Weighing up Melbourne's biggest off-season changes
The AFL’s 2018 trade period has come and gone in the blink of an eye and the Melbourne Football Club has found itself at…
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Australian. Victorian. Sports Journalist. Currently living in London. Richmond supporter. "The role of the hero is to protect the innocent, to eradicate evil, to actuate the good."
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The AFL’s 2018 trade period has come and gone in the blink of an eye and the Melbourne Football Club has found itself at…
Port Adelaide sent the AFL world into a frenzy 12 months ago went they pulled off one of the more interesting series of recruiting…
The 2018 AFL season has come and gone, and in a twist ending every single senior coach managed to make it through the year…
Greater Western Sydney star midfielder Dylan Shiel has allegedly been offered a staggering deal from St Kilda. The Saints are after the services of…
AFL grand final day is a magical point in the season where names, reputations and sometimes even legends are forged and 2018 was no…
Time is a funny old thing, whizzing past at reckless speeds for some, while for others it seems like the grinding gears of the…
Like a fresh Granny Smith coming face-to-face with a schoolyard fence, Hawthorn’s 2018 premiership campaign came to a catastrophic splat on Friday night. Played…
Footy fans everywhere are counting down the days and nights until the 2018 Brownlow Medal gala, and all season there’s been one clear standout.…
Australia’s international test team is staring down the barrel of a two-game series against Pakistan. It wouldn’t be another Aussie tour without more selection…
Geelong’s 2018 season came to an uninspired conclusion on Friday night, defeated by Melbourne at the MCG in an elimination final, feeling the cold…
The Swans' 2018 Australian Football League premiership campaign disintegrated before the eyes of millions on Saturday afternoon, demolished by Greater Western Sydney at the…
The 21st round of the 2018 AFL season is upon us in a few short hours and with it comes a five-game Saturday spectacular…
A little over a month ago, it felt like the 2018 AFL finals series was primed for West Coast's taking. Now, with two of…
Ladder leaders Richmond went head-to-head with Geelong at the MCG, in one of the toughest encounters of 2018 on Friday night. When the final…
Despite some of the loudest voices in the media endlessly droning on about the state of the game, it's been a thrilling race through…
Melbourne big man Max Gawn is rocketing his way through a season to remember, starring as the competition’s premier ruck option and putting himself…
Wisdom from generations that have come and gone tell us that bad news comes in threes. That appears to be the situation for three…
Extinguished like a lipstick-stained cigarette in a filthy nightclub ashtray, St Kilda's 2018 AFL season has well and truly been put to rest. St…
Heading into Round 18 of the 2018 AFL season, the stakes have never been higher for Geelong and Melbourne, who are going head-to-head on…
The old saying goes that bad news comes in threes and that was certainly the case AFL's top three premiership contenders in Round 17.…
Really well said Peter – particularly with the idea of Steele being a worthy winner.
Like most Victorians I’ve spent my whole life biting my thumb in the direction of Collingwood but it’s really hard to not love the effort they’re bringing this season and Steele has been central to the whole campaign. I think he’s gone up another level entirely this season and a worthy winner is exactly what I’d call him if he did manage to get up.
Can Steele Sidebottom win the 2018 Brownlow Medal?
Hey Tony – appreciate the feedback.
Heeney was having a terrible game prior to the head knock. He came off late in the second quarter and returned in the third only to come off again late in the term and not return after that. He passed a concussion test at half time. In total he still managed to complete nearly 50 percent of the total game time and managed just five touches. He was really struggling before the drama even began.
You said the Swans had three on the bench at half time. I’m guessing you mean Heeney as one of them but he played most of the third quarter. The second would be Luke Parker – but he came off in the third after hurting his arm and then played the entirety of the fourth quarter. So he isn’t one of the three.
I don’t know who the third player on the Swans bench would be? But either way the Swans AFAIK were not down three at half time.
