The AFL escalator in 2009

[Go_Dogs]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Port and Brisbane are my big movers up.

West Coast and Adelaide could also surprise.

[ledge]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Hawks-Its a different ball game when the hunter becomes the hunted.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

I think Port could do like we did in 08, and show the previous poor season was just a temporary bad dream.
I think on the other side Brisbane will struggle. I think Voss is going to find the coaching caper very difficult, ala Timmy Watson.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

I can't really see Brisbane finishing top four - new coach, several players changed around - if appointing Voss turns out to be an inspired choice it won't happen this year.
11th.

I think Richmond proved they could take on the big guns last year, they beat Hawthorn and managed to lose to us and bring about a draw - throw Cousins into the mix and they will be a challenge. Top 6

The Blues, with Judd doing a full pre season and back to his best, will see them charge up the ladder. Top 6

I don't underestimate West Coast either, a lot of injuires stuffed up their season but their history has shown they never stay down two years in a row - 8th

I just don't have any faith in the Saints, they fell into fourth spot through smashing an injury clogged Essendon who lined up a team of green kids. They were just lucky to finish fourth at all - 12

Adelaide had several key players missing, but still don't really have a forward structure - but they just seem to have that winning never throw in the towel culture - 7

Hawthorn - as someone else mentioned, will be the hunted this year not the hunter - their undisciplined play will cause them some pain with suspensions and potential injuries - still will be top 4 though.

Geelong their luck is starting to dry up - I expect a few injuries this year considering the last two years they have been lucky on this front. Top 6.

Port Adelaide - another team that suffered from a lot of injuries, but for the smarting runner ups from 2007 not to be able to beat the premiers round 1 at home - they are just not good enough. 8- 10 for me.

Melbourne - Should have started rebuilding as soon as Coach Bailley arrived - 16.

North Melbourne A few good players will be coming back from injury this year - still as we know from Darcy that does mean they will have an immediate impact - 8- 12.

Sydney NO way they will make the 8 and they didn't make much of an impact last year anyway. 10- 14.

Fremantle some improvement - but not enough to make the 8. 10 - 14

Essendon Will be interesting to watch the improvement this year - still not top 8 though - 10 - 14.

Collingwood Top 6 again, thanks to an enviable draw and a strong team without any real stars. They would have beaten us last year, but for the injuries to players.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Everyone is talking up Carlton and Richmond. Don't rate either at all. Dig past the obvious suspects and there are some serious deficiencies on both lists -- even the obvious suspects aren't getting any younger: Richo is the oldest player in the competition and there is no guarantee either he or Cousins will even get through the season. Same with Judd -- hasn't had an injury free season in three years, with the increased expectation the younger guys will choke. There are a couple of young gems on both lists, but positions 10 - 22 on each starting 22 are as bad as they come.

Richmond and Carlton to fight out 8th spot AT BEST.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Geelong will stay in the top 2. They will be hurting and there is so much cream in the cake they're not going anywhere. Just need more from their bottom 6.

Hawthorn will have a rude shock unless Lance has another year out -- he will find it nearly impossible to back up after last year; will obviously still have some incredible days, but will not blitz the competition again -- coaches will have spent all summer designing anti-Buddy plans and he is no Wayne Carey in the mental strength department.

Bolter -- Freo. There is some serious (but soft) talent on this list and I just think these guys are one mental click away from being the real deal. If they had won every game they had led at 3 quarter time last year they would have finished top 2, easy. I'm tipping they are one tight win away from it all falling in place.. but they could just as easily finish wooden spooners (that's just the uber-even nature of the competition).

Essendon, I think, will surprise a few as well -- they finished the season okay and with an extra pre-season will have real weapons coming in. Injuries will be the factor here, but if they stay on the park it's a pretty okay list. The key with both Freo and the Bombers is that no one is paying them any attention.

[lemmon]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Everyone is talking up Carlton and Richmond. Don't rate either at all. Dig past the obvious suspects and there are some serious deficiencies on both lists -- even the obvious suspects aren't getting any younger: Richo is the oldest player in the competition and there is no guarantee either he or Cousins will even get through the season. Same with Judd -- hasn't had an injury free season in three years, with the increased expectation the younger guys will choke. There are a couple of young gems on both lists, but positions 10 - 22 on each starting 22 are as bad as they come.

Richmond and Carlton to fight out 8th spot AT BEST.

Agree 100% on Richmond, massively overated imo. Their midfield is young and raw although talented. No one in their backline is able to take on the big forwards, Thursfield is just too thin IMO and no Polaks gonna really hurt. Their runners from defence lack the one thing most vital in this position kicking accuracy. Their forward line is average Richo is a star but is ageing, Brown isnt the same player after breaking his leg, I dont really rate Riewoldt and young Morton is enigmatic.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Everyone is talking up Carlton and Richmond. Don't rate either at all. Dig past the obvious suspects and there are some serious deficiencies on both lists -- even the obvious suspects aren't getting any younger: Richo is the oldest player in the competition and there is no guarantee either he or Cousins will even get through the season. Same with Judd -- hasn't had an injury free season in three years, with the increased expectation the younger guys will choke. There are a couple of young gems on both lists, but positions 10 - 22 on each starting 22 are as bad as they come.

Richmond and Carlton to fight out 8th spot AT BEST.

