AFL Premier 2006?

[stan]

ok...i get now....

Where do i get one of those sarcasm detectors from???

From here : http://www.bsl-labs.com/proddetail.php?i=113

LOL. Amazing what you can find on the internet

[Booney]

LOL

[Port_Paul]

Gotta go with the Saints i reckon, but I think Port will get a lot closer than most people think.

[David Votoupal]

Jeez, where would I start? Is one premiership enough for my Swans, or are we going to keep on marching?

Seriously though, either St Kilda or Geelong will step up big time and break the drought. Geelong will want to follow the pattern set by the Swans in the past three seasons (preliminary final, 2nd week exit, then premiers). Most will agree that Saints squad is much too good not to make a Grand Final, were it not for being handicapped by having Grant Thomas as a coach- his tactical errors, plus exhaustion of several players, were key factors in losing the PF to Sydney.

What worked so well for us this year was the fact that the odds were against us from the start. Everyone went on about how the Swans were dead boring to watch (and sadly, for the first half of the year I had to agree) and that our only real advantage was the size of the SCG!* Well, as the second half of the year progressed we just got better with every game, every time people thought we'd fall we just proved them wrong. Four nail-biting finals games had me on edge but the end result was worth it, that's an understatement.

* for all that, the Crows still seem to be the only team who've figured out how to play up here. Well, they're the only team who seem guaranteed to beat us most of the time anyway.

[stan]

Swans.....Masters of the flood. Although i must say the swans have put the flood together with some major tagging an it works well.

[David Votoupal]

A brief overview of the teams (just how I think they are right now, not:

Adelaide- were under the radar throughout the year, some say they overachieved given the poor season that came before (although I think that one was an aberration- and they were still competitive in that year) but the team looks solid and can't see them missing the 8. And there's always Mark Ricciuto, guaranteed to be a Bronlow contender.

Brisbane- was 2005 an aberration, or are Brisbane on the wane? Our Round 20 thrashing of the Lions @ Telstra Stadium suggests the latter.

Carlton- at the worst it'll be a long period of rehabilitation for the Blues. If Fevola can recapture the form he showed in 2004, they might just get off the bottom.

Collingwood- injuries or no injuries, I can't see this lot being good enough to be near the 8.

Essendon- on the decline and have been for some time. Lloyd and Hird aren't going to be around forever, and the younger lads in the team haven't entirely impressed so far. Old, slow and have run out of ideas.

Fremantle- will they or won't they? That's the question EVERY AFL follower asks at the start of the season. The squad is talented, but too inconsistent. Potentially make or break year for Connolly.

Geelong- were it not for Nick Davis, would be in a second straight preliminary final. Injuries hampered them last year, and I think they're definitely good enough to be in the top 4.

Hawthorn- should continue to improve. Not finals contenders but should escape the bottom three.

Kangaroos- are always there or thereabouts which is a testament to the Shinboner Spirit. 2006 is more of the same.

Melbourne- it's an even year so they should be there. But were looking quite poor in the latter half of 2005, so signs may not be good.

Port Adelaide- well they did sneak into the finals last year when it was looking unlikely and might do so again. Then again they might not.

Richmond- under Terry Wallace, they should be looking onwards and upwards. Will need to get Brown back and Richardson to fire.

Sydney- well we'll have to see how we cope with the pressure of being premiers for once. We'll be up there, you can count on it

St Kilda- much too good not to make a Grand Final. If they don't it could be curtains for Thomas- or is it?

West Coast- should still make it, but it all depends on how they can put last year's disappointment behind them.

Western Bulldogs- were looking very, very good towards the end of 2005. Can't see them missing it.

[stan]

Im not sure about Richardson . I reckon if he fires the team should consider it good fortune. Try to Work a forward line so that if he doesnt fire, then it can be covered.

