With finals on the horizon, Round 16 provided an opportunity for some teams to sure up a top four or finals spot. While teams like Sydney, Adelaide, St Kilda and Port Adelaide took their opportunity, GWS, Richmond and West Coast may look back at this weekend and rue their disappointing performances.
Adelaide put the final nail in the Western Bulldogs’ premiership defence, thoroughly smashing Luke Beveridge’s team at Adelaide Oval. The reigning premiers have a shorter injury list than last year, but they do not seem to have the hunger needed to push for a back-to-back flag. A finish of 11th or below is not out of the question.
GWS became the first team since 1921 to record consecutive draws, this time against Hawthorn in Launceston. Two weeks ago, the Giants were a shoo-in for top spot, but now find themselves second on percentage with a huge clash against Sydney to come. Meanwhile, the Hawks just keep their finals chances alive with a clash against their old rival Geelong this week.
Essendon increased the pressure on Nathan Buckley with a dominant win at the MCG. With Collingwood’s finals chances gone and a bottom-four finish likely, Eddie McGuire will have an agonising decision to make in the coming weeks. Essendon, meanwhile, remain an outside finals chance, with a classic eight-point game against St Kilda on Friday night a must-win.
The remaining three games on Saturday provided a trio of beltings. Sydney absolutely wrecked Gold Coast to further entrench themselves in the top eight, St Kilda stunned Richmond and Geelong destroyed Brisbane. In such a close season, these big wins and the accompanying percentage boost could be absolutely vital come September.
Richmond fans, in particular, would be concerned by their team’s 82-point half-time deficit. The Tigers have been competitive in every match this year – except for a loss to Adelaide – and extremely sound defensively. With a game against lowly Brisbane this week, Richmond have a chance to rebound quickly.
On Sunday, Fremantle handed North Melbourne another agonising loss after Todd Goldstein missed a late goal, while Melbourne narrowly got over the ever-competitive Carlton. Finally, Port Adelaide handed West Coast another dispiriting loss. With other results going their way and a very healthy percentage, Port are back in the lead for the chase for the final top four spot.
