Adelaide Crows

If

there had been cover in the form of Ollie Wines ...

then

after this week there isn't. Sloane now solely in the spotlight as the main out-of-contract, SA-based star.


Brisbane Lions

If

Mitch Wallis' discontent continues with the Bulldogs ...

then

there's an open door for him here.


Carlton

If

Harry McKay is fit ...

then

play him in the seniors for the rest of the year.

Collingwood

If

the Pies are the real deal (and we're pretty sure they are) ... 

then

they will beat the Blues by 15 goals.

Essendon

If

we were ultra-critical after the opening eight games ...

then

we've admired the response. Four wins from the next five. 2018 might still be a write-off, but we do respect an in-season comeback.

Fremantle

If

this club wants to call for an inquiry into how players are assessed for NAB AFL Rising Star nominations ...

then

it would be warranted. Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra both deserve one, staggering they haven't yet been properly acknowledged.

Geelong Cats

If

Henderson and Menzel can present as fully fit in the next six weeks ...

then

the Cats can yet again lock in a top-four spot.

Gold Coast Suns

If

Sherlock Holmes was still around ...

then

we'd assign him the case: Whatever Happened To Two-Metre Peter? Missing to this point of 2018, Peter Wright back for round 14 against the Hawks in Tassie.

GWS Giants

If

you look at the ins ...

then

Coniglio is a big one. But among the outs is Lobb. It's the story of the Giants in 2018, which is just about a write-off because of the injury list.

Hawthorn

If

you look at the fixture and line up the Hawks' next seven opponents ...

then

you'll see that upon entering round 14, those opponents sit 15th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 12th and 13th on the ladder. Finals, here they come.




Melbourne

If

the response was positive after an unlucky loss to the Cats in round one, and also after a bad second-half performance against Hawthorn in round four ...

then

we are backing the Dees to resoundingly bounce back after the lacklustre loss to Collingwood.

North Melbourne

If

the finals dream was starting to factor in a Grand Final fairytale ...

then

a loud noise in the form of Waite's latest setback has snapped fans out of that soothing slumber.

Port Adelaide

If

all the ruck talk this year has focused on Grundy and Gawn ...

then

we remind you that Ryder is still going very nicely, even with that troublesome Achilles problem.

Richmond

If

there's a game that shapes every AFL season ...

then

in 2018 it is going to be next Thursday night. Tigers v Swans. Shame it's not at the 'G.

St Kilda

If

the two-point win was the positive ...

then

the 39-point third-quarter deficit was the overriding negative. When it's against the Suns, even a win can be a loss.

Sydney Swans

If

you'll allow us an early call ...

then

the Swans will be at the MCG on September 29. Doing most things right, just need to fix the banged-up Hannebery, and miraculously rush Mills back.

West Coast Eagles

If

there's one thing we've learnt in watching football over the years ...

then

it is that there is usually at least one match in every season that each club simply cannot explain nor justify. As of Thursday, the Eagles have now had that game.

Western Bulldogs

If

Dale Morris is a Bulldogs "in" ...

then

it is always a positive for the Bulldogs. But not even he can turn around what is already an unexplainable and disastrous 2018.

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If

it wasn't Dusty who touched the umpire last weekend ...

then

we doubt there would have been an in-season change of interpretation to the rule.