David EdwardsAFL Mid Season Review: Part 2
June 21st 2007 15:34
After going through the best of the worst last time, let’s look at the top eight teams of the AFL competition in how they got to the top, and if they can keep up the form to head into the September finals.
8th: Port Adelaide Power: 7 wins - 5 losses; 100% Goal Percentage.
Port Adelaide have done what so many teams claim, but what few can do successfully, and that is to rebuild a team after a massive club turnaround. After their premiership in 2004, and their downfall straight afterwards, they had a massive clearance at the end of ‘06 and ended up recruiting seven new players in the NAB draft. With a combined team of quality premiership players and young stars on the verge of greatness (including last ‘06 Rising Star winner Danyle Pearce), they defied the odds and were able win six of their first seven matches, and claiming the top of the table in the process. However, they have now lost their last four games, and chances are will lose more than they win in the second half. They pushed strong at the start, but the club still has a long way to go to get back to their power ranking. Port could get into the finals this year, but it will be by the skin of their teeth.
7th: Western Bulldogs: 7 wins - 5 losses; 100% GP.
The Bulldogs can be considered the enigma of the AFL at the moment. After a stellar ‘06 season, they were toted as the biggest chance of a Victorian side winning the finals, but have been nothing but inconsistent this year. Despite only minimal injury setbacks (including losing both Cross and Griffin for a number of weeks) and a fantastic use of the trade week in picking up premiership player Jason Akermanis, who despite early season predictions has not hit his solid form so far this season. They went into the break after solidly surging Fremantle in Darwin, but they will have to string a few more games together to get to the position their team deserves. Whilst a top four finish is still plausible, expect the Bulldogs to be fighting for a finals spot right up to the final siren.
6th: Essendon Bombers: 7 wins - 5 losses; 103% GP
If you ever want to see a fantastic turn around in the shortest amount of time, look at Essendon. in’06 they won just three matches, had their worst inury setback from some time, and above all look lost and sluggish in the field. In ‘07 they look a completely different side; determined, strong and stylish the Bombers have completely shocked the competition. With skipper Matthew Lloyd back from injury and back in form they have been able to rise head and shoulders from their standings last time, and it seems that coach Kevin Sheedy’s potential last season has proven he still is one of the best coaches the AFL has seen. The finals are in their sights, and with their standing last year, this is far better than anyone could have predicted. Anything else is just another feather in Sheedy’s well-stocked cap.
5th: Collingwood Magpies: 7 wins - 4 losses; 106% GP
Collingwood have proven once again that it might not be the players that win the game, but how the club performs together. They entered this year with a completely rejuvenated list, with a definite focus on younger talent, yet they still have been able to compete solidly. Their younger players have risen further and quicker than anyone predicted, and has proven that they will definitely be one of the sides to beat in the coming seasons. However one major point to Collingwood’s success is that whilst they have won games, they have not really been able to overcome a solid adversary just yet. Their second half of the season will be quite rough, and whilst they are looking like finals contenders come September, expect them to be a minor note rather than a serious challenger.
4th: Adelaide Crows: 7 wins - 5 losses: 112% GP
The Crows are a testament that injuries don’t necessarily destroy a season, as one of the powerbrokers of the league for a couple of years entered ‘07 with 12 of the standard squad players out with injury, including losing Trent Hentschel and Rhett Bigland for the year, not to mention a question mark over the return of their skipper Mark Ricciuto they were looking at ending their reign prematurely. However due to their forcefulness and the club’s determination never to roll over when the chips are down. There is no doubt that the Crow’s will win a few more games this year, but where they are when finals come around is still up in the air. Regardless of where they finish, so far they have proven that they are on the strongest sides in the league.
3rd: Hawthorn Hawks: 8 wins - 4 losses: 122% GP
With how Collingwood are performing now, they are definitely aiming imitate how the Hawks are surging . After a number of years of focusing on acquiring the best players the national draft has to offer, it is finally paying back the club considerably. Their eight wins have all been won by solid determination and pure talent, including coming out victors against top eight sides such as Port, Essendon, Geelong and West Coast. Last week’s 100 point drubbing against the Blues was proof that they are a solid time, and it looks like in ‘07 they are definitely not looking back. Hawthorn will definitely make the finals, now all that is left to decide is if they are strong enough for a top four finish, and with that how they will shake up the league in their first finals appearance in six years.