[Rik E Boy]

REB's ramblings

Adelaide: Will make the eight but make up the numbers. If Roo goes down they are screwed.
Brisbane: Sure, they got flogged a bit towards the end of last season but they'd pulled up stumps by then. A return to finals football beckons.
Carlton: 15th
Collingwood: Middle of the ladder if fit, bottom four if injuries persist.
Essendon: Will miss the eight despite a handy draw. Quicker than many people realise but still overly reliant on the old guard
Fremantle: Good enough to make the eight but an overrated midfield does not give the forward line the service it needs to consistently kick a winning score. 6-10 again.
Geelong: Premiers if Ottens and King stay on the park, 5-8 if they don't.
Hawthorn: Wooden spooners. More experience let go and the arrivals aren't ready for senior football.
Kanagroos: Mediocre list that topped up again. Shinboner myth a joke without that mighty 90's squad. No finals this year.
Melbourne: Top eight again but needs the Robertson/Neitz combination to remain fit. Badly needs a back up for White.
Port: A realistic chance to miss the eight but home ground may sneak them in again. Two showdown losses coming up.
Richmond: An evil draw will put the Tigers behind the eight ball. Emerging midfield and talented forward line but defence looks short of class.
St Kilda: Rely too much on injury prone players but will still make the finals. Can't see em winning the flag, Harvey another year older, Aussie and Penny gone..something is not quite right in Grant's kingdom for mine.
Sydney: For some reason not getting a lot of respect right now. Top four but watch em fall if they cop injuries a la St Kilda, Geelong, Collingwood and Freo 2005.
West Coast: Top midfield but what else have they got? A good ruckman and a scary home ground record but to me this Eagles side is not the real deal, despite all of the (invidual) medals.
Western Bulldogs: Everyone reckons the Bullies will just waltz into the finals but the only sure thing about this side is that they will be well coached but despite this will be up and down like a yo-yo. It's not too often this club starts a season with expectations on it so that will be an interesting factor.

Injuries decide who wins the flag these days so any predictions at this stage of the year are a bit dodgy to say the least. FWIW..

1. Geelong
2. West Coast
3. Sydney
4. St Kilda
5. Adelaide
6. Melbourne
7. Brisbane
8. Fremantle

9. WBulldogs
10. Port
11. Richmond
12. Kangaroos
13. Essendon
14. Collingwood
15. Carlton
16. Hawthorn

regards,

REB

[Blue Boy]

My Thoughts

1 West Coast - not far away at all and with out injuries should win it
2 Geelong - also not far away if it wasnt for the Nick Davis Show 2005- There is just something I like
3 St Kilda - Great List - Coaching ???
4 Adelaide - This is where the heart is - no injuries again will help
5 Sydney - if sides play open footy they can be beaten easily
6 Richmond - Would of played finals 2005 if not for injuries - I like the coach
7 Brisbane - home wins will depend on this they might slip under the radar - never under estimate
8 Port - Could suprise - Defence a worry

9 Kangaroos - They always just seem to make it or be around abouts
10 Fremantle - Should make finals for the list is good but wont - Coaching ???
11 Bulldogs - Darcy going down has made them miss the 8 for me
12 Hawthorn - Will improve and be more competitive - The coach will play the young guys again
13 Melbourne - I think this is the end for the coach
14 Essendon - Sheeds is still rebuilding - ML Captain ???
15 Carlton - The youngsters will have to start producing at some stage
16 Collingwood - Sorry some one has to be bottom

[Rik E Boy]

I wouldn't be putting my hard earned on Richmond for the eight Blu E Boy.

Have a Captain Cook at their Ali McGraw

Round 1 - vs. Bulldogs at the Domea55
Round 2 - vs. St Kilda at the Domea55
Round 3 - vs West Coast at Putriaco
Round 4 - vs. Brisbane at the Gabbatoir

It gets easier after that but they also play

Geelong at Cat Park
Freo at Putriaco
Port at Girlee Stadium
The Hawks at Yawk Park
Sydney at the Esky G

They are screwed. They'd be lucky to win two of those matches.

regards,

REB

[Blue Boy]

I wouldn't be putting my hard earned on Richmond for the eight Blu E Boy.

