AFL: The Midweek Tackle team go into the details behind Cotton On's links with Geelong and wantaway Bulldog Bailey Smith.
That’s a different question to ‘who’s gonna win the flag?’, because that is heavily impacted by the reality that Sydney and Geelong are two wins away, while Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, GWS and Brisbane are three wins away.
It’s not that the Bulldogs were frauds. They weren’t even that inconsistent this year - they won 11 of their last 16 games, losing to Sydney, Brisbane, Port, Hawthorn and in the one particularly bad loss, Adelaide. In contrast they beat the likes of Sydney , Geelong and GWS . But since that point the Hawks have been the best team in football; since Round 8 they are No.1 for points for, No.1 for points against, No.2 for the turnover game and No.2 for the stoppage game.
Since their pre-bye loss to said side, the Lions are the next-most in-form team in the AFL, winning nine in a row before a two-week dip which cost them a shot at the top four. That’s perfectly summed up by the teams’ Round 22 meeting at the Gabba which Brisbane frankly dominated, but still lost by three goals, because they kicked 8.16 and the Giants kicked 13.4.
Their best is the AFL’s best, and it’s absolutely electric. They can be down four or five goals and you’ll believe they can come back... because they have, multiple times. The defence is shaky, and even the star-studded midfield was also well-beaten through three quarters against the Giants - Chad Warner and Errol Gulden were two of the worst players on the ground at that stage... and then the two best in the fourth quarter.
So your view on the Cats may depend on what you think ‘form’ is - and this is the same debate for Port Adelaide but in reverse. The key here is actually the midfield, because since Patrick Dangerfield came back in Round 15, it hasn’t only stopped being a weakness, it has arguably been a strength. The Cats have been a fantastic team at scoring from stoppages in that period.
So there was some irony in the Giants losing a game they should’ve won - 81-70 on expected score, and 82-88 in reality isn’t a massive swing, but three extra goals for the Swans is still substantial. Those early-game misses by Adam Kingsley’s men proved costly. In fact they don’t have a lot in their favour statistically except their elite pressure, where they rank No.1 in the AFL; again, similar to those Magpies.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
AFL’s true No.1 may miss finals; doubt that lingers over wild resurgence — Power RankingsAFL: Even though Sydney have top spot locked in, coach John Longmire says he won't be resting players before the finals.
Read more »
‘Sad to see them leave’: Tigers’ ‘transition’ continues as dual flag hero retiresAFL: Richmond champion Dylan Grimes has called time on his decorated 15-year AFL career.
Read more »
AFL Awards 2024 LIVE updates: Bontempelli, Reid, Daicos already among winners on AFL’s awards nightFollow along as the AFL award winners are announced including the AFL Rising Star and All-Australian players.
Read more »
Captains divided on Ginni sledge; was ban big enough for Giants footy boss?AFL: Lachie Neale and Toby Greene react to Jack Ginnivan's Instagram comment on AFL 360.
Read more »
Update on injured star as Lions coach dismisses AFL finals ‘narrative’AFL: The Brisbane Lions have produced a first half blitz to keep their season alive, sending a depleted Blues side packing in 2024.
Read more »
Hawthorn suffer key injury blow with defender Sam Frost ruled out for rest of AFL finals7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »