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Opinion
With half of the home-and-away season over and plenty of teams vying for positions in the top four and top eight, we can dole out the first detailed report card for each side for their campaign to date.
This report card is based on expectations of each team’s standing at the start of the season.
Adelaide Crows: 4.5/10
Adelaide have performed reasonably to be sitting on three wins and eight losses. There have been some good performances, including a stunning win against Richmond. They have been competitive in a number of games without quite being able to break through.
Brisbane Lions: 8/10
They’re in a strong position. having won nine out of 11. They look likely to end up in the top four at the end of the season. The loss to Hawthorn may come to bite though.
Carlton Blues: 7.5/10
They’ve been impressive. winning eight out of 11, including a number of close-run ones. The injury list is mounting, especially defensively, which may upset the rhythm. The loss to Collingwood could also be telling in the final analysis.
Collingwood Magpies: 7/10
Compared to where most commentators had Collingwood at this stage, the Magpies have done well in the first half of the season, winning six from 11. A much more attractive game style is one key factor in the change from seasons past. Their wins against Fremantle and Carlton have been very impressive, but a poor loss to West Coast may see them just miss out on finals action.
Essendon Bombers: 2/10
This has been a very poor first half of the season compared to the early-season fancies of many, with just two wins and nine losses. Lack of confidence, injuries and lack of ‘brand’ in their game plan are all contributing factors.
Fremantle Dockers: 8/10
Fremantle’s win against Melbourne after dropping two in a row was right up there with the very best in the club’s 27-year history. They are in a good position to launch a bid for the top four, sitting at eight wins and three losses. They appear a well-balanced side combining experience with youth as well as height and speed.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Geelong Cats: 7/10
Geelong have been patchy to good, sitting at 7-4. Their best is still strong when the forward line fires. They’ve had some very good wins, including against Collingwood, but poor losses to Hawthorn and Fremantle have hurt their cause. As always, they remain on track for finals, but one suspects they are not top-four material.
Gold Coast Suns: 6/10
They’ve definitely improved in 2022, particularly of late, and now sit on the fringes of the eight with five wins and six losses. A fine win against Fremantle is indicative of their improved performance and status.
Greater Western Sydney Giants: 3/10
With the coach gone at three wins and eight losses, the finals look well and truly out of reach. The wheels appear to have fallen off in recent weeks.
Hawthorn Hawks: 5/10
Despite their four wins and seven losses, there is quite a lot to like about Hawthorn. They have had fine wins against Brisbane and Geelong and ran Melbourne very close. A loss to Gold Coast highlights the team’s inconsistency in its development phase.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Melbourne Demons: 9.5/10
Finally came the loss they had to have. The defeat to Fremantle will likely be a good spur for the rest of the year and a timely reminder that any apparent complacency is unwarranted. Whether the loss to Fremantle was just an off day or whether chinks in the armour have been revealed remains to be seen. Ten wins and one loss is an outstanding first half of the season, however.
North Melbourne Kangaroos 1.5/10
Things have been going from bad to worse both on and off the field for the Kangaroos, with the bad losses mounting, the walk-out of their recruitment staff and the coach under mounting pressure. It is a very long from here, with only one win to show from 11 outings.
Port Adelaide Power: 5/10
After a poor start to the season, Port Adelaide is gaining some momentum and now sit at five wins and six losses. With the logjam of teams ahead of them, it is distinctly possible that they will rue deeply their tardy start.
Richmond Tigers: 6/10
Richmond have been somewhat inconsistent, with some good wins – for example, against West Coast – punctuated by some bad losses to Adelaide and Carlton. Their loss to Sydney could prove costly. and likewise the loss of Tom Lynch, who had been in red-hot form. Their four-week winning streak was a reminder, though, of how good they can still be. At six wins and five losses, one would think a spot in the lower reaches of the eight is distinctly possible.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
St Kilda Saints: 8/10
The Saints are another of the season’s surprise packets. At eight wins and three losses, they are performing extremely well. They are gelling together, playing with confidence and have a lot of talent, especially up forward in the big-man department spearheaded by Max King. Sterner tests would appear to be ahead.
Sydney Swans: 7.5/10
The Swans have flatlined somewhat of late, although their come-from-behind win against Richmond was meritorious. They are still a threat to the top four at seven wins and four losses. Their combination of youthful exuberance and wise old heads is working well.
West Coast Eagles: 1/10
They’re having a horror season on almost all fronts. At one win and ten losses, their season has been nothing short of a train wreck. Injury, illness and player indiscipline have been contributing factors. The coach is under severe pressure.
Western Bulldogs: 5.5/10
At six wins and win losses, the Bulldogs are not where they would have thought they would be at the start of the season. Their campaign has been punctuated by inconsistency, and they are now part of the logjam of teams looking for a spot in the eight.
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