Have a Captain Cook at their Ali McGraw

Round 1 - vs. Bulldogs at the Domea55
Round 2 - vs. St Kilda at the Domea55
Round 3 - vs West Coast at Putriaco
Round 4 - vs. Brisbane at the Gabbatoir

It gets easier after that but they also play

Geelong at Cat Park
Freo at Putriaco
Port at Girlee Stadium
The Hawks at Yawk Park
Sydney at the Esky G

They are screwed. They'd be lucky to win two of those matches.

regards,

REB

Just Checked current top 8 odds on unitab - they are ranked 13th.

Tough draw - just like the coach and they way he goes about his stuff - did well for the Bulldogs when they were not rated

[Punk Rooster]

11 Bulldogs - Darcy going down has made them miss the 8 for me

They came home like a train last year without Darcy. Will make finals, everyone forget they have an outstanding young list? The new Saints, except they have someone who can coach. May have won the flag last year if they'd gotten in, imo... dark horse for this year

[Rik E Boy]

Really going out on a limb aren't you Punky? The flag favourites as the 'dark horse' LOL.

regards,

REB

[Wedgie]

Really going out on a limb aren't you Punky? The flag favourites as the 'dark horse' LOL.

regards,

REB

I wouldn't exactly describe 15 to 1 as favs REB!
(I think you may need to read his post a bit closer )

[JK]

Quite amazing how most people are dismissing Sydney this season ... Granted last year was perhaps the most open season we've seen in the modern era with plenty of legitimate contenders for the flag, but with this season looking similar I would have thought that would give Sydney as much chance as anyone (in fact more than most) ... Lol, that said they aren't my pick, but it wouldn't surprise me if they doubled up!

Could be similar to 98 where the general feeling (particularly across the border) was that the Crows got "Lucky" (decisions v Geelong, Bulldogs not putting them away, St Kilda playing below capacity) in 97 and were little to no chance of repeating in 98 against the Kangaroo juggernaut ... Many could well underestimate Sydney at their own peril ...

Punky, I certainly think we are seeing a changing of the guard, as we always will with the draft system and the BS priority picks (though thankfully this is to be amended), and that the Bulldogs and Tigers should get closer to the money every season for the next few (although the Dogs will have a few quality veterans to replace in the next couple of years)!

[Rik E Boy]

Really going out on a limb aren't you Punky? The flag favourites as the 'dark horse' LOL.

regards,

REB

I wouldn't exactly describe 15 to 1 as favs REB!
(I think you may need to read his post a bit closer )

OIC, Cripes, I'm goin DEAF.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Quite amazing how most people are dismissing Sydney this season ... Granted last year was perhaps the most open season we've seen in the modern era with plenty of legitimate contenders for the flag, but with this season looking similar I would have thought that would give Sydney as much chance as anyone (in fact more than most) ... Lol, that said they aren't my pick, but it wouldn't surprise me if they doubled up!

Could be similar to 98 where the general feeling (particularly across the border) was that the Crows got "Lucky" (decisions v Geelong, Bulldogs not putting them away, St Kilda playing below capacity) in 97 and were little to no chance of repeating in 98 against the Kangaroo juggernaut ... Many could well underestimate Sydney at their own peril ...

Punky, I certainly think we are seeing a changing of the guard, as we always will with the draft system and the BS priority picks (though thankfully this is to be amended), and that the Bulldogs and Tigers should get closer to the money every season for the next few (although the Dogs will have a few quality veterans to replace in the next couple of years)!

If Sydney did what the Cows did in 98, that is, finish 5th and get belted in their first final, then they are OUT. The word luck doesn't even come close to describing the incredible ar5e that was Adelaide 1997-98.

regards,

REB

[am Bays]

If Sydney did what the Cows did in 98, that is, finish 5th and get belted in their first final, then they are OUT. The word luck doesn't even come close to describing the incredible ar5e that was Adelaide 1997-98.

regards,

REB

Luck is where good preparation meets opportunity

No such thing as luck in high performance sport

[JK]

Sorry Rikke, agree with Tassie on this one, all Cats fans must dine on the same nunch of (sour) grapes!

[am Bays]

In REBbies defence, that was a mark to Colbert in 97 Semi, and if the current rules applied it should have been played in Melbourne, Ta for that Wayne