It’s around this time of the season every year I feel we start getting a good feel for where teams are at, and importantly, where they could be headed.
This season, however, things are a bit of a mess.
Whilst some of the usual suspects are starting to generate momentum, there are others who have stalled coming out of the carpark. Amazingly, the footy fixture gods have once again come to the party with a round that will likely give us some answers.
St Kilda have been great, but they face a Port Adelaide team who have surpassed the expectations of many. Freo are up against it and will have to pull one out of the box at the Gabba to stay within reach of the top eight. The Sydney derby suddenly becomes vital to the fortunes of the Giants, who are playing good team footy, and the Swans, who are in the midst of an injury crisis. The Blues, coming off their loss to the Saints, should win against West Coast, but questions over their ability to travel remain. The Bombers and Cats tangle at the MCG, with Essendon looking to cement themselves as legitimate. The Tigers face the Suns in an effort to prove they’re not a spent force, and they’re forced to do it at Marvel Stadium for some reason – they love it there, apparently. And in what could be the clash of the round, the Crows and Pies tangle to wrap it all up.
Yep, this is the time of year we sort the quality of the teams out, and with seven of the nine games seemingly having reach beyond just four points.
And it goes without saying that a deeper look at some of these situations is required. And that’s what I’m here for. Here are The Mongrel’s Big Questions headed into Round Seven.
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