Dark horse opponents of 2011

[Greystache]

Re: Dark horse opponents of 2011

I do understand that point you are making, however it seems to be a moot point if infact Essendon are a quick team by Virtue of the fact that they play a game style that incorporates running hard one way, and in numbers to facilitate the quick movement of the ball.

It means they're easily exploited for their actual lack of leg speed by pressuring the ball carrier and forcing turnovers in our defensive fifty.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Dark horse opponents of 2011

I don't rate North Melbourne at all. Harvey's older, Petrie is injury prone. They have no other genuine match winners, and I think Ziebell has been grossly overrated based on his output so far. They're still middle of the road.

My pick is Adelaide. Plenty of good young players and a successful club that rarely stays down long. Craig's a very good coach too, although there's doubts over his ability to take a side to the 'next step'. They had a horrible pre-season last year in terms of injuries, so I think they'll bounce back. I'm surprised they've been forgotton by so many.

Sloane, MacKay, Dangerfield, van Berlo, Thompson, Tippett, Walker, Porplyzia, Knights, Davis, Henderson, Jaensch, Otten, Vince and Tambling to name a few. Jacobs will improve their ruck division.

Your right , there were several performances that really showed that their midfield structure and field positioning in general was at the highest level , the round 16 win over Geelong as an example, with a better run with injuries I,m sure they will push for top 4 or 5

It should be Collingwood, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Adelaide, Geelong, St Kilda as the top six

.

[Dazza]

Re: Dark horse opponents of 2011

Sounds obvious but I think Melbourne will climb the ladder at a rapid rate. Last year they really pushed some of the top 4 sides right to the brink and narrowly lost the games plus they weren't really belted all year unlike another contender in North Melbourne who seemed to not have the class of the top 4 sides but took care of the teams that they should have beaten. If you had a track record of Freo's form line in 2009 you would have seen they lost some really close games as well with alot of that to do with running out of gas in the last quarter and being overrun.

Another I see making an improvement is Hawthorn and if they don't Clarkson is finished.

[ratsmac]

Re: Dark horse opponents of 2011

I don't rate North Melbourne at all. Harvey's older, Petrie is injury prone. They have no other genuine match winners, and I think Ziebell has been grossly overrated based on his output so far. They're still middle of the road.

My pick is Adelaide. Plenty of good young players and a successful club that rarely stays down long. Craig's a very good coach too, although there's doubts over his ability to take a side to the 'next step'. They had a horrible pre-season last year in terms of injuries, so I think they'll bounce back. I'm surprised they've been forgotton by so many.

Sloane, MacKay, Dangerfield, van Berlo, Thompson, Tippett, Walker, Porplyzia, Knights, Davis, Henderson, Jaensch, Otten, Vince and Tambling to name a few. Jacobs will improve their ruck division.

Good Post but I fail to understand why Tambling is in that list of players that are any good. He may improve in a new environment but has been a flop to date. I'm still bemused to why Adelaide even traded for him.

I don't see Adelaide as qualifying as a dark horse though. They were just a massive failure last season. I agree that they will be big improver's on last seasons result though.

I think Richmond will big improver's next season but just might finish ninth once again.

[dog town]

Re: Dark horse opponents of 2011

I don't rate North Melbourne at all. Harvey's older, Petrie is injury prone. They have no other genuine match winners, and I think Ziebell has been grossly overrated based on his output so far. They're still middle of the road.

My pick is Adelaide. Plenty of good young players and a successful club that rarely stays down long. Craig's a very good coach too, although there's doubts over his ability to take a side to the 'next step'. They had a horrible pre-season last year in terms of injuries, so I think they'll bounce back. I'm surprised they've been forgotton by so many.

Sloane, MacKay, Dangerfield, van Berlo, Thompson, Tippett, Walker, Porplyzia, Knights, Davis, Henderson, Jaensch, Otten, Vince and Tambling to name a few. Jacobs will improve their ruck division.

Agree with all of that. Scott has done a good job creating the impression of a young up and coming team at North but I am not sure that is the reality. They are young but I dont know if the top end quality is really around for them.

Adelaide is a clear danger team. Really liked some of the kids they played this year and Craig is good at quietly rebuilding without bottoming out. They got some really good games into some kids this year.

[the banker]

Re: Dark horse opponents of 2011

Dark horse probably means someone coming through from the bottom six. Adelaide and Melbourne both qualify on that score and we could expect one or both to scamble into the finals. Think Carlton, Hawthorn, Adelaide may be the improvers and St Kilda, Swans, Freo the sliders.