We welcome Gab back after a couple of weeks of difficulties with tech. Good to have him back – HB
1) NO CHARLIE, NO CARLTON
Forget about Patrick Cripps being the barometer for the Blues. As much as the skipper has carried a huge load for his club for several years, what’s become apparent is the parallel between how Charlie Curnow is travelling against how well the Blues are going. You only need to cast your mind back 12 months when the Blues looked like challenging for a flag. Charlie was flying and so were his team.
Then came an injury cloud and his first goalless game for three seasons. Charlie missed the last five games of the year and the Blues lost all of them. From the start of this year Charlie hasn’t really fired a shot with just one game from four goals and a few times where he’s scored three. He’s now been goalless for four-straight games, and there’s no coincidence that the Blues have been deplorable in each. I’m sure some will disagree, but in my humble opinion, Charlie Curnow is Carlton’s most important player. If only his teammates could kick it to him better than they have been…
Brisbane are stepping it up for the finals. They meant business on Thursday and had 3.2 on the board before the Blues could blink. Their pressure was intense and the Blues could only look on as they charged away with the match leading by 52 points at the final break. Fortunately for the Blues, the Lions only added five behinds to Carlton’s 3.2 with the final margin being 37 points. Wilmot and Neale both had 31 touches with Charlie Cameron topping the goal scoring with three. Brisbane take on the Bulldogs next week and could make it difficult for the Bulldogs to stay in the finals race.
Sometimes, the less said about Carlton, the better. When you consider that 11 of Brisbane’s 15 goals were from turnovers, you can see that sides just have to sit back and wait for Carlton to make errors, which they invariably do. It’s going to be interesting to see which players are shown the door come season’s end, but almost nobody should feel safe. George Hewett has had a fairly strong season and should be a lock for the John Nicholls Medal. He had 33 touches and worked hard. Cripps and Cerra also had their share of touches with 26 and 25 respectively. Marc Pittonet was the only multiple goal scorer with two majors that included a 65m torpedo on quarter time that should be considered for goal of the year. But sadly, that was the only genuine highlight from yet another dismal Carlton display. On form, Carlton will probably feel more pain against the Demons next week.
(2) THE HARDWICK SUNS ARE A DIFFERENT PROPOSITION
Damien Hardwick was brought to the club to add the toughness and resolve required to go the next step. The Suns had shown a lot of promises in recent years, but something was missing, and now it seems that missing piece is there. On a few occasions this year, the Suns have have generated strong leads and their opponents would come at them late in the game. The Suns of old would lose those games, but this current group has found a way to hang on for victory,just as they did on Friday night. They almost certainly will make their finals debut, and how far they go is anyone’s guess. But with Dimma in charge, if it doesn’t happen this year, they’ll be right up there in 2026.
It could be concerning that the Suns did almost lose after leading by as much as 40 points. However, we are talking about Collingwood here, and that’s something they’ll always do when trailing. Matt Rowell had a blinder finishing with 32 touches and two goals. His best mate Noah Anderson also had 32 possessions, but his moment came with a captain’s goal straight from the centre bounce that put the Suns nine points ahead after trailing by three just a minute earlier. King and Rowell were the only multiple goal scorers with two each. After what was an important win, the Suns are now eyeing off a Top 4 spot and their upcoming game against the Crows in Adelaide will be a massive challenge.
Collingwood had to lose sooner or later. Their plight wasn’t aided by the fact they were goalless to half time. It would’ve been incredibly cruel if they stole a victory, but the newly resolute Suns inflicted just their third loss for the year. Josh Daicos had 32 touches and played a role in getting the Pies back in the game with two goals in the last quarter. Nick was also busy with 28. Jamie Elliott kicked three goals to inch ever so closer to his first 50 goal season. Collingwood host Fremantle at the MCG this coming Sunday in what looms as a danger game.
(3) BULLDOGS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AGAINST THE TOP SIDES
Whilst losing to the Crows is hardly something to be ashamed of, the fact of the matter is the Bulldogs have only won one game out of nine games played against top eight teams. The weird part is that they blow the lesser teams away with impunity more often than not. This has to be a concern, and one suspects that if they make the finals, they’ll be making up the numbers.
Aaron Naughton started the game on fire kicking the Bulldogs’ first three goals. He finished with five, and always looked dangerous. The skipper was outstanding finishing with 37 touches while Ed Richards had 29 and kicked two goals, including a magnificent snap from a tight angle. The Bulldogs weren’t terrible by any means. Adelaide were just better, and therein lies the problem as far as the credentials of the Western Bulldogs go. Another huge test awaits them as they take on the Lions at the GABBA. Nobody in the football world would be all that shocked if the Doggies took the points. In fact, most of us are waiting for them to find that extra gear and win a game like that. It just doesn’t seem to happen, sadly.
