The season so far: The stars, the shocks, and all the big moments

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Whether it be the dash of Collingwood’s Nick Daicos or the eloquence of Darcy Moore, the poise of the Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, the rash of star rookies, the resurgence of the Bombers and Saints, or the disappearing act that is Carlton and West Coast, there has been much to dissect through an intriguing first half of season 2023.

There have, as always, been plenty of headline-grabbing issues off the field.

The stars of season 2023 … so far.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis

On the field, there are a few trends emerging that could shape who ultimately holds aloft the premiership cup come the last Saturday in September.

As the bye rounds play out and the 18 teams each take a mid-season breather over the coming weeks, The Age takes a look at how this must-watch campaign is shaping up at the halfway point.

What the statistics say

Champion Data boffins say that while there haven’t been many significant changes in game trends from last season, the league’s determination to open up scoring is having an impact. That may not be obvious when it comes to the slumping Blues over the past month, or the injury-plagued Eagles, but, overall, there is an average of 12.2 goals a game – the most since 2017. The standing-the-mark rule has encouraged teams to attack more through the corridor, and look at how exciting that is when the Magpies are in full flight and running in waves.

The move to four field umpires this season had many fans concerned there would be over-officiating, and the game would become bogged down in free kicks. That hasn’t eventuated, for teams are averaging only 18.6 free kicks against, the fewest since 2015, excluding the pandemic-impacted 2020 season.

There has been an increase in ball-ups, with 31.6 a game, the most in the past 12 years. There is a belief among clubs that it is as a result of umpires wanting to keep play moving quickly, rather than risking too many ugly scrums, which began to blight the sport through the mid-2010s. A quick ball-up can also avoid second and third tackles, thereby reducing the risk of sling tackles – and serious head knocks – when players become frustrated.

Around the ground stoppages have hit 65.4 a game, the most since 2019, a result of teams flooding forward or back.

Super sub

The AFL’s decision to reintroduce the all-purpose substitute, the 23rd man, has not only ensured added health and safety, but also introduced an added tactical edge.

Statistics show there is almost parity through a round in terms of the sub being used to replace an injured player, or activated to add fresh legs late in a game. What appears universal, though, is that clubs want to be able to publicly name their 23rd man at selection, so that player does not need to be named as an “out”. Essendon veteran Dyson Heppell and Richmond counterpart Trent Cotchin had their futures called into question when they were technically omitted, only to be used as the substitute.

“Yep. It just makes sense [to be able to name 23],” Essendon coach, and former AFL general manager of football Brad Scott, said. “But having worked at the AFL I know that the lawyers would hate that because they’ve got to re-write the entire rule book because the rule book’s written around 22 players. So they’ve got to change a lot of things.”

Big-impact forwards: Cats stars Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins, and Carlton gun Charlie Curnow.Credit: The Age

Forward focus

If the battle for the Coleman Medal is any guide, the key forward is back, for nine of the top 10 goalkickers are key talls. The outlier is Brisbane Lions dynamo Charlie Cameron.

Of the top 10, it’s been great to see Eagle Oscar Allen and Gold Coast’s Ben King return from serious injury, while roaming Cat Jeremy Cameron began the season with such force he had claims to being the league’s best player.

Is this the year of the Bont? Marcus Bontempelli has been in Brownlow Medal-winning form.Credit: AFL Photos

Brownlow Medal bounty

Bontempelli, the Western Bulldogs captain, could already have a handful of games with maximum votes, such is the form the champion midfielder has been in. The defection of Josh Dunkley to the Lions has allowed Bontempelli to spend more time as an inside mid, and he has flourished alongside a typically robust season from Tom Liberatore and Jack Macrae, and the dash of Bailey Smith. Is this the year of the Bont?

As for Nick Daicos, well, what hasn’t been said about the Magpies phenom? The dashing half-back is a master creator, and has had at least 40 touches three times.

