Michael Hibberd has been a SuperCoach star this year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
ANOTHER six clubs have the bye this weekend - here's our take on their season so far and what's ahead.
ADELAIDE CROWS (11TH - 5-7)
BEST WIN: Round 9 v North Melbourne (ES)
It's impossible to go past the never-say-die Crows win over North Melbourne. The Crows kicked the last five goals of the match to snatch victory with 19 seconds left on the clock.
WORST LOSS: Round 11 v Sydney (AS)
They had to put up a fight against the Swans after giving up a lead to Fremantle the previous week. But the Crows crumbled, unable to match the reigning premier's intensity across the park. A disappointing 77-point loss that could easily have become triple figures had it not been for junk-time goals.
SUPERCOACH STUD: Richard Douglas ($549,900 mid)
The 2010 club champion has been a revelation in 2013 averaging 107 points per game – six behind emerging superstar Patrick Dangerfield. Douglas was a $430,400 midfielder at the start of the season.
SUPERCOACH DUD: Sam Jacobs ($392,500 ruck)
Jacobs has struggled to recapture the form which saw him become an All-Australian contender in 2012. The Big Sauce made a handy start with three consecutive tonnes before run of outs including scores of 36, 66 twice, 75, 76 and 77. Not good enough for a player regarded – at the start of the season - as one of the premier ruckmen in the competition.
HIGHLIGHT: The win over North Melbourne stands out in an otherwise disappointing year for the Crows. Adelaide was cooked with 10 minutes to play but rallied on the back of Sam Kerridge's (six goals) effort to upset the Kangaroos.
ROAD AHEAD: Adelaide will need to improve big time after the bye to be any threat in the second half of the season. The first six weeks will make or break the Crows with games against Gold Coast (away), West Coast (home), Collingwood (away), Geelong (home), Fremantle (away) and Port Adelaide (home). Anything short of 4-6 will send shock waves through West Lakes.
- by Gilbert Gardiner
Chris Yarran clebrates a goal. Source: Getty Images
CARLTON BLUES (8TH - 6-6)BEST WIN: Round 4 v West Coast (PS)
Who could forget Chris Yarran's heroics on a night Carlton so desperately needed to win. The Blues had lost their first three under new coach Mick Malthouse, their backs to the wall, pounced on an under-manned Eagles side piling on five goals in the second quarter to set up a handy buffer at the change. Yarran booted four including two trademark run and carry goals.
WORST LOSS: Round 11 v Essendon (MCG)
Carlton kicked eight of the first 11 goals. Jarrad Waite booted seven on his own. And yet they lost a game many thought was over at half time. Carlton stopped in the second half allowing Essendon to claw its way back into the contest. When Jake Carlisle set up the first goal of the last quarter, and kicked the second, the writing was on the wall. It was a disappointing loss that brought the Blues back to the pack.
SUPERCOACH STUD: Andrew Walker ($547,100 mid/fwd)
A SuperCoach plodder for much of his career, Walker took his game to the next level under Malthouse's tutelage. The master coach transformed the high-flying forward into a hard-running rebounding machine off half back. His numbers have been astonishing up 30 points (110 points per game) on last year, including monster scores of 137 twice, 140, 141 and 150.
SUPERCOACH DUD: Sam Rowe ($229,500 fwd/ruck)
Rowe ticked all the boxes at the start of the season. He was cheap, had upside and dual position status. More importantly, he was Malthouse approved. But the mature-aged recruit struggled to cement a spot in the Blues best 22. He was dropped after Round 5, not to be seen again until last week. Rowe remains in about 30 per cent of teams.
HIGHLIGHT: Securing the prized signature of Chris Judd stands out, as does the Blues against-all-odds win over West Coast. Judd inked a one-year contract extension in May.
ROAD AHEAD: A tough start facing Sydney and Collingwood before three winnable games against St Kilda, North Melbourne and Gold Coast. The draw is in the Blues favour to keep their spot in the eight, but there is little margin for error.
- by Gilbert Gardiner
Magpie Scott Pendlebury cruises through the midfield. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES (4TH - 8-4)BEST WIN: Round 8 v Geelong (MCG)
It was Collingwood's pint-sized forwards that helped inflict Geelong's first – and only – loss of the season. The Magpies fought back from 13 points down at the final change to win by six points. VFL product Sam Dwyer bobbed up with three goals as did small forwards Jamie Elliott and Andrew Krakouer. Magpies stars Harry O'Brien (31 disposals), Scott Pendlebury (31 possessions, two goals) and Dane Swan (29 touches) did most of the grunt work around the stoppages.
