It tightened up just a little bit more at the top of the Road Warrior Ladder, with the Swans doing what they had to do to retain a chance of finishing on top.
We’ve heard it for years – the teams based outside Victoria have it tougher.
I get it, though. I really do. Forced to travel interstate almost every second week, some teams clock up enormous miles as they traverse the country to be part of this sport we love.
Meanwhile, we get some Victorian-based clubs cracking the sads when they have to play at Marvel Stadium instead of the MCG, and vice versa. Or those who get a little nasty when a move away from Kardinia Park is floated.
So, how do the teams fare away from home, and who is travelling best at the moment?
The Mongrel has devised a little ladder to assess who is the best road team in the league. Oh, the Vic teams will still get a look in if they’re good enough, and whilst I fully expect a number of fans to say this system is rigged to favour non-Victorian teams… I really don’t care. Stop your whining.
So, how does it work?
The Road Warrior Ladder is named after one of the best Tag Teams of all time. Don’t come at me with your Demolition garbage, or your Powers of Pain crap… they were Road Warrior rip-offs… who were, in turn, rip-offs of the 1980s movie, Mad Max.
It was called The Road Warrior in the United States because… geez, I’m not a film buff. Do your own homework.
Anyway, you get four points for an interstate win and two points for a win at an away venue that IS NOT played at the venue you consider your home ground. I don’t care if it’s not your home game – you’re still at the ground you play your home games. The Road Warrior Ladder Nazi isn’t concerned with your feelings – just facts.
Tasmania is considered a home game for Hawthorn. You choose to play your home games there – you cop it. Same with GWS and Canberra – if it’s your choice, you wear it.
Now that my belligerence is out of the way, let’s get to business.
THE ROAD WARRIOR LADDER AFTER ROUND 21
1 – GWS – 26 PTS (59-POINT DIFFERENTIAL IN ROAD WINS)
2 – PORT ADEALIDE – 24 PTS (119)
3 – COLLINGWOOD – 22 PTS (162)
4 – SYDNEY – 22 PTS (138)
5 – BRISBANE – 20 PTS (163)
6 – RICHMOND – 16 PTS (90)
7 – FREMANTLE – 16 PTS (41)
8 – MELBOURNE – 14 PTS (122)
9 – CARLTON – 12 PTS (171)
10 – ST KILDA – 12 PTS (34)
11 – WESTERN BULLDOGS – 10 PTS (69… DUDE)
12 – GOLD COAST – 8 PTS (94)
13 – ESSENDON – 8 PTS (77)
14 – GEELONG – 4 PTS (47)
15 – HAWTHORN – 8 PTS (58)
16 – ADELAIDE – 4 PTS (3)
17 – NORTH MELBOURNE – 4PTS (1)
18 – WEST COAST – NO POINTS AS YET
ANALYSIS
Right, let’s take a look at the contenders and their remaining games
Port Adelaide – One interstate game remains – at Freo
Collingwood – They’re done. Despite being the “away” team, they don’t travel again this year
GWS – Two more interstate games to go, in SA (Port) and Marvel (Carlton). They’re in the box seat to win now.
Sydney – One interstate (Adelaide) game remains and the best they can now do is draw on points, however, the big point differential could see them leap to the top and win it all with a win over the Crows. Need everything to fall their way, though
So, it is looking increasingly like it will be Port or GWS as the Road Warrior Champions this season, with the Swans an outside chance to tie it up and win with their better point differential.
Who would your money be on?
UPCOMING FOUR-POINT GAMES
GOLD COAST visit the SCG to face the Swans
ADELAIDE head to the Gabba to face the Lions
WESTERN BULLDOGS fly down to Tassie to face the Hawks
And GWS head to Adelaide to pace Port in what will be a cracker
TWO-POINT CROSSTOWN GAMES THIS WEEK
RICHMOND have to make the arduous trip across the CBD to play at Marvel against Saints, where they have not won in their last seven tries.
ODD FOOTNOTE OF THE WEEK
Last week, I took a gamble and published the 2023 version of our Droppin’ 50 concept. I figured that with four rounds remaining and just one player climbing that mountain so far this season, I was pretty safe in updating it.
In short, I thought I could get away with getting it out there before the end of the season. As per usual, I was wrong.
Days after it went live, James Sicily went out and spanked the Pies for 33 effective disposals, 19 marks, and a tackle, for a total score of 53 points. It was his second 50-point game of the season, giving him the only two of the year.
And it was a good, old-fashioned lesson for me not to jump the gun.
I guess the upside is that I’ll have to update it once the season is done and that’ll give me another column, but man… sometimes I really screw up with those types of things.
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