What’s gone right: The Bombers have been able to show that when at the top of their game, they can be an impressive outfit. Star recruit Dylan Shiel has added energy and excitement to the Essendon midfield, while Jake Stringer has been a consistent performer for the red and black this season. Youngsters Mason Redman and Aaron Francis have shown further promising signs, while Darcy Parish looks to have come into his own in recent weeks; averaging 29 disposals and featuring on the scoreboard over his last three matches. Dylan Clarke is another who looks to have cemented his spot in the side after nullifying Patrick Cripps on the weekend.
What’s gone wrong: The Dons have appeared to stagnate in 2019 thus far, having only one more win than they did at the same time last year. The Bombers have often been far too predictable with their style of play (as noted by Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd), and their entry into their forward fifty has been lacklustre at many times this season. Plagued with injuries to notable players such as Joe Daniher, Devon Smith and Orazio Fantasia certainly hasn't helped, either.
Best and fairest: While there have certainly been many critics of his ball use this year, Dylan Shiel would still remain a hot contender to take out his first best & fairest at the Bombers. Jake Stringer will be in for a good chance if he continues to show consistent effort and work rate, while the usual customers of Michael Hurley, Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell would all fancy their chances as well.
Season grade: E
Sadly for Essendon, it's been a season all too familiar, with a mediocre spate of performances seeing the club where they are right now. The first 11 rounds have quelled expectations for the Bomber faithful, who no doubt would have had heightened expectations over the pre-season thanks to a strong finish to 2018 and the attaining of Dylan Shiel. All is not lost and of course, the season can still be salvaged, but the first half of their season leaves a lot to be desired.
What's gone right: Plenty has gone right for the Dockers, and certainly far more than most people expected from afar. Ross Lyon's men have established themselves as a finals contender after a few seasons in the wilderness. Freo has claimed some big scalps already this season, with wins against GWS, Brisbane and Collingwood putting the club in good stead to return to the finals fold for the first time since 2015. Skipper Nat Fyfe has been a shining light as expected, while a formidable defence consisting of Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce has made the Dockers the second-least scored against side so far this season.
What's gone wrong: While Fremantle has certainly proven themselves with big wins against premiership contenders this season, it's been their inability to win some of the more winnable games that see them currently sitting on the outskirts of the top eight. Narrow losses to Gold Coast and Essendon would have disappointed the Dockers, and they will need to avoid any losses of the same nature if they are to cement their first finals birth in four years.
Best and fairest: Freo has a list of names who would certainly be contending for the Doig Medal at this point in time. While Fyfe and Ryan would be two of the front-runners, Bradley Hill and David Mundy would also be firmly in the conversation, with Hill, in particular, putting together an excellent 2019 thus far.
Season grade: B
The Dockers have barely put a foot wrong this season, and have probably surpassed the expectations of most so far in 2019. With a reasonably comfortable run home in the second half of the season, Freo looks every chance to return to the finals, and quite possibly make an impact at that.
What's gone right: Hawthorn has managed to show some promising signs so far in their 2019 campaign. While the loss of Tom Mitchell seemed a daunting prospect, the Hawthorn midfield has been able to salvage something of their season minus the Brownlow Medallist. Ricky Henderson has been a star in the middle for the Hawks, while young gun James Worpel has continued his progress in the brown and gold.
What's gone wrong: The Hawks have largely been inconsistent this season, with a string of underwhelming performances leaving them sitting outside the eight as things stand. It's been a changing-of-the-guard type scenario at Waverley Park as well, with former captain Jarryd Roughead finding himself demoted to the VFL. Star recruit Chad Wingard has failed the set the world on fire so far, which is to be expected thanks to an injury-interrupted pre-season.
Best and fairest: At this point, you would think that Ricky Henderson will be hard to beat for the Peter Crimmins Medal. The 30-year-old has been enormous for the Hawks this season, averaging 26.9 disposals over the course of the season, with his valuable decision making and impeccable ball use making him a constant presence in the Hawthorn midfield.
