The Bulldogs Bite
07-01-2008, 11:21 PM
Thought it might generate some interesting and indepth discussion if we created a thread involving not only our side for the upcoming season, but the other 15 sides too. Below is an evaluation of each sides seasons, and below that is my predicted ladder for the 2008 AFL Home & Away Season.
Perhaps this could be stickied as we can relate to it throughout the duration of the season?
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Geelong: They were basically the dominant side of the '07 season, not including those first four rounds. Played together as a team on a mission. Stoakes became a quality small forward booting 30+ goals, whilst Selwood added a hardened edge to their midfield. Ottens was able to mandhandle teams in the ruck & up forward whilst Mooney had his best season yet. Bartlet collected the Brownlow Medal in a stellar year, as Gary Ablett transformed himself from a good footballer into one of the best in the compeition. Their backline held tight too, with Egan & Mackie both stepping up remarkably. They crucified Port Adelaide in the Grand Final, ending what was an incredible year for them.
2007 Finish: 1st
Predicted 2008 Finish: 4th
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Port Adelaide: Whilst most predicted a rise up the ladder, nobody really expected The Power to be as successful as they were. It was only a few years ago they captured their first AFL Premiership, and yet already, they found themselves right back amongst the big boys. They adopted a very fast style of football, similiar to ours of 2006, however they had the big forwards to help out. White, Tredrea, Westhoff & Lade all spent time up forward whilst Thurstans found his spot in the backline. The Burgoynes had great seasons, whilst Rodan - who they picked up for nothing - was also a very good player in 2007. Unfortunately for them, they were on the wrong side of history as they received the biggest belting EVER in an AFL Grand Final. However, they're a young list with a bright future and should be frothing at the mouth to redeem themselves.
2007 Finish: 2nd
Predicted 2008 Finish: 1st
--
West Coast: From the word go they were under a significant amount of pressure. Having won the Grand Final in 2006, they were again predicted by most to be there on the last day in September. That, combined with the internal problems relating to drugs and their players led to on-going speculation throughout the course of the year. This year they also suffered several injuries to key players, namely Chris Judd. At times, the WCE were without their trio - Judd, Cousins & Kerr - and it proved vital as they suddenly became 'beatable'. Nevertheless, they finished third and made the finals comfortably. Unfortunately for them, injuries kept their superstar trio from having too much of an effect, and thus they exited the 2007 Finals series in straight sets. Going into '08, they are without Judd (Carlton) and Cousins (Delisted & Susp. by AFL).
2007 Finish: 3rd
Predicted 2008 Finish: 7th
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Kangaroos: The 2007 season provided many success stories and several surprise stories, but none more so than The Kangaroos. Before the first bounce they were widely tipped to finish last. When Thompson went down with an ACL in a pre-season match, the predictions of the 'Roos collecting the spoon appeared likely. However, the Kangaroos once again showed fight & determination as they displayed an incredible will to win. Players such as Petrie, Swallow & Harris had fantastic seasons whilst Archer & Harvey led from the front. McIntosh emerged as one of the best young ruckmen in the competition too, forging a quality duo with David Hale. With a list compiled of mainly younger players, The Kangaroos should be expecting to play Finals again this year.
2007 Finish: 4th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 5th
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Hawthorn: Along with The Kangaroos & Port Adelaide, Hawthorn were big improvers. They were able to play tough, exciting team football. Their backline remains suspect, but their midfield of Crawford, Mitchell, Lewis & Hodge proved deadly. Up forward, The Hawks had plenty of options as Franklin emerged as a superstar. Roughead established himself as a strong power forward, as Boyle proved more than handy playing as the third tall. With a young list, The Hawks had the ingredients to combat with most sides in the competition. Their midfield was solid and unforgiving, whilst they had plenty of fire power up forward. Down back remained a problem and although Croad had a good season at CHB, they still require another tall defender. In the first week of the finals, The Hawks won a thriller against The Crows after Buddy kicked a beauty from 60m out. The following week, they were out-played by The Kangaroos but make no mistake about it - they're an improving side, and with Williams back in '08, they should challenge.