Tigers' fitness takes them to next level win over Swans
A pretty incendiary comment for sure Peter! Hahaha. But at this stage I think Richmond are 95% finishing on top. Richmond won’t have a problem dealing with Geelong after last week and are a class above Essendon. Likewise the Dogs, the Suns and the Saints.
The match against Collingwood will be the pick of the bunch I think! Wouldn’t be stunned if the Pies broke through for the first time in a while against the Tigers.
Swans, Tigers prepare for finals preview
What makes you think 15 years Rick? Sounds like a fascinating tight timeline you’ve already got worked out? Not to say that I disagree at all – 15 years just sounds so specific.
Trout out: Saints fishing in the wrong pond for a long-term solution
Positive energy Peter positive energy! Treloar wouldn’t miss it. He’ll be there in September.
The table is set for a two-month feast of high-stakes AFL football
I didn’t even touch on my possibly my favourite aspect of the whole hypothetical encounter – Adam Treloar v Trent Cotchin. Two kingly midfielders going head to head on a huge stage with so much back story. One more challenge to see who really did have the best list all those years ago. Hubris!
The table is set for a two-month feast of high-stakes AFL football
Out of all the possible match ups I can’t imagine anything bigger than Collingwood v Richmond in the finals this season.
So many different factors to think about, mostly the hubris of both. Richmond the current champions and back on top after a life time spent in the wilderness. Returning to the competition after winning a serious underdog fight. Collingwood – the biggest club in the land for so long – disappears after looking like they had a dynasty ready to go in 2010. Now they’re back. Richmond and Collingwood at the same time at the MCG with everything on the line. Huge.
Oh – and they’re both parked at opposite ends of the same road in Melbourne. Huge!
The table is set for a two-month feast of high-stakes AFL football
After losing to Port Adelaide and Collingwood I’d expect Melbourne to record three consecutive 65+ point wins against St Kilda, Fremantle and then the Western Bulldogs.
Melbourne has already shown this year that sticking a boot in the lowest sides is a real priority. After missing out on finals last year on less than a single percentage point I can’t say I blame them either.
The table is set for a two-month feast of high-stakes AFL football
Yes! Great point. Going to be fascinating to see how they hold up. It’s going to be a huge test but I actually think they probably have the depth nowadays. Tom Phillips has been huge and if he keeps rolling the way he has been that will fill the void. Naturally no Treloar does mean additional pressure on the other mids defensively though, a bit more attention, so it’s going to be great to see regardless.
The table is set for a two-month feast of high-stakes AFL football
Richmond
West Coast
Sydney
Melbourne
Collingwood
Geelong
Port Adelaide
Are all safe in the top eight I suspect. I still don’t see North Melbourne or Hawthorn as good enough for finals which makes me think a Greater Western Sydney resurgence is on the cards. But after the season they’ve shown us so far even that’s hard to believe. If it’s not GWS then it’s Hawthorn. North Melbourne are still perpetually one spell of bad luck for Shaun Higgins away from rocketing back towards the bottom four.
The table is set for a two-month feast of high-stakes AFL football
Agree with you big time on this one – we could sit here all day listing reasons why Geelong won’t win the premiership because I can think of plenty.
Geelong has no offensive set up to speak of. Tom Hawkins has consistently under-performed his entire career and now he’s the only player for the Cats who is any threat in front of goal. Richmond, West Coast and Sydney will all smack their forward line for six come finals time. Dangerfield in front of goal was a media machine thought bubble. I can remember them saying he would kick 80+ as a regular forward option. Womp womp.
The experiment of GAJ, Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield has failed. I’m trying to think of a good comparison in another sport, watching them play together. It feels like an NBA side drafted Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues on to one team and asked them to go and get a ring.
All great players in their own right but together it’s just crowded and unbalanced.
Richmond's win over Geelong was a win for football
I’m so confused by the tone of this comment – is this sarcasm or something?
Richmond are definitely are free flowing side with a huge emphasis on run and carry. Extremely low possession totals coupled with consistent scores of 100+. High bounce numbers, high inside 50s.
