By Lachlan Hellyer reporting for AFANA from Toronto
(Ed: note: Our newest contributor, Lachlan Hellyer, will be reviewing the Aussie rules season thus far in a three part series over the "bye rounds" of 11, 12, and 13. He will take a look at the progress each team has made to the midway point of the season. This week, part three, with six more teams: Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, and West Coast Eagles have this week off. This is their season so far.)
Geelong
Win/Loss record: 6-6
The 2015 version of the Geelong Football Club is something of an enigma. Imposing victories against Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon and Port Adelaide hark back to a bygone era yet three defeats at the club’s previously impenetrable home fortress tell us the premiership years are long gone. After succumbing to Melbourne last weekend, Coach Chris Scott conceded that his side’s intimidating record at home no longer holds any fear for visiting teams. Geelong is in danger of missing Finals for the first time since 2006. The emergence of Jed Bews, Mark Blicavs, Cory Gregson and Darcy Lang have been highlights of the season for the club, and the continual growth of Josh Caddy and Jordan Murdoch is an important step towards the future. The contributions of power forward Tom Hawkins (21 goals) and captain Joel Selwood (23 disposals per match) have been below expectation, and both must lift their output to help the club reach the Finals.
The Cats have enough quality players in development to replace club premiership heroes expected to retire in the coming years, but does the club have enough depth to make the finals in 2015? When Geelong returns to action, their first assignment will be Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, a challenging task. This is followed by North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, two clubs with realistic Finals' aspirations. If Geelong wins two of these three matches, they begin to move to the top of the group of clubs battling for the lower reaches of the Top Eight, particularly if they beat GWS Giants and Brisbane who follow. How far are the players willing to go in pursuit of the Finals and after eight consecutive years of Finals' appearances, do they have the drive to get themselves there? Geelong can win between 11 and 13 matches by the end of the season, but will it be enough to secure a place in the Finals for the ninth straight year?
GWS Giants
Win/Loss record: 7-5
The GWS Giants have already won more matches than in any other season in the club’s short history. In only their fourth year, the younger of the two expansion clubs has taken a giant leap ahead of the Gold Coast Suns. Will GWS be the first of these two clubs to play Finals?
The Giants have put together a sensational first half of season 2015, claiming victories against two sides currently inside the Top Eight (Hawthorn and Adelaide). The club scored an incredible 14 goals without reply en route to beating Melbourne in Round 2 and thrashed Carlton by 78 points at Etihad Stadium in Round 7. Between Rounds 6 and 8, the club put together the most powerful run in their history, defeating Hawthorn, Carlton and Adelaide. Losing ruckman Shane Mumford for the remainder of the season in the match against Collingwood is a serious blow to their Finals' aspirations. Can GWS cover the loss of the most important player on their list? Mumford is not only an important link in the midfield chain, he also intimidates his opponents. Without him in the team, the Giants become far less imposing to opposition clubs.
Collingwood and North Melbourne have made light work of GWS in recent weeks, a troublesome trend for the club. If GWS were to make the Finals, it would be richly deserved, but it is a long season for a young team. On the other side of the bye, the club meets Richmond (MCG), St Kilda (Spotless Stadium) and Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium). The club will start favorite in two of those matches. Win both and Finals remain possible, but a series of very difficult assignments face GWS in the run home.
Melbourne
Win/Loss record: 4-8
For just the second time in the AFL era, Melbourne ventured down to Simonds Stadium last weekend and defeated Geelong. It was a result that re-evaluated expectations, and brings about the beginning of a new era for the club. Within a few years, Melbourne will expect to reach the Finals for the first time since 2006. Season 2015 might have only produced four victories to this point but it has been the caliber of these victories that is most telling. Three of the club’s four wins have come against Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Geelong - three capable sides on the cusp of the eight.
Narrow defeats to Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Collingwood and St Kilda also illustrate the progress Melbourne has made. Melbourne travel to Darwin to play West Coast in Round 14, but eminently winnable matches follow against Essendon, Brisbane and St Kilda. The club also has matches against Carlton and GWS towards the end of the season. Melbourne’s best season record in the last eight years has been 8-13-1, a record they achieved twice in 2010 and 2011 under the late Dean Bailey and caretaker coach Todd Viney.
The players have a capacity to lift themselves for big matches under Paul Roos and, given their accommodating fixture in the run home, Melbourne could win upwards of nine or ten games for the year. Expect rapid improvement in 2016 and beyond.
