With the 2022 season just over half completed, the bye round offers sides a chance to reflect on their performances so far. The break also affords us the chance to reflect on their campaigns to date.
With Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Melbourne and North Melbourne all on the bye this weekend, we examine how they have performed so far.
The gradings factor in pre-season expectations, as well as their form across the opening 13 rounds of this year.
Mid-season AFL report cards: Part 1
Mid-season AFL report cards: Part 2
Grade: A+
W-L Record: 10-3
Percentage: 134.2%
Putting it simply, the Lions are flying. They sit top of the ladder, have a healthy percentage and a top four finish looks a certainty. A closer look at the Lions' season to date suggests they are sitting exactly where they should be.
Their fixture has been relatively easy given the strength of their squad, the toughest games they have copped so far have been Sydney, Geelong and Fremantle away, two of which resulted in losses.
That's not to say the Lions are pretenders, more that we will know how real they are when they play Melbourne at the MCG next Thursday night.
Their midfield and forward line have been doing all the damage. Lachie Neale is back to his Brownlow winning form, averaging 32.4 disposals and 7.5 clearances a game so far in 2022.
Young star Hugh McCluggage has taken his game to a new level, all but a lock to be All-Australian this year, averaging over 23 disposals and 3.8 clearances a game. The key man however has been Joe Daniher, booting at least three goals in every game not marred by injury.
The run home will test the Lions a bit more, they play Melbourne twice, among a handful of other tough clashes, however it's hard not to argue they'll finish outside the top four.
MVP: Lachie Neale (125 votes)
Best Win: Round 7 vs Sydney
Worst Loss: Round 10 vs Hawthorn
Grade: A
W-L Record: 8-5
Percentage: 105.4%
Perhaps the surprise packet of 2022, the Pies have been nothing short of impressive to the bye in 2022. They have beaten Carlton, Fremantle, Melbourne and St Kilda, while only losing to Brisbane by seven points at the Gabba.
With such a young list, knowing their game plan stacks up against top eight sides is a huge win. Craig McCrae has done a phenomenal job in his first six months at the club, clearly having won over the playing group.
It's hard to pick one performer who has stood out, such has been the collective output from the squad, but on current form Jack Crisp would be leading the Best & Fairest and must surely be in contention for All-Australian.
Since moving to the midfield he has fired, averaging 26.5 disposals, 4.5 clearances and 5.9 inside 50's a game. Those are phenomenal numbers.
Honourable mentions must go to lesser-known but crucial players in John Noble and Darcy Cameron, who have stepped up when needed.
Collingwood are a massive chance to play finals this season, the key question will surround the ability of this young list to maintain the rage.
MVP: Jack Crisp (82 votes)
Best Win: Round 13 vs Melbourne
Worst Loss: Round 4 vs West Coast
Grade: A+
W-L Record: 10-3
Percentage: 128.5%
Probably the other surprise packet of 2022 has been Fremantle, or as they're now known, "Flagmantle". The Dockers were tipped to improve, however following the loss of Adam Cerra to Carlton and Nat Fyfe to injury in the off-season, no one expected top four.
Their recent form has been scintillating, having beaten Melbourne and Brisbane in performances that highlight how much their youthful squad has developed.
Without a doubt the stars for Fremantle this year have been their younger generation. Andrew Brayshaw is now not only an elite midfielder, but a genuine Brownlow Medal chance. The running-machine averages a staggering 31.1 disposals a game, along with 4.7 clearances, 6.1 tackles and 5.4 inside 50's.
Down back Hayden Young has gone from strength to strength, ably helped by the likes of Brennan Cox and Heath Chapman.
Perhaps the real surprises have been recycled players Blake Acres and James Aish, both of whom are in career-best form. If the Dockers can maintain this pace, they will finish top four and the sky is the limit.
MVP: Andrew Brayshaw (136 votes)
Best Win: Round 11 vs Melbourne
Worst Loss: Round 9 vs Gold Coast
Grade: B
W-L Record: 4-9
Percentage: 87.5%
It may seem generous to give the Hawks a 'B' due to their win-loss record, however given the pre-season expectations on them and the way they have played in most games this season, we think it's fair.
Many had the Hawks winning the wooden spoon before the season began, since then they have managed wins against Geelong, Brisbane and Port Adelaide in Adelaide, while also running Carlton, Collingwood and Melbourne close in thrilling contests.
As with all developing teams, these impressive performances have been punctuated by poor losses, notably to the Saints and the Suns, where the Hawks were blown away.
Despite this, the positives outweigh the negatives for them this season. An exciting game plan under a new coach, led by exciting young talents like Jai Newcombe and Mitch Lewis, is thrilling viewing.
Newcombe is shaping as a star of the future, having bolted into the Hawthorn setup via the Mid-Season Draft in 2021, the midfield bull is a chance to win this season's Best & Fairest.
In 2022, he averages 21.5 disposals, 5.2 tackles and 3.7 clearances a game, stats made all the more incredible when you consider he has only just completed his first 12 months in the AFL.
MVP: James Sicily (64 votes)
Best Win: Round 10 vs Brisbane
Worst Loss: Round 11 vs Gold Coast
Grade: A
W-L Record: 10-3
Percentage: 134%
The Demons started 2022 the way they finished 2021, in scorching form and looking every bit like premiership certainties. In the past month however, the wobbles have set in a bit. Off-field incidents and on-field form have been cause for concern.
Despite such a strong start, they now face the very real prospect of losing four in row when they take on the Lions at the MCG next Thursday night. They'll do so without talismanic captain Max Gawn, who will miss the next month through injury.
Though the past few weeks have raised eyebrows, prior to that the Demons were unstoppable, trampling everyone in their path, which is why their grading had to be an 'A'.
The usual suspects have been starring for them, with Clayton Oliver in imperious form all season long to date. The star onballer is averaging 34.5 disposals, 8.1 clearances and 6.3 inside 50's a game, in a season where many are predicting he could be named MVP.
Until recently, Steven May had been phenomenal, almost unpassable at times in the backline. The All-Australian is averaging 18.4 possessions and 5 marks a game, Melbourne will be elated that he comes back in next week.
Despite their recent struggles, the Demons are still well on track for a top four finish and a chance to retain their title.
MVP: Clayton Oliver (126 votes)
Best Win: Round 8 vs St Kilda
Worst Loss: Round 13 vs Collingwood
Grade: F
W-L Record: 1-12
Percentage: 52.3%
There isn't much to be said about the Kangaroos that isn't already well established. It's true that they're rebuilding, however, to date season 2022 has been incredibly disappointing.
With murmurings of player unrest, the most high-profile of which is that prized recruit Jason Horne-Francis already wants to leave the club, punctuated by a raft of bad losses, the bye week could not have come soon enough.
Despite the majority of their list being under the age of 23, the lack of development from some of their top-end talent has to be cause for concern. No doubt coach David Noble will look to address this as the Kangaroos try to reset going into the back half of 2022.
With the very real prospect of a one-win season looming, North Melbourne must use this break to refresh and steel themselves to come out fighting, or face back-to-back wooden spoons.
MVP: Luke Davies-Uniacke (38 votes)
Best Win: Round 2 vs West Coast
Worst Loss: Round 3 vs Brisbane