The three men shaping the eightSid Maher
The Australian
13 May 2019On either side of the Nullarbor yesterday, three champions of Australian football proved the difference in intriguing matches that could shape the final eight.
Their names are absent on the statistical breakdown of the triumphs posted by Geelong and Hawthorn in Melbourne and Richmond in Perth, but they once again proved standout performers. And they will be feared by any rival they meet in September. The three — premiership coaches Alastair Clarkson, Damien Hardwick and Chris Scott — again demonstrated their brilliance in the hottest seat in football.
For the second time this season, Hardwick coached his injury-stricken side to a stunning victory interstate, with the Tigers posting a 25-point win over the Dockers in Perth.
The triumph propelled the 2017 premiers back into the eight and ensured they remain in touch with early season standouts Geelong and Collingwood, and also the top four.
Hardwick has twice orchestrated outstanding wins on the road and also on the rebound this season. Missing the fabulous four of Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin and coming off two whippings, Richmond edged the Power in Port Adelaide in round four.
Only Martin has returned, but yesterday the Tigers were again too tough on the road following a shocker against the Bulldogs.
Hardwick has managed to keep Richmond within touch knowing Riewoldt and Cotchin will return in coming weeks.
Recent history suggests teams inside the eight at this stage of the season tend to hold their spot, with only a couple of changes.
Last year the Crows and Port Adelaide, both with five wins from eight matches, slipped out and were replaced by eventual grand finalists Collingwood (4-4) and the Giants (4-1-3).
In 2017, the Swans surged from what appeared an impossible position when starting 0-6 to make the eight, while Essendon also did enough to displace the Western Bulldogs (5-3) and St Kilda (5-3).
Not one side was dislodged from the top eight after round eight in 2016, though the Kangaroos only narrowly qualified after starting 8-0 and the Bulldogs surged from seventh to win the flag.
The biggest change in recent seasons occurred in 2014, when Collingwood, Gold Coast and the Eagles squandered promising starts to slip out of the eight.
However the evenness of this year ensures that the incumbents from Adelaide down will not sit too comfortably, for only two wins separates the third-placed Crows from the Melbourne Demons sitting in 15th.
Those sides on three wins now find themselves in a position where the margin for error for the remainder of the season is diminished.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/three-coaches-pulling-the-strings-to-shape-afls-final-eight/news-story/72c946bfa9a8d977d89c33f27389ae63
