As the top eight is almost set, this is a good time to review how they have done this year and rate whether they have gone as predicted, underachieved or done better than expected.
The bottom six have clearly underachieved and have big losing records. The team coming sixth last, the Bulldogs – premiers not too many years ago – were three games behind Adelaide.
Those behind them had the occasional close game but sprinkled in really bad losses. This number of failures are a worry to the AFL and these teams need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps to avoid being the next Carlton, but I can’t see any of them doing much better next year.
That said, in the era of increased salary caps, draft assistance and the occasional priority pick, one or two of the cellar dwellers can do better.
8. Geelong
With the addition of Gary Ablett to an already A-grade midfield, expectations were high considering they were second last year, but this year they dropped off.
When they click they seem irresistible but unfortunately clicking happens too rarely.
7. Melbourne
All of Melbourne is obsessed with the Dees doing well. When they don’t reach expectations the pundits sigh and predict doom. When they win, like last week, the sun shines brightly in the southern city. They will have an early exit from the finals, but a spot in the finals is admirable.
6. Greater Western Sydney
Last year fourth, this year similar and they should give a good account of themselves in the semis.
Set to be in a grand final in the next three years.
5. Sydney
Last year they were sixth, after the horrendous 0-6 start, this year they blooded a significant number of young players, and next year they will receive their full benefit.
Injuries to their senior players caused a late-season slump but their return could help them into the preliminary final.
[latest_videos_strip category=”afl” name=”AFL”]
4. Hawthorn
I can’t help thinking that master coach Alastair Clarkson has pulled a rabbit out of his hat, as a comparison of their list indicates an entry into the bottom eight would have been a good year.
They may win their first game, but I can’t see them worrying the top three.
3. Collingwood
Nathan Buckley deserves all of the credit for for the Magpies’ huge jump up the table. The team everyone loves to hate has been the standout of the year.
On their day they are unbeatable, but they do have lapses when their kamikaze attack on the ball goes all wrong. Maybe this year they won’t go the whole way but watch them next year.
2. West Coast
With their forwards all fit they were unbeatable and worthy challengers for the flag, especially at home. But injuries have seen them come back to the pack.
If they have some fit forwards they will win their home finals, then be found out in the later games.
1. Richmond
Damien Hardwick has done wonders with this team. Without recruiting superstars, the Tigers have made their mark with a great midfield, a really solid defence, and danger up front.
A team with an indominable midfield may be able to knock them off their game but I am not sure that there is such a team.
Richmond will repeat.
Fat Toad
Guest
I go through periods when it really hard to get any time free. I've just managed to get my nose off the grindstone and enjoy some of the things I was missing. I just read the article you had published on 1 Dec 2017, your really hung it out there with those predictions! But how right were you? Well done
Chris
Guest
The Blues can stay down the bottom for as long as they like and I won't lose a wink. The issue is whether we can belt the Tigers and/or the Demons. I am not interested in any speculation and bitter back chatting. Get out there Maggies and do the business. Go for broke and ignore the Maggie haters and/or Eddie publicists. Do it for us...the loyal die-in-the wool brethren.
Chris
Guest
Mr Delacroix, your beloved Tigers started this feud back in the twenties when they copped three grand final drubbings. Was it '27 '28 '29? Didn't Jack Dyer repeatedly say that all his nightmares were in black and white? Our revenge will come either this year or next. Settle down and don't be such a spiteful, nasty piece of work.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Well said Mr Toad and where have you been?
