GWS' shock loss to Essendon has continued its poor stretch of form against the bottom nine clubs, which is ironically in stark contrast to its performances against the competition leaders.
The Giants rank 16th (3-6) in clashes with those who sit outside the finals and Wildcard Round slots - barring 10th - but 2nd (5-4) against the top end of the league, producing the biggest disparity in the AFL.
But they're not alone.
Collingwood is undefeated (10-0) against teams that occupy the bottom nine positions on the AFL ladder, but struggled against the flag fancies, claiming only one draw from eight outings. The difference is 1st to 14th.
St Kilda faces a similar, inconsistent record, ganging up on the cellar dwellers more often than not (8-1), yet unable to win one match (0-9) against the top nine. The gap is 5th to 18th.
Unsurprisingly, Fremantle's record across the entire competition is extraordinary, dropping only two games for the year. The Dockers, along with the Giants and Geelong, are the only teams with a positive return from games against top nine sides.
Against Bottom 9
- Collingwood (10-0)
- Sydney (7-0)
- Fremantle (8-1)
- Brisbane (8-1)
- St Kilda (8-1)
- Hawthorn (8-1)
- Adelaide (7-1)
- Western Bulldogs (6-1)
- Gold Coast (6-1)
- Melbourne (8-2)
- North Melbourne (8-3)
- Carlton (5-2)
- Geelong (4-3)
- Port Adelaide (4-6)
- West Coast (4-6)
- GWS (3-6)
- Richmond (2-8)
- Essendon (1-9)
