Myles Stedman
Myles Stedman gives his grade for each AFL club following the end of the 2015 season. Today he looks at Hawthorn, Melbourne and North Melbourne.
PORT ADELAIDE POWER: F
After an astonishing 2014 season that saw them make the prelims, the Power were meant to go on to bigger and better things in 2015.
However, they failed to make the finals.
Port Adelaide were off the pace from the outset and despite a late season resurgence, were not good enough to grab that final spot in the eight from the fast-finishing Kangaroos.
At the end of the day, they dropped a few too many matches to teams below them.
They may very well come back with a vengeance next year and have already been active in the trade market.
Ken Hinkley has shown he is a good coach and he will have to re-enforce that fact next year by showing he can fix the problems that ail his club.
RICHMOND TIGERS: C+
Something is seriously wrong at Richmond.
All year the Tigers were a fantastic team, with highlights including big wins over Sydney, Hawthorn and Fremantle.
However, when the finals hit, we saw the Richmond Tigers that we all know and love.
They were right in their elimination final against North Melbourne all match long, but when the fourth quarter rolled around, the wheels fell off.
There is clearly a culture issue at the Tigers. Fingers have been pointed at both captain and coach, and rightly so.
The CEO has recently been quoted as saying, “Richmond are tired of watching other teams play in the Grand Final”.
If that’s the case, then it's time to prove it and make a change.
ST KILDA SAINTS: C+
One may think it blasphemous to give the Saints, who finished 14th, the same grade as the Tigers, who finished fifth.
The reality is, we saw more improvement and commitment at St Kilda this year than at Punt Road. That very fact alone drags the Saints’ score up and Richmond’s down.
The Sainters showed that they could play some really competent footy this year, and with the swag of young players at their disposal, look to be in good shape for the coming years.
The club has shown it’s willingness to be active in the current trade period and if they can make some good additions through free agency, trades and the draft, then they have a good chance to move up the ladder again next year.
Season grade for each AFL team: Part one
Season grade for each AFL team: Part two
