1. Richmond (+2)
It was a frustrating, underwhelming night for the Tigers, but two points is – well – two points. And after the slowest of starts they really dominated much of Thursday night’s match. Many Tigers weren’t at their best – Dusty had an almost night, Jack Riewoldt was largely anonymous and Shane Edwards wasn’t his usual self.
But they still outplayed the team who could very well be their biggest rivals this season – and it’s now 12 months unbeaten for the reigning premiers. All in all, no sleepless nights for Dimma and his charges just yet.
2. Collingwood (-)
There are two ways to look at a glass – half-full or half-empty. After three months off, coach Nathan Buckley couldn’t have dreamed of a better start for his troops. They blitzed the premiers in the first quarter, kicking the first four goals of the match, only to fail to table more than one major from thereafter.
Glass half-full - they had the premiership favourites on the ropes before running out of steam after a long break. Glass half-empty: they caught the Tigers napping but were proven second-best after that first blow. Realistically, nothing definite should come out of a strange night for both sides. The Pies remain one of the league’s best.
3. GWS (-2)
For now, the Giants retain their spot in our top four, but more performances like Sunday’s and they’ll be sure to slide quickly. The Kangaroos came to their turf and thoroughly beat them in every area. Returning veteran Callan Ward was one of the Giants’ sole shining lights on a disappointing day for most of their usual performers. As pre-season premiership fancies, GWS are very much on notice moving forward.
4. Port Adelaide (+2)
They were the punchline to a few jokes after spending the best part of three months frozen on the top of the ladder, but the Power proved they were no joke in their record 75-point dismantling of their local rivals. They still have to prove themselves against the competition’s best, but so far Ken Hinkley’s men haven’t put a foot wrong. And the future is beyond bright – Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma, Zak Butters and Todd Marshall loom as the quartet of the future.
5. West Coast (-1)
The Eagles probably suffered the worst loss of any team on the weekend, embarrassed by the Suns in their home-away-from-home on the Gold Coast. Coach Adam Simpson refused to blame hub life for the result, but it must have played some factor in the 44-point thumping. Make no mistake, the Eagles were hugely disappointing – another result like this and they will well and truly slide.
6. Geelong (+3)
A week’s a long time in footy, so three months is practically a millennium for the Cats. They were second- best against the Giants in Round 1 but home comforts on the weekend helped propel them to a statement win against the Hawks. The usual suspects were sensational, especially Joel Selwood and the evergreen Gary Ablett Jr, but it was the young brigade that would have Cats fans especially excited – the likes of Quinton Narkle, Brandan Parfitt and Gryan Miers might be the fresh blood the Cats need to take them one step further in 2020.
7. North Melbourne (+1)
Taking a flight alongside a Victorian rival the day of a daunting visit to a premiership contender? It was all water off a – um, kangaroo’s – back for Rhys Shaw’s side, who secured a massive win on the road against the Giants. Youngster Jy Simpkin will come close to the three Brownlow votes while Cameron Zurhaar stepped up with three big goals. After years of purgatory, the future looks bright for North.
8. Essendon (+3)
It was far from pretty from the Bombers, but they’re 2-0 and well-poised to maintain that momentum against the Demons next week. Very few passages of Sunday’s game were pretty, with both sides happy to lock in for a game of attrition. But after a 6am flight, the Bombers did enough to eke out a win – for now, that’s all anyone can ask for.
9. Brisbane (-2)
The Lions needed to make a statement after capitulating to the Hawks in Round 1 and this, really, wasn’t quite it. Dayne Zorko’s goal in the final minute helped the scoreboard flatter the Lions – as far as coach Chris Fagan is concerned, the Dockers came far too close to stealing the four points. Their clash with a punchdrunk West Coast next week should clear up question marks we have over both sides.
10. Hawthorn (-5)
While they should be applauded for practising social distancing in the second half, the Hawks left nearly everything else to be desired in a 61-point humbling at the hands of their long-time rivals. 16-minute quarters proved merciful – it might have gotten really ugly otherwise.
Still, we can’t forget just yet the Hawks’ great win against the Lions in Round 1, even though it feels like an eternity ago. Fatigue in the second half after a long break? That’s very, very generous, but we’ll wait a few more weeks before ruling a definitive line through Clarko’s men.
11. St Kilda (+4)
That had to be one of the most impressive wins of the weekend. The Saints killed the Dogs all around the ground, and after a lukewarm start in Round 1, their much-heralded new recruits proved they belong. Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder and Dan Butler all starred for their new side. But one game does not a finals contender make – let’s see how they fare against the Pies this week.
12. Gold Coast (+5)
Well, maybe the Suns shouldn’t fold just quite yet. After a decade of the doldrums, this has to be Gold Coast’s best ever win. If ever one game can win you the Rising Star, Matt Rowell had it. 26 disposals, 14 contested, and 2 goals, and the most important number: 18. He’s still 18. There’s been a few false sunrises before, but if Gold Coast can keep this young core together, the only way, finally, is up.
13. Melbourne (+3)
A tale of two halves, and two seasons. Who are the real Demons and, whoever they are, will they please stand up? They looked set on Saturday to put Round 1’s no-show against the Eagles behind them, racing out to a 42-point lead against an all-at-sea Blues side. One late behind from Bayley Fritsch, then, really shouldn’t have decided how we’d rate the Demons this week, but it’s a results business and the Demons did the bare, bare minimum in the second half to scrape out a win.
14. Sydney (-4)
They came within a kick, but there wasn’t a whole heap to like from the Swans on Sunday afternoon. They let the Dons get the fast start and were playing catch-up for the rest of the match. And after what we saw from the Crows, their three-point against them in Round 1 loses some of its shine. Their midfield still looks strong, but Buddy leaves a big hole in their forward line and their defence left a couple of biggish holes too, especially early on.
15. Fremantle (-3)
0-2 for the Dockers but that’s far from the whole story. They’ve been within a kick late in both games, and against 2019 finalists, too. Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters could be the best double ac t in the AFL but they need more teammates to go with them if the Dockers are to start converting honourable losses into wins.
16. Carlton (-3)
Three months behind games but eerily similar starts for the Blues. Outgunned in the first round by the premiers, sure, but being down by 42 in the second quarter against a side they finished above last year is unacceptable. Of course, their second half rally was more than acceptable, but start every week with a five-goal handicap and you won’t win many games. All up, it’s still early days for the David Teague era.
17. Western Bulldogs (-3)
The only thing that saves the Bulldogs from bottom place is the Crows’ headline-grabbing disastrous Showdown performance. Make no mistake, based on pre-season expectations, the Bulldogs are the disappointment so far. They’ve tallied 83 points in 2 games and leaked goals steadily down the other end. Something’s wrong at the kennel – it’s up to Luke Beveridge to figure it out before it’s too late.
18. Adelaide (-)
They’ve had plenty of lows recently, especially off the field, but this has to be the Crows’ lowest ebb. They played “bruise-free” footy according to coach Matthew Nicks – Crows supporters will have their Septembers (or Octobers) free for the foreseeable future if serious changes aren’t made.
