2 in a row and heading for 3. However apparently, it is the "reseurgent" Eagles who are the form team heading in to the Derby this week. We all expected that I guess.
What noone expected was for Lynch and Staker to be "heroes" in a Budgie win. Suddenly they have found the solution to what ails them. All they need is for Lynch and Staker to play that "well" every week and they're golden.
Isn't that like saying "all we need is for Osama Bin laden to come out of hiding and we can sort this war stuff out"?
Seriously, relying on little q and toker makes as much sense as Jacko describing a Chris Mayne goal. I'd feel more comfortable leaving Troy Buswell alone with Halle Berry's chair than I would banking on those 2 "performing" on a regular basis.
As for us, things are becoming a lot clearer for some guys on the list. Byron is bringing it, Ibbo, Palmer & Mayne are all lifers, Murphy is better looking elsewhere for everyone's sake, MiJohn is NOT going to be another Dion Woods, Sandi & Robbie can play in the same team very effectively, and we need a big backman to help out. 1 thing that has gone unnoticed for the most part is that Mark johnson has quietly had a very good month.
Anyway, on we go
1(1) Geelong. Were pushed by the Hawks after looking awesome early. Perhaps they put the cue in the rack for the benefit of us all and perhaps the Hawks can push them on the last day. Either way, interest in the finals has increased.
2(2) Hawthorn. They looked all at sea early but pushed the school bully all the way after that. Although they still ended up in the dirt they'll believe they can have another crack. That in itself is good.
3(3) Bulldogs. Now THAT was a bad loss. To let a team that far below you come from 37 down and win is bad enough. But when the team that beat you was lead to victory by Sideshow Bob's slightly more mental cousin, you need to be very concerned about your future prospects.
4(5) North. I was wrong about them at the start of the year, I've said that enough now and you won't hear it from me again. HOWEVER, the rules that I outlined a few weeks back (no its not linked, look it up) are holding up. They sputtered to the line against a team that could only lay 30 something tackles for a full game.
5(4) Sydney. Oh Mr Roos, WHAT A MESS!!! From pushing towards possible (if unlikely) Premiers to being in amongst the rest of the pretenders in less than a month.
I need to break here to say that every team after this point is rubbish and can be completely disregarded from here on in. Noone is demonstrably better than anyone other than WCE or Melbourne.
6(9) Richmond. As I said at the start of the year, these rankings are not a ladder, nor are they a list of the best teams in order, they are a ranking of the teams on current performances. I needed to reiterate that just so that I wouldn't vomit too much whist putting a Terry Wallace coached team this high.
7(10) Adelaide. They have been put on this earth to teach me humility and to show you how stupid I am.
8(12) Carlton. Good effort to get over the now suspect Dogs. I must admit I really enjoy watching Carlton play now. You get the joy of seeing Judd play without hating his jumper and everyone he gives it too, and you get to see a world class mental case perform one of his zany routines at any moment.
9(11) Essendon. I still don't rate them, but they're playing ok at the moment. These guys and the previous 2 teams get as high as they are due to the "Stephen Bradbury Rule". If everyone else falls over, you look good for a little while, and you may even win something.
10(5) StKilda. Flaky doesn't do this mob justice. I have nothing left to offer on these guys.
11(8) Brisbane. They have really gone to the dogs in a big way. You could blame many things but in the end it doesn;t really matter does it. They will be watching when it matters the most.
12(7) Collingwood. Full of overrated, overhyped, underperforming poncey knobs. From Didak to Cloke to Thomas to Wakelin to Malty, these guys have all the substance of a Bob the Builder book.
13(13) Fremantle. Building a core of good young guys who will be even better very quickly. With about 8-10 changes come years end, next year holds great promise...as it has every year.
14(14) Port. Still getting away with murder in terms of the focus on them and their level of output. A horribly average collection of boguns and lightweights.
15(16) A Pox on Your House. A slight reprieve before the inevitable plunge in to further darkness that awaits them this weekend. Ebert getting a NAB listing before Mayne adds to the long list of undeserved credits given to this deluded bunch of knobjockeys.
16(15) Melbourne. My GOD you suck.