IF | THEN | |
Adelaide | the Crows want us to believe they are legit finals contenders ... | ... they beat the Lions by 10 goals. |
Brisbane Lions | there's a player we are going to back to get himself out of a really nasty form slump ... | ... it is Daniel Rich. Predicting 30-plus disposals against the Crows. |
Carlton | you’re getting caught up in the “Blues are better because they tackle more under Johnny than Mick” argument ... | ... stop. Tackling numbers are better but not drastically so, about two more per quarter. |
Collingwood | we had our doubts about this club's credentials before the game against Freo ... | ... those doubts are still there. But they're not as big. |
Essendon | the coach can't be bothered returning to work when his players do ... | ... the players were more than justified in asking why. |
Fremantle | there's one thing we don't do, it is write off an ageing champion. But ... | ... again, we do - soon - want to see Pav get amongst it in a significant way. |
Geelong | anyone back in March thought that a late June season-ending injury to Stanley would be catastrophic for this club ... | ... you knew a lot more than we did back then. He was looming as an A-grade star. |
Gold Coast | Charlie Dixon walks away for the big cash from the Lions or another suitor (and we're hearing the Dockers have dropped off) ... | ... no big deal. 'Two Metre' Peter looks the goods. |
Greater Western Sydney | something has become accepted as fact within the footy industry in the past fortnight ... | ... it is that the Giants will be the 2015 version of the Suns in 2014, and miss the finals on the back of key personnel being injured. We're not accepting it as fact just yet. |
Hawthorn | Rough and Gunston go goalless and yet the Hawks still manage 17 goals ... | ... things are actually going very, very nicely. |
Melbourne | big Maxy Gawn can maintain his form of last week ... | ... the Dees will win more games than they lose. From virtually nowhere, he’s become crucial. |
North Melbourne | a bookie was to frame advance markets on the Roos’ next 10 matches ... | ... they'd be the favourite in nine of them. |
Port Adelaide | we thought the Suns were in denial early in the year on the back of some weak publicly issued excuses ... | ... they've got nothing on the Power after Kochie's effort this week. The spin reached Shane Warne to Mike Gatting-type rotations. |
Richmond | we were excited about the three-pronged attack seven days ago ... | ... we're scathing of it now. Can't work when you kick it straight down the throat of the game's rising defender. |
St Kilda | the Saints can split the next four games against Western Bulldogs, Essendon, GWS and Richmond ... | ... 2015 will be a success, no matter what happens thereafter. Not bad for a side many (and our hand is up here) were tipping for the spoon. |
Sydney Swans | this club can indeed lock away Hannebery until the end of 2021 ... | ... CEO Andrew Ireland's Swans legacy would be complete. |
West Coast | Wellingham has returned to 2010 and 2011 playing standards ... | ... you have to wonder what happened in 2012, '13 and '14. Comeback of the year candidate. |
Western Bulldogs | you get caught up in Bont, Boyd's debut season, Picken's rise, Stringer's dominance, Murph's leadership, Easton Wood's coming of age and Beveridge’s no-fuss leadership ... | ... don't forget Luke Dahlhaus. 25 touches a game, six tackles and now a lock in the midfield. |
Click here for more Sliding Doors
Follow Damian Barrett on Twitter: @barrettdamian