vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
This really is one of the most wide open flag races in a long long time. Quite intriguing...
Those Who Could Contend...
- West Coast has to be worried about their lack of football at the MCG. Look at St. Kilda at the 'G. However, with such a strong defence, we've seen that (especially from previous Western Australian premiership sides) that this is often what brings flags.
- Geelong are playing very well, but against poor opposition and very early in the season. I don't see them taking it out. While they're now the highest scoring team on average in the league, they're also starting to be exposed in defence the other way a bit more often.
- St. Kilda seem to lack depth, probably a side effect of having so many "stars", they can't afford quality through the guys 20 to 30 on their list. However, when fully fit, they can be simply awesome.
- Adelaide are just a *click* away from being a top four side, and with guys like McLeod and Riccuito have to be feared in finals. If they can get their forward set up right, then they'll be worrying some sides come August/September.
- Concerning the best of the last three years (Port and Brisbane), every team that makes the 8 will be hoping that they miss out, because you wouldn't want to be playing them late in the year. If anyone could come from below the top four to take out a premiership under this new system, it would have to be one of these two sides.
- Richmond are probably in a similar situation to St. Kilda re: depth. But if they stay injury free, they're a side that depens so much on confidence that, while they have it, they might just bound away, and get a top four spot.
- I'm still not sold on Melbourne. Their midfield is just a lil below what you see at the other top clubs, dependant on Bruce, and question marks hang over their defence. To me, Rivers is a glorified J. Cloke, fantastic third man up but not the best at taking the opposition's best forward.
Those Who Could Not...
- Freo, Bulldogs and Sydney might make the finals, but will have very little say on preceedings late in the year. Freo doesn't have the steel, Bulldogs the game plan and Sydney the class to make it past week 2 at best, the Swans most likely to prove me wrong.
- Like to say farewell now to the Kangas, who would be ruing the fact that they've won 5 games (against poor opposition bar a depleted Saints) already because for the rest of the year, they'll play like a bottom 2 side.
- Same with Blues, and they'll go chasing draft picks. Same with Collingwood. But I don't think that any side will get priority picks this year. Pagan cares too much to let a season slide, and when the Pies get Buckley and Rocca back, they'll remain rather competitive (unfortunately).
- Hawthorn will tease all year, pull off upsets and lose to sides that they probably should beat.
- Essendon to finish outside the 8 by a few wins, although if they have a good draw they might just push. Sheedy caring too much about his hide to let the team drop down and get higher draft picks. Culture at Essendon is to make finals no matter what it takes, they must be successful. Kev won't stop striding for that now. However, too much left to too few to be a consistently good side.
Meh, had some time to waste. It's honest, and just an opinion. Hope a lot of it is proved wrong. And I still have no better idea about who's likely to win the whole thing. Lucky its round 9 I guess.
Those Who Could Contend...
- West Coast has to be worried about their lack of football at the MCG. Look at St. Kilda at the 'G. However, with such a strong defence, we've seen that (especially from previous Western Australian premiership sides) that this is often what brings flags.
- Geelong are playing very well, but against poor opposition and very early in the season. I don't see them taking it out. While they're now the highest scoring team on average in the league, they're also starting to be exposed in defence the other way a bit more often.
- St. Kilda seem to lack depth, probably a side effect of having so many "stars", they can't afford quality through the guys 20 to 30 on their list. However, when fully fit, they can be simply awesome.
- Adelaide are just a *click* away from being a top four side, and with guys like McLeod and Riccuito have to be feared in finals. If they can get their forward set up right, then they'll be worrying some sides come August/September.
- Concerning the best of the last three years (Port and Brisbane), every team that makes the 8 will be hoping that they miss out, because you wouldn't want to be playing them late in the year. If anyone could come from below the top four to take out a premiership under this new system, it would have to be one of these two sides.
- Richmond are probably in a similar situation to St. Kilda re: depth. But if they stay injury free, they're a side that depens so much on confidence that, while they have it, they might just bound away, and get a top four spot.
- I'm still not sold on Melbourne. Their midfield is just a lil below what you see at the other top clubs, dependant on Bruce, and question marks hang over their defence. To me, Rivers is a glorified J. Cloke, fantastic third man up but not the best at taking the opposition's best forward.
Those Who Could Not...
- Freo, Bulldogs and Sydney might make the finals, but will have very little say on preceedings late in the year. Freo doesn't have the steel, Bulldogs the game plan and Sydney the class to make it past week 2 at best, the Swans most likely to prove me wrong.
- Like to say farewell now to the Kangas, who would be ruing the fact that they've won 5 games (against poor opposition bar a depleted Saints) already because for the rest of the year, they'll play like a bottom 2 side.
- Same with Blues, and they'll go chasing draft picks. Same with Collingwood. But I don't think that any side will get priority picks this year. Pagan cares too much to let a season slide, and when the Pies get Buckley and Rocca back, they'll remain rather competitive (unfortunately).
- Hawthorn will tease all year, pull off upsets and lose to sides that they probably should beat.
- Essendon to finish outside the 8 by a few wins, although if they have a good draw they might just push. Sheedy caring too much about his hide to let the team drop down and get higher draft picks. Culture at Essendon is to make finals no matter what it takes, they must be successful. Kev won't stop striding for that now. However, too much left to too few to be a consistently good side.
Meh, had some time to waste. It's honest, and just an opinion. Hope a lot of it is proved wrong. And I still have no better idea about who's likely to win the whole thing. Lucky its round 9 I guess.
