2016 Predictions

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: 2016 Predictions

I could certainly be tempted to back Sydney to miss finals and possibly GWS to make finals.

Our odds are a bit skinny

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: 2016 Predictions

I have been through the fixture and allotted my expected wins/losses based on my perception of the relative strength of each side and considered venues and prior opponents.

This is my version.

West Coast 17 5 - Losses to hawthorn (MCG) Geelong (Geelong) Bulldogs (Etihad) GWS (Spotless) and coming of Derby with 6 day break plus Adelaide (AO) round 23

Collingwood 16 6 Losses to West Coast (Subi) GWS (Spotless) North Melbourne (Etihad) West Coast (MCG) Bulldogs (Etihad) Hawthorn (MCG)

North Melbourne 16 6 Losses to Gold Coast (Metricon), Sydney (SCG) Adelaide (AO) West Coast (Subi) Bulldogs (Etihad) Hawthorn (MCG)

Western Bulldogs 16 6 Losses to North Melbourne (Etihad)Collingwood (MCG) GWS (Spotless) Port Adelaide (AO) Geelong (Simonds) Fremantle (Subi) Note Dogs have been very good at Etihad and I am given them plenty of wins there. Including Hawthorn (who are coming 2 tough games in Geelong and West Coast for the round 3 clash.)

Hawthorn 15 7 Losses to Geelong (Rd 1 - Dangerfield impact) Bulldogs (Etihad) GWS (Spotless) North Melbourne (Etihad) Port Adelaide (AO) Richmond (MCG - this result just seems to happen) West Coast (Subi)

GWS 15 7 Losses to Fremantle (Subi) Adelaide (AO) Geelong (Simonds) Brisbane (Gabba - There just will be an upset somewhere) Port Adelaide (AO) Gold Coast (Metricon) North Melbourne (Etihad)

Port Adelaide 14 8 Losses to GWS (Star Track) West Coast (AO) Melbourne (Alice Springs – think this is just a game for Melbourne) Collingwood (MCG) Fremantle (AO) North Melbourne (Etihad) Brisbane (Gabba – Brisbane are better than many predict and have a good record against Power) Gold Coast (Metricon)

Geelong 14 8 Losses to GWS (Star Track letdown after Rd 1 v Hawthorn) Port Adelaide (AO) Adelaide (AO – that will be a packed house) Collingwood (MCG) North Melbourne (Etihad) Bulldogs (Etihad) Fremantle (Subi) Brisbane (Gabba)

Gold Coast 12 10 List has some quality

Richmond 12 10 Maybe it is because they keep losing to the Dogs but feel they lack quality outside their top 5 and contain too many recycled players.

Fremantle 11 11 Not convinced that Bennell is the saviour and the loss of McPharlin plus question marks around the durability of aging stars in Pavlich and Sandilands. Lyon needs to give more opportunity to his younger brigade.

Adelaide 10 12 Certainly see them as competitive, but anyone who really believes that Brad Crouch is an adequate replacement for Dangerfield are using very rosy glasses. Crouch needs to prove his body is durable enough.

Brisbane 9 13 have improved their list and have very good midfield options. If their young talls stand up they will be a tough side to beat.

St Kilda 8 14 The loss of Carlisle hurts but they are showing improvement.

Sydney 6 16 Obviously I am out on a limb with Sydney, but they have a very long tail of unproven players. They need their best 10 players on the park and playing well every week to win games.

Melbourne 5 17 I see more pain for Melbourne as they rely on a young midfield and Jesse Hogan

Carlton 2 20 Just a poor list and much weaker than last years wooden spoon side. They have replaced experience with GWS rejects. Just does not look viable

Essendon 0 22 There season is actually dependent on the quality of their top ups and adding recently retired/delisted players is not a recipe to win games.