I agree in essence, but then you suggest Fremantle could be the real deal? Besides Melbourne, Fremantle probably have the worst list in the competition. Pavlich and Sandilands are quality players, and you could probably add a couple of others, but the rest are either rubbish or young kids (Eg. Palmer, Ibbotson & Mayne). They are a LONG way off Finals IMO. Desperately need to develop young talent, and whilst that has started, it's going to take a couple of years. Still a case of rove to Sandilands, smother Pavlich and you're 90% home.

[azabob]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Agree 100% on Richmond, massively overated imo. Their midfield is young and raw although talented. No one in their backline is able to take on the big forwards, Thursfield is just too thin IMO and no Polaks gonna really hurt. Their runners from defence lack the one thing most vital in this position kicking accuracy. Their forward line is average Richo is a star but is ageing, Brown isnt the same player after breaking his leg, I dont really rate Riewoldt and young Morton is enigmatic.

have to disagree. Thursfield is more than capable, McGuane is becoming a very good tall and so is Moore. I think their back half is more than capable, also their tall forwards are coming on nicely in Hughes and Reiwoldt. ANd their midfield is young and raw but has talent to burn and we all know midfielders come on a lot quicker than talls. I think they have a well balanced list.

[ledge]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

I can't really see Brisbane finishing top four - new coach, several players changed around - if appointing Voss turns out to be an inspired choice it won't happen this year.
11th.

I think Richmond proved they could take on the big guns last year, they beat Hawthorn and managed to lose to us and bring about a draw - throw Cousins into the mix and they will be a challenge. Top 6

The Blues, with Judd doing a full pre season and back to his best, will see them charge up the ladder. Top 6

I don't underestimate West Coast either, a lot of injuires stuffed up their season but their history has shown they never stay down two years in a row - 8th

I just don't have any faith in the Saints, they fell into fourth spot through smashing an injury clogged Essendon who lined up a team of green kids. They were just lucky to finish fourth at all - 12

Adelaide had several key players missing, but still don't really have a forward structure - but they just seem to have that winning never throw in the towel culture - 7

Hawthorn - as someone else mentioned, will be the hunted this year not the hunter - their undisciplined play will cause them some pain with suspensions and potential injuries - still will be top 4 though.

Geelong their luck is starting to dry up - I expect a few injuries this year considering the last two years they have been lucky on this front. Top 6.

Port Adelaide - another team that suffered from a lot of injuries, but for the smarting runner ups from 2007 not to be able to beat the premiers round 1 at home - they are just not good enough. 8- 10 for me.

Melbourne - Should have started rebuilding as soon as Coach Bailley arrived - 16.

North Melbourne A few good players will be coming back from injury this year - still as we know from Darcy that does mean they will have an immediate impact - 8- 12.

Sydney NO way they will make the 8 and they didn't make much of an impact last year anyway. 10- 14.

Fremantle some improvement - but not enough to make the 8. 10 - 14

Essendon Will be interesting to watch the improvement this year - still not top 8 though - 10 - 14.

Collingwood Top 6 again, thanks to an enviable draw and a strong team without any real stars. They would have beaten us last year, but for the injuries to players.

Your missing one important team!

[LostDoggy]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Your missing one important team!

Yes, and I haven't put anyone down as top two either

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

have to disagree. Thursfield is more than capable, McGuane is becoming a very good tall and so is Moore. I think their back half is more than capable, also their tall forwards are coming on nicely in Hughes and Reiwoldt. ANd their midfield is young and raw but has talent to burn and we all know midfielders come on a lot quicker than talls. I think they have a well balanced list.

Thursfield, McGuane and Moore could all end up being quite decent third talls but none of them have the size to take the big blokes.

Riewoldt might be something one day but he's a far way off still (I really question his pace) and Hughes has done nothing so far to suggest he is any more than a VFL player. Their three leading goalkickers last year were Richo, Brown and Bowden with an average age of 32!

Deledio, Cousins, Cotchin and Foley is the basis of a midfield but they're still a fair way short of being a consistantly good side.

[azabob]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Thursfield, McGuane and Moore could all end up being quite decent third talls but none of them have the size to take the big blokes.

Riewoldt might be something one day but he's a far way off still (I really question his pace) and Hughes has done nothing so far to suggest he is any more than a VFL player. Their three leading goalkickers last year were Richo, Brown and Bowden with an average age of 32!

Deledio, Cousins, Cotchin and Foley is the basis of a midfield but they're still a fair way short of being a consistantly good side.

Yep agree they are a bit off being a consitant side but to make the eight you dont need to be consistant. I think Thursfield will be big enough in time to take the bigger guys.
We should also remember that not so long ago our best players were West, Johnson, Darcy, Smith, Grant.

SS do you think Richmond will make the 8?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Yep agree they are a bit off being a consitant side but to make the eight you dont need to be consistant. I think Thursfield will be big enough in time to take the bigger guys.
We should also remember that not so long ago our best players were West, Johnson, Darcy, Smith, Grant.

SS do you think Richmond will make the 8?

They might fall into 7th or 8th if they're lucky.

I think Carlton and West Coast will both finish above Richmond and will make the 8.

[KT31]

Re: The AFL escalator in 2009

Bulldogs will play in the GF Hawks.
Richmond are overated and will finish ninth.
Carlton will improve.
West Coast wont improve they will just stop tanking.
Brisbane will be high top eight.
Cats could go either way.
Demons 16th
Saints to finish around 8th.
Pies in eight (only because the AFL pampers them)