Dustin Martin bursts out of the centre during Richmond’s win over Brisbane at the MCG on Sunday. Photo: AFL MEDIA
Trust is crucial in any successful relationship, be it of a business or personal nature. And the same rule applies when it comes to football tipping.
So, as we look back on five months of form and results as evidence, which clubs have proved themselves worthy of our trust heading into September?
Richmond is one, unbeaten since the bye and charging into the finals with a head full of steam, perhaps spurred on by the pain of last year’s ignominious exit. But beyond the Tigers, there are a host of flag contenders testing our faith.
Rising power Brisbane lost few admirers during its big tests over the final fortnight of the home-and-away season, however, remains yet to convince us it can get the job done when (and where) it matters most.
Collingwood has fallen into the top four and has all sorts of injury issues left to navigate its way through, and West Coast has often stumbled when it has been least expected throughout its premiership defence.
The Eagles’ latest slip-up may prove fatal to their bid for back-to-back flags, having cost them a double-chance and a pair of home finals.
Minor premier Geelong has had more than its fair share of concerning moments through the back half of the season, and none of us need reminding of the trials and tribulations Greater Western Sydney and Essendon have been through.
Then there’s the Western Bulldogs. Fourteenth at the bye, now playing scintillating football and eyeing another fairytale flag.
Yet while the Dogs benefitted greatly from the pre-finals bye three years ago, it is more of an unavoidable hurdle this time.
Their first-quarter beat-up job on Adelaide in Ballarat killed off the finals hopes of three rival clubs – the Crows, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide – in one of the most captivating storylines in Round 23.
We bid farewell to a pair of champions in Sydney, celebrated another’s 300th game, and watched Jeremy Cameron pinch the Coleman Medal with a big bag of goals on the Gold Coast.
The GWS spearhead’s career-best haul of nine majors against the Suns included five in the third quarter alone, and lit up an otherwise dull affair at Metricon Stadium.
Retiring Swans stars Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack had the perfect send-offs in the Harbour City, kicking last-quarter goals in their win over St Kilda. Lance Franklin bagged four in his milestone match and the trio were chaired off at the end, fittingly with former teammate Dan Hannebery on hand to do some of the heavy lifting.
Dale Thomas waved goodbye to Carlton after a stellar career and gave one lucky fan a souvenir to cherish by handing over his playing jumper as he left the field after the Blues’ defeat to Geelong.
The Cats may have found a solution to their ruck issues, with Rhys Stanley returning from a stint in the VFL and playing a key role in the win that clinched the club’s first minor premiership in 11 years.
Partrick Dangerfield gave us a reminder of his quality ahead of the finals with 34 touches and four goals, Mark Blicavs appeared to enjoy his return to defence, and Gary Ablett and Luke Dahlhaus led a dangerous group of small forwards.
Geelong’s return to form could not have been more timely in a match that was widely viewed as a potential banana skin.
Hawthorn, sans the retired Jarryd Roughead, remarkably gave its finals hopes a shot in the arm (before the Dogs ultimately closed the door) with one of the upsets of the season in Perth.
Chad Wingard produced his best performance for his new club, Shaun Burgoyne starred in an unfamiliar role in attack and Tim O’Brien stood tall as the Hawks – led by master coach Alastair Clarkson and offsider Sam Mitchell, who would have played a key role behind the scenes against his former team – clipped the Eagles’ wings.
North Melbourne and Melbourne played out a dead rubber in Hobart, but you wouldn’t have known there was nothing on the line in the final few minutes of their nailbiter.
Fans held their breath as Alex Neal-Bullen charged towards goal in the dying seconds, only to see his shot hit the post. The Dees fell agonizingly short, bringing down the curtain on a season they’d rather forget.
All eyes start turning towards the MCG at this time of year, and it began on Friday night as Collingwood and Essendon jostled for finals positions in front of 85,000 fans. The Pies got the job done, but may have lost luckless Darcy Moore to another hamstring injury.
Another huge crowd rocked up for the Richmond-Brisbane blockbuster on Sunday and saw two of the game’s best midfielders turn it on in what ultimately became a precursor to their qualifying final meeting in two weeks’ time.
Dustin Martin might have edged out Lachie Neale for best afield honours with his 21 disposals and two goals a huge factor as the Tigers turned it on early and survived a second-half fightback.
Lions ball magnet Neale’s remarkable 51-disposal effort included 25 contested possessions, 14 clearances and an efficiency rating of almost 90 per cent.
Jack Riewoldt kicked four goals in his best return of an injury-hit season, hitting his straps again at a good time, and the “Tiger Train” is purring along nicely enough for many of us to pencil in Damien Hardwick’s men for another crack at a premiership. But you know what they say about that funny thing called trust; it’s hard-earned and easily lost.
Week one of the finals could make or break each of the contenders, Richmond included, ahead of a trip to the Gabba. It can’t come soon enough.
