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Opinion
It was the first of two annual Sir Doug Nicholls’ rounds this year where all 18 AFL clubs come together to acknowledge the wonderful contributions of First Nations players to our great game in Marngrook.
It was a round defined by the drought breaking win of Essendon over Richmond, much to the delight of their nuffy support base, West Coast’s woes were further compounded, and the Harley Reid cup falls out of the grasp of the Hawthorn football club. Read on for this weeks edition of the Power Rankings column.
18. West Coast Eagles (Boorloo) (no change)
When you lose by 116 points that’s all there is to it. I do not believe Adam Simpson will see out the year if there continues to be significant losses like this one on the books for the Eagles who are used to success.
The only people who can hold their heads high on a day like today are Alex Witherden and Dom Sheed who tried hard earning 58 disposals and two goals collectively, yet the season went from bad to worse as Jarmaine Jones limped from the ground in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
17. North Melbourne Kangaroos (Yern-da-Ville) (no change)
I am heartbroken for the Kangaroos, to lose the game in such a fashion as a result of an interchange violation is something that is simply unheard of in the professional leagues.
It is still a concern that the Kangaroos are relying on an aged Todd Goldstein and Jack Ziebell yet the youth of North were able to come to the fore in this Saturday afternoon clash with Harry Sheezel relishing his move forward in a high half forward role with two goals from his 25 disposals, while George Wardlaw was exemplary on debut with 16 disposals.
16. Sydney Swans (Warrane) (down two)
They escaped by the skin of their teeth. Three goals from the legendary Lance Franklin saw him draw level with the great Doug Wade as the Swans chalked up an important win while they’re still lacking Paddy and Tom McCartin, and Dane Rampe leaving their defence exceptionally undermanned.
The game was almost lost at clearances as North comprehensively smashed the Swans 20 in total clearances meaning they were losing the territory battle and allowing North to dictate the tempo of the game.
Lance Franklin of the Swans speaks to his teammates. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
15. Hawthorn Hawks (Booroondara) (up one)
116 point wins ought to be rewarded even against inferior opposition with a massive homeground advantage like the Hawks have in Tasmania. It was a forwards showcase for the Hawks as Luke Breust and Mitch Lewis combined for 9 goals as Hawthorn appear to be slowly depriving themselves of the trascendant talent that is Harley Reid.
However, unlike their contemporaries in North and West Coast they appear to have some semblance of a structure that can take them forward.
14. Carlton Blues (Quor-Nong) (down two)
The calls of sack Michael Voss have been growing in volume at the Blues as they dropped yet another game to their rivals in the Collingwood Magpies to make it five losses from six matches leaving them a win and percentage out of the top Eight. It was a game decided in the first quarter as Collingwood leapt out to a solid early lead and they were never truly challenged by a milquetoast Blues outfit.
The Blues were unable to make the most of their opportunities kicking 7 goals 15 behinds beating Collingwood in the raw scoring shots statistic and failing to come away with the win.
13. Gold Coast Suns (Karara) (down two)
The Suns stuck with the Lions for three quarters on Saturday night but were put to the sword in the fourth. Bailey Humphrey was a shining light for the Suns gather 18 disposals in the first half and finishing with 25 as he continues to put forward a case for the NAB Rising Star award.
The Suns do have questions surrounding them as by their own admission they said they were ready for finals yet they still continue to be the pinnacle of inconsistency.
12. Greater Western Sydney Giants (Ngurra)(up three)
Stephen Coniglio (26 disposals 1 goal) and Josh Kelly (24 disposals 1 goal) are men unleashed with the growth of Tom Greene (29 disposals) making for a potent midfield for Adam Kingsley new Giant tsunami.
Jesse Hogan has also straightened up the Giants in an important way as he has turned Western Sydney into his last chance saloon kicking 76 goals from 37 games as he nearly doubles the amount of matches played in an ill fated stint at Fremantle.
11. Richmond Tigers (Quo-yung) (down two)
You’d think I would put the Tiges in ninth? but you know what it’s derivative, and a dead horse. Having the Tigers in ninth is clearly too high for the out of form Tigers as they almost on purpose dropped a three-goal lead to a fast finishing Essendon.
It was a match of strange decisions from Jack Riewoldt soccerring the ball forward to Rhyan Mansell choosing to body against Dyson Hepell as the Tigers were able to steal a loss from the jaws of victory.
10.Geelong Cats (Djilang)(down three)
Geelong aren’t looking the world beaters of yester year as they acutely missed the presence of Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Sam Menegola as not a single midfielder gathered more than 20 disposals while the Cats conceded five goals from stoppage during the first half.
