It was a good weekend of footy. For the most part, the rankings were a little tricky this week (curse you, bye rounds) but there’s some big changes in the top eight. And Carlton ain’t bottom no more.
Last week: 2
Had the bye, but given both Richmond and the Demons (arguably their two closest competitors, or close to it) lost, it was a good weekend for Eagles fans – they’re now number one by default.
Last week: 1
This team is more adverse to travelling than the goal review team is to reviewing goals. Can’t win away? Shouldn’t be the June premiership contenders. Or, in a perfect world, premiership contenders at all.
Last week: 6
Absolutely brilliant. There wasn’t a bad moment on Monday afternoon – Cox booting five probably the best of them. You just feel that this team is something special. Could they win the premiership? Well, who knows. I’d still say no – but I’m teetering on being undecided.
Last week: 5
They could’ve selected 22 random people from their sizeable continent of Victorian fans and still defeated the hapless Saints. Huge game against the ladder leaders in four days time – that’ll tell us a lot about how authentic this side’s premiership aspirations are.
Last week: 7
Pretty good win, really. Always good for Chris Scott to get one over his brother, but more widely it’s another all important win for the side if they’re contending for top four or higher. Big game against the Tigers’ next weekend.
Last week: 3
Oh, no. Melbourne did a Melbourne thing. It’s almost like watching a toddler take their first steps. They struggle for so long, before spending a little while walking, then beginning to jog – then smashing into the wall. Collingwood was the wall. The only question is can they get up again?
Last week: 4
Frustrating performance, actually, but they’ll live and die another day. Got the bye to freshen up, get a few injured players back and then tackle the second half of the year. If it’s anything as good as their first half, they’ll be ‘right.
Last week: 10
A fine win, albeit overshadowed by the media’s universal questioning of Richmond. I suppose the lack of publicity could work in Port’s favour, though. They must quietly build on this – a few big games coming up.
Last week: 9
They played this week? I thought it was a televised training drill. They certainly followed up last week’s breakthrough win with a big, big win against their fellow expansion club.
Last week: 8
They had the bye, but Alistair Clarkson dressing up as John ‘Horse’ Longmire headed down the slide yesterday was a classic.
Last week: 12
They needed a win after the Dreamtime at the ‘G fiasco. They got the win. Did we learn too much? Nope. Will we learn plenty after the bye when they face the Eagles? Again, probably not. I do not see this team playing finals.
Last week: 11
Is it weird to feel somewhat bad for the opposition when your team beats them? Cause that’s what I’m feeling right about now.
Such a resilient team, I feel like this year’s fast becoming something the team can’t conquer. They’re probably about as likely for finals as Fremantle are. That’s saying something.
Last week: 15
Winning without Nat Fyfe – yeah, awesome, but let’s leave the great man out of the conversation for a second. Fremantle won with some of the kids standing up tall. The future of the club, ignoring the cliche – proved themselves. They’ve gotta beat Carlton though. Or else we’ll be back to square one.
Last week: 14
The Dogs had the bye this round.
Last week: 13
Can we talk about the fact that their coach pulled a hammy headed down the MND slide yesterday? As for the team – well, trying amicably but losing is starting to become a frustrating trademark of this Brissy side.
Last week: 18
Had the bye. Thank god the Suns and Saints exist – if for nothing else than to give this side a momentary reprieve from last place.
Last week: 17
Comfortably the most disappointing team in the competition – let alone one of the worst. I don’t think I’m being too harsh if I suggested next weekend’s clash against the Suns will be one of – if not the – worst game of the year bar none.
Last week: 15
I’m obligated to write something about them, so I’ll just type the word ‘ew’. Ew.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
It makes sense for Waterman to step up a rank. Clean hands ,good kick and also quick. A goal and a goal assist a game and five marks. Rioli,Ryan and LeCras will be a handful. Hope the game is a belter.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Yeh, he is really quick for 195 cm. I think they will start him in the pocket And Waterman and Kennedy rotating CHF. With JD out we need someone on the HF line to connect With the ball transitioning from D50.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Rick prefers to be called coy and cute like his avatar
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Sydney won't have a lot of tape on Ryan, unless they look at his nominations for MotY in the WAFL last year... He reminds a bit of Ashley Sampi with the vertical leap from one or two steps Do they just have Brander at CHF to start each quarter? Who would Sydney play on him? He's got a real burst of speed so I hear.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Most aren't "carrying on like he is the next Tony Lockett" Cat. We are just acknowledging he is getting better at the game and playing a role. Not bad since you labelled him a failed experiment, a spud and that he would never be any good. one day you will get something right about the Pies. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Geelong went 44 years without a flag Cat, Tigers 37, even the Pies went 32 years between flags though were at least making Grand Finals during the period.
User
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure wce hold the cards here
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
And where are you going to find a ruckman schooled by Dean Cox whose hitouts per minute on ground are 8th or 9th in the comp? And who is ranked 13th overall- above any of your players .
Cat
Roar Guru
Pick 24 that has elevated his standing. If the draft was redone he'd go a lot higher.
Cat
Roar Guru
No where have I said his game on the weekend wasn't good. All I have been pointing out is it is one game. One game doesn't justify the hype he is getting now. If he played for anyone other than the Pies people would have said nice game and moved on instead of carrying on like he is the next tony lockett.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Brander will make his debut. Ryan in the squad of 25 and will play IMO. They wouldn't take him over and not play him They would rather let him have a run at EP to get some game time into his legs If they weren't going to play him. I think Brander will make a big impact on Friday night. He certainly looks the goods for a key position forward.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Your try-hard psychological profiling is just fantastic.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Cats might have to offer more than a mature-age rookie
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Still hangin' onto that? That was 2 months ago, dude.
powa
Guest
yeah a few of the teams below them have only played 11 games, so they are artificially higher than their W/L ratio
Cat
Roar Guru
Better than your clubs 2 in 93.
Cat
Roar Guru
Stop acting like one.
Cat
Roar Guru
And subsequent form since shows how lucky the Dogs were.
Cat
Roar Guru
You'll have to chip in more than a backup ruckman
Paul D
Roar Guru
I think the fact Brisbane were trying to get him end of last year indicates the powers-that-be think he's pretty good - Brisbane's talent identification in recent years has been top notch, it's been retaining it that's the issue