Melbourne midfielder-forward Christian Petracca is also enjoying a strong campaign, while Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters is also a frontrunner, highlighted by 41 disposals and two goals in the wet against the Demons.

One name who wasn’t in favour with the bookies through the pre-season was Jordan Dawson, but the Adelaide captaincy is clearly having a positive impact on him. The former Swan is one of the league’s most versatile players. He is also one of the best ball users.

On the rise

Recruiters say Will Ashcroft could have easily played senior football last year should he have been eligible, such has been the impact the powerful Brisbane Lions’ father-son product has had. This includes his goal-of-the-year contender against Fremantle, when he anticipated the tap from a bounce close to goal, tapped the ball to himself with his right hand, regathered it in mid-air and, while under pressure, used the outside of his right foot to tap through a goal.

It may be another year of tumult at North Melbourne, with coach Alastair Clarkson stepping away in his first year at the club, but in young midfielders George Wardlaw and Harry Sheezel, the future is bright. Sheezel is averaging a team-high 27.6 touches a game, while Wardlaw found himself matched up on Scott Pendlebury in only his second game.

We have also liked St Kilda’s Mattaes Phillipou, Hawthorn’s Josh Weddle, Greater Western Sydney’s Finn Callaghan, and Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey, whose late goal helped the Suns hold on against the Bulldogs.

Hornet’s nest

A shout-out to Jason Horne-Francis, who has let his actions on the field do the talking when it came to the ridiculous booing he has endured. His decision to leave North Melbourne after one season may have given reason for Kangaroos’ fans to vent their displeasure, but when Magpies’ fans showered him with boos in round one, and supporters of other clubs followed, it was time for the industry as a whole to take a look at itself.

Jason Horne-Francis has endured spectator booing, but the Power star has responded with strong on-field form.Credit: Getty Images

“I don’t think many players like it when they get booed. I try not to take it in, but I do hear it. With all the pressure on the outside I can let it get into my head a little bit,” Horne-Francis told this masthead in April. “I understand the North supporters’ side of it. I was a young kid and I made the courageous decision to come home, and they are understandably disappointed. I’m just a bit confused about why Collingwood, Sydney and Bulldogs supporters … why they would boo me.”

Horne-Francis will soon be one of the league’s best midfielders.

More of this, please

Magpies skipper Moore has emerged as the league’s best defender. His ability to stop an opponent, and read the play before intercepting, has been a sight to behold. This included an equal all-time high of 10 intercept marks against the Blues. However, it’s his speech post the Anzac Day clash, where the Pies overcame a 28-point deficit against Essendon, that is etched in the memory.

In part, Moore said: “I want to thank and mention all men and women who are serving our country’s interests, both at home and abroad, in war and in peacekeeping operations.

“It means a lot to me and the team and the whole club that we can commemorate your service and your sacrifice today by doing what we do. So thank you for your service.

“To the veterans, there are over 600,000 veterans in this country who have returned from service, we also extend our thanks to you for your sacrifice and we hope that again, doing what we do today, somehow honours your legacy and what you’ve done for our country. Thank you to those 600,000 veterans as well.”

Powerful stand

One of the season’s most powerful moments came when Western Bulldogs Indigenous star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan recreated Nicky Winmar’s iconic response to racial abuse, lifting his jumper and pointing to his skin after kicking a goal against the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium. Ugle-Hagan had been racially abused by a spectator in the clash against St Kilda a week earlier.

Powerful stands: Nicky Winmar and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan lifting their jumpers.Credit: Wayne Ludbey; Getty Images

“I just want to see someone point them out instead of me having to contact the club and say this happened,” Ugle-Hagan said. “I’d rather like someone in the fans point them out, let them know it’s not the right thing to say. And that goes with any race, not just in Aboriginal and Indigenous boys and girls. It’s all racism, it’s making a stance and just it only takes a little bit just to make a comment like: ‘It’s not the best thing to say’ … just pulling them up on the spot. It’s just going to help and make it better for us’.”

