At the conclusion of each round, we will dissect the five key issues that eventuated from the weekend’s games of footy.
Here is what we learned from Round 5...
The Giants, Crows...and daylight
While majority of the competition is still figuring itself out, it has become clear Adelaide and GWS are a tier above everyone else.
With their games separated by just hours on Saturday, the Crows and the Giants were both served different challenges and responded strongly. Adelaide had to deal with the loss of key defensive post Daniel Talia in the opening minute, who had the task of stopping in-form forward Tom Lynch. Meanwhile, GWS had to overcome a four-goal deficit within five minutes, before they even touched the footy against the Swans at the SCG.
Consider both missions, accomplished.
There is no greater offensive juggernaut than the Crows. Even without Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern, Adelaide posted 153 points against the Suns; the same figure they kicked a week prior. Their electric ball movement, immense forward pressure and incredible efficiency make Don Pyke’s attack impossible to stop.
The Crows entered Round 5 averaging 81.8 points from opposition turnovers, first in the league. After they added 17.9 (111) from that source against the Suns, they solidified that ranking. Incredibly, Pyke’s men were also first in this category last season, averaging 72.2 points per game. The best has only gotten better.
While Adelaide once again showed off their sexy style, the Giants displayed something other than offensive and defensive frameworks against Sydney. Yes, once GWS got on top of the contest, they controlled the ball and managed to dissect the Swans. However, the immediate response after Sydney’s opening barrage speaks volumes of the Giants’ character.
To think a team could hand an opponent a four-goal head start, but still manage to enter the quarter time break with the lead, is mindboggling. Arresting momentum mid-quarter is one of the toughest hurdles to overcome in sports. Without the luxury of a break to re-tinker structures, the players must rely on their on-field leadership and mental resolve to wrestle back advantage.
Not only were the Giants able to do this, but they laid the foundations of a victory while doing so. At the conclusion of the opening period, GWS had 5.5 on the scoreboard, doubled Sydney’s scoring shots and amassed 24 more disposals. The mental capacity of the Giants to be able to flip a switch halfway through a quarter shows their talent and composure.
It’s a shame Adelaide and GWS won’t play again in the home and away season. However, if current form is any indication, a date at the MCG in late September is a high possibility.
The Cats are fourth quarter kings
Is it time to finally stop hiding behind silly, illogical analogies, and recognise Geelong as a premiership contender?
Judgment of the Cats has been clouded due to their disastrous first quarter against Sydney in last year’s Preliminary Final, but just five games into 2017, the issues that doomed them in that contest have been corrected.
It was on full display in the fourth term against St Kilda on Sunday.
In a match that ebbed and flowed with countless momentum swings, Geelong, not for the first time this season, dominated the final period. The Cats outscored the Saints 8.4 (52) to 1.3 (9) in the fourth quarter, turning a five-point three-quarter time deficit into a 38-point win.
Not only is the sheer margin of the turnaround dramatic, but the way in which Geelong schooled with St Kilda sent a message to the competition. Chris Scott’s men had 68 more disposals and entered inside 50 nine more times, as they were first to the footy and controlled the game’s tempo.
With lightning fast handballs helping the Cats clear the ball from clearances in an effective fashion, they were able to deliver the footy cleanly when approaching goal.
Joel Selwood (14 disposals) and Patrick Dangerfield (11) were both, as usual, wonderful, but they received ample assistance in the decisive period. Mitch Duncan (11 disposals) fed off the inside work of Selwood and Dangerfield, while George Horlin-Smith (eight) also made an impact late. Zach Tuohy and Cam Gurthie provided penetration off halfback and Brandan Parfitt played with plenty of energy.
Geelong has a fourth quarter point differential of +151, a ridiculous ability to run out games. It was on full display against the Saints, as the Cats validated their premiership credentials.
Lewis’ absence was felt yet again
We all knew the Demons would miss Jordan Lewis’ leadership and on-field direction during his suspension, but no one could have anticipated it would cost them this much.
After their third narrow defeat in a row against Richmond on Monday night, Simon Goodwin would have loved a calming influence at ground level when the Tigers were making their fourth quarter charge. Of course, Goodwin would have also liked Max Gawn and Jake Spencer to be out there, but Lewis’ absence was felt in spades.
As aforementioned in the GWS portion of this column, being able to change the dynamics of a contest mid-quarter is extremely difficult to achieve. It requires an intense attention to detail, one that can only be seen with mature leaders and players that ooze calmness in high-pressure situations.
Without Lewis, Melbourne were lacking in those areas. As Richmond poured on the final term goals, the Demons failed to win the ball and get it into their attacking half.
The return of Lewis will be a welcome sign for Goodwin’s men, but the impact his suspension has had over the past three weeks has been damaging.
Jack’s spot is in doubt
When you’re 0-5, name and profile can’t be enough to justify a spot on game day. In Sydney’s position, where finals would still be the expectation, it’s hard to find reasons why Kieren Jack deserves to be playing against Carlton this week.
The 29-year-old is down in all the key indicators. After five games, Jack’s numbers for disposals, tackles, contested possessions, disposal efficiency, inside 50’s, clearances and one percenters are the lowest they’ve been since the turn of the decade.
Jack looks slow and off the pace. He is going to ground far too often, is getting caught out of position and simply isn’t impacting the game the way someone of his caliber should be able to.
No one anticipated this huge decline from Jack, and he does have the tools to overcome the form slump. However, whether that happens in the AFL or NEAFL, is the question Sydney must ponder throughout the week.
Hipwood is going to be a star
There were many positives for the Brisbane Lions on Saturday, none brighter than Eric Hipwood.
While the developing key forward faded out of the game in the second half, the glimpses of brilliance he displayed was enough to suggest he is going to be a superstar.
In an era where athletic, hybrid-type forwards are in vogue, Hipwood epitomises those attributes. He is as quick as a cat and can pounce on a bouncing ball in full stride at a lightning pace. Hipwood can change direction with the footy like a midfielder and his leaping ability is also something to be marveled at.
Additionally, his intelligence is another strength, as Hipwood often positioned himself behind the packs in dangerous spots against the Dogs.
The 19-year-old is still extremely thin and will take years to develop consistency. The raw, innate elements are already being shown, though, and it’s enough to suggest Brisbane has found themselves a serious player.