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The Mongrel?s Rabid Rankings Week 6:
At this stage I have the bottom 5 gone, and can?t seriously have the Roos in the mix for finals. That leaves 10. If the GF was this week then the Pies and Swans are clearly the best 2 at the moment. There are probably still 5 genuine flag chances, but I?m not going to tell you which 5.
Please throw your thoughts into the mix.
Conquistador team of the week: Sydney (up 2) ? Playing Sydney at the moment means you are going to (1) feel the agony of a physical beating (2) get flogged and lose % and self respect (3) Question why you didn?t become a cricketer. The sky is the limit.
Steaming pile team of the week: Hawthorn (down 1) ? The arrogance of their supporters preseason was overwhelming. Now they are the bye. An entree, main course and dessert of humble pie with all the trimmings down at Waverley.
1. Collingwood: Rabid Ranking Movement (0), Ladder 2nd, Record 5-1, Form WWW, Ahead Roos (H), Freo (A), Geelong (H) ? In the end had a comfortable win against the Blues, although challenged several times. They are a very even side without many A-grade stars. So far the formula is working, but can they win the big games in September without the A-graders?
2. Sydney: (+2), 1st, 5-1, WWW, Cats (A), Dogs (A), Freo (H) ? They have now beaten ?someone? and quite comfortably considering their bench restrictions. On form there is no reason why they can?t win all of the next 3. In seasons past Geelong and the Dogs have been bogey sides, particularly the Dogs. This is a different Sydney though, with a decent slice of class and pace being added to their well known toughness. There is nothing standing in the way of glory other than fear itself. And for the 1st time in ages they have genuine depth. Don?t fear the reaper!
3. Fremantle: (0), 4th, 5-1, WWL, Lions (A), Pies (H), Swans (A) ? Have been a little scratchy in the last 2, but wins are wins. Helped by their genetically modified human/giraffe hybrid, they seem to get 1st use at every stoppage. The next 3 are horrific. If they win 2 then batten down the hatches for a furious storm brewing in the west.
4. St Kilda: (-2), 3rd, 5-1, WLW, Blues (H), Bombers (H), Eagles (A) ? Mixed feelings about this mob. OK, so they won the hard way against the Dogs. Can they expect to beat sides by kicking only 7 goals though? Plus Milne will be reeling after Bradshaw relieved him of a car on the weekend. I can feel the dam wall cracking.
5. Geelong: (0), 7th, 4-2, WLW, Sydney (H), Lions (A), Pies (A) ? The angry Cats opened a can of whoop-ass on the Tigers after some patchy form. Kardinia Park (as it should be known, Skilled Stadium pfffft) is still a fortress. The road ahead is very tough. The Cats sit on the precipice at the moment and the next 3 weeks will shape their season. Their recent WLWL record shows inconsistency. Can they recapture their mojo? Not sure, the big names are getting ready for slippers, smoking jackets and Havana cigars and their constant success has robbed them of quality youth. Not gone yet, and not forgotten....for now.
6. Western Bulldogs: (0), 8th, 3-3, LWL, Demons (A), Swans (H), Roos (A) ? Still haven?t beaten a top 8 side in 2010 and very lucky to hold their 6th ranking. They have plenty of room for improvement but can?t top a side kicking 7 goals indoors...please! A must win game on Friday night followed by 2 that they would want to win. Has their window been slammed shut before they ever opened it fully? I am leaning towards the affirmative.
7. Carlton: (0), 9th, 3-3, LWW, Saints (A), Port (A), Hawks (H) ? Competitive against a side ahead of them but not showing enough to be touted as serious challengers...yet. I am beginning to think their likely end result will be similar to last year: 7th or 8th, which is where I have them now. Not convinced about Ratten yet, seems to be a little gimpish and uninspiring. Prove me wrong Blues, I dare you.
8. Port Adelaide: (+2), 7th, 3-3, WWL, Bombers (A), Blues (H), Demons (A) ? Still probably the toughest side to rate. When they are ?up? defensively they can beat anyone, but they are inconsistent. Would want to win 2 of the next 3 to cement their final 8 claims. At this stage I would rather be on the lay than back for the 8, however it is possible they could do better than just fall into the 8. The bye against Adelaide did little to help the form raters.
9. Brisbane: (0), 6th, 4-2, LLW, Freo (H), Cats (H), Crows (A) ? Gallant against a better team on the weekend but the question mark remains. Is Fev doing enough? He is the most kicked to i50 target in the comp and he returned 1 mark against the Bloods. Fancy toe pokes don?t cut it when the heat is on. Totally rely on Brown. We will know more after the next 2. I expect them to improve but still feel they were overrated by most preseason.
