Adelaide, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs; did anyone see them in the top eight at any stage this season?
All this while Geelong, Sydney and Port Adelaide sit outside the finals bracket.
There was certainly plenty to take out from Round 3 of the AFL season.
1 – 2025 is going to be a bumpy road for Ken
While the succession plan between Ken Hinkley and Josh Carr has been formalised, it hasn’t resulted in an overly successful start to the season for last year’s preliminary finalists.
The Power have been as inconsistent as any side from their first three matches with shock losses to Collingwood and Essendon either side of their mandatory win against the embattled Tigers.
Injuries to Zak Butters (knee), Jack Lukosius (knee), Todd Marshall (achilles), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (back) and Lachie Jones (adductor) have meant Ken has been required to throw the magnets around, but it won’t stop the terrifying ire of the Power faithful if he can’t turn it around.
Didn’t they call for his head last season? Before taking them to within one game of the decider?
Good luck, Ken.
2 – Put a line through Melbourne
It’s taken just three games, but we are more than happy to put a line through Melbourne’s chances of a second flag in five seasons.
While the bulk of their 2021 premiership team remains intact – Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Christian Petracca – the Dees are a shell of their former selves, adding a 58-point defeat to the Suns to their previous two losses against North (59) and GWS (3).
They’re currently 17th on the ladder with a percentage of 62.7% and sit above only West Coast.
They had 25 less inside 50s against the Suns and got smashed in the clearances 24-40 – something their midfield would historically impart on the opposition.
While the Roos and Suns are clearly two sides on the way up, there’s no doubt Simon Goodwin et al would have confidently pencilled those in as Ws.
The Dees are currently $81 for the flag with Ladbrokes, so the traders are clearly on the same page.
3 – The injury-riddled Dogs could be anything
Did anyone actually see this coming?
After giving away Bailey Smith, Caleb Daniel and Jack Macrae during the 2024 trade period, we knew it’d be a bit of a slog for the Dogs.
But after early-season injuries to Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman and Jason Johannisen, we waved goodbye and looked forward to their 2026 assault.
How wrong we were?!
The Dogs have responded to their lack of personnel in emphatic fashion, with a 2-1 start to the season and a spot in the top eight.
They were scintillating in their come-from-behind win over the Blues on Friday night, after defeating the Roos in R1 and going within a goal of upsetting the Magpies.
Once the likes of Bont and Treloar return in the next 1-2 months, it could be the Dogs of 2016 all over again.
If Bevo plays them in position, of course.
4 – Matthew Kennedy was an underrated pick-up
On the topic of the Bulldogs, how good has the addition of Matthew Kennedy been?
While they gave up the Smith-Daniel-Macrae trio at the end of last season, the Dogs added former big-bodied Blue Matthew Kennedy to the fold on the premise of increased midfield time.
Once Bont went down with his calf injury, we’re not sure who was happier with the trade.
Kennedy has been outstanding in his first three games as a Dog, averaging 22 disposals, four tackles and five clearances per game.
He was one of the best players on the ground against his former side with a game-high nine clearances and two goals in their eight-point win.
While watching two-time Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps throw his battered body around as a back-up ruck, we can’t help but think an M. Kennedy might be useful for the Blues right now.
5 – Are sold on the Hawks?
Yes. Yes, we are.
It was hard to get too carried away with Sam Mitchell’s men prior to the weekend, having defeated only the out-of-form Carlton, Essendon and Sydney to start the year.
However, it’s safe to say our minds have been changed.
The Hawks were outstanding against the Giants in Tasmania on Saturday afternoon, coming from 35 points down at QT and running out 12-point winners against their fellow finals aspirants.
With cyclonic winds helping the Giants to a dominant opening term, the Hawks kept their heads and worked their way back into the game thanks to standout performances from Lloyd Meek, Nick Watson and Will Day.
They now go into their bye round with a 4-0 record and in top spot on the ladder.
While premiership favouritism is still premature against the likes of Brisbane, there’s little doubt Hok-ball will be lighting up our screens in September.