Gerard Whateley has gone through all 18 teams for his word association after a bumper Round 15 of the AFL season.
Read Whateley’s thoughts below
Melbourne – a team restored … that’s the standard we know, that’s the standard to be feared.
Brisbane – a telling failure … didn’t like their team from the moment selection landed but it’s more than that, they’ve lost five of their six finals while living at the top of the ladder I’m going to take some convincing now.
Western Bulldogs – ready for the gauntlet run of the next six weeks… are they good enough? That’s a matter of judgment. But they’re in the eight and I’m still holding a candle for them.
Hawthorn – patchy and too rapidly from exhilarating to empty.
West Coast – restoring some credibility… and a nasty fixture in the west on the run in.
Essendon – burnt their credits immediately… bitterly disappointing that they couldn’t back up that one cohesive performance - lapsed defensively and structurally.
Carlton – the best ticket in town … never mind Hamilton or Harry Potter or even dare I say it Maverick – for high octane thrills and madcap excitement just sidle up and savour the Blues.
And if we’re running polls as to whether Carlton can win the flag – mark me down as a hell yeah.
Fremantle – dismantled and brutalized … that’s one apiece against the Blues – it’s screaming out for a decider.
Geelong and Richmond:
Reprised their greatest hits to conjure the match of the year. Thought I was living a recurring nightmare for an hour in the middle … you know the one.
The difference at the end was nearly imperceptible. But the result pitches them 2nd and 9th. Both have big roles to play
Sydney – nice win … there’ll be better guides.
St Kilda – the pessimists were right … horrid performance … have won just two of 12 quarters off the bye and fallen from 4th to 10th… not sure if it’s retrievable, but it has to be right now.
Adelaide – took what was before them.
North Melbourne – one of those rare moments when it is as bad as it seems … couldn’t win a quarter in the “if not now, then when match”.
Collingwood – meritorious performance in tumultuous times … seventh and climbing.
Giants – one mode and once that is slowed not much else … what are the Giants getting out of this phase to set them up for future challenges.
And the final game had the dynamic of an Elimination Final…
Port Adelaide – staying alive … honest as the day is long.
Gold Coast – that was dead honest … and that’s a commendation that has rarely been afforded the Suns.