10. North Melbourne: (+1), 11th, 3-3, WWL, Pies (A), Crows (H), Dogs (H) ? Playing like their coach used to ? not talented but throw themselves into the contest come what may. They are not going to beat the better sides, however there are plenty of sides below them that they are more than capable of beating as has been the case in 3 of last 4. Those who took the $10 for the spoon have egg on their face.
11. Melbourne: (-3), 10th, 3-3, LWW, Dogs (H), Eagles (H), Port (H) ? Had a letdown against the Roos after some good form. This will happen to the young sides. Melbourne supporters yet to get on board are still considering the merits of an Mt Hotham ski pass versus a Demons membership. The vagaries of the draw give them 3 consecutive home games. Go figure? Need to win at least 2 of these.
12. Essendon: (+2), 12th, 2-4, WLL, Port (H), Saints (A), Tigers (H) ? A win against a putrid Hawks may have given a glimmer of hope. Folks on the Bombers forums are going nuts for Hurley/Gumby, or is it Gurley? People, any side including the Tigers would have won on the weekend. If they have any claims for success in 2010 they must win this week. I would rather your money on them than mine.
13. West Coast Eagles: (0), 14th, 1-5, LWL, Hawthorn (H), Dees (A), Saints (H) ? I haven?t got much positive to say unfortunately, just fortunate that there are 3 worse sides at the moment. A win against the Hawks is a good chance but if you hold accom in Melbourne for September...sell, sell, sell.
14. Hawthorn: (-2), 13th, 1-5, LLL, Eagles (A), Tigers (A), Blues (A) ? It?s like they forgot to flush, and a brown and gold mess is festering in the bowl. 5 losses in a row. All hope gone. See you next year. And, coach...see you at Warracknabeal 3rds. Three away games in a row doesn?t help. Will be playing for a long wooden trophy (that doubles as a stirring implement) against the Tigers in 2 weeks.
15. Adelaide: (0), 15th, 0-6, LLL, Tigers (H), Roos (A), Lions (H) ? Stink. Need change, and fast.
16. Richmond: (0), 16th, 0-6, LLL, Crows (A), Hawks (H), Bombers (A) ? Put up a valiant effort against the Cats for about 13 seconds then caved like small girls. The next three represent their only chance to avoid a well deserved spoon.
At this stage I have the bottom 5 gone, and can?t seriously have the Roos in the mix for finals. That leaves 10. If the GF was this week then the Pies and Swans are clearly the best 2 at the moment. There are probably still 5 genuine flag chances, but I?m not going to tell you which 5.
Please throw your thoughts into the mix.
Conquistador team of the week: Sydney (up 2) ? Playing Sydney at the moment means you are going to (1) feel the agony of a physical beating (2) get flogged and lose % and self respect (3) Question why you didn?t become a cricketer. The sky is the limit.
Steaming pile team of the week: Hawthorn (down 1) ? The arrogance of their supporters preseason was overwhelming. Now they are the bye. An entree, main course and dessert of humble pie with all the trimmings down at Waverley.
1. Collingwood: Rabid Ranking Movement (0), Ladder 2nd, Record 5-1, Form WWW, Ahead Roos (H), Freo (A), Geelong (H) ? In the end had a comfortable win against the Blues, although challenged several times. They are a very even side without many A-grade stars. So far the formula is working, but can they win the big games in September without the A-graders?
2. Sydney: (+2), 1st, 5-1, WWW, Cats (A), Dogs (A), Freo (H) ? They have now beaten ?someone? and quite comfortably considering their bench restrictions. On form there is no reason why they can?t win all of the next 3. In seasons past Geelong and the Dogs have been bogey sides, particularly the Dogs. This is a different Sydney though, with a decent slice of class and pace being added to their well known toughness. There is nothing standing in the way of glory other than fear itself. And for the 1st time in ages they have genuine depth. Don?t fear the reaper!
3. Fremantle: (0), 4th, 5-1, WWL, Lions (A), Pies (H), Swans (A) ? Have been a little scratchy in the last 2, but wins are wins. Helped by their genetically modified human/giraffe hybrid, they seem to get 1st use at every stoppage. The next 3 are horrific. If they win 2 then batten down the hatches for a furious storm brewing in the west.
4. St Kilda: (-2), 3rd, 5-1, WLW, Blues (H), Bombers (H), Eagles (A) ? Mixed feelings about this mob. OK, so they won the hard way against the Dogs. Can they expect to beat sides by kicking only 7 goals though? Plus Milne will be reeling after Bradshaw relieved him of a car on the weekend. I can feel the dam wall cracking.