The Crows were in the lead at quarter time and Riley Thilthorpe hadn’t had any impact at that point. That all changed with a four-goal burst in the second term, and from then on Adelaide had control. The Bulldogs came at them late but the Crows were never going to surrender their lead with the final margin of 11 points really flattering the Dogs. Thilthorpe finished with six and looked lije a complete beast, causing all sorts of problems for the Bulldogs defence. Dawson (27) and Curtin (26) were Adelaide’s top ball winners with the skipper adding two goals. The Crows are sitting 3rd and play the Suns at home next week in a game that will
(4) AARON CADMAN HAS ARRIVED
The number one draft pick from the 2022 draft has come of age. He has threatened for a while and did have a five-goal game a few weeks back, but kicking six against quality opposition in a must-win match is how you truly know that he has forged his way into that top echelon of forwards and the sky is the limit from here. GWS have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to tall marking forwards. With Jesse Hogan now 30 years of age, I’m sure the Giants will take comfort in Cadman filling those shoes.
The Giants have now beaten the Cats twice this season and seem to have their measure. It also is starting to look as though they’ve shaken off that indifferent form they had from Round Five. They’re now winning home games again, and they’ve managed to take a scalp this week. I’ve already mentioned Cadman’s six-goal effort. Toby Greene and Jake Stringer were the other multiple scorer with two and four, respectively. Whitfield topped the possession count with 32 while Callahan was next best with 29. The Giants currently occupy seventh place on the ladder, and just in case you haven’t really been paying attention, they’ve won six of their past seven matches. They should make it seven of their eight after the match against the Bombers next week.
Geelong started OK but we’re reeled in pretty quickly. Tom Stewart was one of Geelong’s best finishing with 29 while Jo Bailey Smith had 26. Another impressive performance was Shannon Neale with a bag of five majors for the day. All others were singles including Cameron who may have left the door ajar for the chasing pack. Time will tell, but for now, the Cats need to focus their winning against St Kilda next week after losing to them way back in Round Two.
(5) WHY ARE ESSENDON ESCAPING MEDIA SCRUTINY?
It would appear that all the attention from media circles is obsessively focused on Carlton and their embattled coach. Essendon are pretty much in the exact same boat yet aren’t really talked about anywhere near as much. I may be a Carlton supporter, but this isn’t the ranting of a disgruntled Blue. Quite frankly, I think my club are well and truly deserving of all the scathing remarks being pointed their way. It just doesn’t seem to be the case with Essendon who have now laid bare how poorly they’re going kicking just four goals in a game against a bona fide bottom four team and losing. You’ll say they have an extensive injury list, but the Blues aren’t exactly fielding their best 22. The same could be said about Melbourne, but for some reason it’s Carlton who will need to find a new coach while Brad Scott flies under the radar.
You might think that my bias is showing and that I’m an upset Blues supporter who would like to see a little less attention coming our way, but that’s certainly not where I’m coming from. I personally think Brad Scott should have more questions raised about his performance at the Bombers. Is it because he worked at the AFL for a time? LOL. Conspiracies abound. I’ll let you ponder this one.
I jokingly predicted that this game would be a nil all-draw. With a scoreline of 47 to 36, I wasn’t far off. All I can say is that it was a dreadful game played in fairly tame conditions. Yes it was cold and perhaps some light rain had fallen earlier in the day, but if you didn’t know better you would’ve thought this game was played underwater, such were the poorly executed disposals and inability for any clean possessions. There appears to be a huge chasm between the top teams and the battlers when it comes to skill levels at a level I’ve personally not seen before. Hopefully these bottom teams can find some skills in the not too distant future.
I guess I should talk a bit about the game. Well, in a game with just ten goals scored, unsurprisingly there were no multiple goal kickers. For the Tigers, Tim Taranto had a game high 34 touches, while the Bombers highest ball winner was Roberts with 31. Essendon have a date with GWS this Thursday and will most likely cop another flogging that the media might not talk about. The Tigers head over to Perth to take on the Eagles in another game that could be in the vicinity of nil all.
(6) FREO PASS ANOTHER TEST
In a game that looked to be going against them for the most part, a four-goal-to-none final term gave them a very important 13 point victory to keep them well and truly alive for a finals place. Sam Switkowski stole the show up forward kicking three goals while the usual suspects in the midfield in Serong and Brayshaw inflicted some pain on the Hawthorn onballers. Jordan Clark topped the disposal list with 31. All in all, seven wins in their last eight games gives them cause for optimism, and they might need a certain ounce of luck to take the points against Collingwood this coming week.
