Yet another massive shake-up headlined Round 20 action, as the Power proved their September credentials, the Dogs made an emphatic statement, and the Bombers well and truly crashed out of the top eight.
With so much action and movement in the top half in the run home to September action, we’ve put together a multi of hindsight in a piece we like to call 5 Lessons Learned – AFL Round 20.
Port proves a point
There was every reason for the Power to roll over and give in when facing a 31-point deficit in the second quarter against the Blues, but they dug in and got the job done on the road.
On paper, it’s a game they should’ve had a bit more comfortability in given the Blues were down a key wingman in Blake Acres and a key forward in Harry McKay.
While it felt like neither side could completely impose themselves on the contest, it was the Blues who struck first in the second quarter, similar to their third quarter onslaught of North Melbourne.
Charlie Curnow was able to get on a few, but the Blues still found ways to utilise their smaller forwards and hurt the Power in a flurry of goals.
But predictability started to hurt the Blues, and with no genuine second tall target, the Power switched on defensively, bringing the spare up to the marking contest and excelling in their rebounding capacity.
Their tackle pressure was elite around the stoppage, and they were able to make good use of the extra tall in Esava Ratugolea up forward who was lethal with his contested marking.
One goal in the second half was all the Blues managed, as the Power were super clinical defensively, forcing the Blues to the same marking options further up the ground.
It’s a statement they needed to make to carry some momentum into the back end of the year, and for the Blues, a loss to Collingwood and the world will turn upside down.
The Bombers blow up another season
Death, taxes, and the Bombers finding a way to completely make the impossible, possible.
They were humiliated on Saturday afternoon, going down to the Saints by 53 points at Marvel Stadium, completely outplayed after halftime.
In hindsight, we might look back at this game and think nothing of it, given the Bombers are in reality a bottom side, and were outplayed by a side that is better than them.
What is more distressful for the Bombers faithful is a lack of hope in the future, outplayed by a side who feel like they’re trying to rebuild a core group to take them forward.
Talent recruitment has been at an all-time low for the Bombers, and their inability to consistently produce top-end youth has continued to hurt them in crunch time.
Cooper Sharman and Anthony Caminiti got going for the Saints, with three goals each, and completely tore up the Bombers backline, which conceded over 100 points for the second week in a row.
There was no sense of tactical nous on the sidelines for Essendon, as Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera eased through the corridor and created space for the Saints moving forward.
It’s not season over on paper, but it’s an all too familiar story with the Bombers, who just can’t handle the heat.
There is a new top two
Killing your cross-town rivals finals hopes is one way to win a game, but to break their home-record streak, is another.
The Lions were clinical in Saturday’s Q-Clash, winners by 28-points, rocketing them up into second spot, establishing themselves as the clear second-best team in the competition.
The Suns picked up where they left off with their inaccurate start, and it did hurt them in the first half, keeping the Lions well within the contest with no real scoreboard pressure.
Lachie Neale continues to put up another Brownlow-worthy season, 35 touches for the Lions, whilst Q-Clash medallist winner, Dayne Zorko, also produced with 32 disposals.
It felt like almost half of the Lions goals were snaps at the drop of the loose ball, and their ability to capitalise on big moments gave them the killer edge.
Ben King put himself up for a mark of the year contention, rising over Lester to kick his first goal in 11 previous shots that missed.
A costly 50 metre penalty towards the end of the third quarter cost the Suns, letting the Lions get some late breathing space, and whilst Matt Rowell was able to tighten the margin early in the fourth, the damage was done as the Lions closed it out comfortably.
If the Lions and Swans both get home preliminary finals, the road to the AFL Grand Final seems pretty comfortable for both.
Who let the Dogs out?
They’ve become a threat to the top eight, to a premiership threat.
Consistency has often plagued the Dogs this season and seasons gone, but they’re looking like a serious issue heading into September.
The Dogs fired in the first quarter, clinical inside 50, finding looks at goal from different avenues and extending their lead out to 34 points before the Swans kicked their first major a minute into the second quarter.
At the drop of the ball around the contests, the Dogs were first to it, and they were able to bounce back and shut out the Swans short momentum swings.
Adam Treloar had a day out, 40 disposals in another fine performance, playing at his peak right now, and it’s marvellous to watch.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is another dominating for the red, white, and blue, another big four-goal performance, finding pure consistency in his game.
The Swans have now lost four of their last five games and find themselves in a bit of trouble heading into the back end of the year.
Whilst first spot is still locked up, they’re likely to come up against an in-form team who will finish in fourth.
The Dogs face a Melbourne side almost down and out, two sides in the bottom four, and the Giants, which almost guarantees them a spot in September.
Wearing the Menacing Hawk and playing like the team that wore it
Hawthorn are dominating teams, ruthless in their approach and it’s gotten to a point where they’re not just staking a claim, they’re genuine September contenders.
They took Adelaide to the cleaners in their own backyard, dominant winners by 66 points.
After a high-scoring first quarter from both sides, Adelaide’s inaccuracy hurt them, as the Hawks slowly got out and built their lead.
By three-quarter time the Hawks were up by 38 points and put the foot down in the last, six goals to two, relentless with their offensive run.
The Hawks are a team that understand the freedom they have in their approach, knowing that missing on finals this year doesn’t hurt their development, giving them the license to consistently act aggressive.
Their pressure forward of centre is elite and their disposal efficiency was super clinical at 76.3% for the game.
The even share of the footy in front of the big sticks makes them a tough task to defend, and there’s no real focal point that needs to lift for the Hawks to play well.
Their clash with the Giants next week may book them their ticket to finals action, but they certainly will be going in knowing they’re more than a chance against every top side in the run home.