WORST LOSS: Round 3 v Hawthorn (MCG)
This could easily have been Collingwood's loss to Essendon on Anzac Day, or the ten-goal hiding it copped against Sydney in Round 9. But Round 3 stands out with then undefeated Magpies outscored 15 goals to six after leading at half time. Travis Cloke's five goals and Dane Swan's 33 disposals were the only highlights.
SUPERCOACH STUD: Scott Pendlebury ($619,100 mid)
Pendlebury is second only to Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett, averaging 128 points per game including highs of 161, 160, 145 and 132. Had it not been for Ablett's dominance and the Suns' record, this bloke would be a firm favourite to take Charlie home.
SUPERCOACH DUD: Quinten Lynch ($312,300 fwd)
Lynch has dropped off markedly since making the move from West Coast to the Westpac Centre during the off-season. While handy as a pinch-hit ruckman, the versatile big man has been unable to punish opposition sides in front of goal.
HIGHLIGHT: The win over Geelong breathed life back into the Magpies season after a mixed start to their 2013 campaign. The emergence of mature-aged recruits Kyle Martin and Sam Dwyer has added to the Magpies depth and potency in front of goal. Veteran Luke Ball's return from a knee reconstruction a huge plus in the midfield.
ROAD AHEAD: 13 is a must. Ideally 14-15 to be safe. The Magpies' fate lies in their own hands with winnable assignments against Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Gold Coast, GWS, West Coast and North Melbourne. Consistency the key, watch out if this juggernaut gets rolling in August.
- by Gilbert Gardiner
ESSENDON: (3rd - 9-3)
BEST WIN: Round 3 v Fremantle (Patersons Stadium)
THE Dons entered this clash with coach James Hird squarely in the gun. There were calls for him to stand aside amid accusations he was a drug taker as the ASADA investigation was blown wide open through the media. Yet, under fierce scrutiny, the Bombers somehow walked away from the toughest road trip in footy with a win on the Friday night stage. All for the coach. It was a gripping game of footy and one the Dons somehow won despite trailing by five goals. It also remains Freo's first loss at home since Round 13 last year – also inflicted by the Bombers.
Bombers coach James Hird after his side's win over Fremantle. Source: Getty Images
WORST LOSS: Round 8 v Brisbane Lions (Etihad Stadium)
YOU get the feeling this is the one the Bombers might look back on and regret come September. A fired-up Lions outfit brought plenty of aggro to Etihad Stadium, with two men booked in the first quarter and Michael Hurley KO'd. But in a frustrating day for Essendon fans, their side just couldn't get out of jail despite dominating every key stat and the ball seeming to spend the bulk of the last quarter inside their 50 for only two goals. In the end it was comeback swingman Brent Staker who finished the Dons off with a brilliant set-shot from long range. It sparked fears the Dons would fall by the wayside for the third-straight year, but wins against Richmond, Carlton and the Suns since have dampened that.
SUPERCOACH STUD: Michael Hibberd ($480,100, def)
JOBE might hold the highest average, but this man has transformed himself into one of the premier half-backs in the game. If you backed him in before Round 1 the Frankston VFL recruit, who began to blossom under Dolphins mentor Simon Goosey, has returned you 10 scores above 85 and a price rise near $100k. He also looks well on his way to a maiden All-Australian guernsey.
SUPERCOACH DUD: Michael Hurley ($279,300 fwd)
THE star swingman tempted plenty at the start of the year, but it just hasn't worked. A swathe of injuries and the inability to take a game by the absolute scruff and tear it to shreds means Hurley hasn't delivered in fantasy land. He's cracked 100 just once and suffered a price plummet of more than $100k. That was almost entirely owing to scoring two points against the Lions before a dangerous tackle left his concussed. He's also hurt plenty in the SuperCoach Draft game. The good news is his price free-fall is over.
HIGHLIGHT: IT would be easy to rattle off how remarkable the mental strength has been, but that's been done to death. Time to look forward. And the job the Dons have already done in keeping such a promising, emerging list together is exciting. Star Dyson Heppell is locked in until 2015, Jake Carlisle has re-committed, Jobe Watson is onboard until the end of 2017, while Joe Daniher showed his brilliant potential against the Suns and is surely going nowhere. The next targets must be Stewie Crameri, Tom Bellchambers and Scott Gumbleton – all of which are out of contract and already in the sights of rival clubs.
ROAD AHEAD: WITH nine wins in the bank and six matches against sides outside the top eight to come, don't rule out a top-four finish just yet. The Dons have a golden chance to stitch up a September place by the end of July with clashes against Port Adelaide (home), Western Bulldogs and GWS.