Said Winmar: “It’s up to the new generations to reinforce the stance I made back in 1993. I’m still here, still involved with the issue, but it’s been 30 years now, it’s like a big relay race, time to pass on the baton.”

Many happy returns

Brad Scott, the former North Melbourne coach, has rebuilt Essendon, particularly defensively, in his first year at the Hangar. The Bombers were exploited through the middle of the ground last season, but they are now covering for each other.

Ross Lyon was recalled for a second go-round at St Kilda, the Saints having dismissed Brett Ratten after missing the finals last season. He, too, has transformed the Saints with his defensive DNA, but the question is whether the Saints can avoid a repeat of the post-bye collapse they endured last year.

Ratten, meanwhile, is the caretaker coach at North Melbourne, Clarkson having stepped aside for physical and mental health reasons while dealing with the fallout from the Hawthorn racism case. Clarkson has denied all allegations against him and the AFL made no findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt when it reached an agreement with the families to close the league’s investigation.

Farewell to a Buddy

It hasn’t been a great season for Lance Franklin, the goalkicking champion held goalless four times in his eight games. The Swans still direct much of their attack to him, but it’s the balanced attack they had against the Blues at the SCG that coach John Longmire really needs. This almost certainly is Franklin’s final season. Regardless of how the Swans go, it’s time to thank the Hawk and Swans great for what he has done for the sport.

Andrew Brayshaw is enjoying another strong season, and is one of the league’s best midfielders.Credit: Getty Images

Western woes

Adam Simpson may be contracted until the end of 2025, but we find it hard to think he will remain in charge if the Eagles fail to win another game. That would mean only three wins across two full seasons. Yes, there have been injuries, and pandemic fallout early last season, but that’s not good enough. Meanwhile, the Dockers have adopted a more attacking ethos over the past month, and have become a force. Andrew Brayshaw is a pleasure to watch.

Blue skies no more

Coach Michael Voss is a man under immense pressure, for the Blues are limping, and there has been boardroom agitation, with Craig Mathieson stepping down after expressing his displeasure about the team’s performance in Sydney. Key forward Harry McKay must resolve his goalkicking woes, while teams are exploiting Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps on the rebound. Surely the Blues won’t make Voss the fall guy if the rot continues?

Farewell to Tiger greats: Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt are almost certainly in their final seasons.Credit: Getty Images

Meanwhile, at Punt Road, Damien Hardwick stepped down as coach, having helped to rebuild the club into a power with premierships in 2017, ’19 and ’20.

Hardwick, understanding flag hopes for this year had extinguished, said he had no more to give, and it appears the Tigers, as currently constituted, have little left, for they almost certainly now will not make the finals. It’s time for a fond farewell for Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt.

Coaching capers

Stuart Dew, Ken Hinkley and Matthew Nicks all deserve applause. Dew is constantly under pressure because the Suns are yet to play finals in their short history, but this may be the year. Hinkley, in the final year of his contract, has the Power firmly in the premiership hunt, and could yet remain at Alberton. Nicks, after finishing 18th, 15th and 14th, has the young and emerging Crows playing exhilarating football, and they appear destined to make the finals. Amid off-field drama, Fagan has maintained his on-field focus to ensure the Brisbane Lions are pressing for the flag, while victories over the Swans and Cats have reinforced the rebuilding Giants made the right call in appointing Adam Kingsley.

Heavyweight battle

The Cats have had injury issues, and desperately need skipper Patrick Dangerfield to return. For the second time this season, they have dropped three straight, but coach Chris Scott has adopted a measured approach. Are they the team to beat? Can the Magpies, with Jordan De Goey having a headline-free dominant season, maintain the rage? The Demons have failed back-to-back “audits”, and, like the Saints, hope to avoid another stumble post the bye. Clayton Oliver, hurry back.

What is clear is that as the run home approaches, there is plenty on the line – for all clubs.

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