Toot toot… time to jump on board once again.
No, it is not the Big Red Car, and I am not wearing a colourful skivvy (that you know of). This is the Mongrel Punt Momentum Train heading for Round One and believe me, you want to be in the front carriages for this ride. Things at the back… well, if we’re going to have one carriage completely go off the rails, it’ll be the caboose.
Momentum is an amazing thing. It’s extremely difficult to create and very easy to lose. But those who have found it cling to it, knowing that even through hard times, developing good momentum will see them experience some success.
And then there are those who don’t have it. Some have lost it. Some have struggled to obtain it at all.
They can attempt to generate momentum, be it via recruiting, or a great slogan for their billboards (hello to Carlton – you’ll never live that down) or even via an accommodating press, but it is only once they’re on the park that they can really build the only momentum that matters – winning.
With that in mind, which teams carry momentum heading into the 2021 season? Which teams were found out in a season that seemed to turn the entire sporting world on its head? And which teams are capable of building on what we saw from them in 2022?
Let’s take a look.
” Note – this system is completely unbiased and made up of a secret formula to rival KFC’s secret herbs and spices, or the points system used to calculate the House Cup in the Harry Potter series. Yep… no chicanery or favoritism here. None at all.
WHO HAS THE MOMENTUM?
FREMANTLE
SYDNEY
MELBOURNE
RICHMOND
GEELONG
Look, it is no surprise that this group comprises all finalists from the 2022 season. You can’t really be up at the front on the momentum train when you’re in the back half of the AFL field the season before, no matter how much you promise.
I’ve promised a heap of stuff over the years… which is why I disappoint so many people!
Fremantle built a team on stingy defence in 2022 and the rest of their squad benefited from it enormously. It is no coincidence that Geelong and Melbourne are also in the mix – their defences were outstanding throughout the year, as well.
Freo had a rougher time than most in the trade/free agency period, but I maintain that they lost only one player ital to their team from last season – Blake Acres. The others… they can be replaced. They gained Luke Jackson and Jaeger O’Meara. They’re looking good.
Despite results on the last Saturday in September, Sydney remains a formidable bunch. With a brilliant collection of young stars, and a very solid group now at their peak, the Swans look set to be a fixture in the finals for the foreseeable future.
And then there are the Cats – they just won a flag, damn it. How can they not have all the momentum in the world? The loss of Joel Selwood is huge – spiritually, at least. And the injury to Hawkins is a worry, but really, there are no passengers on this team (except Gary Rohan).
Finally, the Tigers seem to be rejuvenated with the acquisitions of Taranto and Hopper to bolster an ageing midfield, whilst the good news factory continued to pump out stories, with Shai Bolton committing to a five-year extension this week.
Get on board these clubs…
WHO IS ON THE CLIMB?
ADELAIDE
CARLTON
COLLINGWOOD
NORTH MELBOURNE
So, Richmond gets in the top group, but Collingwood can’t? HB is on drugs again, right?
Yes… Lipidil if you must know.
The Pies did so much right in 2022, but I worry about the close finishes. Their 11-3 record was incredible in games decided by under two goals, with two of the three losses coming in September. They’ve picked up McStay, Mitchell, and Bobby Hill, but lost Grundy. I think they’ll be okay, but I am not certain, so to me, they are still building.
And then I put North in here to piss off Pies fans even more by having them on the same level, right?
Nah, has nothing to do with them. Momentum can mean different things for clubs at different levels in their development. Despite an ongoing investigation into his conduct at Hawthorn, the acquisition of Clarkson has instilled belief in the club again. Add in the pickup of Griffin Logue to give Ben McKay some much-needed help, Ben Cunnington getting a full preseason, a host of high draft picks, and 2020 pick three, Will Phillips recovering from Glandular Fever, and North finally have a bit of a buzz about them. I like it.
The Crows might be feeling it, as well. A year after snaffling Jordan Dawson in the off-season, they have grabbed Izak Rankine, as well. They may have a few question marks here and there, but the feeling I get from Crows supporters is that the climb now commences.
And then there are the Blues.
They should have played finals in 2022. They should have won one of their last four games and cemented their place.
But they choked.
They’re a good, very deep side at the moment. They’ll take some stopping in 2023, but if they fall over… their fans may just throw the team under the momentum train this time next year.
WHO HAS STALLED?
BRISBANE
PORT ADELAIDE
WESTERN BULLDOGS
ST KILDA
GOLD COAST
ESSENDON
A few in this mob, huh?
Brisbane have promised for four years now, and delivered bugger all. Luckily, there were some signs of life during the finals, and given their list profile, we are starting to get to the point where this team needs results and a Grand Final appearance at the very least. Right now, they have underachieved.
The Dogs went from Grand Finalists to making up the numbers in the top eight. Their star looked a bit banged up, the lost Josh Dunkley, but hey… they did get Rory Lobb! Ugh…
I am more looking forward to seeing how Liam Jones bolsters the defence. The prodigal son returns…
The Saints looked to be headed to September before doing a complete ‘St Kilda’ and cocking everything up. A new coach has excited a few, but a shoulder injury to Max King has dampened spirits, somewhat.
The Suns are hovering in that dangerous territory of being okay, without being good. The return of Ben King should give them hop, but Rankine buggering off hurts.
Port are a team that should bounce back, but until they do, they’re living with the fact that 2022 halted their momentum in a big way. Connor Rozee became the player they wanted him to be, whilst they have added Junior Rioli and Jason Horne-Francis to an experienced unit. Gotta walk the walk before I’ll confidently talk the talk about them, though.
And the Bombers… if trains could get a flat tyre, that would be the Essendon version in 2022. The talent is there, but a messy off-season, complete with board and coaching shuffles, means that the Dons are almost starting all over again.
AND WHO HAS LOST IT?
HAWTHORN
GWS
WEST COAST
The Hawks have thrown the baby out with the bath water as they attempt to replenish a list that was the victim of the top-up game plan. It failed… miserably. They’re now hoping that a crisis on-field provides opportunity for young players to step up.
A good, old-fashioned crisitunity!
For a team with so much talent, GWS looked like a shambles in 2022. They sacked the coach, stopped putting in, and then watched a couple of their better mids fly the coop. Luckily, they have batted very deep at that position for a long while and can continue to have a top-shelf on-ball unit despite Taranto and Hopper leaving.
I’ll channel Damien Barrett to summarise them – IF they genuinely put in, THEN… they should be a hell of a lot better than we saw in 2022.
Great… now I feel dirty.
And finally, the Eagles. Look, they may be better, as well… but not much better. They get veterans back, but with the injury history and age profile, it is a short-term fix, at best. They’re in a similar situation to Hawthorn, without the high draft picks in the team, already. Free agency will be huge for them once the old blokes are gone and cash is freed up.
And there we go – all aboard for 2022. Do you agree with your team’s position on the Momentum Train? Think you’re hard done by? Want to have a whinge about it? I am all ears on our socials.
As for 2023, ride with us here at The Mongrel, and I will personally give you ten dollars*
* Zimbabwean currency
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