by Nick Gibson

Welcome to my AFL mid season report card, where each and every club is put under the microscope and given an elephant stamp or the cane.

The big question that still looms is can anyone beat Collingwood? The other three that make up the top four could all possibly on their day but the Pies seem to have endless amounts of depth and talent.

Injuries to key players cripple most clubs but Collingwood seem unfazed and almost arrogant at the fact they can blood some new talent. Thankfully Malthouse is outta there next year as he has built something very powerful. Please come to Brisbane next season Mick!!

So here we go:

Geelong A+ – Fantastic effort to be unbeaten after 11 rounds. Peaking too early?

Collingwood A+ – A class above. At full strength are they beatable?

Carlton A – The big improvers thus far. Great idea grabbing Juddy a few years back!

Hawthorn A – The hangover is finally over. Injuries could be costly!

Sydney B+ – There is a life after Paul Roos. Longmire flies under the radar and is getting it done!

West Coast A+ – Last year’s cellar dwellars. What a difference a year of maturity can make!

Freo A – A few hiccups but back on track. Deadly at home!

Essendon B – My jury is out. Injuries not helping but I like how Hirdy stays positive!

St Kilda C+ – After all that’s been said and done they are only 1 game behind the Bombers.

Melbourne D – Way too inconsistent to be considered legit yet. Coach can’t last!

Richmond B – Still on the improve with a young list. Competitive each week.

Nth Melbourne C+ – Expect a late run.

Western Bulldogs D – Terrible. What’s wrong with these guys?

Adelaide D – Lost their mojo. Expect changes.

Brisbane D- – Lacking in so many areas.

Port Adelaide E – No talent coupled with monetary problems normally signals Barney Rubble!

Gold Coast B+ - Already 2 wins and more competitive each week. Lack a key forward – Fevola?

In basketball news the Dallas Mavericks are the new world champions - taking care of Miami in six games. I picked this thing to go to six games but I had

Miami holding the silverwear.

The old cliché ran true as a champion team took care of a team of champions! Miami spent big money in the off season to lure allstars Bosh and James to join

Wade and be the most potent combination this league has ever seen.

They won the East in impressive style but a very well coached Dallas made sure they went no further.  Dallas have one allstar in big German Dirk Nowitzki

mixed with a team of cagey veterans who made the plays when it mattered.

Guards Barea and J. Terry were totally awesome (as was the evergreen Kidd) and proved the Texans had more depth and punch off the bench.

I like the way six foot Barea plays and proves there is still room for the little guys in the big league. Our very own Patty Mills has a similar game of pace

and slick shooting and let’s hope he gets a chance on a roster like this to showcase his skills.

Maybe Portland will trade Patty to Milwaukee so we can watch him and Bogut form their own Aussie powerhouse. Dream on Nick...

Next week we’ll take a look at how Wimbledon is shaping up.