Search
Close this search box.

AFL True Ladder: Round Five

As the AFL pecking order gradually takes shape for the 2013 season, Josh Barnes analyses each team's form in the True Ladder.

The True Ladder responds to the round five results, including Port Adelaide’s flawless start, Collingwood’s fadeout and Fremantle’s one-point thriller. 

1. (Last week: 1) Geelong Cats – Record: 5-0
The Geelong juggernaut keep rolling and there is no end in sight. The move by coach Chris Scott to put Harry Taylor forward against the Western Bulldogs proved to be a masterstroke, with the defender kicking five goals.

2. (2) Hawthorn Hawks – 4-1
While North Melbourne seemed to be the better side for large periods of the match, Hawthorn managed to hold on and defeat the Kangaroos on Sunday. But it has come at a cost, with elite small-forward Cyril Rioli limping off with a hamstring strain.

3. (3) Sydney Swans – 4-1
Sydney managed to get the job done against St Kilda. On a smallish ground in scrappy conditions, the Swans outlasted their opponents in the first match for premiership points in New Zealand. With four of the next five games against teams in the top half of the True Ladder, we will get a good idea as to where Sydney is placed in 2013.

4. (5) Essendon Bombers – 5-0
Essendon deserve tremendous credit for keeping focused on the job at hand each week amid constant speculation and potential distractions. Any victory on ANZAC Day is significant, and the Bombers thoroughly deserved their success last Thursday. They are in a very strong position, and that should only improve as they face Greater Western Sydney in round six.

5. (4) Collingwood Magpies – 3-2
After dominating the second quarter on ANZAC Day and kicking 3.7, Collingwood disappeared. Reminiscent of the fade out against Hawthorn, the Magpies were destroyed late in the final quarter. It has happened twice against good opposition, and must be a cause for concern for Nathan Buckley.

6. (6) Fremante Dockers – 3-2
Fremantle just managed to outlast Richmond, with a Hayden Ballantyne snap in the final minutes proving the difference. The knee injury to Kepler Bradley is a blow, particularly with Matthew Pavlich still sidelined. The Dockers are quickly running out of tall forwards.

7. (9) Port Adelaide Power – 5-0
It is hard to understand where Port Adelaide’s burst has come from. While they have beaten the two expansion clubs and strugglers Melbourne, the Power have also beaten Adelaide and West Coast, two top four sides from 2012. Incredibly, Port is well on its way to finals action.

8. (7) Richmond Tigers – 3-2
Richmond has certainly improved in 2013, pushing Fremantle to the limit at Patersons Stadium. But the lack of leadership in the final minutes on Friday night is a concern, and while it is easy to blame the controversial goal umpiring decision with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Tigers have more pressing issues.

9. (10) North Melbourne Kangaroos – 1-4
Arguably outperforming its opponent, yet not taking the points is becoming constant theme for Brad Scott and North Melbourne. The Kangaroos show promise, but they can’t afford to keep coming up short against top quality teams.

10. (12) Carlton Blues – 2-3
Carlton enjoyed a relatively comfortable victory over Adelaide, relying on small forwards Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran to kick a winning score. Not one key position player kicked a goal for the Blues. It remains to be seen how sustainable that reliance can be, but the return of Jarrad Waite should have an impact.

11. (8) Adelaide Crows – 2-3

Adelaide suffered the worst fate possible on Saturday, losing the match and star Taylor Walker to a knee injury. The Crows were already struggling enough replacing key forward Kurt Tippett, and now without Walker for several weeks, Adelaide’s season may have ended prematurely.

12. (11) West Coast Eagles – 1-4
Relinquishing a 41-point lead to Port Adelaide typifies West Coast’s surprisingly poor start to the season. The Eagles’ premiership tilt is spiraling out of control, and if they don’t start winning soon, the finals could be too far out of reach.

13. (13) Brisbane Lions – 2-3
Brisbane did just enough to overcome Melbourne on Sunday. It has become quite clear though that the Lions are a lot further off the pace than their pre-season success suggested. They need to make a statement against Sydney in round six.

14. (14) St Kilda Saints – 1-4
Even a stand out performance from Nick Riewoldt wasn’t enough for St Kilda against Sydney on ANZAC Day in New Zealand. The forward was superb, but the Saints don’t appear to be strong enough across the board to compete with top sides.

15. (15) Western Bulldogs – 1-4
Liam Jones’s potential as a key forward was evident on Saturday night, kicking four goals and taking some terrific pack marks. The Bulldogs had a crack against the Geelong, winning the contested ball and clearances, but just lacked the polish to really scare the Cats.

16. (16) Gold Coast Suns – 2-3
Charlie Dixon was unstoppable against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra, kicking six goals as Gold Coast powered to 148 points – their highest ever score in an AFL match.

17. (17) Greater Western Sydney Giants – 0-5
Greater Western Sydney would have targeted the past fortnight as a real chance to put its stamp on the competition, with matches against Melbourne and Gold Coast. However, they came out empty handed, and perhaps was a reality check in terms of the Giants development by comparison to other more senior lists.

18. (18) Melbourne Demons – 1-4

Melbourne was at least competitive against Brisbane on Sunday, a step in the right direction for Mark Neeld’s men. They were overrun in the end, and queries remain over recently acquired senior players like David Rodan, who are being played instead of younger talent.

Josh Barnes is a first-year Bachelor of Journalism (sport) student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @barnesyy

Share this post:

Related Articles

Editor's Picks