Who does it say more about?
The results of Round 9 can say plenty, whether it be about the winners or the losers.
SEN Breakfast’s Kane Cornes and Nathan Buckley went through each of the completed games and discussed which team the result said more about.
Richmond (102) – (78) Geelong
Buckley: “Richmond, their pluck, it said something about their positivity and their fight.
“They talk about raising the fight flat out.
“They went in with another young team with a couple of a couple of troops back in Nathan Broad who did a fantastic role on Jeremy Cameron.
“But the other part that they were playing for was Dion Prestia (200 games), they’re very good at celebrating their own at putting certain people on a pedestal in regards to their contribution to team and to club and the sacrifice that they made and Prestia is one of those.
“So for them to be able to get up for that game against Geelong, who have been very good.
“But they looked flat but Richmond took full toll and deserved the win.”
West Coast (43) – (113) Gold Coast
Cornes: “I’m a bit sick of talking about West Coast and North Melbourne and as a result anything about the teams that play against them.
“It’s hard to find one, but what I did love from Gold Coast was a couple of their fourth or fifth type year players that are starting to burst out and come into their own.
“I speak of (Matt) Rowell, who I’ve observed his career really closely and how unique he is in the way that he plays his footy … he’s the most physical midfielder that we have in the game.
“If he can start to explore avenues to get some easier ball, then he’s going to really come into his own in this competition.
“He did that on Friday night, he outside of the contest, still got his clearances and 17 tackles but was able to drive the ball inside 50 from outside of the stoppage, which was great and good to see.
“Noah Anderson got tagged but still performed really well, (Jack) Lukosius had a really good game and (Ben) King is sort of getting back to his best form.
“So, I think for me, it was Gold Coast.”
Sydney (86) – (103) Fremantle
Buckley: “I’m having a bit each way here.
“But it really does say a bit about Sydney and the fact that they’re in a funk at the moment and their game revolves around pressure and contest and they’re just not getting that high intensity pressure and contest consistently.
“The opposition (Fremantle) looked a lot better and I think the smaller ground helped them, but their offence looked really damaging when they get their, their small forwards (playing well).
“We talk about this for every side, but when their small forwards get to work and I’m talking about (Sam) Switkowski, (Lachie) Schultz and (Michael) Frederick and the contest they get from (Bailey) Banfield.
“They would be emboldened by the fact that they were able to come back from a pretty good Sydney start to be able to finish that contest and take the win on enemy soil, which we haven’t seen the Dockers do too much recently.
“John Longmire said he hadn’t seen numbers as bad as that from centre bounce and clearance and midfield perspective from them for really ever.
“Callum Mills went down but they’ve got some depth there with three-to-four-year players that are hardnosed that are known to be able to put their head in the trough and to be able to win that contested ball.
“It can’t be always on Luke Parker, so they need to improve on that.”
North Melbourne (65) – (135) Port Adelaide
Cornes: “It was the same for North … so I want to go just a different way, it said more about Port Adelaide.
“It says to me, Port Adelaide – they’re not a top four contender for me – from here it would be a really good result to win a final.
“They play Melbourne on Friday night and I’m looking at Brynn Teakle going up against (Brodie) Grundy and (Max) Gawn and he’s going to get monstered.
“I’m looking at the key defensive players for Port Adelaide who have been undersized and it’s going to be (Jacob) Van Rooyen and it’s going to be one of Grundy or Gawn in the forward line.
“So, it’s just the lack of personnel weapons that Port have that I think in the end is going to expose them.
“They didn’t have (Charlie) Dixon, they didn’t have (Junior) Rioli, (Darcy) Byrne-Jones came out late, Todd Marshall got concussed early in the game so they probably four of their best 12 players out of the side.
“So, I think that’s an issue for them.”
Hawthorn (49) – (103) Melbourne
Buckley: “It (playing Hawthorn) is much the same as playing West coast and North.
“What does it actually really tell you about your side.
“Hawthorn have played some pretty good footy but it just reinforces where Melbourne are at, so I think it says more about them.
“They shared the load in terms of their goal kicking, they don’t rely on just one guy.
“Bailey Fritsch pops up, (Harrison) Petty and (Charlie) Spargo (are playing well), (Kade) Chandler keeps getting in and around.
“Their mix looks really balanced and even they’re still finding young players that are coming up and doing well.
