Like last week, some teams in the race for the finals missed big opportunities to consolidate their place in the top eight.
The AFL’s top three sides remain a cut above the rest and are set for a slice of the finals pie.
But below them, nine clubs remain locked in a battle to fill the remaining five finals places on offer.
Trying to predict a final eight – or even a top four for that matter – at this point is merely guesswork.
So, with a month of the home-and-away season remaining, it might be a good time to reflect on some key moments that have brought the teams still fighting for the eight to their current predicaments.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Sydney Swans
Brett Kirk thought he might have snatched victory in round six when he snapped at goal against North Melbourne at Telstra Dome. But his left-foot shot was just inches short, meaning his side only came away with two points instead of four.
After trailing by six goals early in their round 11 clash with the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco, Jude Bolton found himself with the ball in his hands for a set shot to win the game. He coolly slotted the goal.
North Melbourne
While the Kangas found the mark themselves with two crucial shots at goal late in the match against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night, opposition sides have let North off the hook on three key occasions.
Collingwood’s Alan Didak had the chance to win it for the Pies in round five, Brad Johnson likewise for the Bulldogs in round nine while Dean Laidley called it “karma” when Warren Tredrea when the Power skipper’s left-foot snap screwed right in round 15.
Collingwood
While Magpie fans were crying foul over that umpire’s wicked bounce of the ball in round five against North Melbourne, perhaps it might be unlucky round 13 the Pies will rue later this year.
Seemingly on top of the Bulldogs at Telstra Dome half-way through the third term, the Pies ran out of manpower after losing three players to injury. Rodney Eade’s men seized their chance and ran away with the game, claiming a vital four points.
Adelaide
The Crows have steadied with two wins in as many weeks but has a spot in the top four now gone begging? Nathan Bock has had a super year but could have given his side at least one more win in round one had his shot at goal at the death not missed against the Western Bulldogs. While the match is best remembered for Brad Johnson’s last-quarter heroics, it must be noted that Bock had a chance to win his team the game in at the finish – albeit with a difficult chance – and pushed the kick.
Brisbane Lions
A matter of inches has been the difference in two matches for the Lions. Had Daniel Bradshaw’s snap against Melbourne (round 14) been called a behind – and not out of bounds on the full – and Jonathan Brown’s long bomb against Richmond (round 17) gone another metre then the Lions would be a couple of rungs higher on the AFL ladder.
Meanwhile, Travis Johnstone’s miss – with les than five minutes left in the match – against the Kangaroos at Gold Coast Stadium might prove more costly than either incident, as a win would have further shored up a spot in the eight.
St Kilda
Sometimes in footy you’ve just got to go. Young Saint Clint Jones knew it was his time in round one when his side beat Sydney. Running back with a high ball in the third term, Jones marked courageously before being crunched by Marty Mattner. He gave off to Adam Schneider who goaled. The final margin? Two points. Moments like that can be the difference between a place in the finals and a wasted year.
Nick Riewoldt’s towering grab in the final quarter against Port Adelaide at the weekend was another moment that might help lift Ross Lyon’s team to a September berth.
Richmond
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Joel Bowden has been the master of winning games for the Tigers this season. On three occasions he has single-handedly played a huge part in getting Richmond over the line. A strong mark against Port Adelaide (round 13), coolly rushing behinds against Essendon in round 16 and then calmly slotting a goal against the Lions in round 17 has helped keep the Tigers on the path to the finals.
However, on the flip side, missed opportunities late against St Kilda could prove costly with Nathan Brown and Kelvin Moore both hitting the woodwork before Jack Riewoldt’s last-ditch attempt fell agonisingly short.
Carlton
An inspired decision to move young gun Matthew Kreuzer into attack proved a massive win for coach Brett Ratten when the Blues stormed home to beat Port Adelaide in round 11. The big Kreuze booted three goals in his side’s dramatic comeback which gave the Blues’ season new life – and belief.
However that man, Swans brick wall Jude Bolton, might have struck a decisive blow in Carlton’s season in round 16. As the Blues surged forward in the dying seconds, the rugged Swan showed reckless abandon for his own health by diving in at the football and winning a free kick, ending the home team’s chances of pulling off another miraculous come-from-behind win.
Essendon
Joel Bowden’s match-winning antics have been well-publicised this year, but they weren’t too popular among the Windy Hill faithful. However the Bombers did have their chances to snatch that match, with Jason Laycock and Brent Stanton both having chances to pinch the round 16 clash near the finish.
Perhaps another pivotal moment in the Bombers’ season – which is still well and truly alive – was the round 12 clash against West Coast at Telstra Dome. Skipper Matthew Lloyd had been under pressure all week and the champ delivered in spades. He has been superb since, and was the reason Essendon beat Melbourne at the weekend.
THE BLOCK
Team W L D Pts %
Geelong 17 1 0 68 153.6
WB 14 3 1 58 122.8
Hawthorn 14 4 0 56 125.6
……………………………………………………..
Syd Swans 10 7 1 42 120.0
North Melb 10 7 1 42 98.40
Adelaide 10 8 0 40 106.4
St Kilda 10 8 0 40 101.1
Collingwood 9 9 0 36 109.4
Bris Lions 9 9 0 36 104.6
Richmond 8 9 1 34 94.3
Carlton 8 10 0 32 95.7
Essendon 8 10 0 28 87.5
…………………………………………………….
Fremantle 5 13 0 20 94.1
Port Adel 5 13 0 20 92.0
West Coast 3 15 0 12 67.4
Melbourne 2 16 0 8 65.9
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or the clubs.
