Footy great Leigh Matthews has identified two clubs who believes have “dropped off the perch” in 2022.
With the home and away season now done, the post-mortems have begun for the 10 clubs who missed finals.
While Matthews says there were disappointing seasons from bottom two sides West Coast and North Melbourne, the performances of 2021 finalists Essendon and GWS were most below expectations.
“The Eagles were hit with everything apart from the kitchen sink, weren’t they,” he said on Sportsday.
“But they only won two games. We always thought the Eagles were going to be more competitive than that.
“North were down the bottom last year so they just haven’t been able to find their way forward.
“Probably the Giants as much as anyone, and Essendon. I think they’re the two.
“Seven games Essendon won and the Giants won six.
“They’re the two clubs that probably dropped off the perch according to where they’d been last year.”
The Bombers (15th) endured a difficult campaign which ended in turmoil when coach Ben Rutten was sacked after a changing of governance with David Barham replacing Paul Brasher as president.
Their search for a replacement coach has commenced.
The Giants (16th) had troubles of their own, starting slowly which led to the sacking of Leon Cameron, before Mark McVeigh took over.
It resulted in their worst season since 2014.
They have since installed Adam Kingsley as their new coach as they look to bounce back in 2023.