The AFL’s home-and-away season is about a third of the way through, which is a good sample size to form opinions on where clubs are heading and which players are in career-best form or struggling.
There are teams dreaming of premiership glory after a strong start, whereas others never had serious aspirations of that and some have been cruelled by injury. We look at how each club is travelling to this stage of the season.
Stars of the game: Isaac Heeney (Sydney), Bailey Smith (Geelong), Nick Daicos (Collingwood) and Noah Anderson (Gold Coast). Artwork: Matt Willis Adelaide Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Wayne Milera
Breakout players: Brayden Cook and Lachie McAndrew
Best debutant: Charlie Edwards
Best recruit: Finnbar Maley
Need more from: Izak Rankine
What’s happened: Star captain Jordan Dawson has missed two games with injury and personal tragedy, while young guns Darcy Fogarty and Dan Curtin have played a combined four matches. Jake Soligo also underwent surgery for an irregular heartbeat in the pre-season. A 52-point loss to Brisbane last week was a reality check, but big-improver Cook added to his impressive season with a match-winning goal in the dying seconds to secure a one-point Showdown triumph on Friday night. Milera, Sam Berry and Josh Rachele have gone to a new level.
Record entering round 8: 3-4 (13th)
Are they meeting expectations? Nope. The Crows won the minor premiership last year before a disappointing finals series, and have been inconsistent this season, including within matches. That said, Adelaide have a 2-3 record in games decided by single digits, so they would be in the top six if that was flipped. There should be better days ahead, given they played interstate three times in seven games to start the year.
Grade: C-
Brisbane Lions Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Lachie Neale
Breakout player: Bruce Reville
Best debutant: Zane Zakostelsky
Best recruit: Oscar Allen
Need more from: Hugh McCluggage
What’s happened: The Lions suffered surprise defeats to the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, and copped a 44-point loss to Sydney, but made a statement with a dominant win over Adelaide. Of greater concern are long-term injuries to Allen (foot) and Daniel Annable (shoulder), on top of two concussions in short order to Noah Answerth. Eric Hipwood (ACL) is due back mid-season, while Harris Andrews (suspension), McCluggage (calf), Jarrod Berry (calf) and Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) have also had interruptions.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (fifth)
Are they meeting expectations? The Lions are easing their way into the season after winning the past two premierships, but would be frustrated with their string of injuries. They should be fairly pleased with where they sit. Neale’s stellar form has been heartening – and important – after a rocky off-season for personal reasons.
Grade: B
Carlton Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Sam Walsh
Breakout player: Cooper Lord
Best debutant: Jagga Smith
Best recruit: Ben Ainsworth
Need more from: Harry McKay
What’s happened: The story of the Blues’ season to date is the leads they have repeatedly coughed up that have them in the AFL cellar and coach Michael Voss under even more pressure. Carlton’s sole win was over struggling Richmond – by only four points – but they had 12-plus-point three-quarter-time advantages over Melbourne, North Melbourne and Collingwood, and blew another advantage with an eight-goal-to-one third term against to St Kilda on Saturday night. Elijah Hollands’ mental health episode was challenging for everyone involved.
Record entering round 8: 1-6 (16th)
Are they meeting expectations? Not even close. It is only a matter of time until Carlton moves on from Voss, who may not see out the season. The Blues are better than their record suggests, and the likes of Walsh, Patrick Cripps and Smith are playing well, while Mitch McGovern has surprised as a forward and Lord has taken another step, albeit in limited games. The recruits, particularly Ainsworth and Ollie Florent, have looked OK, and Smith’s fellow draftees Harry Dean and Talor Byrne have shown promise.
Grade: D-
Collingwood Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Nick Daicos
Breakout player: Roan Steele
Best debutant: Oscar Steene
Best recruit: Angus Anderson
Need more from: Jack Buller
What’s happened: Scott Pendlebury turned back the clock to accumulate 43 disposals and win a record fourth Anzac Day Medal in a 77-point romp over Essendon as he edges closer to breaking Brent Harvey’s VFL/AFL games mark. Injury has kept Darcy Moore to only two matches, and Harry Perryman is set for a stint out after a hamstring setback. Steene is one of the big winners of the new ruck rules, while Nick Daicos is in Brownlow Medal contention again and Dan Houston’s second s
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