AFL mid-season report card: West Coast Eagles and Richmond top of the class as three teams fail

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  • We are now half way through the 2018 AFL season and the deficiencies of some teams are being exposed.

    After 11 rounds, it’s sure to say Carlton, Brisbane Lions and St. Kilda won’t be making this year’s top eight after just one win and a disastrous 10 defeats.

    At the other end of the spectrum, Damien Hardwick has his Richmond side well poised, with the reigning champions only losing twice in their first 11 matches.

    The Melbourne side have the best back line in the competition, as well as the best player in Brownlow medalist Dustin Martin.

    Elsewhere, Melbourne Demons and West Coast Eagles’ performances have drawn praise while Collingwood and North Melbourne have put together a winning run that has propelled them into the top eight.

    Here, we take rate the performance of each of the 18 clubs to date to see who’s top of the class and who might be dropping out.

    ADELAIDE CROWS
    2018 record: Won 6, Lost 5

    The 1997 and 1998 champions are just outside of the top eight but will be disappointed by three defeats in their last four games, including a heavy 91-point defeat to Melbourne. Early season wins over Richmond and Sydney will have boosted confidence but Don Pyke’s side need to re-discover their form against Fremantle next weekend.

    Grade: C

    BRISBANE LIONS
    2018 record: Won 1, Lost 10

    The wounded Lions are yet to scale the heights of the early noughties when they lifted three flags, with Chris Fagan’s side struggling to better 13th in the ladder since 2010. A win over Hawthorn in round nine is their sole reason to celebrate, with 10 other defeats coming either side of that. Hard to criticise a team lacking in any form of firepower in attack.

    Grade: F

    CARLTON BLUES
    2018 record: Won 1, Lost 10

    Another disappointing start to the campaign for the Blues with just one win. Brendan Bolton has plenty of work to do to inspire his side, with the overall target needing to be at least an improvement on their 16th place finish last season. A comprehensive 109-point defeat to the Demons in round nine will only add to their woes. Currently boast the worse defensive record in the league.

    Grade: F

    COLLINGWOOD
    2018 record: Won 7, Lost 4

    A definite improvement on the first half of their 2017 season when they only won five matches. The Pies have won seven out of their last nine, including notable scalps over Essendon, Adelaide and Fremantle. If Will Hoskin-Elliott can keep scoring then expect them to stay in the top eight. The former Giant has kicked goals in 14 straight matches – stretching back to round 21 in 2017.

    Grade: B-

    ESSENDON
    2018 record: Won 4, Lost 7

    In a similar position to this point last season, but with one less victory. Wins over Richmond and Great Western Sydney has kept the door slightly open for the Bombers to securing a place in the top eight. But before they can think that far ahead, they need to beat Brisbane in round 12 to prove their recent heavy defeat to Richmond has done little to dent their confidence.

    Grade: D

    FREMANTLE
    2018 record: Won 4, Lost 7

    The injury-hit and youthful Dockers may have one of the best players in the competition in 2016 Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe, but they have looked devoid of confidence and structure with five defeats in their last six matches. It looks unlikely they will secure a place in the top eight as each round passes. The low-point of the campaign to date will be the 77-point drubbing to Richmond in round seven.

    Grade: D

    GEELONG
    2018 record: Won 7, Lost 4

    The 2011 champions have looked solid this campaign, but their mettle will be tested over the next two months with tough matches against North Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide over the next seven weeks. Could be the winning and losing of their season. The Cats boast the best midfield in the game in Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett and Patrick Dangerfield – and will be looking to their star trio to bring glory back to Kardinia Park.

    Grade: B

    GOLD COAST
    2018 record: Won 3, Lost 7

    Another poor year from the Gold Coast side, with just three wins in their first eleven matches. The Suns have looked flat in most of their games, most notable in commanding defeats to West Coast Eagles (80 points), Melbourne (69 points) and Geelong (85 points). With mounting injuries stretching their depth, Stuart Dew will need to do something to get his team back on the winners list.