2nd: West Coast Eagles: 8 wins - 3 losses: 126% GP
Whilst they are most talked about side, both on and off the field; you cannot doubt the pure class that seems to flow from the Eagles on the field. The talent, ability and above all team determination has made them such a quality side. Despite one of the hardest off-season’s a club has ever gone through, which included the indefinite suspension of star midfielder Cousins to his alleged drug use, they were able to prove from the start that this would not be a distraction to their ultimate aim; yet another Grand Final and back to back flags.
Undefeated in their first six rounds, losing only to top eight sides since then (Geelong, Hawthorn and the one point loss against the Bombers last round); the Eagles have already secured a finals spot. Whilst the Cats are flying high at the moment, it seems that the only side that will be able to combat them is the Eagles. It is just a matter of when.
1st: Geelong Cats: 9 wins - 3 losses; 155% GP
The team that was claimed to win last season are finally proving their colours. After the much disappointing ‘06 season Geelong have finally established themselves as having the squad list that can bring the premiership cup back to Victoria (alebit ‘country’ Victoria). The players a performing strongly, and with Ablett taking the favourite spot for the Brownlow this week, it looks like they can stake their claim as the strongest sides in the competition.
The Cats have always been on the verge of greatness, and it seems that this year will be their time of glory. The players are performing strongly, they are moving fluidly, and after solid wins against the Eagles, Adelaide and Fremantle and thrashings against Richmond, Melbourne and the Lions, they certainly look like they have the goods to coast into September, and the premiership without any real threat. If they can play as well in the second half of the season like their first half, then the 2007 season is a good as theirs.
As the first half of the season wraps up this weekend, we have already seen the two frontrunners emerge from West Coast and Geelong, but the rest of the finals line up is still anyone’s guess. All teams from forth position to just outside the top eight are separated by percentage alone, and all seem to have form to keep on going strong in the second half of the year. Whilst it is certain that some teams win, and some must lose, it is only time that will give us a clearer picture. What you must wonder now is this the year for West Coast or Geelong to succeed, or is there another team waiting in the wings to make their push for glory, and for the premiership.
That’s it for another week, but before we go this week we are starting a brand new feature, simply titled;
What To Watch
You’re guide to the best game this weekend. Whilst the AFL is playing up the Melbourne vs Richmond game and the return of Nathan Brown, the best match to watch this weekend is NRL match against the Titans and Knights (Saturday night, Fox Sports 3, 7:30 pm). It is fifth vs seventh on the ladder, and with both sides playing an open style of play and coming off a win apiece, expect a highly enjoyable game with plenty of scoring.
Until next week, sports minds.
8th: Port Adelaide Power: 7 wins - 5 losses; 100% Goal Percentage.
Port Adelaide have done what so many teams claim, but what few can do successfully, and that is to rebuild a team after a massive club turnaround. After their premiership in 2004, and their downfall straight afterwards, they had a massive clearance at the end of ‘06 and ended up recruiting seven new players in the NAB draft. With a combined team of quality premiership players and young stars on the verge of greatness (including last ‘06 Rising Star winner Danyle Pearce), they defied the odds and were able win six of their first seven matches, and claiming the top of the table in the process. However, they have now lost their last four games, and chances are will lose more than they win in the second half. They pushed strong at the start, but the club still has a long way to go to get back to their power ranking. Port could get into the finals this year, but it will be by the skin of their teeth.
7th: Western Bulldogs: 7 wins - 5 losses; 100% GP.
The Bulldogs can be considered the enigma of the AFL at the moment. After a stellar ‘06 season, they were toted as the biggest chance of a Victorian side winning the finals, but have been nothing but inconsistent this year. Despite only minimal injury setbacks (including losing both Cross and Griffin for a number of weeks) and a fantastic use of the trade week in picking up premiership player Jason Akermanis, who despite early season predictions has not hit his solid form so far this season. They went into the break after solidly surging Fremantle in Darwin, but they will have to string a few more games together to get to the position their team deserves. Whilst a top four finish is still plausible, expect the Bulldogs to be fighting for a finals spot right up to the final siren.
6th: Essendon Bombers: 7 wins - 5 losses; 103% GP
If you ever want to see a fantastic turn around in the shortest amount of time, look at Essendon. in’06 they won just three matches, had their worst inury setback from some time, and above all look lost and sluggish in the field. In ‘07 they look a completely different side; determined, strong and stylish the Bombers have completely shocked the competition. With skipper Matthew Lloyd back from injury and back in form they have been able to rise head and shoulders from their standings last time, and it seems that coach Kevin Sheedy’s potential last season has proven he still is one of the best coaches the AFL has seen. The finals are in their sights, and with their standing last year, this is far better than anyone could have predicted. Anything else is just another feather in Sheedy’s well-stocked cap.
