The AFL season is very long with 22 rounds not including finals and during the various rounds your teams chances will come and go as you go through a few bad weeks and or hit form and win a few straight. So lets break down your clubs chances in ladder order with a monthly review of every team.
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Saint Kilda’s 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
After 8 rounds undefeated with a percentage of 195% odd and to add the four year deal to Riewoldt which will probably keep him as a Saint. Its been a fantastic year so far… Injury to King threaten to undo the good work but Gardiner has helped Kosi stay forward where he works best with Riewoldt as they have nearly 50 goals between them.
Most people would say they will drop a game or two sooner than later but with most of their games at the Dome and games against Brisbane, Melbourne, Kangaroos & Carlton I see them 12-0.
Tom Hawkins has started to show some good form as he continues to get a game for the Cats.
Rating after 8 weeks: A+
Geelong Cats 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
It is hard to believe that a side that has only lost 5 odd games in the last 2.5 seasons can slip under the radar of opposition clubs but they are with St Kilda’s dominance at the moment.
Geelong have been hit hard with injuries to Chapman, Ablett, Mooney (suspension), Ottens, Hunt & Harley all key players and still with questions over their forward line (accuracy & form of Mooney & Hawkins) you would think the cracks where starting to appear. One thing to keep an eye on is that they have yet only played against two current top 8 sides (Hawks & Lions).
Hawkins is starting to kick goals and provide a real target after a few seasons of teasing us.
Their next four weeks is interesting. Games against the improved Essendon & Bulldogs will test more them but the two weeks away in a row against West Coast & Fremantle will be a real test. What do they do? Stay in Perth or travel back and forwards?
Rating after 8 weeks: A
Western Bulldogs 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
I was shocked when I saw the Dogs at 3rd after their losses to West Coast, Carlton & St Kilda along with them struggling to defeated Melbourne in round 8.
Again they have stuck with their short forward line and while at times it looks amazing, they have been exposed several times and it will continue to happen until Grant, Cordy, Roughead etc get a game. Murphy’s injury is a worry as he looks good at CHF but Aker’s form has been amazing and he is now thinking of 2010.
Games against Geelong (fri night), Sydney (home) & Port (home) will be a good test for them to see how they are going. Good teams win games even when their form is up and down.
Rating after 8 weeks: B
Port Adelaide Powers 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Again I am surprised to see Port in the top four, yes they are a good side but in-different form against lower sides in Kangaroos & Melbourne almost saw them loose both games. Inaccurate kicking is starting to become a worry but what will see them go far into the finals is the emergence of Tredrea who is leading the Coleman medal with 27 goals.
Their next four weeks they play Sydney (away) who have not yet lost a game in Sydney, Collingwood (away), Fremantle (home) & Dogs (away). While all or winnable, all are lose-able as well. Lets see how they go against these teams and their years fortune will be more easy to read.
Rating after 8 weeks: B
Brisbane Lions 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Brisbane where my smoky side this year along with Port who could make the finals and so far I am right. They sit equal 3rd and apart from Hawthorn is the only current top 8 side to play Geelong (which they lost – 97 points). Bradshaw & Brown have continued their good goal kicking form with 51 goals between them but Sherman with 11 is giving what Brisbane need and that is another avenue to goals.
The next four weeks will be a real test as they play St Kilda & Kangaroos away (in two weeks) & Carlton (home) & Hawthorn (away). Win 2 or 3 of these and they will be a real top 8 team.
Voss so far has been a success & could be the forerunner for Buckley to return to Collingwood.
Rating after 8 weeks: B+
Carlton Blues 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Their losses have equaled to 32 points and with some straight kicking from Fevola and others could have seen them higher on the ladder. Guess after 8 years of struggling, it does take a few close losses before you learn to win even when not playing well.
Games against Adelaide (away), West Coast (home), Brisbane (away) & St Kilda (home) will be a good test. Win 3 of these and a top 6 spot will be a certainty bar a huge form slump.
Rating after 8 weeks: B
Hawthorn Hawks 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
We all knew Hawthorn would have a slow start with injuries and a limited pre season to many key players but some of the losses (Sydney etc) have been very insipid. The win against Fremantle away will help inject some confidence as they struggle playing against their own zone and lack of form to Hodge (injured), their ruckmen and key defensive players.
The form of Rioli & having either Buddy or Roughead kicking goals (27 each) has helped them get this far but they need others to step up.
Every win is important as the Hawks look to slip into the top 4 as the year progresses so any losses to Melbourne, Adelaide (away), Sydney (home) or Brisbane (home) will be a big loss.