2007 Finish: 5th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 3rd
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Collingwood: Every year The Pies genuinely surprise the general public. Collingwood were tipped to finish in the bottom half of the ladder, but all season they managed to impress. Rocca slotted 50+ whilst Cloke stepped out of the shadows to make a real name for himself. Thomas continued to improve whilst Pendlebury also had a fine year. The Pies managed to find two good backmen in Goldsack & O'Brien, as their reputation for developing their younger players would only be further emphasized. Coming into the Finals, they had arguably the toughest draw of all. They had to play off against Sydney - a side that has made the last two Grand Finals. With relative ease, they pulled it off. The following week however, they were required to make a trip west and play off against The Eagles - the '06 Premiers, and a team coming off narrow defeat. The game went into extra time & The Pies escaped victors, firmly establishing themselves as genuine Premiership contenders. In one of the best Preliminary Finals seen, Geelong pipped Collingwood only just. In 2008, The Pies should be a force; a real force.
2007 Finish: 6th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 2nd
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Sydney: Although they still proved to be a dangerous side, Sydney wern't as effective as they had been in previous years. Hall spent a large majority of the season injured, whilst their shutdown gameplan failed to be executed as well as it was previously. Nevertheless, they still rallied and played well enough to earn a Finals birth but the predicted downslide appears in motion. Although they have a number of quality players - Hall, O'Laughlin, Kirk, Bolton, Kenelly etc. - they're an ageing side. With age comes injury. In 2008, they will be hard pressed to make the finals.
2007 Finish: 7th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 11th
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Adelaide: Much like Sydney, a downfall was predicted and it certainly occured. The Crows were lucky to make the Finals, relying on their Round 22 win v Collingwood to secure the birth. Whilst they still had a solid backline in Rutten & Bock, a solid midfield in Hudson, Goodwin, Edwards & Van Ber Lo - their biggest problem was scoring. Aside from Welsh, their avenue to goal was hard to identify. With no real target up forward, The Crows struggled several times against quality opposition to score the chocolates. Burton was unable to consistently play good football, whilst the absence of Hentschell (Knee reconstruction) was clearly evident. They too have an ageing list, and will find it tough to feature in this years Finals series. They'll miss Welsh as a goal kicking option - their best over the past few years - and Hudson as their #1 ruck. Combine that with the loss of Roo, and there's big shoes to be filled by kids.
2007 Finish: 8th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 14th
Perhaps this could be stickied as we can relate to it throughout the duration of the season?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geelong: They were basically the dominant side of the '07 season, not including those first four rounds. Played together as a team on a mission. Stoakes became a quality small forward booting 30+ goals, whilst Selwood added a hardened edge to their midfield. Ottens was able to mandhandle teams in the ruck & up forward whilst Mooney had his best season yet. Bartlet collected the Brownlow Medal in a stellar year, as Gary Ablett transformed himself from a good footballer into one of the best in the compeition. Their backline held tight too, with Egan & Mackie both stepping up remarkably. They crucified Port Adelaide in the Grand Final, ending what was an incredible year for them.
2007 Finish: 1st
Predicted 2008 Finish: 4th
--
Port Adelaide: Whilst most predicted a rise up the ladder, nobody really expected The Power to be as successful as they were. It was only a few years ago they captured their first AFL Premiership, and yet already, they found themselves right back amongst the big boys. They adopted a very fast style of football, similiar to ours of 2006, however they had the big forwards to help out. White, Tredrea, Westhoff & Lade all spent time up forward whilst Thurstans found his spot in the backline. The Burgoynes had great seasons, whilst Rodan - who they picked up for nothing - was also a very good player in 2007. Unfortunately for them, they were on the wrong side of history as they received the biggest belting EVER in an AFL Grand Final. However, they're a young list with a bright future and should be frothing at the mouth to redeem themselves.
2007 Finish: 2nd
Predicted 2008 Finish: 1st
--
West Coast: From the word go they were under a significant amount of pressure. Having won the Grand Final in 2006, they were again predicted by most to be there on the last day in September. That, combined with the internal problems relating to drugs and their players led to on-going speculation throughout the course of the year. This year they also suffered several injuries to key players, namely Chris Judd. At times, the WCE were without their trio - Judd, Cousins & Kerr - and it proved vital as they suddenly became 'beatable'. Nevertheless, they finished third and made the finals comfortably. Unfortunately for them, injuries kept their superstar trio from having too much of an effect, and thus they exited the 2007 Finals series in straight sets. Going into '08, they are without Judd (Carlton) and Cousins (Delisted & Susp. by AFL).
