Round 9 is in the books with some big results occurring across the weekend.
With headlines on and off the field, these were the main talking points from another round of footy!
See the talking points below.
Sydney’s drop off after Grand Final thrashing is real
It’s official, the Swans have succumbed to the dreaded fate many teams have after being thrashed in a Grand Final.
In recent years we’ve seen Adelaide, GWS and the Western Bulldogs drop off significantly after failing to turn up on the big day the year prior, and Sydney are absolutely following that trend.
Their most recent loss to Fremantle - who have also been struggling - at home at the SCG of all places is a true sign of where this side is at.
After a quiet off-season, the Swans haven’t not only failed to improve, but they’ve clearly gone backwards from 2022.
At 3-6, a top-four berth might already be out of their reach given that they would have to be near perfect from here on, and it’s even looking unlikely that they’ll play finals.
They’ll get a small reprieve next week against North Melbourne, but you’d fear the damage is already done.
You can see why Richmond kept their veterans around
Many questioned Richmond’s decision to keep the likes of Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt around in 2023 once the Tigers got off to a poor start, but Friday night showed that the experienced duo still have it.
Combining for five goals, the duo along with 31-year-old Dustin Martin were the difference against an undermanned Geelong side.
While Cotchin and Riewoldt in particular aren’t the players they once were, their football smarts and nous are still at a level where they can be genuine contributors.
Even though it’s likely that 2023 is the final season for the duo, it looks like Richmond made the right call to finish on their own terms.
Just think about how invaluable their presence would be for the club’s glut of youngsters.
Richmond will be better off going forward for having the pair play on this campaign.
Was Geelong’s last month a false dawn?
After starting 0-3, we all thought Geelong were back with five straight wins.
But after going down to Richmond, was that perhaps premature?
Looking closely at their previous five weeks, the Cats had easy kills in Hawthorn and West Coast, while their win at home against Sydney doesn’t look as good now as it did at the time.
Even against Essendon and Adelaide (at Geelong) they were challenged.
There’s no doubt this Cats side are still quality, and yes they’re currently down a few soldiers, but they don’t appear to be ahead of the leading pack as they were last year.
They’ll still play finals and no doubt will find their best footy at some point, but they can’t afford many more of these losses in games they would have backed themselves to win if they are to earn a double chance.
An on-song Daniher is near unstoppable
After an indifferent start to the season, Joe Daniher has roared to life for Brisbane.
His latest performance of six goals against his former side Essendon means Daniher now has 19 majors from his last six games.
As well as hitting the scoreboard, Daniher is having a genuine impact up the ground as a second ruck on occasion and marking option.
In that six-week span, the 201cm athlete hasn’t had a disposal tally of less than 14 which are absolutely elite numbers for his position.
If he continues this form, there’s no doubt he could earn a second All-Australian blazer in 2023.
No excuses for Carlton
The pressure was on Carlton heading into Round 9, and while they weren’t disgraceful, they were unable to relieve any of that stress after going down to the Western Bulldogs.
Perhaps at the start of their poor run of form injuries were partly to blame, but the Blues now have almost all of their best 22 fit and playing.
Clearly, talent isn’t the issue, so what is the excuse for this Carlton side to go 1-4 over the last five weeks? There simply is none.
With Collingwood, Sydney (away), Melbourne and Essendon to come over the next month, it could get ugly both on and off-field for the Blues if they fail to turn it around.
They’ll be desperate in more ways than one to knock off their historical rivals next Sunday at the MCG.
Adelaide looks the best of the rest
Adelaide made a statement on Sunday to dismantle St Kilda to the tune of 52 points at home.
Against a Saints side that were yet to be beaten by double digits, the Crows showed that their offence is near unstoppable once it gets rolling.
We know that Collingwood, Melbourne, Brisbane and probably Geelong are the leading pack, but Adelaide are putting a genuine case together that they’re the next best.
They’ve now beaten the Saints who are fifth, the Power who are fourth and the Blues who are ninth, while also coming awfully close to beating the Cats and the Magpies.
Suddenly next week’s game against the Bulldogs in Ballarat is a mini blockbuster, and if the Crows win there no one will have any doubts that they are the next side pushing the contenders.
It’s an exciting time to be a Crows fan.