Rating after 8 weeks: C+
Essendon Bombers 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Essendon has surprised many including their own fans. Knights has been what Sheedy was nearly 20 years, a great change, a breathe of fresh air who has stuck firm with his game plan & style. He has played the kids and if you do not perform, you do not play (Lucas).
Paddy Ryder has played awesome since Hille went down with an ACL
Wins against Hawthorn, Carlton & Collingwood and a good solid game against St Kilda has seen them firm into the top 8. More wins will and should continue as their midfield grows into a top line contender.
They have two hard games in Geelong & Adelaide but both are at the Dome along with easier games against Richmond & Melbourne. 3 wins is not out of the question..
Rating after 8 weeks: B
Sydney Swans 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Sydney will always be there about especially with their form at home on the small SCG where they can keep up with their aging legs. Away from home they struggle and to make the finals, they like West Coast must win at least 2-3 away.
Problem I see with the Swans is that the same old Hall, O’Loughlin, Kirk, Bolton & Jolly are in the best players while the young kids do not step up to the new level. It was good to see Canadian born Pyke get a game and he looks to be a find.
They have home games against Port & Collingwood but away games against Western Bulldogs & Hawthorn will be hard. They must win against Port & Collingwood.
Rating after 8 weeks: C+
West Coast Eagles 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
West Coast has a great percentage which includes a 90 odd loss against St Kilda which shows that even when they lose they stay in the contest which is a huge improvement from last year. They win 90% odd games at home but away they simply fall away in important times which lets the opposition to win the game. Both times they lead in the 4th quarter against Hawthorn, Fremantle & Sydney before skill errors and inaccurate goal kicking saw them loose.
LeCras, Kennedy & Cockie have been finds in the last few weeks, if Cox can stop playing Dream Team football, Kerr can get fit and on fire along with Masten showing why he was a top 3 draft pick. They could yet play finals.
To play finals they need to win at least three against either Collingwood (home), Carlton (away), Geelong (home) & Richmond (away).
Rating after 8 weeks: C
Collingwood Magpies 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Collingwood in the pre season looked like the team to beat but after 8 weeks, they are out of the top 8 and have some huge injury and personal worries that could almost see Malthouse end his 10+ year career at the Pies.
Thomas & half the Collingwood side have not kept up with their pre season hype.
Form and injuries to Fraser, Beams, Medhurst, Swan, Shaw & Didak has seen them loose 3 out of their last four games and with 3 hard games against West Coast (away – yes they are traveling), Port (home) & Sydney (away) they could easily miss out by round 12 a spot in the finals sitting at 4-8.
Rating after 8 weeks: C-
Adelaide Crows 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Adelaide have been disappointing, many had them in their top 8 with their young players getting exposure last year along with another pre season into Maric/ Tippet and with a fit Porplyzia/ Hentshell it looked promising. Maybe their even performances of not finishing beyond 13th in the last 8+ years is starting to hurt them as they look to rebuild.
Craig’s coaching is also a worry as they are the only team yet to reach 100 points in a game yet. Much is written about their defensive pressure but if you cannot a goal, all that hard work is for nothing.
3 out of the next four games are at home (Carlton, Hawks & Kangaroos), yet they have not yet won a game at AAMI this year so the game against Essendon at the Dome may be the best chance they have for a win.
Rating after 8 weeks: D
North Melbourne Kangaroos 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Think the only reason no one is talking about the demise of the Roos this year is their lack of getting a steady list on the field with them having a look at 35 odd players so far in 8 weeks. This is the highest of any other club so far.
I think Laidley will be extremlly lucky to get another coaching gig at the Roos next year. His recruiting apart from Wells, Campbell, Thomas & Ziebell lacks foresight and there is way too many passengers at the club with Thompson, Brown & Grant last year along with Harris, Hale & Jones this year. Harvey’s poor form and elbow injury did not help either.
Three off the next games are at the Dome against Fremantle, Brisbane & St Kilda with a trip to AAMI to play Adelaide. Roos could save their year (& Laidley’s career) with 2 or 3 wins hear.
Rating after 8 weeks: C-
Fremantle Dockers 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
After 4 weeks, Fremantle where 0-4 but with wins against Sydney, West Coast & Carlton it saw them gain some creditability. No surprise that as Pavlichs form improved the clubs did also.
Sandilands wins almost every every ruck contest & now with Halesby they can win the clearances
Injury to Palmer will hurt them but Halesby’s form along with the emergence of Hill, Suban, DeBoar etc has given the club some good signs for the future. Halseby coming back from his knee op has also helped Sandiland as now he has someone who can rove to his taps.
