Rabid Mongrel Power Rankings Week 3:
- Geelong ? Tested in all three games and look every bit like premiership favourites. Two key suspensions and a sensational effort by the Dockers were the only factors preventing the perfect start. With the Power (H), Blues (A) and Tigers (H) in the next three, we can expect the Cats to be 5-1 which would be sensational given the late start to their preseason.
- Western Bulldogs ? Were the form side in the preseason, winning the cup. Suffered a hiccup in round 1 versus the Pies but otherwise heading into some good form. A few injury concerns with Picken, Ward and Acker out. We will know more about the Dogs after the next 3: Lions (A), Adelaide (H) and Saints (H). If they are 4-2 or better will be well placed for a serious tilt at the flag.
- Fremantle ? Not many predicted a perfect start for the Dockers. Look committed and tough. The real test will be how they regroup after their first loss (if and when that comes), but kudos to Harvey thus far. Have a decent stretch ahead: Saints (A), Tigers (H) and Eagles (A). Should win at least 2 of those therefore have to come into top 4 calculations if no worse than 5-1.
- St Kilda ? A perfect start? 3-0 and 183.33% looks great but it masks the tragedy of losing Roo, possibly the most important player to any team. Some pundits predict Roo may be out for 4 months or maybe the season, others say 6 weeks. The next few months shapes as a real test of character. A testing 3 weeks ahead with the Dockers (H), Port (A) and Blues (H). If they can get to 5-1 or better they will command respect.
- Brisbane ? Have been tested in 2 of their 3 games and have withstood the pressure. Brown is the form player of the comp, and Fev is doing enough. Some questions remain. Has a relatively soft early draw led us to overestimate their worth? Can they find enough avenues to goal? Can they beat the power sides of the comp? Do they have the depth to cover injuries? The next 3 will be somewhat revealing: Dogs (H), Melbourne (A) and Sydney (A). Anything less than a 5-1 start would raise eyebrows.
- Sydney ? Have made a promising start. Some good recruiting, solid game plan and desperation to win in Paul Roos? last year have translated to some good early season form. With a decent draw ahead: Kangaroos (A), Eagles (H) and Lions (H) they are well placed to continue their winning form. The real test will come in rounds 7-10.
- Port Adelaide ? A difficult team to rank. They have improved in defensive pressure. Being brushed aside by the Lions at home is a worry as was the fade versus North. However, they have earned respect with a 2-1 start. With Geelong (A), Saints (H) and Crows (A), if they can get to 4-2 then they will be in contention for a finals birth.
- Hawthorn ? Obliterated the Dees, then battled bravely when undermanned against two power clubs. The real problem is the deep injury list, particularly in the ruck. If they can hang around with an even record until reinforcements arrive they may be well placed for a late surge. The next 3 are all winnable: Collingwood (A), Roos (H) and Essendon (A).
- Collingwood ? So much promise but so little delivery. Can the Pies find a solution up forward? They seemed to bolster their list in the trade period, yet haven?t reaped any dividends as yet. They are at 2-1 however are lucky not to be 1-2. They should improve at some point. Must win at least 2 of next 3 to prove they have top 4 cridentials. Upcoming games are: Hawks (H), Essendon (H) and Carlton (A).
- Melbourne ? Playing a great brand of corridor footy. Super unlucky not to be 2-1. The young players are starting to believe. With Richmond (A), Brisbane (H) and Roos (A), who would be brave enough to have them anything other than in the 8 after round 6? It will be interesting to see if the young players stand up to the rigours of a long season. Don?t forget some good players to come into the side following injury.
- Essendon ? A very disappointing start to the season. A scratchy victory against the Blues provides a ray of hope. Lack of defensive pressure and scoring punch loom as the areas requiring improvement. Can the Knights game plan prove the experts wrong? Three tough but potentially winnable games ahead will shape their season either way. Must win at least 2 of these. Ahead are: Eagles (A), Collingwood (A) and Hawthorn (H). If they sit at 2-4 or worse with a bad % then their season is as good as over.
- Carlton ? Started the season in decent form with a thrashing of the Tigers and a decent performance away versus the Lions. The loss against the Dons was a big concern. A bigger concern was the manner of the loss. Forward line looked non-existent and game style flawed. On the bright side, Judd is due to return and there is still plenty of time to turn things around. But are they capable? Games to come are: Adelaide (A), Geelong (H) and Collingwood (H). Dropping 2 of these would be terrible, all 3 disastrous.
- North Melbourne ? An unbelievable situation where they have no recycled players in their entire list. The Roos have resolved to do the hard yards and rebuild from the bottom. And there are some positives in the development of their young list. A poor start including a 3 figure thrashing by the Saints. Managed to beat the appalling Eagles, but didn?t provide evidence that they will be finals bound on that performance. Ahead are Sydney (H), Hawthorn (A) and Melbourne (H). Not a terrible draw there but would need to win a couple to be in finals contention.
- Adelaide ? Injuries, injuries, injuries is the story so far. Some terrible luck has decimated their list forcing several players to play whilst clearly underdone. The performance gap between the veterans and youngsters is also a concern. Another concern is the lack of run making their game style ineffective. Games ahead are Carlton (H), Dogs (A) and Port (H). Simply must find a way to win at least 2 of these. If 1-5 or worse there is no coming back.
- West Coast Eagles ? What happened to the art of kicking? Simply can?t hit a target. Are capable of winning enough ball and generating enough inside 50?s, but poor delivery and an underperforming forward line are huge concerns. Having a significant home ground advantage provides the glimmer of hope. Need to start winning as of this week. Games ahead are Bombers (H), Sydney (A) and Freo (H). Must find a way to win 2 of these otherwise draw the curtains.
- Richmond ? Nobody expected Richmond to be good, but did we expect they would be this bad? Off field problems reek of cultural issues at Punt Road. The good news is Hardwick has a mandate to clean house, and some young players are getting valuable game time. Dustin Martin looks like a potential champion. Games ahead are: Melbourne (H), Freo (A) and Geelong (A). Can?t ask anything other than to become more competitive.
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Cheers
P.s. I also post this on the bigfooty.com afl main board if you wnt to mix it up with fan from other clubs.
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Originally Posted by ScottH
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