There are only four teams that can win the AFL premiership this season after a previous contender was once again exposed last round, Cam Mooney writes.
AFL: Mason Cox and Christian Petracca were seen having a heated discussion after the final siren in Melbourne’s big King’s Birthday clash victory.
Collingwood, Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Geelong, if they can get its best team on the park and capture its best form, are the genuine flag contenders in 2023.
I simply don’t trust Brisbane with its poor recent record in Melbourne, or its forward line in big games.
Its loss to Hawthorn last round was a horrible result for the club.
Meanwhile, St Kilda’s not ready and Essendon’s not quite there, although the Bombers showed against Carlton on Sunday night, especially in a stunning third quarter, are great to watch.
Melbourne’s Brodie Grundy celebrates a goal with Alex Neal-Bullen after kicking a goal against his former side, Collingwood on the King’s Birthday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Adelaide is also emerging with promising signs for the future, while the Dogs’ season is in free fall after a promising start.
As I have said all year, if the Cats can get back the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Cameron Guthrie, they’re still a chance.
I think they can give the premiership a shot, even from an elimination final.
But it’s a big if.
I thought Collingwood was due for a loss, so its result against Melbourne doesn’t concern me much.
For a top two team, the Pies were coming off a relatively average few rounds despite banking comfortable wins against West Coast, North Melbourne and Carlton.
And the loss of Jordan De Goey for the King’s Birthday match hurt them.
The Dees, however, looked to be back to their best, despite missing midfield bull Clayton Oliver.
Collingwood lost their first game since round 4 against Brisbane. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Melbourne was my premiership favourite at the start of the year and I’m sticking with them.
They played a real Melbourne brand of footy against the Pies, with their tackling and pressure enormous.
The Dees had 17 inside 50 tackles to Collingwood’s four on Monday.
That’s as good as it gets and is a massive indicator of how much pressure you’re putting on the opposition.
I also believe they learned a lot from last season, where they started brilliantly before their campaign unravelled.
They don’t need or want to be the best team in the competition right now.
But they’re showing enough, and if they stay healthy, should reach peak form by the finals.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide is on a great run doing everything right.
They’ve had some great additions in recent times with Jason Horne-Francis this season and Jeremy Finlayson in 2022.
Zak Butters has been one of Port Adelaide’s best players in 2023. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.
The Power are also transitioning from the old guard of Travis Boak and Ollie Wines to young guns Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Willem Drew and Horne-Francis.
They’re taking control of the club.
Port also has serious weapons up forward with Finlayson, Todd Marshall and Charlie Dixon.
However, it’s all about a matter of trust.
And we’ve been here before.
The Power finished the 2020 and 21 home and away seasons in the top two, but couldn’t get it done in finals.
They might be on a 10-0 run, but I still don’t quite trust them as much as I do Melbourne and Collingwood.
That being said, they’re in the race.
And as far as I can see, only four teams can win it from here.