The highest 4 ought to have a bonus, however to not the purpose the place it’s utterly lopsided.
To me the double likelihood and a house last (except you’re Geelong) is reward sufficient for what’s achieved throughout the home-and-away season.
The Canines’ premiership win of 2016 doesn’t occur with out the pre-finals bye due to all of the gamers they received again from damage.
This yr there would have been no Dustin Martin, Jeremy Cameron or Tom Papley, amongst others, for the primary week of September. The finals are certainly higher with these names match and firing.
Likewise, the increase the week off offers different sore and drained our bodies ensures the sport itself is much better.
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So, who will I’ve my eye on over the subsequent month?
On Thursday evening, it’s Joe Daniher.
Joe actually wants an enormous finals sequence, however not in the way in which many may suppose. We all know what he’s able to – the excessive marks and spectacular targets – however this September ought to be all in regards to the fundamentals. Joe merely must make the proportion performs, whether or not it’s kicking for aim or discovering a teammate when required. Let the opposite stuff change into the cream on prime.
Dion Prestia, in the meantime, is the barometer for Richmond. Whereas Martin and Shai Bolton get a lot of the consideration, Prestia is arguably the Tigers’ most essential participant.
Along with his ball-winning means and two-way working he’s a significant cog of their machine. With out him every part else can break down.
Dusty and Shai will nonetheless must do their factor for Damien Hardwick’s males to be an opportunity this September, however a lot of that can come from what Prestia does on the coalface.
On Friday evening, when reigning premiers Melbourne deal with Sydney, I’ve received a pointy give attention to Ben Brown who’s most likely had an detached yr in comparison with 2021. He’s had his excuses, lacking just a few video games due to his knee points, however his affect isn’t about kicks, marks and targets.
For Ben, it’s all about competing, significantly in opposition to the Swans. He merely can’t enable the McCartins free rein to mark the footy. When he’s robust within the contest, the Demons are a significantly better crew.
It means the likes of Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Spargo can anticipate the drop of the ball to hit the scoreboard or apply strain. It additionally frees up Bayley Fritsch.
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With Tom McDonald solely simply making his return within the VFL, Brown is so essential structurally to the Dees’ premiership defence.
For the Swans there are such a lot of X-factor gamers, but it surely’s Callum Mills who, I consider, is about to play essentially the most essential function of all.
He’s change into an All-Australian this yr on the again of enjoying on the opposition’s finest midfielder, whereas nonetheless being prolific himself.
Mills ensures these round him have extra freedom and that selfless function will probably be particularly essential in opposition to a crew like Melbourne.
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Whereas there’s an argument for him to play on Christian Petracca, I’d ship him straight to the supply – and that’s Clayton Oliver.
On Saturday, it’s the workmanlike Magpies in opposition to the Cats.
Craig McRae’s males have been so even throughout the board this season with contributions from any variety of gamers together with Brayden Maynard, Jack Crisp, Scott Pendlebury and Josh Daicos.
However Darcy Moore is the person I’ll be watching most intently.
I don’t suppose he’s been fairly pretty much as good as final yr, with the hole between his finest and his worst somewhat wider.
He could be that dominant intercept participant, turning defence into assault in a short time, however on the similar time has been crushed due to the latitude he provides his opponents.
For Darcy it’s all about decision-making – realizing when to go and when to play tight. It’s appeared he’s typically performed his opponent with a 10-metre leg-rope. From right here it should be extra like 4.
On the different finish of the MCG on Saturday is Tom Stewart, who I reckon has been somewhat off since he’s come again from suspension.
Perhaps that bump on Prestia has weighed on him, solely he can reply that, however there could be little question about the way in which he assaults the footy this September.
Whereas the Cats don’t have the reliance on him that they as soon as did, for them to achieve success I nonetheless suppose Stewart must be at his finest.
Lastly on Saturday evening, it’s Rory Lobb who wants to fireside for Fremantle.
Bulldogs ruckman Tim English has an enormous job in opposition to Fremantle on Saturday evening.Credit score:Getty Pictures
I had initially earmarked Nat Fyfe pre-hamstring, however with the skipper injured Lobb turns into much more essential.
He confirmed what he can do in opposition to the Canines only some weeks in the past and for the Dockers to grasp their potential Lobb must be clunking them.
For the Bulldogs, Tim English is the person.
He’s had a great yr with out being excellent, however when he’s “on” he’s so influential.
He faces an enormous job up in opposition to Sean Darcy within the ruck, significantly now the Canines’ key extractor Tom Liberatore received’t be at his ft.
For the Canines to win out west I wish to see a Max Gawn-style sport from English, pushing ahead to kick targets, whereas dropping again within the gap when his crew is underneath strain.
