1. (1) GEELONG
Rather than challenged, the Cats were comfortable against the Tigers in an highly anticipated Friday night clash at the G. The minor premiership is becoming a procession for Chris Scott’s men.
LAST FIVE: NM (W), WB (W), GC (W), Syd (W), Rich (W).
NEXT FIVE: PA (A), Ade (H), Bulldogs (A), St Kilda (H), Hawthorn (H).
2. (3) GWS
Took a while to get going against the Kangaroos, but got back on the winners list after an impressive second half. Will have an opportunity after the bye to confront their Melbourne hoodoo against an improving Essendon.
LAST FIVE: Carl (W), Melb (W), GC (W), Ade (L), NM (W).
NEXT FIVE: Ess (A), Bris (H), Rich (A) Coll (H), PA (A).
3. (2) COLLINGWOOD
Did little more than they needed to against Melbourne to get back on the winners list. Will be reasonably confident in their next three starts before fixtures against the Eagles and GWS gives us a real insight into just how well the Magpies are travelling.
LAST FIVE: Carl (W), StK (W), Syd (W), Fre (L), Melb (W).
NEXT FIVE: WB (A), NM (H), Haw (A), WCE (A), GWS (A).
4. (5) ADELAIDE
Will enter the bye on the back of a three game winning streak and be eager to test themselves against the competition’s leading team on the other side of their break.
LAST FIVE: BL (L), WCE (L), Melb (W), GWS (W), Rich (W).
NEXT FIVE: Gee (A), PA (H), GC (A), Ess (H), Carl (A).
5. (6) FREMANTLE
Were tested by the Power for much of their clash at Optus Stadium before a final quarter surge saw them record a third straight victory. Will like their chances of turning that into a five game streak with winnable matches ahead of them before the second derby of the season.
LAST FIVE: Rich (L) Ess (L), BL (W), Coll (W), PA (W).
NEXT FIVE: Melb (A), Carl (H), WCE (H), Haw (A), Syd (H).
6. (4) WEST COAST
Having appeared to be back close to their best a week earlier, the Eagles could not overcome their SCG hoodoo and remain without a win at the venue this century. The Top Four race is a tight one and they won’t be able to afford too many more slip ups against sides they are expected to beat.
LAST FIVE: StK (W), Melb (W), Ade (W), WB (W), Syd (L).
NEXT FIVE: Ess (H), Haw (A), Fre (A), Coll (H), Melb (A).
7. (7) PORT ADELAIDE
After putting on a show in Shanghai, the Power were not able to overcome a final quarter surge from the Dockers. Face a difficult stretch ahead and could lose touch with the top eight if they can’t find their best at any stage over the next five weeks.
LAST FIVE: Ade (L), GC (W), Haw (L), StK (W), Fre (L).
NEXT FIVE: Gee (H), WB (H), Ade (A), BL (H), Rich (A).
8. (9) RICHMOND
The Tigers will enter the bye licking their wounds after three consecutive defeats. The fixture is kind to them after their break but a top four berth could become a distant dream if they can’t find some consistency.
LAST FIVE: Haw (W), Ess (W), NM (L), Gee (L), Ade (L).
NEXT FIVE: StK (A), GC (A), GWS (H). PA (H), Coll (A).
9. (10) BRISBANE
Ouch! After an impressive start to the season, the Lions will have another week licking their wounds from a second half fade out against the bottom team.
LAST FIVE: WB (L), Ade (W), Fre (L), Haw (W), Carl (L).
NEXT FIVE: StK (A), Melb (H), GWS (A), PA (A), NM (H).
10. (8) NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos were impressive for much of their clash with GWS but can’t afford to let any further opportunities slip if they are to make a surprise run at the finals.
LAST FIVE: Syd (L), WB (W), Rich (W), GC (W), GWS (L).
NEXT FIVE: Coll (A), StK (A), Ess (A), BL (A), WCE (A).
11. (12) ESSENDON
The Bombers now have three wins from four games after seeing off the Hawks on Friday night. Have a difficult fortnight ahead though and we’ll have a better idea of where they actually sit after their meetings with West Coast and GWS.
LAST FIVE: Syd (L), Fre (W), Rich (L), Carl (W), Haw (W).
NEXT FIVE: WCE (A), GWS (H), Syd (H), NM (H), Ade (A).
12. (11) SYDNEY
It was an impressive victory by the Swans over the Premiers in Sydney, to give them s third victory from their last five starts. After a poor start to the season they will attack the second half of the season with some momentum.
LAST FIVE: Ess (W), NM (W), Coll (L), Gee (L), WCE (W).
NEXT FIVE: Haw (H), GC (H), Ess (A), Carl (H), Fre (A).
13. (14) ST KILDA
The wastefulness entering attacking fifty that plagued them in China looked set to cost them once more in Townsville. As diabolical as they had been in the first half, they were equally impressive in the second as they overturned a 31-point deficit. Their finals hopes are still alive but they will need to produce their second half effort consistently if they are to remain that way past the next month.
LAST FIVE: WCE (L), Coll (L), Carl (W), PA (L), GC (W).
NEXT FIVE: BL (H), Rich (H), NM (A), Gee (A), WB (H).
14. (15) WESTERN BULLDOGS
Pushed all the way by the Blues but stood tall when it counted to end their three game losing run. Have a tricky three weeks ahead though and might find it difficult to pull themselves up from the lower reaches of the table.
LAST FIVE: BL (W), Gee (L), NM (L), WCE (L), Carl (W).
NEXT FIVE: Coll (H), PA (A), Gee (H), Melb (H), StK (A).
15. (13) HAWTHORN
The Hawks best and worst are so far apart that it is hard to believe that the team that beat GWS is the same one who meekly surrendered to Essendon. A bottom four finish is possible if they cannot rediscover their best form over the next five weeks.
LAST FIVE: GWS (W), Rich (L), PA (W), BL (L), Ess (L).
NEXT FIVE: Syd (A), WCE (H), Coll (H), Fre (H), Gee (A).
16. (16) MELBOURNE
When does this season end?
LAST FIVE: GC (W), WCE (L), GWS (L), ADE (L), COLL (L).
NEXT FIVE: Fre (H), BL (A), Carl (A), WB (A), WCE (H).
17. (17) CARLTON
While the Blues were not able to record back to back victories for the first time since 2017, they did show an appetite for the fight in their match against the Bulldogs. They have the ability to knock over any team that takes them lightly between now and the end of the season.
LAST FIVE: GWS (L), StK (L), Ess (L), BL (W), WB (L).
NEXT FIVE: Fre (A), Melb (H), Syd (A), GC (H), Ade (H).
18. (18) GOLD COAST
They looked likely winners for much of their Saturday afternoon contest in Townsville before a second half fade out saw them fall to another heartbreaking defeat to the Saints. They are better than a nine game losing streak would suggest.
LAST FIVE: Melb (L), PA (L), Gee (L), GWS (L), NM (L), StK (L).
NEXT FIVE: Syd (A), Rich (H), Ade (H), Carl (A), Ess (H).
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