Adelaide Crows

If

all the talk of disharmony is as low as 20 per cent true ...

then

there's still a lot of major problems that are not going to go away.


Brisbane Lions

If

your playing list includes Beams, Zorko, Andrews, Hipwood, Martin, Christensen, Hodge, Robinson, Cameron and Rich ...

then

it is a massive fail to have a 1-11 scoreline. Very tired of the "but gee the future looks good" narrative.


Carlton

If

you want to see two midfield bulls go at it ...

then

get to Etihad Stadium or a TV for the early Saturday game. Cripps v Fyfe. Bring it on.

Collingwood

If

you're looking for the unsung hero of 2018 ...

then

here he is: Josh Thomas. Twenty six years old, officially a rookie, been through self-inflicted footy hell where he copped a long and deserved suspension, but has held his head high and is on track for a 40-goal season for a team going beautifully.

Essendon

If

you factor in everything that Stringer has had to deal with this year ...

then

he's put together a pretty good opening 12 games. Lot of upside to come.

Fremantle

If

we thought the NAB Rising Star award was between Stephenson and Doedee ...

then

Cerra is going to make things very interesting if he maintains his recent form throughout the remaining games.

Geelong Cats

If

we haven't been able to get a proper read on the premiership credentials of the Cats to this point of the season ...

then

we are heartened by the fact that we will have one by late Sunday after the Richmond game. Massive on so many levels.

Gold Coast Suns

If

he's the superstar we all thought he once was ...

then

Lynch will dominate this game, regardless of where his head is at re his future, and regardless of an injury he may be carrying. Maybe he's merely a good player.

GWS Giants

If

Josh Kelly stays fit ...

then

big things can still happen in 2018.

Hawthorn

If

the Hawks have already once defied the odds in getting Rioli back to the club when it seemed unlikely for family reasons ...

then

the odds are even longer on them being able to do so a second time.




Melbourne

If

the loss to Collingwood was a bad one ...

then

we acknowledge that. But we're not jumping off the bandwagon yet.

North Melbourne

If

the loss to Geelong was a reality check ...

then

from a finals perspective there is obvious appeal in the next three games being against the Dogs, Bombers and Suns. Should be 10-5 by that point.

Port Adelaide

If

Port was serious on Thursday night ...

then

it would’ve won by 100 points.

Richmond

If

you want perspective on the Tigers’ three losses from 12 games ...

then

at the same stage last year they had lost five. The premiership defence project going as well as it could be.

St Kilda

If

you won't use the 'R' word ...

then

we will. Since Simon Lethlean joined in January, he's been reviewing. And there will be a stack more to adversely review if the Saints lose to the Suns on Saturday.

Sydney Swans

If

this team is the only one to have beaten the Eagles in 2018, way back in the opening round and at the away venue ...

then

we're predicting another Swans win at the SCG.

West Coast Eagles

If

Jack Darling was available ...

then

we'd be revisiting the previous statement.

Western Bulldogs

If

the Bulldogs powerbrokers aren't asking proper questions about the decisions made in the football department since the 2016 flag ...

then

they need to. Surely the right people are asking the right questions.

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If

you were hoping Friday night was on the improve after this round's Swans-Eagles offering ...

then

stop it. Bulldogs still have one to play, St Kilda still has three, Carlton one.