5. Geelong: (0), 7th, 4-2, WLW, Sydney (H), Lions (A), Pies (A) ? The angry Cats opened a can of whoop-ass on the Tigers after some patchy form. Kardinia Park (as it should be known, Skilled Stadium pfffft) is still a fortress. The road ahead is very tough. The Cats sit on the precipice at the moment and the next 3 weeks will shape their season. Their recent WLWL record shows inconsistency. Can they recapture their mojo? Not sure, the big names are getting ready for slippers, smoking jackets and Havana cigars and their constant success has robbed them of quality youth. Not gone yet, and not forgotten....for now.
6. Western Bulldogs: (0), 8th, 3-3, LWL, Demons (A), Swans (H), Roos (A) ? Still haven?t beaten a top 8 side in 2010 and very lucky to hold their 6th ranking. They have plenty of room for improvement but can?t top a side kicking 7 goals indoors...please! A must win game on Friday night followed by 2 that they would want to win. Has their window been slammed shut before they ever opened it fully? I am leaning towards the affirmative.
7. Carlton: (0), 9th, 3-3, LWW, Saints (A), Port (A), Hawks (H) ? Competitive against a side ahead of them but not showing enough to be touted as serious challengers...yet. I am beginning to think their likely end result will be similar to last year: 7th or 8th, which is where I have them now. Not convinced about Ratten yet, seems to be a little gimpish and uninspiring. Prove me wrong Blues, I dare you.
8. Port Adelaide: (+2), 7th, 3-3, WWL, Bombers (A), Blues (H), Demons (A) ? Still probably the toughest side to rate. When they are ?up? defensively they can beat anyone, but they are inconsistent. Would want to win 2 of the next 3 to cement their final 8 claims. At this stage I would rather be on the lay than back for the 8, however it is possible they could do better than just fall into the 8. The bye against Adelaide did little to help the form raters.
9. Brisbane: (0), 6th, 4-2, LLW, Freo (H), Cats (H), Crows (A) ? Gallant against a better team on the weekend but the question mark remains. Is Fev doing enough? He is the most kicked to i50 target in the comp and he returned 1 mark against the Bloods. Fancy toe pokes don?t cut it when the heat is on. Totally rely on Brown. We will know more after the next 2. I expect them to improve but still feel they were overrated by most preseason.
10. North Melbourne: (+1), 11th, 3-3, WWL, Pies (A), Crows (H), Dogs (H) ? Playing like their coach used to ? not talented but throw themselves into the contest come what may. They are not going to beat the better sides, however there are plenty of sides below them that they are more than capable of beating as has been the case in 3 of last 4. Those who took the $10 for the spoon have egg on their face.
11. Melbourne: (-3), 10th, 3-3, LWW, Dogs (H), Eagles (H), Port (H) ? Had a letdown against the Roos after some good form. This will happen to the young sides. Melbourne supporters yet to get on board are still considering the merits of an Mt Hotham ski pass versus a Demons membership. The vagaries of the draw give them 3 consecutive home games. Go figure? Need to win at least 2 of these.
12. Essendon: (+2), 12th, 2-4, WLL, Port (H), Saints (A), Tigers (H) ? A win against a putrid Hawks may have given a glimmer of hope. Folks on the Bombers forums are going nuts for Hurley/Gumby, or is it Gurley? People, any side including the Tigers would have won on the weekend. If they have any claims for success in 2010 they must win this week. I would rather your money on them than mine.
13. West Coast Eagles: (0), 14th, 1-5, LWL, Hawthorn (H), Dees (A), Saints (H) ? I haven?t got much positive to say unfortunately, just fortunate that there are 3 worse sides at the moment. A win against the Hawks is a good chance but if you hold accom in Melbourne for September...sell, sell, sell.
14. Hawthorn: (-2), 13th, 1-5, LLL, Eagles (A), Tigers (A), Blues (A) ? It?s like they forgot to flush, and a brown and gold mess is festering in the bowl. 5 losses in a row. All hope gone. See you next year. And, coach...see you at Warracknabeal 3rds. Three away games in a row doesn?t help. Will be playing for a long wooden trophy (that doubles as a stirring implement) against the Tigers in 2 weeks.
15. Adelaide: (0), 15th, 0-6, LLL, Tigers (H), Roos (A), Lions (H) ? Stink. Need change, and fast.
16. Richmond: (0), 16th, 0-6, LLL, Crows (A), Hawks (H), Bombers (A) ? Put up a valiant effort against the Cats for about 13 seconds then caved like small girls. The next three represent their only chance to avoid a well deserved spoon.
How about "caved like a Labor politician"
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