- by Sam Landsberger
GOLD COAST: (12th – 5-7)
BEST WIN: Round 11 v North Melbourne (Metricon Stadium)
THE pummelling the Suns dished out to Melbourne at the MCG was inspiring, but this was a true coming of age. Playing a side with its season seemingly on the line and trailing by five goals, the Suns sapped up all of North's momentum before blitzing with nine of the final 12 goals. Trent McKenzie was the architect from halfback while Gazza, as usual, was everywhere.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Gary Ablett of the Suns signals to his players during the round 11 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on June 8, 2013 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images) Source:
WORST LOSS: Round 6 v Fremantle (Metricon Stadium)
THIS was a disappointing effort from the Suns. Facing a Dockers side without the likes of Pavlich, Sandilands, Fyfe and Hill they failed to win a quarter. The result was effectively iced at halftime, but to Guy McKenna's credit it may have worked as a spark – as the third-year club hasn't put a foot wrong since.
SUPERCOACH STUD: Gary Ablett ($690,000, mid)
JAEGER might have made us more than $300k, but Gazza has made us 1659 points – that's 3318 as captain. Check these numbers out: His sole score under 100 was 99, he averages 138 and opened with a 178. They are simply ridiculous returns and make his $700k price tag worth every cent.
SUPERCOACH DUD: Harley Bennell ($465,400 mid)
BENNELL transformed into a mesmerizing talent last year with his sharp skills, bursts of pace and game nous awesome to watch. But it just hasn't been his year with hamstring injuries and a form dip reducing him to a SuperCoach average of 84 and price drop of $60k. In fairness, not a massive flop but a Suns "dud" hard to find this season.
HIGHLIGHT: THE key-position power the Suns possess has blossomed this year – and how. It started with Charlie Dixon, who's early-season form was unreal. He officially arrived with a bag of six goals against the Giants, while at full-back Rory Thompson looks a special talent. Rocket-like closing speed, brilliant hands and a long list of scalps including Tom Hawkins and Drew Petrie. Then there's Zac Smith, who recaptured his first-year form before suffering an ACL tear and Tom Nicholls this month. Throw in Tom Lynch and Sam Day and this is going to wind up one hell of a spine, even if they don't manage to hold onto first-round pick Dan Gorringe.
Gold Coast Suns Charlie Dixon celebrates a goal against GWS at Manuka Oval. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Sunday Telegraph
ROAD AHEAD: THE standard has been set the past six weeks, can this young side now maintain the rage? Winnable duels against Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Richmond are to come while the Suns also host Carlton, Melbourne and GWS before the year is out. This side could seriously go close to winning half its matches for 2013.
- by Sam Landsberger
GWS GIANTS: (Last – 0-12)
BEST WIN: **Tumbleweeds** … the Giants are yet to sing the song this year, but their first halves against Essendon and Geelong – when they led both top-four fancies by six goals – shows they can still be dangerous in the run home.
WORST LOSS: Round 4 v Melbourne (MCG)
THE most disappointing defeat was undoubtedly the insipid display against the Crows in Round 7. That afternoon they were towelled up by 135 points as Tom Lynch kicked 10 – all in front of just 5830 fans at Skoda Stadium. But the Dees lost was one they actually had a chance of winning. They led by 19 points at the final change before capitulating so much so that Melbourne enjoyed its highest scoring quarter in history – booting 12.2 to run out 41-point victors.
Dejected Giants players trudge off the MCG after the 41-point loss to Melbourne. Source: Herald Sun
SUPERCOACH STUD: Lachie Whitfield ($328,300, mid)
NO super candidates given no Giant has averaged 100 points so far, but at least the No. 1 draft pick made some cash. He peaked at $340k – a rise of $140 – and has consistently scored in the 70-90 range. A solid bench option, albeit there were better cash cows out there.
SUPERCOACH DUD: Toby Greene ($366,700, mid)
SECOND-year blues hit hard for this ball magnet. His highest score is just 85, causing a rapid decline in price. Greene has fallen from over $500k to well under $400k. Ouch.
HIGHLIGHT: IT has to be Jeremy Cameron. This man sits fifth on the AFL goalkicking table with 33 snags in a side without a win and far fewer entries than every club. It's no coincidence when Cameron fired with bags of six and four goals against the Bombers and Cats the Giants actually looked like winning games.
Giants star Jeremy Cameron celebrates a goal against Geelong at Skoda Stadium. Source: Getty Images
ROAD AHEAD: BLEAK. The question now is can the Giants register a win in Kevin Sheedy's farewell season? And can they start enticing the western Sydney folk to games given the lowly crowd figures at Skoda Stadium. Duels against the Dogs (Canberra) and Melbourne (Skoda) loom as their only hope.
- by Sam Landsberger
