappointed that the Dees kicked themselves out of the game. The mighty fuchsias should have vanquished Dangerwood F.C despite the biased anti Melbourne vitriol bewing spewed by the blinkered Geelong fans. Don't despair Melbourne fans, we will be back. Have a sherry and relax Melbourne fans.