AFL early season review: Part 1
Following on from the previous days two posts here is the final inclusion of the season review to date.
They were the talk of the completion preseason with the signing of big name recruits Allen Christensen and Dayne Beams to join there captain Tom Rockcliff for a dynamic midfield. This was confirmed when they showed excellent form during all of their preseason games. Unfortunately for Lions fans they have taken none of their preseason form with them into the home and away season. The Lions currently sit on the bottom of the AFL ladder with no wins nest to their name. To add to their pain the Lions are without their captain for at least another two weeks as he recovers from his round one injury.
Grade after round three: D
It must surely feel like Déjà vu for Blues fans, they once again sit on zero wins after three rounds. There have been few positives for the Blues as they have suffered convincing loses to Richmond and West Coast in the opening two rounds prompting Coach Mick Malthouse to confirm the club is in the middle of a rebuilding stage. They were much more competitive against their old rivals the bombers on the weekend but still never looked at all likely to chalk up their first win for 2015.
Grade after round three: D –
Arguably the greatest team of the past decade may finally be slowing down. They were absolutely mauled by reigning premiers Hawthorn in round one and then lost convincingly to the Dockers on their home paddock in round two. The cats were just able to get over the winless Suns last round in Geelong due largely to their inspirational captain Joel Selwood who provided fans with one of the great individual football displays in the modern era. It is time that some of the Geelong youth steps up to the plate or else the Cats may have to get used to the bottom half of the ladder.
Grade after round three: C
Undisputedly the biggest disappointment of 2015 so far, the Suns find themselves sitting 17th on the AFL ladder yet to register a win for 2015. They sacked their coach at the end of last season and made a lot of strong statements alluding to the club playing finals for the first time in 2015 during the preseason. Their first two performances can be best most kindly described as insipid, losing to the lowly ranked Demons and Saints. They took a step in the right direction on Sunday against Geelong but were still unable to chalk up their first victory for the season.
Grade after round three: D-
Many experts had the Kangaroos finishing in the top four preseason after an impressive finish to 2014. However the Roos were totally embarrassed by the crows in round one in Adelaide being trounced to the tune of ten goals. They responded positively in round two handing the Lions a trouncing of their own, but were unable to win two in a row when they were narrowly defeated by Port Adelaide on the weekend. If the Kangaroos are serious about being a top four side in 2015 they need to win those games.
Grade after round three: C
Perhaps the most talked about team’s preseason a lot of people predicted the Power to be a serious premiership threat in 2015. However the highly rated Power suffered losses at the hands of Fremantle and Sydney in the opening rounds of the season. They bounced back on the weekend narrowly defeating North Melbourne. The next month will be pivotal for the clubs premiership aspirations.
Grade after round three: C
There was very little expectation for the Saints entering the 2015 season. Last year’s wooden spooners are openly in the middle of a rebuilding stage. The Saints have experienced varied success so far this season. They were more than competitive against the Giants in round one and travelled to the Gold Coast claim their first victory in round two. They then were the bitterly disappointing against the Magpies last week. Josh Bruce has been a relation going forward for this year and will help take some of the enormous load currently placed on skipper Nick Riewoldt.
Grade after round three: C +
It is very hard not to sympathise for the Eagles who have already been cruelled by injuries. They lost their reigning best and fairest and number one defender Eric Mackenzie to a season ending knee injury in the NAB challenge, before losing fellow key defenders Mitch Brown and Jeremy McGovern to similar fates in the opening rounds of the home and away season. Despite a depleted list they were able to demolish Carlton in round two but that is as far as the highlights have gone for the Eagles suffering loses to Fremantle and the Bulldogs in their other games.
Grade after round three: C-
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