Hawthorn were very good for three quarters and will go out on Sunday breathing fire in their clash with the Power down in Launceston. Calsher Dean booted three goals in a low scoring affair. Karl Amon worked tirelessly for his 30 possessions while Jack Ginnivan had 27 and kicked a goal in what is proving to be a solid season for the former Magpie. Hawthorn must win their next game and I expect Port Adelaide to put up a fight. It could be an interesting clash.
(7) DEMONS SNAP THEIR SECOND FIVE-GAME LOSING STREAK
It’s a little hard to believe that Melbourne have come off five straight losses after losing the opening five games of the year. A lot of their results prove that they’re well and truly better than their ladder position might suggest. There was definitely something wrong in the early part of the year, but their past five weeks included one poor showing against St Kilda and narrow losses against three teams in the Top 5. Although any hope of playing finals is gone, they will be nuisance value to the teams vying for a top eight spot and I expect to see the Demons win a few in the run home.
This win against North Melbourne might’ve given the Dees some redemption after their embarrassing loss against them way back in Round 2. The two Christians in Petracca (29) and Salem (24) led the way in terms of possession numbers. In front of goals, it was an impressive display by Melksham with five majors, suggesting the soon to be 34 year old is far from done and must play on after booting 14 goals in his last three outings. Bayley Fritsch enjoyed his afternoon kicking three and adding three goal assists. Melbourne take on the embattled Blues on Saturday and, based on form, will probably get the chocolates.
North Melbourne will be disappointed with their last three weeks after beating Carlton in Round 15. There’s still a ton of work to do to push themselves up the ladder. Colby McKercher was impressive once again, as he and Sheezel led the way with 29 possessions each. Cooper Harvey, the son of Boomer, would’ve warmed the hearts of Kangaroo fans announcing himself well and truly with an impressive four-goal haul in just his fifth senior game while Zuurhar and Darling kicked three. The Roos will be hoping to pinch a win or two before season’s end to truly feel as though some progress has been made, but Sydney at the SCG next round might prove a little difficult.
(8) SYDNEY SCRAPE IN TO KEEP SLIM FINALS HOPES ALIVE
It was this same fixture last season where St Kilda took on Sydney after they suffered only their second defeat for the season with 13 wins on the board and, on that occasion, the Saints won in an epic battle by two points in a massive boil over. Whilst the circumstances this year aren’t the same, the result almost was. In the end, Sydney’s five-point victory still provides some chance of them sneaking into the eight, and whilst St Kilda almost took that hope away, the Swans are looking better with the return of key players from injury.
Speaking of those key players back playing in the red and white, it’s crystal clear what a difference Errol Gulden makes to that side. As far as ball use goes, he’s as good as anyone in the competition, and his 23 touches for the match included the goal that got the Swans over the line. Nick Blakey also had 23. Will Hayward and Jake Lloyd booted three apiece, and if Sydney were to taste victory against North Melbourne next round, they would move to a 9-8 win/loss record after winning just four games from their first eleven. It would be a monumental effort should they continue winning and reach finals, and looking at their remaining six games, there’s three games you’d expect them to win, but then there’s games against the Giants, Lions and Cats as well. Four wins might be enough, but five would pretty much guarantee it. Watch this space.
(9) PORT POWER OVER HAPLESS EAGLES IN THE LAST TO STAY ALIVE
The upset was on. The Eagles burst out early to lead by 25 points at quarter time. The Power would even go into the final break a goal down before dominating the last quarter with a 5.3 to 0.1 smashing, to eventually record their ninth win of the season to remain a slim chance of playing in September. Zak Butters was the chief ball-winner by some distance, finishing with a massive 38 possessions while Horne-Francis was damaging kicking three goals from his 27 touches (with a broken foot, too). The equation for Port is pretty simple from here on. For them to make finals, and considering their poor percentage, they could lose one game and scrape in, but two losses would make it very hard. It starts with a tough trip to Tasmania against the Hawks, and if they found a way to win there, their last five games include four teams in the eight. If they make finals, they’d bloody well deserve it.
The Eagles were on early, and they gave Port Adelaide an almighty scare for sure, but they faded quite badly in the end and there’s no doubt they’ll be very disappointed in that finish. Harley Reid is really starting to impact games and it is seeming more likely he will remain an Eagle. He had 27 touches, the most for any Eagle, and kicked a goal. Jack Williams was the only multiple goal scorer with two. Next week they host the Tigers at Optus Stadium and will be a genuine chance to record just their second win of the year.