North Melbourne
Win/Loss record: 6-6
In 2014, North Melbourne became one of just four teams since the turn of the century to play in a Preliminary Final having not finished inside the Top Four. After successive victories against Essendon and Geelong, the club bowed out in the Preliminary Final against the Sydney Swans at the SCG. Heading into season 2015, North Melbourne was in esteemed company when it came to premiership discussions. As the season began unfolding, it became clear that North Melbourne were not the club many experts thought they were. A whopping 13 goal defeat to Adelaide in the opening round hindered the club’s season, and they have struggled to overcome this setback ever since.
Victories against Geelong at Simonds Stadium and West Coast in Tasmania showed what North Melbourne is still capable of. At 6-6, and only percentage out of the Eight, the club’s destiny is firmly in its own hands. North Melbourne has still to play Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium), Brisbane Lions (Gabba), Carlton (Etihad Stadium), Melbourne (MCG) and St Kilda (Blundstone Arena) before their 2015 campaign is done. All are matches the club should win.
Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Richmond are also scheduled for North Melbourne, perhaps slightly more difficult assignments, but eminently winnable. It would be undeserved to suggest the club will win all of the games mentioned as the reality is that North Melbourne has not proven to be consistently good enough in 2015. Of the teams currently sitting outside the Eight at this stage, however, North Melbourne looks to be ahead of the rest and should manage a Finals' berth at the close of the season.
Port Adelaide
Win/Loss record: 5-7
For much of 2014, Port Adelaide was the most outstanding team in the competition. Despite stumbling towards the end of the home and away season to finish fifth, Port Adelaide almost pulled off a miraculous victory against Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final at the MCG, falling three agonizing points shy of a Grand Final birth. The club was widely thought to be favorites for the Premiership this year before the season began, but the club has failed to capitalize on the promise it made last season. In fact, Port Adelaide won ten of its first 11 matches of 2014, since that time, it has won 11 games and lost 15.
Port Adelaide’s renowned fitness regime was the catalyst for the club’s resurgence in 2013. The competition struggled to keep pace with the exceptional power running high performance manager Darren Burgess demands of the players. The club peaked in the first half of 2014, but has not met the standards they set for themselves since. The competition has spent the last 12 months closing the gap.
Port Adelaide plays back-to-back Thursday night matches against Sydney at the SCG and Collingwood at Adelaide Oval after the bye. The Sydney game in particular will be difficult for the Power to win in its current form. The club faces Adelaide and Fremantle at Adelaide Oval and away matches against Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn before the season is over. None of these will be easy for Port Adelaide as they strive to recapture their scintillating 2014 footy. The Power can still make the Finals as GWS Giants, Adelaide and Richmond are all susceptible to pressure coming from beneath them. With two of the club’s final three matches falling against Hawthorn and Fremantle, Port Adelaide will need to have made its run before this stage, as they are unlikely wins.
West Coast Eagles
Win/Loss record: 9-3
The West Coast Eagles have become synonymous with success since joining the competition. In 28 seasons, the club has won three Premierships and made the Finals 19 times. It is a remarkable series of achievements in its short history and very few teams can claim to be as successful in the same period of time.
Sitting second on the Ladder, West Coast is within reach of making the finals for the 20th time in club history. In the early stages of 2015, season-ending injuries to key defenders Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown threatened to derail the club. Had it not been for Will Schofield and Jeremy McGovern playing integral defensive roles, West Coast would not likely be in a position to challenge for a Top Four berth. Sharrod Wellingham has also become an important cog in West Coast’s defensive machine, providing dash and plenty of rebound, along with stalwart Shannon Hurn. Nic Naitanui is now one of the greatest exponents of his craft, providing his midfielders with premium opportunities to win the ball. Brownlow Medalist Matt Priddis is arguably playing better football now than he did in his Brownlow year, leading the competition in disposal and tackle counts. Andrew Gaff, Chris Masten, Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo have all been tremendous contributors to what must now be considered one of the most powerful midfield groups in the League. The forward line is lead by Josh Kennedy, who, with 46 goals, is leading the race for the Coleman Medal. The Eagles have had fantastic service from dangerous forwards Jamie Cripps, Josh Hill and Mark LeCras, who have each scored more than 20 goals for the season. The Eagles are playing a style of football that stands up against very good opposition. The club’s position inside the Top Four might be vulnerable, but destiny is in their hands and a Top Four is certainly achievable.
