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Not much said about the CATS. Beat Hawks & sitting nice on the ladder. Addition of Dangerfield, Henderson & Zac Smith improves a good side. Add Menzel back from 4 knee ops & this takes pressure of the others.. Belted Suns & with Hawkins, Taylor & Henderson marking strongly adds to pressure on opposing sides..

Every team that is currently in the top 8 could mount a case about their top 4 credentials. Geelong have one of the strongest cases I reckon with the way they have reinforced their list. A lot will depend on luck and injuries. Hawthorns experience will come to the fore come September but they will face stiff competition to make the top 4 and winning the flag is tough ( though not impossible) from spots 5 -8. North have banked 6 wins already and are going to be hard to shift from the top 4, Adelaide are flying. The Doggies have been cruelled with injuries so that may mean they could drop to the lower part of the 8. The Swans are a class outfit and we have seen a couple of times what GWS are capable of. West Coast will win the majority of their home games so this will put them right in the mix if they can win their share away.

There are also 5 teams outside the top 8 (Melbourne, St Kilda, Suns, Port and Collingwood) who are capable of causing upsets and possibly challenging for finals. Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, Brisbane and Freo look cooked even at this early stage of the season.