And in regular play it’s always the long, breakaway forward handball, the coach-killer of the past and now a lethal weapon, combined with a long-range bomb forward.
Richmond's win over Geelong was a win for football
I knew from February that this was going to be the worst year for Carlton as a club in a long, long time. And it didn’t have anything to do with talent, it was the message from the leadership group;
Club CEO Cain Liddle told SEN yesterday that wins and losses cannot be used as a measuring stick for the Blues’ success in 2018.
“I don’t want to put a ceiling on how many wins we might have, but I think there is some realities we need to consider,” he said.
“What you will see from Carlton is the continued investment in those young players and you will see continued development.
“I urge all Carlton supporters not to judge that on wins and losses, because they can be misreading.”
When you enter a season without very well defined objectives you are TOAST. If you’re not telling a team they MUST win five out of the first ten, or finish with 12 wins, or finish higher than ninth, whatever, you’re toast. This is a young group of men desperate for very well defined targets and objectives. Telling them to go out there, have an honest crack, and then we’ll discuss whether or not they passed or failed later, is a recipe for disaster. Wins and losses are a very good metric for measuring a side and Carlton’s clear lack of interest in taking that into account is a huge reason they are where they are today.
Carlton are worse than ever, but how did they get there?
This is a pretty insane take on the match.
Richmond won three out of the four quarters. 75 per cent of the match. If it wasn’t for five goals in five minutes Port would’ve lost handily. They also lost by 14 points total at Adelaide Oval against a top eight side.
The Tigers ‘dismal’ travel record is three losses interstate against three sides pushing for top six positions. Not ideal but a long way from a disaster. The Tigers will smash a depleted GWS. Last year they had them defeated at FULL STRENGTH at Spotless Stadium until a goal as disallowed against Shai Bolton in the final minute.
Dustin Martin wasn’t a late inclusion. It was a planned omission.
You say the Tigers midfield of “Trent Cotchin, Josh Caddy, Shane Edwards and Kamdyn McIntosh.”
That wasn’t Richmond’s midfield. Josh Caddy and Shane Edwards are half forwards who spot up in the middle. McIntosh is a half back and he does zero clearance work. For some reason you didn’t mention Kane Lambert (on-baller and Richmond’s leading disposal getter), Reece Conca, Anthony Miles, Shaun Grigg and Toby Nankervis – all actual midfielders.
No Dusty? No Richmond
This is 100 per cent incorrect. I’ve seen the numbers crunched. Tasmania could viably support two clubs in the AFL system. People rip on the state for being small but also ignore the fact that Tasmania is a one hour and seven minute flight away from Victoria, the home of footy. Given the pitiful travel time Tassie would eventually just become a second Geelong in the system.
Add to that the fact a huge percentage of Tasmanians passionately follow football. Can’t say the same for the Gold Coast or even large parts of Sydney.
You’ve also got the pride and going home factor. Tasmania has produced heaps of amazing footballers. Matthew Richardson is one of them and has spoken at length about what it would have meant to him as a player to represent his home state. Richo said he never came close to leaving the (awful) Tigers in his career but if it was a Tasmanian side he would have had a hard time saying no. Also no players will sulk about “missing muh family” back in Victoria because it’s an hour away.
All of this and so much more. It’s a joke that the AFL doesn’t have a Tasmanian side.
Can the Suns shine between a rock and a hard place?
I thought it was pretty obvious I wasn’t being absolute brother.
Yes, the Western Bulldogs won the premiership from seventh. They are also the only club to do that in the 24 years of the AFL’s top eight system. Unless someone else joins in they’re just a rare exception at this stage.
Why Geelong should aim to finish fifth
For the life of me I just cannot envision a world where the Gold Coast Suns are a success.
The local base just isn’t there and less than 10 years after introduction they’ve enjoyed no success and are an after thought. I’m honestly guilty of forgetting they exist at times.
I don’t think keeping Tom Lynch helps them at all, and I think he knows that – hence why he’s so likely to leave.