Fat Toad
Guest
I can see by your comments that you would be more of a checkers person than chess. It is fine to support a team, but there is a distinct difference between that and analysis. Congratulations to Richmond for peaking at the right time last year and having been the standout team this year, but I have seen more teams do what Richmond have achieved this year than then have gone on to win the flag. Much of your analysis is Monday morning quarterbacking. If you have some substance to what you are saying lets see it.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Says the bloke whose logic predicted the Blues and Bolton were on the right path and Buckley needed to be sacked. You supposedly support the premier and short priced back to back premiership favourite so why not write an article yourself TTF or to scared to put your opinions out for healthy debate?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
JT , have you ever realised that the Tigers are one of the shortest priced premiership favourites this time of year ever with a record winning streak at the ground they may not have to move away from in the finals for a second year in a row? Of course people will focus on how to beat you, if you want to just read shiny happy people sprouting positive Tiger opinions go to a fan forum. Otherwise, why don't you...well you know the rest.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Fair dinkum. A goldfish has more logic.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Bad sport?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
JTD or TTF speaking? Or Hungry Jack...or Realist? choose any name you like. I don't hate the Tigers. The Tigers have some very likeable players in Cotch, Dusty, Caddy, Jack and Dimma seems a great bloke. As for 1980? I hate any GF we could have won but probably hate that one the least as we were never in it. It's the close ones that get you. No, while Richmond fans were in hibernation for 37 years the Pies nabbed a couple of flags, played in Grand Finals so nothing to do with 1980. It is the multitude of Richmond fans who were in hiding for 37 years and emerge with brand new scarves and arrogant claims of being the new Hawthorn after a couple of good years that need reminding they are no dynasty just yet.
J.T. Delacroix
Guest
Pete, own up. Does your pathological hatred of Richmond stem from the 1980 Grand Final humiliation? I get the impression it must. I’ve been on this site for over seven years, & I’ve not noticed anyone with an axe to grind with a particular club quite like you have with the Tigers. It’s tiresome.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Yet, 'Any game you win or lose by under a goal Darren comes down to luck and timing.' Just not in Port's case.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Straight back at ya', Scribe. So Scotty calls momentum shifts periods of domination. So what. If they dominated for the best part of the game and lost something has gone amiss. I think he referred to 'skills'. That's my point, you seem to have missed it, or ignored it. Same applies to Collingwood. Chris Scott mind games giving his side and supporters hope. Who would have thought. Richmond are NO certainties, granted, but your obsession is plain to see. 'Doesn't sound like a coach worried about playing you again.' Did I say he was worried or are you just being argumentative for the sake of it? Cool story tho' bro'.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
We belted the Crows by eight goals, the Bombers had beaten WCE in Perth and Sydney in a stretch of winning 7 out of 8 games - the only game they lost in this period is the Pies game. Melbourne were third and had won 6 in a row by an average of 65 points when we beat them by 7 goals. We beat North by 66 points and lost to Sydney by a fingertip on the goal line in the dying seconds. We beat Port by 8 goals who were eighth when we played them. The Pies have lost to every side in the eight currently escept Melbourne and beaten every side outside the eight currently except Fremantle who we play this week. Logic would say the Pies beat every side below them and lose to every side (except Melbourne) above them. Logic doesn't count for the injuries we have had while playing these games. We also have only had the opportunity to play any of those sides twice except Richmond and played GWS and Hawthorn very early in the season when we were still assembling the new forward structure.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Not at all Blake, just like to play you without missing two rotations and three of our best players. Judge the Pies against Richmond when it is a fair match not when you are playing a makeshift side with two on the bench.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Port weren't unlucky, they were not coached properly or lacked leadership on the field You simply shouldn't be up 8 points with 1:20 left on the clock and possession of the ball and lose.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
There's a litany of outrageous claims against the Pies you have made TTF. Do you really need to me to list them all? The point of the Ablett kick is that Geelong could have won the game, the real point (that shouldn't need to be spelled out to you) is that Geelong were close enough to win it. As for Scott..."we had better of the game for big parts of the game....they need a lot to go right for them to win it, no question.....if e get to play them again we give ourselves a really good chance and there are other teams in that as well...they're a good team but they're beatable...I thought Collingwood were on top of them for big parts of the game...we went down by less than a kick and can do better...."- doesn't sound like a coach worried about playing you again.
anon
Roar Pro
Collingwood have lost to Richmond, Hawthorn, GWS, Sydney, Geelong, West Coast. Their only "big" scalps have been Essendon and Melbourne.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Maybe the Tiges have the better jocks. (pun intended).
Milo
Roar Rookie
Youre right PTS. Geelong certainly got some luck with some pretty ordinary decisions and Tigers missing some very gettable shots. Maybe next time the luck goes to the Tigers.