They have four winnable games against Kangaroos (away), Richmond (home), Port (away) & Geelong (home – on back of two games at Subi) and maybe sneaking into the finals is not as much of a joke as first thought.
Rating after 8 weeks: C
Richmond Tigers 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
Much has been written about Richmond’s demise this year (Time to Get Lethal & Should Wallace have walked) and if you looked at their pre season preview most had them in their top 8. 8 weeks and just one win later, we all know the coach will not be at Tiger Land next year.
However lets focus on this year. Injuries to Cotchin, Richardson, Brown, Cousins & Johnson have not helped and while they had a hard start to the season they way they lost to Brisbane & Port after leading in each game is just not acceptable.
3 of their next four games is in Melbourne (Essendon, Bulldogs & West Coast) and they have a good record against Fremantle at Subi but even winning these four, finals has gone again for them.
Rating after 8 weeks: F
Melbourne Demons 2009 2nd Month Reviewed
While Melbourne have only beaten Richmond only in their first 3 games where they really blown out of the water. Since then they have been in front of Geelong, West Coast (away) & Bulldogs and have looked good at times.
Its obvious they have a game plan they are playing to and learning and with a young side they have moments when they look awful (against Adelaide).
The next four matches are all tough with them due to play Hawthorn, St Kilda (Gold Coast), Essendon & Collingwood. However a few good performances and they can well be a team on the rise, expect a win!
Rating after 8 weeks: D+
So how is your club going after the first 8 weeks?
Please let us know what you think of your club at the moment? You happy the way they have played so far? Have they surprised you or you disappointed they way they have started their 2009 season?
While its eight weeks in, I really only see maybe two current teams outside the top 8 currently (Collingwood & West Coast) getting into the top 8.
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May 21st, 2009 at 11:22 am
Saints – have started like this before so need to keep the lid well and truly bolted down.
Cats – are fantastic, love the way they play footy and if the dogs don’t win the flag i hope they do
Dogs – am more impressed with them this year then last. if they can get to about 9 and 5, i think they will have a solid run into the finals
Power – have had a dream draw
Lions – super impressive
Blues – should be higher up. midfield is insanely good and will only get better.
Hawks – next month and a half will be crucial, need to string a few together
Bombers – have been magnificent but were very lucky against both the blues and pies, but i guess when you play the style of footy they do sometimes you make your own luck. i hope they make the finals.
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May 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am
I think deano you almost want St Kilda to have a mini form slump, just so your pre season preview wont look as bad
So your impressed with the Dogs form. Do you think they are better off last year or better this year? Think Hill & Higgins has improved but with another year on Aker & Johnson their window may be gone…
I think the Bombers, Saints, Geelong & the Lions have all taught us how to play the game this year. Lions with two tall targets. Bombers with taking the game on and bringing it through the corridor along with Geelong & the Saints with their pressure.
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May 21st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
hey don’t you start in on me too…The Saints absolutely baffle me. they have an air of invicibility about them now where teams are going in half scared against them. i cannot believe that they have guys like Dawson, Geary, McQualter, Ray, Gardiner etc, yet still sit on top of the ladder undefeated.
Obviously at the same stage last year the Dogs were playing better football but we fell away badly. As i said if we can get to about 9/5 we will be better placed then last year to make the GF. Cooney, Murphy, Welsh, Aker, Higgins have all had interrupted campaigns thus far and will only improve. I am hesitant to write off teams like the Dogs, Hawks, Pies and even the Blues because they are all capable of putting together a spectacular month of footy, as the Hawks did last September.
Now is NOT the time you want to be playing your best footy. now is the time for grinding away and keeping your head above water. That is why I think the Dogs are going better this year then last.
i definitely think the Bombers have shown more than any other team how to play modern football. i honestly thought they would struggle this season but they have been inspiring. the way they play direct, hard running and more importantly ‘through the corridor’ football should be a lesson to all those teams who would rather kick the ball 50m backwards then put the ball in the goalsquare.
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May 21st, 2009 at 1:06 pm
In regards to “Dawson, Geary, McQualter, Ray, Gardiner etc” I think it shows the skills of the coach and he did learn from Roos who has a history of turning average reject players (Bolton, Shaw, Jolly, Richards etc) into good ones.
The thing I do like about the Dogs is that even while they are not playing crash hot, they are winning and that is what counts. If they lost against Melbourne etc. They would be down in the log jam and it could hurt them towards the end of the season. Think two or three wins will be the difference between top four and 10th…
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