“(Judd) McVee has done really well, Trent Rivers who’s starting to get a little bit of focus and (Jake) Bowey who I reckon in the last sort of five or six weeks has come back and looked really good off halfback and that’s not even mentioning their stars.
“So, Melbourne are just tracking along well.”
Brisbane (87) – (45) Essendon
Cornes: “Brisbane are right in the conversation now (as premiershp favourites).
“They’ve still got seven games left at the Gabba, they’ve won six in a row.
“They play Gold Coast at the Gabba this week before Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval, then it’s Hawthorn and Sydney who are struggling.
“So if they’re top two at the end of the year, it’s difficult to see them not making a Grand Final from top two if they finish in that position.
“I understand this competition for those top two spots, but how vital is that for interstate sides, particularly when you’ve got a record like theirs at the Gabba, if they get themselves in that position for the finals, it’s difficult to see them (losing there).
“It’s early days and there’s still some questions over how some of their players stand up in finals and big games, but they couldn’t be in a better position after starting 1-2 and some real pressure coming on to that side at the start of the year.
“He’s coached well (Chris) Fagan, they’ve got so much talent in that side and I think some of their leaders including (Harris) Andrews and Lachie (Neale) are just leading that club exceptionally well and flying under the radar a little bit Brisbane.”
Carlton (59) – (79) Western Bulldogs
Buckley: “It said it said plenty about the Bulldogs for me.
“I think they’ve found that structure. They’ve found some balance in their 22 or 23 that they didn’t have in the first couple of rounds.
“(Marcus) Bontempelli has been huge for the majority of the season and (Tim) English is the other one as well and they were winning games when they were performing and competing.
“It was off the back of those two players in particular, but I just think that they just look more solid.
“Liam Jones is, is settled, he’s established … we’ll see him ultimately pop from what is a really good solid contributor and danger now to someone who’s got more hurt factor.
“I do like the way that he’s built his career, the way the Bulldogs have supported him.
“Obviously my love for Tom Liberatore is established, I thought that he was brilliant.”
Adelaide (121) – (69) St Kilda
Cornes: “I’ve been a real admirer of Adelaide even before the season started.
“To kick 121 points, I think it was against a side that is supposed to be good defensively was a real stand out and their ball movement and method (was impressive).
“We’ve spoken about their method around the contest, but also outside of that and the way that they transitioned the ball and a couple of their defensive 50 transition goals were a highlight.
“But have St Kilda been worked out? That’s what I want to ask.
“The Port Adelaide game on the Friday night (in Round 7) where Port went a little bit quicker with their ball movement and exposed the Saints’ one on one defenders.
“That was in one-on-one contests where the other defender didn’t have the opportunity to come on as the third man-up.
“If you match them at the contest and around the ball and you move the ball a little bit quicker, I just think the shine is wearing off the Saints.
“They’re in danger of missing the eight, even though they started so strongly.”
Collingwood (120) – (55) GWS
Buckley: “I think it’s clearly Collingwood.
“The contribution they’re getting across the board has been first class.
“Mason Cox has played mainly as a second ruck and forward and has now been asked to play as a primary ruckman.
That was probably played one of his most consistent four quarter games, he’s played some big games, a couple of big games in finals, but that was his most consistent four quarter effort and that was excellent.
“We’ve spoken about Tom) Mitchell coming into that side, Bobby Hill has made a difference.
“(Oleg) Markov off the back, his run and dash with (John) Noble and (Isaac) Quaynor and Nick (Daicos) who had another 40 touches.
“(Jordan) De Goey is having a career season, his last three or four years have been as consistent as at any time.
“Outside of the off field focus his, his actual football and his contribution to team is as consistent as it’s ever been.
“He’s put three or four really good seasons together.
“I Haven’t even mentioned (Scott) Pendlebury or (Steele) Sidebottom or Darcy Moore or even (Jack) Crisp.
“These guys are standing up everywhere.
“You’ve got young blokes that have come in and play really important roles as well and just playing their part (Beau) McCreery and (Jack) Ginnivan forward … also (Bobby) Hill and (Will) Hoskin-Elliott.
“It’s just a really good team performance, this is what it looks like when you are maximizing your strengths.
“This is what it looks like when you are playing without any inhibition when you’re really confident that you’re going to get that nourishment and rewarded for any work that you do and that you’re a part of something special because that’s what we all want to be a part of.
“When great teams start coming together, and you get the most out of everyone, it’s an exciting journey to be on and that’s where Collingwood are right now.”