5th: Collingwood Magpies: 7 wins - 4 losses; 106% GP
Collingwood have proven once again that it might not be the players that win the game, but how the club performs together. They entered this year with a completely rejuvenated list, with a definite focus on younger talent, yet they still have been able to compete solidly. Their younger players have risen further and quicker than anyone predicted, and has proven that they will definitely be one of the sides to beat in the coming seasons. However one major point to Collingwood’s success is that whilst they have won games, they have not really been able to overcome a solid adversary just yet. Their second half of the season will be quite rough, and whilst they are looking like finals contenders come September, expect them to be a minor note rather than a serious challenger.
4th: Adelaide Crows: 7 wins - 5 losses: 112% GP
The Crows are a testament that injuries don’t necessarily destroy a season, as one of the powerbrokers of the league for a couple of years entered ‘07 with 12 of the standard squad players out with injury, including losing Trent Hentschel and Rhett Bigland for the year, not to mention a question mark over the return of their skipper Mark Ricciuto they were looking at ending their reign prematurely. However due to their forcefulness and the club’s determination never to roll over when the chips are down. There is no doubt that the Crow’s will win a few more games this year, but where they are when finals come around is still up in the air. Regardless of where they finish, so far they have proven that they are on the strongest sides in the league.
3rd: Hawthorn Hawks: 8 wins - 4 losses: 122% GP
With how Collingwood are performing now, they are definitely aiming imitate how the Hawks are surging . After a number of years of focusing on acquiring the best players the national draft has to offer, it is finally paying back the club considerably. Their eight wins have all been won by solid determination and pure talent, including coming out victors against top eight sides such as Port, Essendon, Geelong and West Coast. Last week’s 100 point drubbing against the Blues was proof that they are a solid time, and it looks like in ‘07 they are definitely not looking back. Hawthorn will definitely make the finals, now all that is left to decide is if they are strong enough for a top four finish, and with that how they will shake up the league in their first finals appearance in six years.
2nd: West Coast Eagles: 8 wins - 3 losses: 126% GP
Whilst they are most talked about side, both on and off the field; you cannot doubt the pure class that seems to flow from the Eagles on the field. The talent, ability and above all team determination has made them such a quality side. Despite one of the hardest off-season’s a club has ever gone through, which included the indefinite suspension of star midfielder Cousins to his alleged drug use, they were able to prove from the start that this would not be a distraction to their ultimate aim; yet another Grand Final and back to back flags.
Undefeated in their first six rounds, losing only to top eight sides since then (Geelong, Hawthorn and the one point loss against the Bombers last round); the Eagles have already secured a finals spot. Whilst the Cats are flying high at the moment, it seems that the only side that will be able to combat them is the Eagles. It is just a matter of when.
1st: Geelong Cats: 9 wins - 3 losses; 155% GP
The team that was claimed to win last season are finally proving their colours. After the much disappointing ‘06 season Geelong have finally established themselves as having the squad list that can bring the premiership cup back to Victoria (alebit ‘country’ Victoria). The players a performing strongly, and with Ablett taking the favourite spot for the Brownlow this week, it looks like they can stake their claim as the strongest sides in the competition.
The Cats have always been on the verge of greatness, and it seems that this year will be their time of glory. The players are performing strongly, they are moving fluidly, and after solid wins against the Eagles, Adelaide and Fremantle and thrashings against Richmond, Melbourne and the Lions, they certainly look like they have the goods to coast into September, and the premiership without any real threat. If they can play as well in the second half of the season like their first half, then the 2007 season is a good as theirs.
As the first half of the season wraps up this weekend, we have already seen the two frontrunners emerge from West Coast and Geelong, but the rest of the finals line up is still anyone’s guess. All teams from forth position to just outside the top eight are separated by percentage alone, and all seem to have form to keep on going strong in the second half of the year. Whilst it is certain that some teams win, and some must lose, it is only time that will give us a clearer picture. What you must wonder now is this the year for West Coast or Geelong to succeed, or is there another team waiting in the wings to make their push for glory, and for the premiership.
That’s it for another week, but before we go this week we are starting a brand new feature, simply titled;
What To Watch
You’re guide to the best game this weekend. Whilst the AFL is playing up the Melbourne vs Richmond game and the return of Nathan Brown, the best match to watch this weekend is NRL match against the Titans and Knights (Saturday night, Fox Sports 3, 7:30 pm). It is fifth vs seventh on the ladder, and with both sides playing an open style of play and coming off a win apiece, expect a highly enjoyable game with plenty of scoring.
Until next week, sports minds.
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