Add your analysis in the comments below and read the other two parts to this series. Read Part One Read Part Two
(Ed: note: Our newest contributor, Lachlan Hellyer, will be reviewing the Aussie rules season thus far in a three part series over the "bye rounds" of 11, 12, and 13. He will take a look at the progress each team has made to the midway point of the season. This week, part three, with six more teams: Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, and West Coast Eagles have this week off. This is their season so far.)
Geelong
Win/Loss record: 6-6
The 2015 version of the Geelong Football Club is something of an enigma. Imposing victories against Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon and Port Adelaide hark back to a bygone era yet three defeats at the club’s previously impenetrable home fortress tell us the premiership years are long gone. After succumbing to Melbourne last weekend, Coach Chris Scott conceded that his side’s intimidating record at home no longer holds any fear for visiting teams. Geelong is in danger of missing Finals for the first time since 2006. The emergence of Jed Bews, Mark Blicavs, Cory Gregson and Darcy Lang have been highlights of the season for the club, and the continual growth of Josh Caddy and Jordan Murdoch is an important step towards the future. The contributions of power forward Tom Hawkins (21 goals) and captain Joel Selwood (23 disposals per match) have been below expectation, and both must lift their output to help the club reach the Finals.
The Cats have enough quality players in development to replace club premiership heroes expected to retire in the coming years, but does the club have enough depth to make the finals in 2015? When Geelong returns to action, their first assignment will be Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, a challenging task. This is followed by North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, two clubs with realistic Finals' aspirations. If Geelong wins two of these three matches, they begin to move to the top of the group of clubs battling for the lower reaches of the Top Eight, particularly if they beat GWS Giants and Brisbane who follow. How far are the players willing to go in pursuit of the Finals and after eight consecutive years of Finals' appearances, do they have the drive to get themselves there? Geelong can win between 11 and 13 matches by the end of the season, but will it be enough to secure a place in the Finals for the ninth straight year?
GWS Giants
Win/Loss record: 7-5
The GWS Giants have already won more matches than in any other season in the club’s short history. In only their fourth year, the younger of the two expansion clubs has taken a giant leap ahead of the Gold Coast Suns. Will GWS be the first of these two clubs to play Finals?
The Giants have put together a sensational first half of season 2015, claiming victories against two sides currently inside the Top Eight (Hawthorn and Adelaide). The club scored an incredible 14 goals without reply en route to beating Melbourne in Round 2 and thrashed Carlton by 78 points at Etihad Stadium in Round 7. Between Rounds 6 and 8, the club put together the most powerful run in their history, defeating Hawthorn, Carlton and Adelaide. Losing ruckman Shane Mumford for the remainder of the season in the match against Collingwood is a serious blow to their Finals' aspirations. Can GWS cover the loss of the most important player on their list? Mumford is not only an important link in the midfield chain, he also intimidates his opponents. Without him in the team, the Giants become far less imposing to opposition clubs.
Collingwood and North Melbourne have made light work of GWS in recent weeks, a troublesome trend for the club. If GWS were to make the Finals, it would be richly deserved, but it is a long season for a young team. On the other side of the bye, the club meets Richmond (MCG), St Kilda (Spotless Stadium) and Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium). The club will start favorite in two of those matches. Win both and Finals remain possible, but a series of very difficult assignments face GWS in the run home.
Melbourne
Win/Loss record: 4-8
For just the second time in the AFL era, Melbourne ventured down to Simonds Stadium last weekend and defeated Geelong. It was a result that re-evaluated expectations, and brings about the beginning of a new era for the club. Within a few years, Melbourne will expect to reach the Finals for the first time since 2006. Season 2015 might have only produced four victories to this point but it has been the caliber of these victories that is most telling. Three of the club’s four wins have come against Richmond, Western Bulldogs and Geelong - three capable sides on the cusp of the eight.
Narrow defeats to Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Collingwood and St Kilda also illustrate the progress Melbourne has made. Melbourne travel to Darwin to play West Coast in Round 14, but eminently winnable matches follow against Essendon, Brisbane and St Kilda. The club also has matches against Carlton and GWS towards the end of the season. Melbourne’s best season record in the last eight years has been 8-13-1, a record they achieved twice in 2010 and 2011 under the late Dean Bailey and caretaker coach Todd Viney.
The players have a capacity to lift themselves for big matches under Paul Roos and, given their accommodating fixture in the run home, Melbourne could win upwards of nine or ten games for the year. Expect rapid improvement in 2016 and beyond.
