Autopsy Biggest surprises in 2017

[John Who]

I think it's a fair observation this has been one of the most even seasons since the history of AFL/VFL. It's almost a given that each week, there has to be 1 or 2 upsets. Top four teams are regularly getting beaten up by the bottom eight teams. Three top teams currently have all played in drawn games...
So what has been your main surprises of this year? It can be regarding a certain player, certain matches, or whatever else that's got to do with AFL in 2017. Go ahead, surprise us with your surprise!

 

[SilentHunter_]

Swans going 0-6
Swans making the finals

 

[00Stinger]

Buckley potentially keeping his job after another poo year

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[Skeparovic]

Richmond are a sneaky chance of not only making the finals but perhaps also winning one.

 

[ess7]

Richmond are a sneaky chance of not only making the finals but perhaps also winning one.

Richmond MUST win a final this year.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Buckley potentially keeping his job after another poo year

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Yep - they've embraced mediocrity at the Pies

 

[John Who]

Swans going 0-6
Swans making the finals

I think this might go down as one of the most unprecedented Finals campaign in any given year! The question is though, how can they be this good and get 6-0 start? WTF??

 

[GPW1]

Liam Jones becoming a competent footballer.

 

[Requiem]

Bulldogs terrible drop in form after round 6.

 

[Cynic]

Honestly probably Adelaide's overall performance.

Didn't rate their midfield at all (sans Sloane) and thought they'd be found wanting against the top teams but have definitely proved me wrong.

 

[SilentHunter_]

I think this might go down as one of the most unprecedented Finals campaign in any given year! The question is though, how can they be this good and get 6-0 start? WTF??

PTSD from last year, injuries, lack of aggression and form of the players.

 

[Brunswick Trap King]

Bulldogs terrible drop in form after round 6.

I think most astute observers realised that Western had a lucky run in finals last year and played at a level way beyond themselves.

It seemed quite possible that they'd drop back to their true position this year.

 

[John Who]

PTSD from last year, injuries, lack of aggression and form of the players.

It was more a rhetorical question, but thanks for the appraisal.

 

[Substance]

Luke Beveridge's coaching performance. Think he's made a whole lot of terrible calls this year, after winning back to back coach of the year awards.

 

[Requiem]

I think most astute observers realised that Western had a lucky run in finals last year and played at a level way beyond themselves.

It seemed quite possible that they'd drop back to their true position this year.

I agree that they had a Lucky finals run, but they started the season off at 4 wins - 2 losses.

Realistically they should have made finals.

 

[quotemokc]

Cale Hooker still has his top knot

 

[BigVic]

Essendon. Didn't expect them to go into the top 8 after last year.

 

[barnabyjones]

Richmond...no one saw it coming. Well.done to them

 

[Bokonon_]

Has to be Richmond. The difference from last year was't predicted and it's hard to see the reason for the difference. The runs are on the board.

From a personal perspective watchibg the game unfold at AO round 1 was a rude shock, but it's history now.

 

[madhawksfan]

From my club: the emergence of Hardwick and Sicily as defenders.

Overall: Port and Richmond's ladder positions. Didn't have either in the 8 tbh.

 

[reincarnated]

Closeness of the season. No clear bad teams. Bottom two have 5 wins each and involved in very close loses.

Hawthorn's dramatic drop off is another surprise. Now I think they will drop off even more with the departures of Hodge and Gibbo.

 

[big_e]

North. Thought we'd be no worse than 16th.

 

[GreyCrow]

Essendon

Apologies to Essendon fans. I thought your returning players would suffer soft tissue injuries and in consequence Essendon would win 7-8 games. I was wrong

 

[Damon_3388]

Has to be Richmond. The difference from last year was't predicted and it's hard to see the reason for the difference.

Having a proper ruckman with presence at the stoppages goes a long way towards having everything else function correctly. They didn't have it in 2016 with Ivan Maric's injuries/decline, but they've got it now with Toby Nankervis.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Swans going 0-6
Swans making the finals

Did they really? I wish someone had mentioned it!!