Now the Cats weren’t good at this point last year so I am not writing them off yet but I am growing more certain they may miss the eight.
9. Essendon Bombers (Tullamarine)(up four)
It’s been a long nine years, and 13 matches since the Bombers defeated the Richmond Tigers at Dreamtime at the G. It took until the last seven seconds and a clutch goal from Sam Durham but the Bombers have earned a vital four points against a side that will be on the edge of the eight making it the portrait of an eight point match that is integral in the scheme of things.
The Bombers now head into a substantially easier fixture facing West Coast, North Melbourne, and Carlton before the bye and could theoretically run out 8-5 at the bye setting them up for a prolonged finals campaign.
8. Adelaide Crows (Tarntanya) (down three)
This was a down match for the Crows as they fell to 5-5 on the year making their losses to Richmond and GWS earlier seem even worse by comparison.
Neither side had their kicking boots on so it makes the 45 point margin that much more significant as the Crows were unable to build any sort of momentum in their worst performance for the year. They were without their talismanic forward in Taylor Walker yet that does not explain the stilted nature with which the Crows played.
7. Fremantle Dockers (Walyalup)(up three)
Freo have a new way to go, and that way is forward. Fremantle have a new run and gun style that was missing in the early matches this year where the Dockers appeared to have no faith in their exemplary defence.
The kids are alright at Fremantle as their three pronged tall forward line of Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss, and Josh Treacy combined for an important four goals and Luke Jackson continues to prove value for money.
Rory Lobb of the Bulldogs wrestles with Fremantle players. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
6. St Kilda (Youruk) (up two)
The Saints welcomed back the enigmatic Max King and he brought the house down kicking four goals as he returned from a shoulder reconstruction and hamstring surgery.
In all honesty looking at the stats the Saints should’ve won the game by more as they won the inside 50 battle (+10), the height of their spearheads vs the Giant’s best defender (193 cm vs 202 cm), and disposals (+51). The Saints were unable to maximise their potential against weaker opposition.
5. Melbourne Demons (Naarm) (down three)
Is it a harsh ruling to have the Dees down three after losing a game by four points? Yes it is, but the Dees have lost Brownlow medal favourite Clayton Oliver and failed the fly their flag as their captain was continually body checked by a Port Adelaide outfit that was eager for the fight.
The Dees ran out of legs as the sky was cleft in twain and the heavens poured down upon the premiership hopefuls.
4. Western Bulldogs (Maribyrnong) (up two)
It was a cold and windy day in Ballarat as the Bulldogs butchered the ball kicking 11 goals 19 behinds as the Bulldogs won in key statistical categories in disposals (+101), tackles inside 50 (+11), and inside fifties (+10) as the Bulldogs were able to pen the Crows in and ensuring they could not get their fluid motion with which they’ve become known for.
The Bulldogs are slowly coming back to their best and will be a challenger later in the year.
3. Brisbane Lions (Meeanjin) (no change)
A fourth quarter mauling has seen the Lions extend their streak over rivals Gold Coast Suns to 9 leaving them four short of the longest streak held by Port Adelaide (also over the Suns) of 13.
It continues to be a Joe Daniher showcase in Brisbane as he kicked a further four goals from his sixteen disposals to draw level with team mate Charlie Cameron on 28 goals in the leading goal kicker award at the Brisbane Lions.
Cam Rayner of the Lions celebrates a goal. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
2. Port Adelaide Power (Yartapuulti) (up two)
It was the Zac Butters show on friday night as he gather an enormous 41 disposals, 2 goals, 6 marks, 10 clearances, 581 metres gained and 12 score involvements as he is fast becoming Port Adelaide’s best player.
Additionally, the other facet that stuck out to me was the emotive Ken Hinkley sitting on the bench motivating his players and giving direct instructions to his players as he shows his worth as both a motivator and a tactician.
1. Collingwood Magpies (Yalla-birr-aang)(no change)
Shall we call them Flagpies? Please no. Anyone but Collingwood. I have them top of these power rankings because their best is magnificent, and they have decreased the gap between their best and their worst footy as they sit on top of the ladder a game clear of their nearest opposition.
The Pies become all the more fearsome when you consider that they still have players to come back in like Jeremy Howe and Dan McStay. The Pies head into the mid-season rounds as the clear favourite for the flag as much as it pains me to admit.
Well, what do you think folks? do you agree with my power rankings? leave your thoughts below and I will do my best to respond quickly.
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