The 2017 AFL season has taught us to expect the unexpected.  

Every week the results heavily fluctuate, as do team’s prospects. A series of upsets follows a return to normality.

Could the real premiership contenders please stand up? Everyone favors GWS, but they’ve been decimated by injuries and only just pipped Collingwood and Richmond in the last minute of those matchups. 

Adelaide look strong, but after losing two straight just a fortnight ago and team’s slowing down their run and cohesion inside 50, they’re not unshakeable.

Geelong must be next in line, who’ve dropped their share of easy games. West Coast is fading, whilst Fremantle is building.  

Port Adelaide will be rearing to go after having the week off, but have been arguably the most inconsistent team over the last two years.  Is the 2017 version premiership material?

The reality is, there is no stand out, making 2017 a season of both confusion and excitement.  

THE GOOD

First game sensation

Hugh Greenwood debuted for Adelaide on Saturday night in emphatic fashion, kicking 3 first half goals to go with 15 disposals, 9 tackles and 5 inside 50s.

The basketball convert took Josh Jenkins spot in the Crows lineup and looked right at home, showing a knack for where the goals and boasting an athletic frame. Greenwood will win the round nine Rising Star nomination.

Raise the bat, Tom

Hawthorn recruit Tom Mitchell amassed a whopping 50 disposals in their loss to Collingwood on Friday night.

He became just the seventh man in AFL to reach the half century. The 23-year old looks on track to break the all-time record for most disposals in a season. 

Mitchell’s game was somewhat scrutinized by Nathan Buckley, who questioned Mitchell’s effectiveness. Adam Treloar was also seen jeering Mitchell for his ‘handball happy’ game.

Ultimately, reaching 50 disposals is a specular effort. Greg Williams and Gary Ablett share the record for the all-time most disposals in a game, with 53 each. 

A new day

This year saw the introduction of the Australian Women’s Football Leauge (AFLW), which is undoubtedly one of the greatest breakthroughs for women in sporting history. 

Round nine featured the first ever female field umpire contesting a game. Eleni Glouftsis, a 25-year old from Adelaide, officiated Essendon’s win over West Coast at Etihad Stadium.

Glouftsis said “even when I had a poor bounce, a lot of the boys were like ‘just keep going, be confident’”.

Females have been goal umpiring for 20 years, but Glouftsis’ field umpiring gig is more groundbreaking. Someday, female umpiring or any association with the AFL won’t be newsworthy.

THE BAD

Mummified

Shane Mumford will come under scrutiny with the match review panel after a late double fisted charge on Jack Riewoldt left the Tiger seeing stars.

Mumford, a brutal competitor, has a history of being physical, most memorably, his steam train tackle on Mitch Duncan last year. The concussed Duncan never got back into his groove in 2016 after that crunch.

Mumford must be careful, given his importance to GWS’ premiership aspirations, especially with their current toll of injuries.

Premiership hangover

Is it possible for a premiership side that was never truly a powerhouse, to have a premiership hangover?

No matter how you dissect it, the alarm bells are ringing for the Western Bulldogs. They’ve lost their last three consecutive games, sitting just inside the top eight.

Luke Beveridge has tinkered with his best 22 all season, dropping a host of premiership players to the VFL, most recently Tom Liberatore.

They aren’t the same fearless, ferocious Dogs that hunted in packs and went on one of the hottest streaks in AFL history in September last year. They’re still finding their best formula for 2017, and whilst its only round ten, the clock is ticking.  

Hearts with Hogan

The footy world and wider community is mourning for Jesse Hogan, who lost his father to cancer just weeks ago, then was recently diagnosed with a testicular tumor himself.

Hogan, just 22-years old, has already received successful treatment to remove the cancerous lump.

Jarryd Roughead returned to the field this year after missing all of 2016 through melanoma treatment. 

Melbourne club doctor Zeeshan Arain forecasted Hogan could return to the field within four to eight weeks thanks to early detection of the tumor.

THE UGLY

Ninth again? 

This year was supposed to be different at Tiger Land, with a new-look board, jersey, team and game style. They were undefeated after five games, fans dared to dream about top four, even premiership aspirations.

Unfortunately for Richmond fans, it’s the same old, same old, having lost their last four consecutive games.

Their last two losses have hurt the most. A fortnight ago, Dave Mundy stung them after the siren despite leading with 21 seconds remaining. Then on the weekend, they coughed up their four quarter dominance, as Jeremy Cameron’s goal put GWS ahead in the last minute. Both games decided by a single kick.

They remain inside the top eight, however, the same demons of inconsistency across four quarters, closing out games and poor leadership from senior players continues to haunt them.