A look back at the biggest discussion points from Round 21 of the AFL season.
A Battle Of Two
Despite Fremantle and Sydney being legitimate Premiership contenders, Hawthorn and Geelong’s round 21 form indicates these two will probably make up the 2013 Grand Final.
Hawthorn have been relatively lacklustre in recent weeks, but stepped up to dismiss the first true threat the team has face in the past month. Burnt by lazy performances against lesser opponents this season, Geelong ensured their critics would have nothing to chirp about this week by demolishing West Coast by 66 points at Patersons Stadium.
Brisbane Begin New Era
Brisbane responded to a rough week by blowing out Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba on Saturday night in what was recently appointed interim coach Mark Harvey’s first game at the helm.
The 10-goal win means practically nothing in the scheme of things, but it was a nice reward for a playing group and a fan base that saw their well-regarded leader forced out of the club just a few days prior.
Collingwood, Richmond Struggling To Find Consistency
Richmond and Collingwood currently sit fifth and sixth respectively on the AFL ladder, but neither side seems able to bring much consistency to the table in 2013.
The Tigers have slipped dramatically after posting impressive wins against top four sides in Fremantle and Hawthorn, allowing Carlton steal a win after a fantastic first quarter, a week after suffering a scare against Brisbane.
Collingwood have been impressive against Essendon and Sydney in recent weeks, but suffered a convincing defeat to an out of form Hawthorn on Friday night.
It is impossible to predict what type of performance we’ll get from either side come finals time, but it now seems unlikely the Magpies and the Tigers will pose a real threat to the top four.
Injury Woes Continue For Fremantle
The Dockers have persevered all season long despite a ghastly run of injuries- something that looks set to continue after both ruckman Aaron Sandilands and small forward Hayden Ballantyne left Sunday’s big win against Melbourne in pretty rough shape.
Captain Matthew Pavlich is back and looked better as the game progressed, but a nasty knock saw Sandilands hospitalised with a concussion while Ballantyne was in a lot of pain after suffering a late knock to the shoulder.
A firing Port Adelaide loom for Fremantle next week and coach Ross Lyon will have to continue to juggle his pieces as Fremantle look to steal Geelong’s number two spot on the ladder.
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Quinn Rooney, Getty Images.
