The 2018 JLT Community Series is in the book, this time each AFL team played a pair of preseason contests in preparation for the 2018 home and away season. This format ensured that teams played a lineup closer to their best 22 for the regular season, and thus should give us some limited insights into what is to come once the curtain raises on round 1. Here is a look at some notable insights.
Richmond Doesn’t Look Hungover
The Richmond Tigers dominated the JLT Series with big wins over Essendon and North Melbourne. Coming off a premiership it wouldn’t have been a surprised if the Tigers had backed off a bit in the preseason and looked out of sorts, but instead they won games they were supposed to win with Dustin Martin, Josh Caddy, and Toby Nankervis among major contributors. The Tigers know how to play their brand of pressure footy well and could turn the MCG into a fortress during the home and away season.
Stuart Dew’s Suns Should be Competitive
The Gold Coast Suns have a brutal early fixture list that should dent their results, but for now they have a bit of a morale boost from going undefeated in the preseason. Under new coach Stuart Dew, the Suns thumped Geelong and edged Brisbane in a mucky contest. Playing a new brand of pressure footy, the likes of Brayden Fiorini, Aaron Hall, and Nick Holman, a Carlton castoff, were big contributors. The Suns will hope to keep the services of star forward Tom Lynch next season, but if they buy into Dew’s new gameplan, they should be able to catch at least a few teams by surprise this season.
Melbourne Demons Rising
If they can stay healthy the Melbourne Demons will have a shot at finishing in the top 4 in 2018. They only added Jake Lever and rookie Bayley Fritsch to their best 22, but Clayton Oliver keeps improving, Max Gawn remains one of the best ruckman in the AFL, and all in all this is a balanced side that should be competitive against most teams. They handled North Melbourne and St. Kilda professionally to finish undefeated in the JLT Series.
Geelong’s Depth is Questionable
Missing their midfield stars in the opening preseason contest, the Cats were destroyed in unlikely fashion by the Suns and lacked class. In the second JLT game they were just nipped by Essendon and put in a much better performance. That said, even if the Cats are likely to make finals in 2018, if the likes of Patrick Dangerfield, and Gary Ablett cannot stay healthy, they are unlikely to get near as far as some are tipping. They are currently the flag favorites in the sportsbooks, but their preseason form wouldn’t suggest this at all.
Hawthorn, St. Kilda, Brisbane and North, the Winless Foursome
Hawthorn fans won’t be happy to lose to a pair of Victorian teams, the Western Bulldogs and Carlton (who went undefeated in the preseason). Ever since Hawthorn went for a rebuild starting with last season, things have not gone quite to plan. A lot is still riding on Jaeger O’Meara among others, and so far the Hawks are not performing to their fans lofty expectations.
St. Kilda looks to be one of the teams most likely to slide in 2018. They didn’t bring in any veteran players this season and unless their top picks like Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield are able to make an immediate impact, I’m unsure how their list is going to get them into finals this year. Paddy McCartin will have to fill a major whole in their forward line with Nick Riewoldt retired.
Brisbane and North Melbourne contested the wooden spoon at the end of the last season and could end up there again in 2018. North struck out on making a major free agent acquisition last season and is lacking stars. Brisbane has clearly gotten better over the past 18 months but they did lose Tom Rockliff and are at least year off from finishing in the top 10.
South Australian Teams Look Strong
Adelaide’s additions of Bryce Gibbs and Sam Gibson already look like smart moves for a team still in their flag window. The Crows disappointed in the 2017 Grand Final, but were the strongest regular season team, and could repeat that feat in 2018. Gibbs adds much needed class to their midfield with the Crouch brothers and Rory Sloane.
Port Adelaide is going to make a major challenge in their flag window as well, Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop, and Jack Watts were added to their best 22 from last season. Rockliff did not play in the JLT Series, but Watts and Motlop are already fitting in. Watts was the best performer in the preseason Showdown with Adelaide, a match that ended with Port Adelaide the winner. Simply put, 2018 looks to be a great year for South Australian football.
