David Edwards
NormAFL Mid Season Review
June 19th 2007 14:20
The 2007 AFL season has been such a whirlwind of action and excitement so far it is hard to believe that only half a season has only been played. So who are the winner, who are the losers, who are the dark horses and who are going to be running second?
So let’s get into the first half of the;
AFL 2007 Mid-Season Team Review
16th: Richmond Tigers: 0 wins, 10 losses, 1 draw; 73% goal percentage.
Only one word can describe Richmond’s season so far - dismal. There was no real sense that this was coming, yet it seems it has been always in the cards. Injuries have not really worried Richmond so far, and they have been picking up a great number of young recruits, yet they cannot get it together on the field. Simply put, they are an inexperienced side, and whilst they have squared up against some of the biggest sides in the competition, they just cannot get across the line to grab their first W. Richmond will no doubt score a victory this year, it is just a matter of when.
15th: Melbourne Demons: 2 wins, 9 losses; 77% GP
The Demons have suffered one of the biggest falls this year. At the start of the season they were being toted as a potential finalist, but after suffering injury after injury they floundered to the cellar of the competition. The Demons have been hit extremely hard this year with injuries, at one point having 14 regular squad players out of the lineup, but how hard they fell can not be blamed on injuries alone. Inconsistency on the field, and the inability to finish a full four quarters left them with no finals chance, and the possibility of losing their long-serving coach. It could be a cold summer coming up for the Dees.
14th: Carlton Blues: 4 wins, 8 losses; 81% GP
Whilst the Blues have been the joke of the league for a number of years, but are finally looking like they have the power of pulling themselves out of the mud. They showed promise in the pre-season, and for once they have transferred that winning mentality to the AFL Premiership. Carlton have started strong, yet suffered a severe setback losing six games in a row alongside placing midfielder Nick Stevens on the sideline for the season. They bounced back slightly before being trounced by the Hawks last weekend. If they can get their act together in the second half of the season they have a chance of clawing into the top eight, but it would be a miracle if they can.
13th: St. Kilda Saints: 4 wins, 7 losses; 85% GP
Like the Demons, the injuries have seriously taken their toll at Moorabbin this year, but unlike Melbourne it has not come at a shock for the squad. For the past five years, St.Kilda have always been on the verge of greatness but it seems that window of opportunity might be closed. Even with a new coach at the helm (Ross Lyon), every week it seems that the Saints will be flatlining again in ‘07. The Saints have a great squad list, but until they can get a number of them firing fit they should get comfortable in this position for some time.
12th: Brisbane Lions: 4 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses; 89% GP
At the start of the season, I commented that Brisbane would be a cellar dwelling side of ‘07, but after a NAB Cup win and a stellar first four rounds it seemed that they could actually pull back some glory of their dynasty. Yet, as always, with so many players sidelined with injuries the losses began to mount. Their last five rounds have been forgettable for the side, only grabbing points off a draw against Richmond, and after last week’s loss to Geelong by 50 points it seems that any chance for the finals have disappeared. For the rest of the season they may be fighting out with the bottom half to be the best of the worst, but it might be a losing battle.
11th: Fremantle Dockers: 5 wins, 7 losses; 97% GP
The Dockers have by far and large the biggest disappointment so far this season. Backed as bookie favourites before the season started, they have slumped to 11th on the ladder with only five wins on the board. With dramas both on and off the field, the Dockers have made their mark in the papers for all the wrong reasons, culminating this week with yet another player nightclub debacle. It appears that they are falling apart at the seams this season, and unless they have a massive turn around in the next few rounds they will be looking a completely renovating their side for the ‘08 season, potentially starting with the coach.
10th: Sydney Swans: 6 wins, 5 losses; 114% GP
Have the Swans the ability to make to the biggest game of the year two seasons in a row, have they got the ability to got three in a row? Their position at the moment is not a major worry, as they were in the same place before they won the premiership in ‘05. Their injuries are also not a major factor, with only Tadhg Kennelly their major concern, and with the majority of the same players as their premiership year they could aim as high as the Brisbane triple premiership victories. Now with Everitt bolstering their ruck position, they have the potential, and the determination to make it once again.
9th: North Melbourne Kangaroos: 7 wins, 5 losses; 97% GP
Like the Swans, the Kangaroos are on the way to a fairy tale season. Before the first bounce, they had lost their key forward to a season ending injury and first the first three rounds they were disappointing, slow and outwitted by the opposition. In one word, they were weak. But that all changed in round four. They adopted a completely different style of play, and from then on they were on fire. Six wins in a row, knocking over top eight contenders such as Geelong, Sydney and Essendon, they have completely changed everyone’s opinion on what they are capable for. With seven wins already, a string of four or five victories will guarantee them a finals spot come September, and with it a higher assessment of their opportunities in ‘08. Watch for what they can do.