North Melbourne
Win/Loss record: 6-6
In 2014, North Melbourne became one of just four teams since the turn of the century to play in a Preliminary Final having not finished inside the Top Four. After successive victories against Essendon and Geelong, the club bowed out in the Preliminary Final against the Sydney Swans at the SCG. Heading into season 2015, North Melbourne was in esteemed company when it came to premiership discussions. As the season began unfolding, it became clear that North Melbourne were not the club many experts thought they were. A whopping 13 goal defeat to Adelaide in the opening round hindered the club’s season, and they have struggled to overcome this setback ever since.
Victories against Geelong at Simonds Stadium and West Coast in Tasmania showed what North Melbourne is still capable of. At 6-6, and only percentage out of the Eight, the club’s destiny is firmly in its own hands. North Melbourne has still to play Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium), Brisbane Lions (Gabba), Carlton (Etihad Stadium), Melbourne (MCG) and St Kilda (Blundstone Arena) before their 2015 campaign is done. All are matches the club should win.
Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Richmond are also scheduled for North Melbourne, perhaps slightly more difficult assignments, but eminently winnable. It would be undeserved to suggest the club will win all of the games mentioned as the reality is that North Melbourne has not proven to be consistently good enough in 2015. Of the teams currently sitting outside the Eight at this stage, however, North Melbourne looks to be ahead of the rest and should manage a Finals' berth at the close of the season.
Port Adelaide
Win/Loss record: 5-7
For much of 2014, Port Adelaide was the most outstanding team in the competition. Despite stumbling towards the end of the home and away season to finish fifth, Port Adelaide almost pulled off a miraculous victory against Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final at the MCG, falling three agonizing points shy of a Grand Final birth. The club was widely thought to be favorites for the Premiership this year before the season began, but the club has failed to capitalize on the promise it made last season. In fact, Port Adelaide won ten of its first 11 matches of 2014, since that time, it has won 11 games and lost 15.
Port Adelaide’s renowned fitness regime was the catalyst for the club’s resurgence in 2013. The competition struggled to keep pace with the exceptional power running high performance manager Darren Burgess demands of the players. The club peaked in the first half of 2014, but has not met the standards they set for themselves since. The competition has spent the last 12 months closing the gap.
Port Adelaide plays back-to-back Thursday night matches against Sydney at the SCG and Collingwood at Adelaide Oval after the bye. The Sydney game in particular will be difficult for the Power to win in its current form. The club faces Adelaide and Fremantle at Adelaide Oval and away matches against Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn before the season is over. None of these will be easy for Port Adelaide as they strive to recapture their scintillating 2014 footy. The Power can still make the Finals as GWS Giants, Adelaide and Richmond are all susceptible to pressure coming from beneath them. With two of the club’s final three matches falling against Hawthorn and Fremantle, Port Adelaide will need to have made its run before this stage, as they are unlikely wins.
West Coast Eagles
Win/Loss record: 9-3
The West Coast Eagles have become synonymous with success since joining the competition. In 28 seasons, the club has won three Premierships and made the Finals 19 times. It is a remarkable series of achievements in its short history and very few teams can claim to be as successful in the same period of time.
Sitting second on the Ladder, West Coast is within reach of making the finals for the 20th time in club history. In the early stages of 2015, season-ending injuries to key defenders Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown threatened to derail the club. Had it not been for Will Schofield and Jeremy McGovern playing integral defensive roles, West Coast would not likely be in a position to challenge for a Top Four berth. Sharrod Wellingham has also become an important cog in West Coast’s defensive machine, providing dash and plenty of rebound, along with stalwart Shannon Hurn. Nic Naitanui is now one of the greatest exponents of his craft, providing his midfielders with premium opportunities to win the ball. Brownlow Medalist Matt Priddis is arguably playing better football now than he did in his Brownlow year, leading the competition in disposal and tackle counts. Andrew Gaff, Chris Masten, Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo have all been tremendous contributors to what must now be considered one of the most powerful midfield groups in the League. The forward line is lead by Josh Kennedy, who, with 46 goals, is leading the race for the Coleman Medal. The Eagles have had fantastic service from dangerous forwards Jamie Cripps, Josh Hill and Mark LeCras, who have each scored more than 20 goals for the season. The Eagles are playing a style of football that stands up against very good opposition. The club’s position inside the Top Four might be vulnerable, but destiny is in their hands and a Top Four is certainly achievable.
Add your analysis in the comments below and read the other two parts to this series. Read Part One Read Part Two
Article last changed on Sunday, June 28, 2015 - 12:02 PM EDT
