The AFL escalator in 2009

[Dry Rot]

Which teams look like hopping up the ladder in 2009? Port, Tigers and Blues fans seem hopeful but could a bolter come from the west?

IIRC, a bottom 4 or bottom 8 usually bolts into the top 4.

And on the down escalator, many usually claim it will be the Swans and Crows every season and are wrong, but has their time finally come to dip?

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

My view is:

Adelaide - slight decline
Brisbane - slight improvement
Carlton - will improve
Collingwood - about the same
Essendon - about the same
Fremantle - slight improvement
Geelong - about the same
Hawthorn - about the same
Melbourne - about the same
North Melbourne - slight decline
Port Adelaide - about the same
Richmond - slight improvement
St. Kilda - about the same
Sydney - decline
West Coast - slight improvement
Western Buldogs - slight improvement

I don't see anyone moving up rapidly, perhaps Carlton & Brisbane to improve the most.

Funny how DR mentioned most people pick Adelaide & Sydney to fall each year. They're the two I think will fall in 2009.

[GVGjr]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Biggest improvers:
Richmond, West Coast and Carlton
Biggest sliders:
StKilda, Collingwood and Sydney

[Mofra]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Port as the bolters, I see (wait for it) Geelong as an injury or two away from sliding outside the top four. They are the Essendon of 2000, 7 years too late.

Bulldogs & Hawks as the teams to beat in 09

[ledge]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Well theirs only one way to go if you finish on top and considering we will win the flag the Hawks will slide down at least one rung!

[lemmon]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Im tipping Brisbane to have a bolt at top 6 and perhaps top 4, they have a very good midfield with the likes of Black Power and Adcock, their rucks have the ability to be the best in the comp IMO with Charman and Luenberger (who will be a star) their forward line has arguarbly the best big man combo in the league with Bradshaw and Brown. Their back line is although not exciting, steady with Merrit and Drummond. They have some fantastic young kids coming through guys like Henderson, Clark, Dalziell and now young Rich. They just need to find another goal kicker or two and either Henderson or Clark to hold down CHB and they have a very dangerous side

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

I think the Richmond and carlton are the ones to move into the 8 this year with Sydney & North falling out.

not a good club move with McIntosh trade week.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Im tipping Brisbane to have a bolt at top 6 and perhaps top 4, they have a very good midfield with the likes of Black Power and Adcock, their rucks have the ability to be the best in the comp IMO with Charman and Luenberger (who will be a star) their forward line has arguarbly the best big man combo in the league with Bradshaw and Brown. Their back line is although not exciting, steady with Merrit and Drummond. They have some fantastic young kids coming through guys like Henderson, Clark, Dalziell and now young Rich. They just need to find another goal kicker or two and either Henderson or Clark to hold down CHB and they have a very dangerous side

Brisbane were my tip for the 'bolter' last season but they got found out due to their one dimensional forwardline. I cant see them improving unless they find another avenue to goal otherthan Brown and Bradshaw. If they werent so short on small forwards its safe to say Hooper would have been shown the door long ago.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Brisbane were my tip for the 'bolter' last season but they got found out due to their one dimensional forwardline. I cant see them improving unless they find another avenue to goal otherthan Brown and Bradshaw. If they werent so short on small forwards its safe to say Hooper would have been shown the door long ago.

Agree too much left to Brown & Bradshaw. one out they really struggle.

[lemmon]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Brisbane were my tip for the 'bolter' last season but they got found out due to their one dimensional forwardline. I cant see them improving unless they find another avenue to goal otherthan Brown and Bradshaw. If they werent so short on small forwards its safe to say Hooper would have been shown the door long ago.

Their probably regretting letting Corrie go a little bit, he showed a little bit playing as a small forward and Hooper is probably doing Vossy and the club more harm then good.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Agree too much left to Brown & Bradshaw. one out they really struggle.

And thats what makes us such a good side, not relying on 2 big forwards

I think Brisbane out of the 8, Carlton in, Richmond in, Maybe Kangaroos dropping out. Dont think any more big jumps or falls really

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Brisbane are ordinary IMO.

Brown, Bradshaw, Power, Black are A grade players but they really falla way after that. Johnstone is a good player but he's hardly reliable, as he proved last season. Their forward line is far too predictable, Brown/Bradshaw often kicked bags in the same game and they still lost. Their midfield needs to be bolstered and in defence they're lacking too. They are overrated because of their top tier.

With Voss at the helm too, I predict a finisha round 9th-12th.

For mine, Carlton, Richmond and Port Adelaide to improve and potentially make finals.

St. Kilda and Sydney to miss out. Perhaps the Kangaroos too.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

If Geelong slide then you may aswell hand the Hawks the cup now. WE couldnt get within a bulls roar of them with our midget forward line. And 09 is unfortunately going to be one yr to early for the Grants,Boumanns and Cordys etc.

[soupman]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Well I rank the sides in the following clusters, with room to move one cluster either way:

Hawthorn, Geelong

Western Bulldogs

Brisbane, North Melbourne, Collingwood, Carlton, St. Kilda

Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Richmond, West Coast

Essendon, Fremantle

Melbourne

Which translated to a ladder means:

1. Hawthorn
2. Geelong
3. Western Bulldogs
4. Brisbane

5. Collingwood
6. Carlton
7. North Melbourne
8. St.Kilda

9. Port Adelaide
10. Adelaide
11. Sydney
12. Richmond

13. West Coast
14. Fremantle
15. Essendon
16. Melbourne

Looking at that, despite compiling it I don't agree with it simply because I think all the sides from 11th to 15th should be higher. I think it'll be a very even season for the sides placed 6th-15th, with the loser being decided by injury.

So, from that the bolters are Brisbane and Carlton, and the sliders St.Kilda, Sydney and even Richmond (considering they are meant to improve).

[azabob]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Adelaide into the top 4 and I think Richmond will make the 8.
Here's hoping the bulldogs stay in the top 2 or 3. Still a little bit of me is scared that we may slip back down like past seasons. But overall Im fairly confident we will continue on our way.