The greatest player to ever play the game (GAJ) headed up to the Gold Coast in his prime alongside – this is a pretty controversial opinion – a good coach in Guy McKenna – and tampered drafts and they still couldn’t get the team into finals.
I don’t see how Tom Lynch can do what GAJ couldn’t. I know GAJ’s leadership traits have always been questioned but he nearly got them to the finals prior to losing that shoulder. I don’t see how anyone else can do it. No supporters, no good facilities, no stunning resources – how could they possibly make it?
Can the Suns shine between a rock and a hard place?
History says you can’t win the flag without the double chance. It’s easy to envision scenarios where Geelong win it all based on finishing fifth but just because you can visualise it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.
Instead of fifth you’d always be better losing in the first round and heading home for a second final back in Victoria as the Cats. That way you’re still through to the second round of finals and the herd has been thinned by two at least.
Why Geelong should aim to finish fifth
Trent Cotchin very unlucky. Steaming ahead in Richmond’s best and fairest count and likely to finish ahead of Dustin Martin, Alex Rance and Josh Caddy. Because of those three elimination final results people overlook him every week. Just wait until Dion Prestia returns and he’s freed up even more. Wouldn’t be shocked if he pushes for a second Brownlow Medal, particularly if Martin stays at 80 per cent like he has been so far this season.
Tom Phillips is a shocking exclusion too. Only player in the comp to record 30+ disposals and a goal on five occasions. If you were to put him side by side with Fyfe and erase their reputations, experience etc and base it purely on game play this season I think most would pick Phillips. Tends to operate at 88+ per cent and records few clangers. Love watching him play.
Get Isaac Smith out. Bad call. Would get Shaun Higgins in somehow too. He’s been essential to everything North Melbourne so far. If he breaks an ankle they won’t win another game. I’d probably pull Ben Brown for JKK too.
The 2018 half-way All Australian team
I’m giving Brisbane a great chance of winning. They can play good footy and Sydney are a long way from bulletproof.
Match preview: Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions, Round 10, 2018
Thank you for this comment.
I thought I was going crazy, seeing no one else mention it.
It might be pedantic but the headline doesn’t make sense. By the nature of time every team is closer to their next premiership every day. Whether it be 12 weeks or 12 years.
Right now, North Melbourne are no closer to their next AFL premiership
I don’t want to come to the defence of Richmond endlessly in the comments section for this article but I have to ask.
In your opinion what makes a ‘good key defender’? I do agree that David Astbury is a better lock-down defender but I think you’re being hyperbolic in describing Rance as being ‘not up to it.’
Rance was the number one ranked one-on-one defender in 2017 with 118 wins on direct opponents. He was also first in spoils leading to possession (71) and uncontested marks from opposition disposals (49).
I’m obviously flying the flag here but come on.
Michael Hurley had the most rebound 50s (151). Daniel Talia had the most spoils (181).
Eagles win the battle, but Tigers likely to win the war
Richmond defeated North Melbourne less than 10 days ago at Etihad Stadium. Sydney and West Coast will surely rival Richmond in the long run along with Adelaide but to include North Melbourne at this stage just doesn’t make any sense.
I mean…Richmond literally just defeated them last week.
Eagles win the battle, but Tigers likely to win the war
Valid, it does come out a bit sickly sweet 24 hours later. Just wanted to make it clear heading in that I’m not neutral in this discussion in any way.
Interesting point about Richmond going 0/2 against finalists from last season. Currently 2/4 against sides in the top eight and 5/5 against bottom ten sides.
Eagles win the battle, but Tigers likely to win the war
I’d love to see Big Max take home Charlie but it never seems to happen for the rucks.
I’m getting so much deja vu when it comes to Max Gawn and the Brownlow Medal in 2018. Reminds me so much of peak Todd Goldstein and how everyone was so sure he was going to win the top prize. Didn’t even come close.
Dees skipper pumps up Max Gawn's Brownlow chances