After a week off, the True Ladder returns with some significant changes, after a volatile AFL week.
1. (Last time – 1) Hawthorn Hawks – 12-1
Hawthorn equaled a club record with their 12th consecutive win, comfortably defeating the Brisbane Lions. It was a routine victory for the Hawks, even with this spectacular collision involving Josh Gibson. With Brisbane accounted for, all eyes turn to a blockbuster Saturday night showdown with Geelong.
2. (2) Sydney Swans – 9-1-3
Sydney did enough to win in the wet on Friday night against Carlton. The Swans kicked the first five goals of the match, and in the end it proved enough to keep the Blues at bay.
3. (3) Geelong Cats – 11-2
Geelong strangled the stranglers on Saturday night, comfortably taking care of Fremantle. The Cats played the game almost exclusively in their forward half, and only poor kicking stopped them from winning by more.
4. (5) Essendon Bombers – 10-3
Jobe Watson again lifted his side to a memorable victory last Thursday, despite being on the receiving end of potent Patersons vitriol. Essendon faces the in form Port Adelaide this week.
5. (4) Fremantle Dockers – 9-1-3
The Dockers lacked any offensive prowess against the Cats, setting a record low for inside 50s in a quarter, with one in the third term. Fremantle will need important injured players like Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy and Michael Barlow back if they are to finish in the top four.
6. (7) Richmond Tigers – 9-4
After its big win over St Kilda, Richmond is shaping as a September certainty. The Tigers have won four in a row, and if they make it five against North Melbourne the army will be dreaming of finals footy.
7. (6) Collingwood Magpies – 8-5
The Carlton-Collingwood rivalry is back this week, with both teams desperately needing a win. If the Magpies do win they will put a three game break between themselves and the Blues, further cementing their place in the eight.
8. (8) Carlton Blues – 6-7
For the third week in a row Carlton came close against one of the league’s top sides, but couldn’t walk away victorious. While Mick Malthouse says the Blues are getting closer to those challenging the competitions elite, the gap between them and the top eight is growing. Not that they need any extra motivation against Collingwood, but a loss this week could down Carlton’s season.
9. (13) Port Adelaide Power – 8-5
Many would have forgiven Port Adelaide for being a little flat after its surprise victory against Sydney, but it was anything but on the weekend. After the Magpies kicked the first two goals, the Power took over, dominating every facet of the contest. In the last two weeks the Power have looked like a top eight side and they can prove that against the Bombers this weekend.
10. (9) West Coast Eagles – 6-7
West Coast squandered a four-goal lead against Essendon on Thursday. The Eagles ran out of legs and now sit two games outside the top eight. If West Coast doesn’t defeat Adelaide in round 15 their season will be just about over.
11. (10) Gold Coast Suns – 5-8
The Suns didn’t have enough depth to stay with the Crows on Saturday. Although they have a favourable run home, this loss rules out the slim chance the Suns had of making finals. Gold Coast will have their eyes on the Q-Clash, when they face Brisbane in Round 15.
12. (12) Adelaide Crows – 6-7
A seven goal second term was enough for Adelaide to get ahead and hold on against Gold Coast on Saturday. Patrick Dangerfield was best for the Crows again, but Adelaide finally gave him some support with Brad Crouch stepping into a supporting role.
13. (11) North Melbourne Kangaroos – 5-8
North Melbourne cruised to an easy win against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday. The win was soured by an incident involving Lindsay Thomas, which will be looked at by the match review panel.
14. (15) Brisbane Lions – 4-9
The Lions simply couldn’t hold off an impressively efficient display from the Hawks. Brisbane faces Gold Coast in the Q-Clash on Saturday, and will be desperate to prove they are the best team in Queensland.
15. (14) St Kilda Saints – 3-10
The Saints were listless against the Tigers, capitulating after having kicked the opening two goals. With the season all but over, it’ll be interesting to see how the club goes about rebuilding for 2014 and beyond.
16. (16) Western Bulldogs – 3-10
A terrible season got even worse on Saturday night, when the Bulldogs lost to the lowly Demons. The Bulldogs comfortably won the contested possessions and clearances, but didn’t use the ball well enough to win.
17. (18) Melbourne Demons – 2-11
Melbourne finally delivered and climb off the bottom of the True Ladder this week. The Demons played with flair and speed, catching the Bulldogs napping. It had been a long time between drinks for the club, with supporters surely enjoying a rare win.
18. (17) Greater Western Sydney – 0-13
After seeing the Bulldogs fall on the weekend, the Giants will have some hope of a win on the weekend. However, we still shouldn’t be expecting any more from GWS.
Josh Barnes is a first-year Bachelor of Journalism (sport) student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @barnseyy
