Welcome to the world of AFL, where every week brings a new set of challenges and opportunities for the clubs. In this week's Reaction Time, we delve into the urgency index of various clubs after round 18, analyzing their performances and the factors that are shaping their futures. From the Dockers' incredible ability to turn things around in the second half to the Bulldogs' season on the brink, there's a lot to unpack.
Fremantle: Flying High
Fremantle has been on a roll, going from first to fifth in an instant. Their ability to put the foot down in the second half is remarkable, with second-half bursts of 44-8 against Melbourne, 39-1 against Richmond, 36-6 against Hawthorn, 39-15 against St Kilda, and 42-14 against Geelong. This is a team with the most powerful list in the competition, and their urgency index reflects their flying form.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between their goalless halftime and their dominant second half. It's a testament to their resilience and ability to adapt. In my opinion, this team is a force to be reckoned with, and their urgency index is a clear indicator of their potential.
Brisbane: Will Back
The Lions have their Will back, and it's making a huge difference. Ashcroft's form as the back-to-back reigning premier struggled through the first half of the season was a concern. But he's gone from averaging 5.7 ratings points per game across a disappointing seven-week stretch to 15.2 across his last six matches. This has coincided with Brisbane winning five straight and returning to its flag-level best.
One thing that immediately stands out is the impact of Ashcroft's return to form. His 32 disposals, three goals, eight clearances, and 13 score involvements in a super display on Sunday are a clear sign of his importance to the team. From my perspective, this is a team that has found its rhythm, and their urgency index is a reflection of their renewed confidence.
Carlton: Watch This Space
Carlton's problem in the first half of the season was dealing with any type of adversity, and now the Blues are facing their first real test for a good couple of months. Smashed by Hawthorn, and with the old enemy Collingwood on the horizon this weekend, all eyes will be trained on the response. Do the Blues revert to type or is this new-look side and its renewed wildcard hopes under interim coach Josh Fraser for real?
What many people don't realize is that Carlton has the potential to be a wildcard in the competition. Their ability to respond to adversity and their renewed wildcard hopes under interim coach Josh Fraser make them a team to watch. In my opinion, this is a team that is on the rise, and their urgency index is a reflection of their potential.
Collingwood: Watch This Space
The Magpies still have a sneaky 'could be a problem in September' feel about them. Looked in serious trouble at 5-7-1, but make that four wins in a row with one of the best and most influential footballers in the competition playing about as well as he ever has. What this really suggests is that Collingwood has the potential to be a dark horse in the competition, and their urgency index is a reflection of their hidden strength.
Adelaide: Panic Stations
Adelaide is currently in a state of panic stations. Their performance against Melbourne was unwatchable, and their urgency index reflects their current struggles. What many people don't realize is that Adelaide has the potential to turn things around, but they need to find their rhythm and confidence quickly.
Geelong: Simmering
Forget about any premiership hangover, Geelong might be the next in line to face the wrath of the uncompetitive Grand Final gods. Since 1996, there have been 14 teams that have lost a Grand Final by more than 40 points. None of them have ever won a final the following year, while more than half have missed finals completely. The Cats, who lost last year's decider by 47 points, have now copped five defeats from their last six and could be without Jeremy Cameron for the remainder of the season.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the impact of their losses on their morale and performance. It's a delicate balance, and their urgency index is a reflection of their current struggles. In my opinion, this is a team that needs to find its rhythm and confidence quickly, or risk missing out on the finals.
Hawthorn: Watch This Space
Hawthorn has been a weird, weird team this season. They've felt at times like they're just clinging on to the season, yet somehow have wins over very good sides in Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle, and now Adelaide. Another opponent you wouldn't want to face in a wildcard game. What this really suggests is that Hawthorn has the potential to be a wildcard in the competition, and their urgency index is a reflection of their hidden strength.
Melbourne: Green Shoots
Melbourne's finals wildcard is Jacob van Rooyen. The third-highest rated player in the competition across the last month, behind only Nick Daicos and Chad Warner, and has pleasingly done it in multiple roles. Three goals against Adelaide as a primary forward, went into a secondary ruck role against Hawthorn and kicks five to go with 24 disposals, then returns to his station deep in attack and has six against Richmond. What this really suggests is that Melbourne has the potential to be a dark horse in the competition, and their urgency index is a reflection of their hidden strength.
North Melbourne: Panic Stations
North Melbourne had a four-week stretch of genuine 50/50s and has started that 0-2. Simply must pull something out of the bag against either Melbourne or St Kilda across the next fortnight to keep its fading finals hopes alive. What this really suggests is that North Melbourne has the potential to turn things around, but they need to find their rhythm and confidence quickly.
Port Adelaide: Watch This Space
Zak Butters' injury on Saturday has raised questions about his future with the club. But that's not Butters. It's telling that nobody at Port Adelaide is ruling him out for the year just yet. Typical of the determined, committed player he is, he'll be desperate for at least one more appearance in teal before 2026 is out. What this really suggests is that Port Adelaide has the potential to be a wildcard in the competition, and their urgency index is a reflection of their hidden strength.
Sydney: Simmering
The sustainability questions that have hovered over Sydney's all-out style this season aren't going away. Thursday night was the seventh time in 10 games that the Swans have conceded a score of 90-plus, and the fifth time they've conceded 100-plus in that same stretch. The fact Dean Cox's side leaked 100 in a half makes it all the more concerning. What this really suggests is that Sydney has the potential to turn things around, but they need to find their rhythm and confidence quickly.
West Coast: Green Shoots
West Coast had more scoring shots, more inside-50s, more tackles, and more contested possessions than the Bulldogs, spent more time in front, and probably deserved more than what they left with. This young Eagles side will be OK. What this really suggests is that West Coast has the potential to turn things around, but they need to find their rhythm and confidence quickly.
Bulldogs: Simmering
Despite the four points, it's progressively feeling like this season is on the brink. Never really looked convincing on Sunday, relied heavily on the brilliance of their captain Marcus Bontempelli when the tide was against them, have form and fitness issues clouding the makeup of their best team, and remain the only side in the top 11 on the ladder without a percentage above 100. A huge, must-win game away to Gold Coast on Sunday. What this really suggests is that Bulldogs has the potential to turn things around, but they need to find their rhythm and confidence quickly.
In conclusion, the urgency index of various clubs after round 18 reflects their current struggles and potential for the future. From the Dockers' incredible ability to turn things around in the second half to the Bulldogs' season on the brink, there's a lot to unpack. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these clubs respond to their challenges and whether they can turn their urgency index into a winning streak.