2007 Finish: 3rd
Predicted 2008 Finish: 7th
--
Kangaroos: The 2007 season provided many success stories and several surprise stories, but none more so than The Kangaroos. Before the first bounce they were widely tipped to finish last. When Thompson went down with an ACL in a pre-season match, the predictions of the 'Roos collecting the spoon appeared likely. However, the Kangaroos once again showed fight & determination as they displayed an incredible will to win. Players such as Petrie, Swallow & Harris had fantastic seasons whilst Archer & Harvey led from the front. McIntosh emerged as one of the best young ruckmen in the competition too, forging a quality duo with David Hale. With a list compiled of mainly younger players, The Kangaroos should be expecting to play Finals again this year.
2007 Finish: 4th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 5th
--
Hawthorn: Along with The Kangaroos & Port Adelaide, Hawthorn were big improvers. They were able to play tough, exciting team football. Their backline remains suspect, but their midfield of Crawford, Mitchell, Lewis & Hodge proved deadly. Up forward, The Hawks had plenty of options as Franklin emerged as a superstar. Roughead established himself as a strong power forward, as Boyle proved more than handy playing as the third tall. With a young list, The Hawks had the ingredients to combat with most sides in the competition. Their midfield was solid and unforgiving, whilst they had plenty of fire power up forward. Down back remained a problem and although Croad had a good season at CHB, they still require another tall defender. In the first week of the finals, The Hawks won a thriller against The Crows after Buddy kicked a beauty from 60m out. The following week, they were out-played by The Kangaroos but make no mistake about it - they're an improving side, and with Williams back in '08, they should challenge.
2007 Finish: 5th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 3rd
--
Collingwood: Every year The Pies genuinely surprise the general public. Collingwood were tipped to finish in the bottom half of the ladder, but all season they managed to impress. Rocca slotted 50+ whilst Cloke stepped out of the shadows to make a real name for himself. Thomas continued to improve whilst Pendlebury also had a fine year. The Pies managed to find two good backmen in Goldsack & O'Brien, as their reputation for developing their younger players would only be further emphasized. Coming into the Finals, they had arguably the toughest draw of all. They had to play off against Sydney - a side that has made the last two Grand Finals. With relative ease, they pulled it off. The following week however, they were required to make a trip west and play off against The Eagles - the '06 Premiers, and a team coming off narrow defeat. The game went into extra time & The Pies escaped victors, firmly establishing themselves as genuine Premiership contenders. In one of the best Preliminary Finals seen, Geelong pipped Collingwood only just. In 2008, The Pies should be a force; a real force.
2007 Finish: 6th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 2nd
--
Sydney: Although they still proved to be a dangerous side, Sydney wern't as effective as they had been in previous years. Hall spent a large majority of the season injured, whilst their shutdown gameplan failed to be executed as well as it was previously. Nevertheless, they still rallied and played well enough to earn a Finals birth but the predicted downslide appears in motion. Although they have a number of quality players - Hall, O'Laughlin, Kirk, Bolton, Kenelly etc. - they're an ageing side. With age comes injury. In 2008, they will be hard pressed to make the finals.
2007 Finish: 7th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 11th
--
Adelaide: Much like Sydney, a downfall was predicted and it certainly occured. The Crows were lucky to make the Finals, relying on their Round 22 win v Collingwood to secure the birth. Whilst they still had a solid backline in Rutten & Bock, a solid midfield in Hudson, Goodwin, Edwards & Van Ber Lo - their biggest problem was scoring. Aside from Welsh, their avenue to goal was hard to identify. With no real target up forward, The Crows struggled several times against quality opposition to score the chocolates. Burton was unable to consistently play good football, whilst the absence of Hentschell (Knee reconstruction) was clearly evident. They too have an ageing list, and will find it tough to feature in this years Finals series. They'll miss Welsh as a goal kicking option - their best over the past few years - and Hudson as their #1 ruck. Combine that with the loss of Roo, and there's big shoes to be filled by kids.
2007 Finish: 8th
Predicted 2008 Finish: 14th