The bye weeks are here, which means a third of the league got a rest this week, which is most appreciated.
Last week: 1
Ladder: 1
On top of the ladder for the first time in their history. It was a scrappy win over the Bombers, but with their current injury list, every victory is like gold.
Last week: 2
Ladder: 2
Losing to the Cats in Geelong by four goals is nothing to be ashamed of, but there are concerns for the Crows. Once again they looked ordinary with Rory Sloane quelled and they seemed to give up the fight in the third quarter.
Last week: 3
Ladder: 5
Hammered the Hawks like a good side should. They look every bit a top-four side after 10 games.
Last week: 4
Ladder: 6
The Dogs had a week off to set themselves for an important Thursday-night clash with the Swans.
Last week: 5
Ladder: 5
Did what good teams do by winning on their home ground for a third straight match – all of them against quality opposition. Joel Selwood is an incredible footballer who could well be leading the Brownlow after 11 rounds.
Last week: 8
Ladder: 4
A very nice win by the Tigers against a plucky opponent. Have been in almost every game and head into their bye week beautifully placed at 7-4.
Last week: 6
Ladder: 7
Another disappointing away performance. They’re not to be trusted.
Last week: 7
Ladder: 9
Unlucky to be bumped down on their week off.
Last week: 9
Ladder: 11
The break might have come at the perfect time for the Saints.
Last week: 10
Ladder: 8
A disappointing loss at home that could have been worse if the Magpies had taken their chances. Brad Hill’s late brain fade was extremely costly.
Last week: 11
Ladder: 12
Injuries or no injuries, the Giants are still a terrific team and the Bombers made GWS work had for four points on their home track
Last week: 13
Ladder: 10
A super win given how short-handed they were in the final quarter. Dominated possession and should really have had control of the match at quarter time. Nonetheless, fought it out for a valuable road victory. A huge game against the Demons awaits.
Last week: 12
Ladder: 13
Saturday night was the perfect example of why the Roos are so desperate to get their hands on an elite midfielder – they just don’t have an on-baller who can take a game by the throat.
Last week: 14
Ladder: 15
The Hawks are a bad side. Couldn’t do anything with the footy in the first half against Port Adelaide.
Last week: 15
Ladder: 16
What slim finals hopes they have will be lost if they lose to the Dogs on Thursday.
Last week: 16
Ladder: 17
Nothing to see here.
Last week: 17
Ladder: 14
Showed plenty of spirit to overcome a late deficit. There’s enough talent on this list to be competitive more regularly.
Last week: 18
Ladder: 18
Even on a week off there was bad news with Mitch Robinson’s season ending. Josh Schache might have played his last game for Brisbane. This club desperately needs help.
David C
Guest
I'd have Port, Geelong and even Richmond ahead of the dogs as flag chances.
Cat
Roar Guru
There was room for 6k more people to attend, don't act like you got locked out and couldn't go.
Powerboy
Guest
You mean you actually met several of the fifty or so opposition fans who were actually able to get some tickets to see their team play at the over-subscribed "boutique" stadium? WOW! They must have been the banner builders there on team lists of complimentary tickets. No other way to explain opposition fans getting into the ground.....
Powerboy
Guest
Oh yes, yes, yes Cat! You are right! Geelong in a class of their own..... Port, and the rest.....no excuses!!!!
Jack
Guest
Sorry Cat, I should have read more closely. My mistake.
Jack
Guest
That's not right. It was 9.10 to 5.5 at halftime.
Cat
Roar Guru
Power rankings aren't about what could happen, they are about what has (recently) happened. They are reactive, not predictive.
Cat
Roar Guru
33 scoring shots to 17 61 inside 50 to 44 If we're playing the 'if' game than 'if' the Cats kicked straight Adelaide would have been dead and buried in the first half. 5.13 to 5.1 was the halftime score. Cats also held Adelaide to 72 points - by far their lowest score for the season at home and second lowest of the year (held to 55 by the Cats at KP)
Cat
Roar Guru
Agree with easing back to a point but against the Hawks there is little to no risk this year of them suddenly piling on goals and erasing the margin. Against the highest scoring side in the comp, the Crows, there very much was that risk.