The bottom eight are down, so tomorrow we will look at the top of the ladder of the season. Are Geelong capable to keeping ladder topping success throughout the year, or will the West Coast dominance be too strong to compete? Find out tomorrow.
Until next time, sports minds.
So let’s get into the first half of the;
AFL 2007 Mid-Season Team Review
16th: Richmond Tigers: 0 wins, 10 losses, 1 draw; 73% goal percentage.
Only one word can describe Richmond’s season so far - dismal. There was no real sense that this was coming, yet it seems it has been always in the cards. Injuries have not really worried Richmond so far, and they have been picking up a great number of young recruits, yet they cannot get it together on the field. Simply put, they are an inexperienced side, and whilst they have squared up against some of the biggest sides in the competition, they just cannot get across the line to grab their first W. Richmond will no doubt score a victory this year, it is just a matter of when.
15th: Melbourne Demons: 2 wins, 9 losses; 77% GP
The Demons have suffered one of the biggest falls this year. At the start of the season they were being toted as a potential finalist, but after suffering injury after injury they floundered to the cellar of the competition. The Demons have been hit extremely hard this year with injuries, at one point having 14 regular squad players out of the lineup, but how hard they fell can not be blamed on injuries alone. Inconsistency on the field, and the inability to finish a full four quarters left them with no finals chance, and the possibility of losing their long-serving coach. It could be a cold summer coming up for the Dees.
14th: Carlton Blues: 4 wins, 8 losses; 81% GP
13th: St. Kilda Saints: 4 wins, 7 losses; 85% GP
Like the Demons, the injuries have seriously taken their toll at Moorabbin this year, but unlike Melbourne it has not come at a shock for the squad. For the past five years, St.Kilda have always been on the verge of greatness but it seems that window of opportunity might be closed. Even with a new coach at the helm (Ross Lyon), every week it seems that the Saints will be flatlining again in ‘07. The Saints have a great squad list, but until they can get a number of them firing fit they should get comfortable in this position for some time.
12th: Brisbane Lions: 4 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses; 89% GP
At the start of the season, I commented that Brisbane would be a cellar dwelling side of ‘07, but after a NAB Cup win and a stellar first four rounds it seemed that they could actually pull back some glory of their dynasty. Yet, as always, with so many players sidelined with injuries the losses began to mount. Their last five rounds have been forgettable for the side, only grabbing points off a draw against Richmond, and after last week’s loss to Geelong by 50 points it seems that any chance for the finals have disappeared. For the rest of the season they may be fighting out with the bottom half to be the best of the worst, but it might be a losing battle.
11th: Fremantle Dockers: 5 wins, 7 losses; 97% GP
The Dockers have by far and large the biggest disappointment so far this season. Backed as bookie favourites before the season started, they have slumped to 11th on the ladder with only five wins on the board. With dramas both on and off the field, the Dockers have made their mark in the papers for all the wrong reasons, culminating this week with yet another player nightclub debacle. It appears that they are falling apart at the seams this season, and unless they have a massive turn around in the next few rounds they will be looking a completely renovating their side for the ‘08 season, potentially starting with the coach.
10th: Sydney Swans: 6 wins, 5 losses; 114% GP
Have the Swans the ability to make to the biggest game of the year two seasons in a row, have they got the ability to got three in a row? Their position at the moment is not a major worry, as they were in the same place before they won the premiership in ‘05. Their injuries are also not a major factor, with only Tadhg Kennelly their major concern, and with the majority of the same players as their premiership year they could aim as high as the Brisbane triple premiership victories. Now with Everitt bolstering their ruck position, they have the potential, and the determination to make it once again.
9th: North Melbourne Kangaroos: 7 wins, 5 losses; 97% GP
Like the Swans, the Kangaroos are on the way to a fairy tale season. Before the first bounce, they had lost their key forward to a season ending injury and first the first three rounds they were disappointing, slow and outwitted by the opposition. In one word, they were weak. But that all changed in round four. They adopted a completely different style of play, and from then on they were on fire. Six wins in a row, knocking over top eight contenders such as Geelong, Sydney and Essendon, they have completely changed everyone’s opinion on what they are capable for. With seven wins already, a string of four or five victories will guarantee them a finals spot come September, and with it a higher assessment of their opportunities in ‘08. Watch for what they can do.
The bottom eight are down, so tomorrow we will look at the top of the ladder of the season. Are Geelong capable to keeping ladder topping success throughout the year, or will the West Coast dominance be too strong to compete? Find out tomorrow.
Until next time, sports minds.
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