What your team needs to get out of the second-half of 2021

As we reach the halfway point of the season, it is a great time to reassess where teams are at and where they may be headed. There are a number of clubs whose seasons are either over already or are going far better than expected. So, the midway point of the season is a great chance for clubs to adjust their expectations accordingly. We take a look at what your club should be looking to get out of the remainder of the 2021 season. Adelaide Don't fade away The Crows have been superb this season given the low expectations they had going in to 2021. They have shocked plenty. But now they need to resist the urge to drop away. A young team may get tired and drop off, but they have won so many admirers because of how hard they play and they are building a very recognisable and respectable brand. [caption id="attachment_81709" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Taylor Walker of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2021 AFL Round 03 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval on April 02, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane Premiership success The Lions have come good after a shaky start to the season, however, where would they be had Zac Bailey not kicked that goal after the siren against Collingwood? They are right in the premiership picture again and still have levels to go. They have been rather disappointing in the last two finals series, so they will need to be ready to go all the way now. [caption id="attachment_83638" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Zac Bailey of the Lions prepares to kick the winning goal after the siren to during the 2021 AFL Round 03 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on April 01, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Carlton Find out if the kids are good enough The Blues' season is already over, and it's another failed year for Carlton who have been building for a long time and claimed to be ready to play finals. Players like Paddy Dow, Lochie O'Brien and Sam Petrevski-Seton have been in and out of the team leaving the Blues to rely on older hands. Carlton need to find out if these kids are good enough now. [caption id="attachment_82319" align="alignnone" width="2020"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Paddy Dow of the Blues celebrates a goal with Levi Casboult during the 2021 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 18, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Collingwood Be patient with the kids Collingwood have turned to youth this year and have found some gems. However, they need to be patient, as the performances of youthful names tend to ebb and flow. Fatigue will hit their young bodies and Collingwood may see some ugly losses before the end of the year, but they need to be patient and let the kids grow. [caption id="attachment_82911" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Caleb Poulter of the Magpies is challenged by Trey Ruscoe during a Collingwood Magpies AFL training session at Holden Centre on April 28, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Essendon Remember it's a long build The Bombers have been mighty impressive so far in 2021 and have performances far greater than most could have expected. There's even talk of them playing finals, however, that won't happen. The Bombers need to remember they are in this for the long haul and that it still may go backwards before it properly goes forward. Wins are fun, but Bombers fans shouldn't be too disheartened by losses. It's all about growth and development. [caption id="attachment_82665" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Darcy Parish of the Bombers wins the ANZAC Day medal for best of ground during the round six AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )[/caption] Fremantle Survive Injuries have been the story of the season so far for the Dockers and it keeps getting worse. At the moment, finals look just about gone, with everyone that is out injured now afforded plenty of time to get right for next season. Still, anymore major injuries could see pre-season time eaten into and that is the last thing this Freo team needs. They deserve a run at it. Geelong Get that flag before it's too late The Cats have once again gone all in on a premiership, and fair enough too, but if they don't get it now, then they may never get another chance with this group. They have showed flashes of brilliance this season, but have also been well off the best at times. Their brand is questionable, but they still have Dangerfield to return and are in a good spot to challenge again. [caption id="attachment_34808" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats runs with the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the St Kilda Saints at GMHBA Stadium on July 13, 2019 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Greater Western Sydney Finals The Giants were widely tipped to miss the eight and fall away this season, but they have found a way to change their game style and grind out wins. All of a sudden they are a finals contender. They will be looking to make the eight now and there is no reason they can't challenge those above them and be right in the mix. [caption id="attachment_83062" align="alignnone" width="2560"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Brent Daniels of the GWS scores a goal during the 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Adelaide Crows at UNSW Canberra Oval on March 08, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast Show improvement The Suns have been looming as a big improver for some time now, but again find themselves going no where. They need to show their fans and young stars that the club is on the right path. There's no grace in this team finishing bottom four but being competitive. They simply must start winning games. [caption id="attachment_58837" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Noah Anderson of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round 10 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium on August 06, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Hawthorn Get through Much like the start of the season, the Hawks won't be expecting a whole lot from the back half of 2021. They have been ok in patches and shown an ability to compete, but have at times been rendered uncompetitive. That will happen with a rebuilding side. Maybe just avoid the wooden spoon and head to the draft and the year is about on par. [caption id="attachment_81769" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Changkuoth Jiath of the Hawks in action during the round one AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium on March 20, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] Melbourne Break the drought The longest premiership drought in football is in real danger of breaking. The Demons are the league's best team at the moment and are showing all the credentials of a premiership team. They need to strike while the iron is hot. They have been lucky with injuries and have beaten fellow contenders, they're genuine. [caption id="attachment_82045" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Christian Petracca and his Demons team mates celebrate winning the round four AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 11, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] North Melbourne Be competitive Wins and losses are not what it's about for the Kangaroos this year. They are all about getting games into kids and getting the best draft pick available. They have been ok this year, but they have lost too many games in unflattering circumstances. The fans just need to see enough reason and hope to believe the pain will end soon. [caption id="attachment_85023" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Ben McKay of the Kangaroos runs with the ball during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Collingwood Magpies at Marvel Stadium on May 08, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Port Adelaide Secure a home qualifying final Port look a good team yet they have failed a few tests when on the road. Losses to Brisbane and West Coast away were damning and a loss to the Bulldogs at home didn't help. They did beat Richmond at home though and that will be more than enough reason for them to battle to make sure they play their finals at Adelaide Oval. It's their best and perhaps only chance at a Grand Final spot. [caption id="attachment_36903" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Robbie Gray of the Power (L) celebrates the win with Travis Boak of the Power after winning his 200th match during the round one AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Richmond Lock away a finals spot Top four may just be about gone. Still, for a side as dominant as the Tigers have been, they just need to be there in September and they're in the race. As long as they make sure they are in finals football they will be a premiership hope. Dustin Martin knows how to flick the switch in September and they don't need a double chance. They know what it takes. [caption id="attachment_35421" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates victory with the Premiership Trophy and fans during the 2019 AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )[/caption] St Kilda Get games into the kids It's been a disaster for the Saints and there are real questions over their recruiting over recent years. They turned their back on the draft and opted to bring in experienced players and it hasn't worked. They need to get games into the likes of Tom Highmore, Jack Bytel and Ryan Byrnes. They can't rely solely on experienced recruits to drive the club forward. [caption id="attachment_79902" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Byrnes of the Saints leaves the field after injuring his hamstring during the St Kilda training session at RSEA Park on February 12, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Finish strong and play finals Nobody expected the Swans to be in the position they are now. They are a genuine finals contender and aren't out of the race for a top four spot. Now they need to make sure they don't drop away and they need to secure that spot in September. Doing that will solidify their rapid improvement and could make them a destination club. [caption id="attachment_69559" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: George Hewett, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley of the Swans celebrate Tom Papley kicking a goal during the round 12 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 09, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] West Coast Sure up interstate form Injuries have been cruel to the Eagles, but their form away from Optus Stadium has done little to help their season. They have been two different teams and it can't continue. If they can win away from Perth, their season opens up and they could be anything, but if they don't, they may miss the eight all together. [caption id="attachment_21916" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Nic Naitanui of the Eagles looks on during the 2018 AFL round 17 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs Challenge for the ultimate prize The Bulldogs are arguably better prepared to win a premiership now than in 2016, as they have all the tools and look like a team capable of ripping any side apart. There are no excuses and anything short of a legitimate premiership push would be a failure after their terrific start to the season. [caption id="attachment_84307" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal during the 2021 AFL Round 10 match between the Western Bulldogs and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on May 22, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	6	5	1	20	173.3
2	FRE	5	4	1	16	131.4
3	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
4	HAW	5	4	1	16	121
5	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
6	WB	6	4	2	16	102
7	BL	5	3	2	12	115
8	NMFC	5	3	2	12	105.9
9	COLL	6	3	3	12	94.8
10	MELB	5	3	2	12	92.7

What your team needs to get out of the second-half of 2021

It’s time to reassess goals and expectations for many teams already ⏰

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