If Damien Hardwick is serious in writing off the Gold Coast Suns’ season then the Suns are not a serious team

Fremantle were a class above the rest of the competition.

Their epic win over Sydney was a confidence-boosting ratings victory and almost guaranteed them a top two spot.

There’s no doubt the Dockers’ roster is ripe for contention.

But regardless of their form, there is a reason why the other nine teams believe they can realistically win the 2026 flag.

The Dockers’ only injury is Hayden Young. Their depth has not yet been tested. They have won one final since 2015; qualifying final.

The Brisbane Lions are the best-qualified team in the peloton and are starting to find form, but Adelaide and St Kilda are the only two teams to fill the next 10 places in the rankings who have not played at least one preliminary final since 2021.

So Collingwood, who had played in three preliminary finals in the last four years and led the Dockers to six points in the Gather Round, were not ready to give up on the season as they dropped to 13th before bidding farewell.

Having played nine games with 10 points or less this season, winning four, drawing one and losing four, the Magpies know they are scrappy.

While back-to-back wins over North Melbourne (13th), Gold Coast (14th), Port Adelaide (15th) and Richmond (17th) give them a form streak as convincing as FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s description, they believe their best is good enough to beat any opposition.

The Giants have the same confidence despite being in 11th place, and for good reason. They beat the Dockers, the Lions, the Cats, Hawthorn and Melbourne.

Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs both have four wins against top eight teams, so they are in the hunt.

And don’t worry; Hawthorn, Sydney, Adelaide and even Geelong think a fighter has a chance to do damage in September and are scrapping every step of the way.

Only one team gave up. Gold Coast.

The sun shouldn’t set early on the season but their triple championship coach Damien Hardwick wanted to close the blinds.

He was so disappointed with his team’s surrender against the Crows that he said their season was “effectively over” and that they “didn’t deserve to play in the final” given the way they played. David Soul’s record Don’t Give Up on Us Baby Might need a spin on the beach.

Hardwick took responsibility, admitting that the Suns failed to get their best players to play well.

This is an interesting observation because everyone wonders why this is the case. With so much optimism after the first round, why are the midfielders playing like unhappy, frustrated players this season?

Hardwick’s comments may be an attempt at reverse psychology, as no one wants the Suns to reinforce the idea that they are a breakaway club.

All clubs are reviewing but after three years under Hardwick, the Gold Coast are back to where they were when he took over. Answers are needed.

It will be very important in Stranded Saint Cattery

St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall was left upset when the Saints closed the door they had opened and said no to a trade with Geelong.

It was a turnaround that tested Marshall under contract. Not only did he have to get over his disappointment, he also had to be a good teammate of Tom De Koning, the free agent who came in with big money to take away the role that best suits him, if not replace Marshall.

Marshall simply flashed his Luna Park grin in front of everyone as a sign of his character, and instead of screaming, he went to work making the best of the situation. I’m stranded Like the Brisbane bum.

He has been successful and has become indispensable since the rookie’s injury. In De Koning’s absence, Marshall averaged 24.5 disposals per game and scored three of his nine goals for the season, playing out his contract.

The Saints’ negative October call-up will come to life on Thursday night when he takes to the highway as the only ruckman to take on the Cats under the lights after his best on-field performance against Port Adelaide.

Cats’ promising youngster Mitch Edwards will return after freshening up for the most important job of his short career as Geelong’s place in the finals remains uncertain.

Sam De Koning, Shannon Neale and the out-of-form Mark Blicavs have struggled hard in the race but their efforts have not stopped the Cats’ search for Marshall of late.

Geelong played reasonably well but still lost five of their last six games. The tough fixtures they are given are making an impact with narrow losses to Carlton, Fremantle, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Giants.

No-one will shed any tears for the Cats, but they played poorly against a different-looking Blues under Josh Fraser, and on Saturday they left the good Giants struggling with injuries and poor decisions to force their opponents back into the game.

In contrast, Collingwood, with an equally tough draw, has built momentum since the bye with wins over Richmond, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and North Melbourne.

Sometimes it’s not about who you get, but when you get it.

The Cats’ concern isn’t Jeremy Cameron’s AC joint injury (with all due respect, sending the sore champion out for a break could be a blessing in disguise for everyone); They were unable to stop the opposing team’s momentum in their last three matches.

They conceded 30 goals in four quarters and 15 in the other eight quarters against the Dockers, Lions and Giants. Post leave pressures are not where they should be; Too many opponent attacks lead to scores.

While the Cats were able to return to their glory days in the competition when the opposition came at them, the new generation is trying to tighten the screws in the same way.

And they often squander their chances as they dominate the inside 50s, establishing a below-par link with the forwards of the football.

This is evidenced by the absence of Tyson Stengle, who is likely to return this season, as well as Gryan Miers and Brad Close, who play VFL on Saturday. They have scored eight goals from this trio this season compared to 67 goals last year.

The Saints are in the top 10 but have failed to beat a superior team in 2026; The Cats won just one more game but beat five of the teams above them.

It seemed like a mismatch a month ago. It feels like anything but the present, and the Saints have Marshall to thank for that.

The king and his heir are known

Watching Marcus Bontempelli’s battle with Harley Reid on Sunday was like watching a wildlife documentary, where a nimble young Lion annoyed and delighted a senior member of the pride in equal measure as he went about his business.

While Bontempelli scored two game-tying goals in the third quarter when his team needed it, Reid put the Eagles ahead again with a magnificent strike at the beginning of the final quarter. Reid rushed to Bontempelli. Bontempelli baited Reid as he tried not to argue. Bontempelli substituted the starter for him at times, and Reid took no offense.

Each was their team’s highest-rated player. Reid, who is only 21 years old, had the highest possession in 16 games and was involved in eight points.

“The Bont” had 12 clearances – without starring No. 1 punk Tim English.

It was the best of the West, game within game, generation against generation.

Give the referees a break and start demanding answers from the bosses

Award-winning on-field referee Matt Stevic made a mistake when he awarded a 50-metre penalty to Jack Ginnivan after calling for “play on” at the MCG on Saturday night.

This is not a drama.

With over 500 games under his belt and 12 grand finals under his belt, he can be forgiven for howling. This is a mistake rather than a catalyst for the royal commission.

Everyone is tired of talking about refereeing but the problems cannot be ignored.

Too many rules have been changed this season by a reactive management.

The stands rule, the taunting rule, the lasso rule and the ARC were all reinterpreted by head office mid-season, and it has been the referees on the production floor who have had to deal with the negativity and confusion that has ensued since then.

Those who serve are treated unfairly. No wonder a referee as experienced and good as Stevic can do one thing and think of another.

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