It was a round of snakes and ladders as some teams that made early running,battle to stay in contention.
Coach Brad Scott’s disappointment was palpable as he lashed his side’s lack of competitiveness,poor effort and pressure after a defeat that left them in danger of slipping out of the top eight.
Essendon’s close wins this season have been more by good luck than design. Last week,Adelaide were good enough to take advantage of the Bombers’ shortcomings. But it raises the question many fans are asking:when will this group learn?
Brad Scott had his charges “on the edge of their seats” during an unusually lengthy review that delved deeper than just the tactical mechanics behind their defeat,while Melbourne have shot down rumours that there is tension between star midfielder Clayton Oliver and the club.
The former Essendon champion has become a constant figure at the VFL club watching his son Tom play,and powerbrokers are keen to put the question to him.
While the Swans appear to have top spot locked up,the race for the top eight is well and truly on as we head into the home stretch of the AFL season. Where will your team finish?
Sam Mitchell’s entertainers are taking football in a different direction. His main challenger for coach-of-the-year honours might be the coach of another team that started the season slowly. Meanwhile,the Bombers are wobbling and the AFL needs to get fair dinkum on the real issues of player safety.
The AFL has gone to extraordinary length in explaining why it cleared three players from Friday night’s Essendon-Adelaide clash for incidents involving head knocks.
For the second year in a row,a finals flame that burned so brightly for much of the season is threatening to be extinguished.
In a match with notable fluctuations,a late goal from Josh Rachele ensured Adelaide pulled off a stunning Friday night win over Essendon. Dangerous tackles are bound to again be in the spotlight,too.
All 18 AFL club chiefs gathered in Perth for a crucial meeting with league bosses as the season nears its conclusion. Their agenda included some of the game’s biggest issues.