Adelaide Crows

If

we thought, maybe too simply, that the 2018 season was an aberration for so many reasons ...

then

we're starting to think we were wrong. Maybe the Crows aren't that good, for so many reasons.

Brisbane Lions

If

others keep getting the headlines ...

then

that suits Hugh McCluggage. But gee, he's tracking beautifully. Quite possibly, the next big thing.

Carlton

If

the Blues have been solid against Richmond and Port Adelaide ...

then

they get their chance this week, against a shell-shocked 0-2 Swans. But they need to take it. No more excuses, no more OK losses. 

Collingwood

If

Adams returns and is added to the midfield mix ...

then

the Pies' onball options are now seriously scary for opponents. And if Wells can somehow get his fragile body right, then, oh boy ...

Essendon

If

the Bombers keep telling us they got it right with their leadership group minus Hurley and Hooker ...

then

it is overdue time for Heppell, Merrett, Fantasia and Myers to stand up in a 'This Is What We Stand For' way.

Fremantle

If

we're to conspiracy theorise ...

then

Ross Lyon and Paul Roos are great mates. Out of nowhere, Roos seriously bagged Fyfe this week. Might Ross The Boss have asked Roosy to do so? Again, it's only a conspiracy theory ... 

Geelong Cats

If

anyone predicted the Cats would take four uncapped kids to three wins through the first three games of 2019 ...

then

they're lying. What this club is doing is beginning to emerge as seriously exciting, and in a year in which it wasn't meant to happen, maybe even premiership-challenging. 

Gold Coast Suns

If

Alex Sexton played for a Victorian club ...

then

he'd be verging on star status. Made his debut back in 2012, but has been very, very good for three seasons and is a key to this latest Suns revamp. 

GWS Giants

If

we were hoping for a nice ending for Deledio's career ...

then

it seems unlikely now. Yet another soft tissue injury setback. There's time, but it is closing. 

Hawthorn

If

Clarko felt the need to open a laptop set-up to play perceived dodgy free kicks against the Hawks over a morning coffee catch up with Gill last year ...

then

we suspect he requested a three-course meal and post-eat drinks appointment with the AFL CEO last Monday in order to get through his list of Sicily-led grievances against the Dogs. 

Melbourne

If

there is a good cause behind the Demons' decision to run through a banner of mean tweets against Essendon tonight ...

then

we get why they're doing it. But we don't like it, and are tiring of the highlighting of mean tweets. Widespread public recognition in any form is actually what those faceless low-lifes and losers most crave, and running through this banner won't change a thing.

North Melbourne

If

we're concerned about a club at this early stage of 2019 ... 

then

it is the Roos. Giving it one more chance before we rule it dire. 

Port Adelaide

If

you package up Scott Lycett's past four games (2018 preliminary and Grand Finals for Eagles, 2019 rounds one and two for Power) ...

then

you might view him as the game's most influential ruck. At the very least, you'll concede he's got serious presence.    


Richmond

If

there's one thing we really like ...

then

it's a talented kid getting a chance after a serious reality check. Sydney Stack gets his chance against the Giants. 

St Kilda

If

the Saints go 3-0 ...

then

we'll consider purchasing a seat on the bandwagon. 

Sydney Swans

If

we've been all-in on a player since his debut ...

then

it's Heeney. But it's time. In his fifth year, time to properly step up and influence the result of a game.  

West Coast Eagles

If

you're the reigning premier and you've got the luxury of adding serious talent like Oscar Allen and Jack Petruccelle, as well as Andrew Gaff (back this week) and Nic Nat (who will return mid-season) ...

then

no matter what happens against Collingwood this weekend, the Eagles are going to be there when it counts.

Western Bulldogs

If

Bevo was the one who created most noise about the AFL restrictions on coaches' use of runners ... 

then

we wonder why. Without the coach being able to access the runner, the Dogs have been airborne in the first two rounds. 

If

the Seedsman barrel wasn't worthy of a nomination as one of three potential goals of the week ...

then

we need a better system. Of the 800 players in the comp, maybe 10 - and only on a good day - would be able to do what Seedsman did. Reckon that actually makes it goal of the year worthy.