Six things we learned from Chapter 19

We went through 19 weeks of the AFL season with the final month in front of every team in the home and away campaign.

With results looking more meaningful as the ladder takes shape, here’s what we learned from the weekend’s game.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has arrived

If we were giddy about last week’s Jamarra Ugle-Hagan clash against St Kilda, we’re officially hyped now following his superb performance against the incumbent prime minister on Saturday night.

While the former stat-line No. 1 pick of five goals and six marks in such a big game is impressive, it’s the way he does it that really speaks volumes.

Whether it’s a contested sign, an odd finish, a second attempt or a deft touch, you can’t help but think about what this Bulldog will be in a few years.

We all know he has talent, just look at who he is compared to entering the competition (the one and only Lance Franklin), but it’s great to see his output reach the potential he clearly has.

While we don’t want to put too much pressure on the 20-year-old’s shoulders, who says the Bulldogs can’t finish in eighth and scare some if he maintains this form?

You will be a brave player to bet against him and his teammates in this form.

Saturday night might be when footy fans look back on when the Ugle-Hagan arrived.

Draws are fine in home and away season

It’s frustrating for players and fans alike, but draws are totally fine in the home and away season.

Friday night’s clash between Richmond and Fremantle, who finished 52 each, was, without a doubt, the perfect result for the encounter.

With either side failing to do enough to win it, the premiership’s four-point split is exactly how the contest should be decided.

Given that a draw still means something with them getting a potentially important point, there is no reason to change the final result of the game.

In September, it’s a different story given the nature of the knockout competition and we’re all happy that extra time was included in the finals.

But if a team cannot be divided after 120 footy minutes, then that’s how it should be in a home and away campaign.

Are we sure Melbourne finish in the top four?

I can’t believe we even thought of this, but surely Melbourne can’t miss the top four?

With 13 wins to their name, the Devils are now only a member of the seven men battling for that double chance slot, and their draw certainly wasn’t the easiest of the bunch.

Prime ministers in power next month include Fremantle (away), Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane (away), and you’d think they’d have to win at least two of them to ensure themselves a top four finish.

Obviously, they had the talent to pull it off, but after losing to the Dockers and the Magpies, this was no easy task for the Demons as every team they faced would stay healthy and truly alive on the run home.

It would be catastrophic if they finished fifth or worse after starting with a 10-0, and it would significantly hamper their chances of attacking each other.

You’d still expect Simon Goodwin’s team to do quite a bit to get there, but Friday’s loss to the Dockers in Perth could quickly change that view.

Collingwood needs Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey

Yes, they have won nine in a row, but Collingwood really need Jordan De Goey and Brodie Grundy in the side if they are to do anything meaningful in 2022.

With the transition, pressure and structure of the Magpies continuing to hold on, the missing piece that could take Craig McRae’s side to the next level is changing their clean-up job.

Without Grundy and De Goey in the middle – arguably Collingwood’s two best stoppage players – the opposing unit won too easily in close footy, with the Magpies winning the number of clearances just three times since Round 10.

Thankfully, the Magpies have been good enough to win it back more often than not and launch a score from turnover, leading to an impressive winning streak.

While both names have floated to potentially leave the club in the trading period, internally Collingwood will be desperate to get the pair into the line-up with a month remaining ahead of the final.

It almost cost them Sunday against Essendon, and the pair could only be the difference between Collingwood who is also running to have the right slope in the unlikely premiership.

Karl Amon and Team Taranto increase their scores

Karl Amon of Port Adelaide and Tim Taranto of GWS have been touted as names likely to leave their clubs at the end of the season, and they both couldn’t hurt to land big contracts next year with their Round of 19 appearances.

On Saturday, Amon was the main reason behind Power going so close to an unlikely win against Geelong, with the wingman hitting one goal, racking up 25 releases and picking up 13 marks in fine form.

Then on Sunday, it was Taranto’s turn with the bulls in his team’s best with 30 releases, five tackles and six clearances against Carlton.

While the pair haven’t had a dominant 2022 campaign, there’s no doubt there’s class A talent within them and that the club will be climbing up to each other for them.

Expect the club to come up hard for the duo this October, they would be a quality addition to any team should they leave their current home.

It’s been a big week for the Western Bulldogs

Just as the Dogs were wiped out, they came from nowhere to relive their season with big wins against St Kilda and Melbourne in the last two weeks.

With 10 wins to their name, Dogs might be able to go 3-1 at the end of the year and still make the final.

Currently sitting eighth, Dog will be desperate to claw his way into that position with a month left, and that starts against Geelong next week at the Cattery.

While not many will pick Luke Beveridge’s side in that game, a win here would go a long way in their chances of a return to September.

Lose, and they should probably be perfect from then on with Fremantle, GWS, and Hawthorn poised for them on the run home.

All eyes will be on GMHBA next Saturday night to see what they have to offer.

#learned #Chapter