Glen T
Guest
Tiges have looked poor in some of their wins, where the games have been filled with errors from both sides, and really poor in some of their losses (freo, Adelaide particularly). I think they lack a bit of depth and once their guns tire a little then their quality of play drops off. even still they seem to be able to stop sides scoring against them and so are generally thereabouts each week. Dogs quality just runs deeper so reckon they'd beat the tiges more often than not.
Greg
Guest
Adelaide are soft at the moment. Yes it's hard to play against Geelong in Geelong but they were not competitive at all. At least until Geelong eased the gas. Look at the last 2 games played in Geelong. Both far closer and far more competitive.
anon
Roar Pro
That preliminary final was effectively over 15 minutes into the game, with Sydney merely maintaining a lead in order to leave something in the tank for the Grand Final. I don't think Geelong can play much better than they did Friday night. Everything came together for them. Adelaide meanwhile didn't play well at all. Everyone was well down, poor skills, Still, Adelaide hung around and were a nuisance. Let's see how it goes for Adelaide at home against Geelong. Interstate trip to country Victoria, against a top 4 team on a ground they own, on a 6-day break is a tough ask.
DB
Guest
Geelong were unlucky not to win by 10 goals , they dominated. Inside 50's for last years prelim final when Geelong were outplayed and lost to Sydney- 40 to 72 Geelongs way
Lamby
Roar Rookie
I am not sure it was as one-sided as you remember. Seedsman had a kick straight in front of goals at about the 10 minute mark of the last quarter that would have put the Crows in front.
anon
Roar Pro
I don't think you can read much into Adelaide's loss. Inside 50's were even in the end. Geelong rarely loses in Geelong. Tough to beat down there. Listening to the commentary you could easily convince yourself that Geelong were unlucky not to win by 10 goals. Geelong in Adelaide will tell us a lot. Adelaide's losses to Melbourne and North Melbourne concern me more than a loss in Geelong. Geelong's now won 3 on the trot against 3 solid teams, but all three games at their Geelong fortress, two of those teams were from interstate, and they were some what lucky to win two of those games. I'd be quite happy to play Geelong come the finals. GWS hasn't really convinced me so far this year. I don't think they've actually improved on last season. You can point to injuries all you like, but this team didn't have injuries when they were trounced in Adelaide by 10 goals. There's something lacking in this team. That being said, there's as good a chance of anyone in the top 5 to win the premiership. No team has made a statement yet. Maybe Port is the sleeper right now.
Jordan Ryan
Guest
How is Gold Coast second last when they beat a top 8 side. Beneath Carlton, Sydney and North who either had a bye or didn't play. Come on this isn't very accurate
Cat
Roar Guru
Of course you would don/matty
mattyb
Guest
Would have thought Brisbane and Carlton are proving themselves a long long way behind the rest of the competition like most people would have thought at the beginning of the season,hard to see how Gold Coast aren't higher than the Blues. Agree with the summary of Carlton though,there's nothing to see when you have a proper look at exactly where they are at and how they're actually travelling. Should really see where they are at when they get to play Brisbane. Would probably move the Tigers up a bit higher,even as high as 3. Would probably swap Essendon and Colligwood around now that the Pies have won 3 on the trot including the recent victory against Freo over in Perth.
Brian
Guest
Unlike Port and Geelong who are at full strength the Dogs have a lot of potential improvement. Boyd, Stringer, Libba etc. I'd have them 3rd in flag hopes after only GWS and Adelaide
mattyb
Guest
Gene/Samantha, the Dogs are proven champions though,a side that has performed so well over the last twelve months they are an inspiration to every sporting club across the nation,have proven they can win anywhere when it matters. I'd have them second behind GWS at this stage and would consider them a good chance to knock the Giants off when it matters.