    Grade: E

    GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
    2018 record: Won 5, Draw 1, Lost 5

    One kick away from the GF in 2016, GWS will be rueing two defeats to Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles in rounds three and eight where they looked in control for large spells of the game. Their win over Adelaide at the weekend will have restored some confidence after a run of four consecutive defeats. Have four winnable games ahead before tough fixtures against Richmond and Port Adelaide.

    Grade: C

    HAWTHORN
    2018 record: Won 6, Lost 5

    It’s hard to believe the Hawks were three-time champions over a four year period. Since their win in 2016, they have looked short of class and composure and remain in a similar position. Still have that composure under pressure to win tight contests as seen with victories over Geelong and Port Adelaide in rounds two and eleven. With three defeats in four, Alastair Clarkson’s side need to step up.

    Grade: C

    MELBOURNE DEMONS
    2018 record: Won 8, Lost 3

    Simon Goodwin’s side have looked outstanding since their round five defeat to Richmond. With six successive wins, the Demons have the potential and confidence to reach the finals for the first time in 12 years. With ruckman Max Gawn continuing to produce a masterclass Melbourne are a menace against any opposition. Have scored more points than any other team in the competition.

    Grade: B+

    NORTH MELBOURNE
    2018 record: Won 7, Lost 4

    Surprising package this year but continue to enhance their premiership credentials with six wins in their last eight matches. Still have some tricky games to negotiate starting with Geelong away next weekend, whom they have only beaten in five out of their last 11 meetings. But with little injuries, they should be confident about their run to September.

    Grade: B

    PORT ADELAIDE
    2018 record: Won 6, Lost 4

    Reached the top eight last season for the first time since 2007 and have the chance to emulate that achievement if they can continue their consistent and glittering form. Wins over Sydney, North Melbourne and Adelaide has only further highlighted how sharp this side is in front of goal. Have the second best membership record in the competition – with 60,822.

    Grade: C+

    RICHMOND
    2018 record: Won 9, Lost 2

    The defending champions are better set than last season, with eight wins in their last nine games. Although they suffered defeats to Adelaide and West Coast Eagles, Dustin Martin and Co have clicked into gear in each game and look a genuine force in each round. If they can keep their Brownlow Medalist winner fit and firing, then the Tigers will be difficult to stop. Best back line in the competition.

    Grade: A

    ST. KILDA
    2018 record: Won 1, Draw 1, Lost 9

    Beat Brisbane in round one and have not won a game since March 22. Hopes of playing finals footy for the first time in seven years looks highly unlikely for a long time yet, unless they can tighten up their marking in defence and get quick ball into their forwards. They miss far too many opportunities in easy scoring positions. If they can fix that aspect of their game, they’ll be dangerous opponents next season.

    Grade: F

    SYDNEY SWANS
    2018 record: Won 8, Lost 3

    The Swans are looking back to their dangerous best, winning five out of their last six matches. John Longmire’s men are sprinkled with talent across the park and have only placed outside the top six once since 2008. In his 14th season, Lance Fanklin is still producing the goods in attack and will do everything in his power to lead the red and whites to a first flag in six years.

    Grade: B

    WEST COAST EAGLES
    2018 record: Won 10, Lost 1

    The best team in the competition at the moment, with 10 straight wins since their round one defeat to Sydney. With a bye in round twelve, the Eagles will be recharged and ready for a strong foray into the second half of the season. The Perth outfit have not tasted premiership success since 2006, and based on current form, it’s something that Adam Simpson should be targeting for this talented group.

    Grade: A+

    WESTERN BULLDOGS
    2018 record: Won 4, Lost 7

    The Doggies have looked a patch of the side that lifted the flag two seasons ago. What is more worrying is that six of their seven defeats this season have all been by 35 points or more. Although midfielder Jackson Macrae is one of the leading lights in the competition, he can do little to inspire an entire team. The Docklands Stadium side need to improve badly.

    Grade: D

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