So - with one third of the AFL season complete, how do things stand? As expected, the defending champions (Melbourne) are the team to beat - they are the only undefeated team, at 8 - 0. The surprise packages are Fremantle and Carlton, who are exceeding expectations (currently second and fourth on the ladder). Brisbane and Geelong are right up there (again, as expected) and Richmond are back in top-eight contention. The surprise strugglers, so far are the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide - although the Doggies have had injury issues. The real difficulty has been with DC's parent club, West Coast, who have been decimated by injury and COVID protocol issues - they've struggled, some weeks, to even put a team of any sort out on the park, having even to be granted permission, by the AFL, to call up undrafted reserves. In consequence, they are currently bottom of the ladder. Of course, the major landmark was Buddy Franklin reaching the 1000 goal mark, which has already been reported earlier.
When will the Demons lose? Can Fremantle keep it up? Watch this space...
