First-year Bulldog Clay Smith showed he will make the grade, while the Lions have built a capable midfield.
Photo: Getty Images
In the first of a three-part series looking at every AFL team, we look back at the highs and lows of the bottom six clubs from 2012...
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
What went right
The newcomers introduced the most exciting crop of youngsters since Essendon's Baby Bombers won the flag in 1993. Jeremy Cameron starred up forward while Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene and Adam Treloar look like future A-grade midfielders. No.1 pick Jonathon Patton also showed glimpses of his potential, coming off a restricted preparation. Two wins - over Gold Coast and Port Adelaide - were about par for the course with such a young list.
What went wrong
A couple more wins would have been ideal, perhaps another victory over the Suns and a reverse of the two-goal loss to Richmond. The Giants would have preferred to be more competitive from rounds 13 to 18, when they were beaten by an average 111 points, but a flat spell was always on the cards with such an inexperienced list. Setanta O'hAilpin's serious knee injury was disappointing for both the player and the club, and it remains to be seen how Mark Williams' departure to Richmond will affect their development.
Top three in 2012: Callan Ward, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron
Rating: 4/10
GOLD COAST
What went right
Harley Bennell delivered on the promise that saw him go No.2 in the 2011 draft, becoming the Suns' second-most dangerous player behind skipper Gary Ablett, who enjoyed another sensational year. Rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt can rightly consider himself a bona fide AFL player after some impressive off-season progress. The round 22 win over Carlton was the best in the club's short history, having jumped a genuine finals contender early and holding them off in the last quarter.
What went wrong
Plenty tipped second-year blues for the Suns but few expected them to be winless until round 16, when they pipped Richmond by two points in Cairns. They finished with three wins, including one against GWS, arguably making for a worse season than their debut in 2012. Several players failed to build on their first seasons, including Trent McKenzie, Zac Smith, Dion Prestia and the injured David Swallow while Nathan Bock's prolonged absence through injury was costly. Campbell Brown's six-game suspension in the final round was the icing on a not-so-tasty cake.
Top three in 2012: Gary Ablett, Harley Bennell, Danny Stanley
Rating: 3/10
MELBOURNE
What went right
Several players produced career-best footy in 2012 including Nathan Jones, Jeremy Howe, Jack Grimes and big-money recruit Mitch Clark, who delivered on the Demons' faith in his new role as a key forward. Jack Watts also impressed when moved down back in the middle of the year and the maligned forward may have found a new permanent home. Youngsters Tom McDonald and Sam Blease also established themselves as members of the Dees' best 22.
What went wrong
Almost everything. The Demons won just four games for the year, with three coming against Gold Coast and GWS, after eight victories under Dean Bailey in 2011. New coach Mark Neeld endured a torrid start to his tenure, dealing with the death of club president Jim Stynes, Liam Jurrah's assault charges and accusations of racism from AFL official Jason Mifsud in quick succession. Reigning club champion Brent Moloney never settled under the new coaching regime and has departed as a free agent. Their most talented player, Colin Sylvia, took three months to get going after suffering a broken back in a pre-season game. Off-field, the club's major sponsor collapsed in yet another racism scandal, forcing CEO Cameron Schwab to scramble for replacements at short notice.
Top three in 2012: Nathan Jones, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe
Rating: 2/10
WESTERN BULLDOGS
What went right
The Dogs made a decent start under new coach Brendan McCartney, winning five of their first 12 games including an impressive victory over North Melbourne. First-year midfielder Clay Smith showed he will make the grade, Mitch Wallis continued to build on his fine debut season and big men Ayce Cordy and Jordan Roughead made steady progress. Skipper Matthew Boyd and star mid Ryan Griffen also enjoyed excellent seasons while veteran back Brian Lake returned to something near his best and Will Minson revelled as the No.1 ruckman.
What went wrong
Without the luxury of playing any of the teams below them twice, the Bulldogs failed to win a game in the second half of the season. Even worse, they were too often uncompetitive - even Melbourne finished with a better percentage. Key forwards Jarrad Grant and Liam Jones stagnated badly, leaving the Dogs desperately short of goalkickers. And for all Minson's hard work on the field, he let himself down with brain-snaps by way of an unacceptable sledge to Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce and controversially escaping a ban for stomping on Swan Kieren Jack. Tom Liberatore's year also ended prematurely after he was found by police semi-consciousness on King Street and in possession of illicit drugs.
Top three in 2012: Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen, Will Minson
Rating: 3/10
PORT ADELAIDE
What went right
Wins over St Kilda, North Melbourne and Carlton showed the Power were seriously competitive on their day. Former Eagle Brad Ebert slotted into the side beautifully and added some much-needed depth to the midfield, while first-round draft pick Chad Wingard showed his undoubted class. Matthew Broadbent also stepped up to become one of Port's most important players and key forward Jay Schulz enjoyed his best AFL season with 102 marks and 42 goals, including seven in the win over North.
What went wrong
The horror loss to GWS in round 19 undid all the Power's progress to that point and ended Matthew Primus' tenure as senior coach. Too many players continued their inconsistent form - Pearce and Justin Westhoff chief among them. Disgruntled defender Troy Chaplin looks set to leave under free agency rules, while highly-rated young key forward John Butcher failed to progress from his strong showings at the end of 2011. President Brett Duncanson's tearful resignation upon announcing Primus' sacking was indicative of the club's off-field woes, which sees the Power heavily reliant on the AFL's coin.
Top three in 2012: Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes, Matthew Broadbent
Rating: 3/10
BRISBANE LIONS
What went right
Several of 2011's battlers preached competitiveness as a buzzword for 2012 but the Lions actually delivered. They won eight of their last 15 games, including victories over finalists West Coast and Adelaide, to record their best season since 2009. Midfielders Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff and Daniel Rich proved they will be the core of the new-look Lions while key defender Daniel Merrett showed versatility up forward. Mature-age recruit Dayne Zorko was an instant hit and Irishman Pearce Hanley's improvement was staggering.
What went wrong
Heavy losses to Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn showed Michael Voss that his remodelled Lions still have some way to go. They are still heavily reliant on the ageing Jonathan Brown as their main target up forward. He played 20 games for 47 goals but no other player averaged more than two goals a game. The ruck also remains an issue with Matthew Leuenberger struggling to stay fit for a full season, while Voss surely would have wanted more from highly-rated young wingman Jared Polec.
Top three in 2012: Jack Redden, Jonathan Brown, Tom Rockliff
Rating: 5/10
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