Season grade: D
The Hawks are probably on par with expectations heading into the season. Losing Mitchell in the pre-season was never going to be easy, and their inconsistent efforts so far this season have probably highlighted that. While there have been many positives the Hawks can draw from 2019 so far, a finals birth might be a bit too much to ask of them for this season. But you certainly couldn't rule them out by any means.
What's gone right: Port's star performers have been spread all over the age spectrum, with a mix of youth and experience providing a lot of excitement for the Power army so far in 2019. The crop of kids the Power have brought in - Connor Rozee, Xavier Duursma, Zac Butters and Willem Drew - have been fantastic, and have given Port fans many reasons to be optimistic heading into the future. Couple that with former skipper Travis Boak having a dominant 2019 campaign, and you see the Power sitting in the top eight as things stand.
What's gone wrong: Similar to previous seasons, the Power have shown many signs of inconsistency over the course of the season. Strong wins against West Coast and St Kilda have been coupled with bad losses against the likes of Hawthorn, Collingwood and the Crows, which would surely sting the most.
Best and fairest: Travis Boak would be well-placed to record his second best and fairest medal at the Power. The two-time All-Australian has been exceptional for the Power this season, averaging over 31 disposals this season and scoring seven goals as a consistent performer for Ken Hinkley's side.
Season grade: C
The Power has been mostly impressive so far this season, and deserve to find themselves sitting within the eight based on results so far this year. More needs to be done if Power is to cement themselves within the eight come the end of the season, but their first 11 games of the season leave a lot for Power fans to be excited about.
What's gone right: The Saints kicked off their 2019 campaign with a bang, winning four of their first five games and rapidly exceeding expectations. Missing the likes of Dan Hannebery and Jake Carlisle so far this season was never going to be easy, but the Saints have been able to compensate for it by blooding both Matt Parker and Callum Wilkie, who have both been extremely impressive and exciting for the Saints over the first half of the year.
What's gone wrong: While the Saints started off 2019 with a bang, they have largely dropped off over the course of the last six rounds. Just the one win in their last six matches has undone a lot of their hard work and sees them sitting outside the eight. St Kilda has been extremely unfortunate this season too, with the loss of many established players.
Best and fairest: Jack Billings would have to be one of the main contenders for the Trevor Barker medal in 2019. The 23-year-old has been very impressive for the Saints so far this season - particularly when they were going strong in the first month of the season. Billings has averaged over 25 possessions and kicked seven goals so far this year.
Season grade: D
St Kilda deserves a pass mark based on their start to the season, but their grade has declined following a few disappointing losses over the last six rounds. While they have probably done better than expected so far this season, the Saints might have to rediscover their early season form if Alan Richardson is to remain at the helm.
What's gone right: The Bulldogs have shown signs of promise and excellence at both ends of the ground this season, with a few players making waves at Whitten Oval so far this season. Caleb Daniel has been a great contributor in the Bullldogs' defense, averaging over 27 disposals. Aaron Naughton has excited football followers from all clubs this year as well, after a few impressive performances up forward - notably THAT excellent display against the Tigers earlier this year.
What's gone wrong: The Bulldogs have been far too inconsistent in 2019. Similar to Fremantle, there have been a number of matches that the Dogs would have considered winnable - but for one reason or another just couldn't grab the four points. Their loss to Carlton - the Blues' only win of the season thus far - would have to be the biggest low-point for Luke Beveridge's men this year.
Best and fairest: The Bulldogs have had a few players who would certainly be in contention this season. While Caleb Daniel has been impressive and Jack Macrae extremely consistent, Marcus Bontempelli just continues to produce A-grade performances, averaging over 25 disposals and being a constant headache for opposition midfield's across the country. Don't be surprised if the Brownlow were to be around the Bont's neck come the end of the season.
Season grade: D
All things considered, the Bulldogs are probably just about where you would expect them to be at this point in the season. While they are certainly showing glimpses of promise, you would think that it's all too soon to expect them to make a return to the finals in 2019.