Prediction - the top 8 will come from this lot

[Dutchy]

Very early I know but can anyone make a case for the top 8 not to come from the 9 teams below? The remaining 7 teams are very very ordinary.....

1. HAW-159.08%-16pts
2. GEEL-155.73%-16PTS
3. WB-144.39%-16PTS
4. SYD-159.18%-12PTS
5. COLL-112.16%-8PTS
6. ADEL-109.31%-8PTS
7. KANG-104.63%-8PTS
9. BRIS-97.09%-8PTS
10. SAINTS-90.38%-8PTS

8. RICH-102.24%-8PTS
11. ESS-87.89%-8PTS
12. CARL-86.65%-4PTS
13. FREO-78.98%-4PTS
14. WC-66.25%-4PTS
15. PORT-77.61%-0PTS
16. MELB-50.00%-0PTS

[Mr66]

West Coast instead of STK

[sydney-dog]

My top 8 in no particular order

1. HAW-159.08%-16pts
2. GEEL-155.73%-16PTS
3. WB-144.39%-16PTS
4. SYD-159.18%-12PTS
5. COLL-112.16%-8PTS
6. ADEL-109.31%-8PTS
7. KANG-104.63%-8PTS
10. SAINTS-90.38%-8PTS

[Hondo]

I was thinking about it on Sat night and came up with the same 9 teams with maybe Brisbane or Adelaide to miss.

I think the stats show that of the top 8 after round 8, no more than 2 teams will drop out by round 22. I'd guess the current top 8 would hold until then on current form.

Of the remaing 7 - West Coast have a good enough list IMO to threaten and shouldn't be written off just yet.

I think Port could be shot, they have burned 3 of their 12 games at AAMI and need to win 12 of the last 18 with 9 of those away. I also think I (with many mates!) under-rated North Melb. I over rated Freo as I always seem to.

[Rik E Boy]

Very early I know but can anyone make a case for the top 8 not to come from the 9 teams below? The remaining 7 teams are very very ordinary.....

1. HAW-159.08%-16pts
2. GEEL-155.73%-16PTS
3. WB-144.39%-16PTS
4. SYD-159.18%-12PTS
5. COLL-112.16%-8PTS
6. ADEL-109.31%-8PTS
7. KANG-104.63%-8PTS
9. BRIS-97.09%-8PTS
10. SAINTS-90.38%-8PTS

8. RICH-102.24%-8PTS
11. ESS-87.89%-8PTS
12. CARL-86.65%-4PTS
13. FREO-78.98%-4PTS
14. WC-66.25%-4PTS
15. PORT-77.61%-0PTS
16. MELB-50.00%-0PTS

I think if there is one thing that this round has taught us is you can't write off anyone. While I think you might be right surely Port, Freo and West Coast will show something sooner or later. As for the nine above the line perhaps some like the Saints might have already have played their best football this season.

regards,

REB

[hearts on fire]

My top 8 Prediction:

2. GEEL-155.73%-16PTS
1. HAW-159.08%-16pts
5. COLL-112.16%-8PTS
3. WB-144.39%-16PTS
10. SAINTS-90.38%-8PTS
6. ADEL-109.31%-8PTS
7. KANG-104.63%-8PTS
4. SYD-159.18%-12PTS

[Dutchy]

West Coast are the 3rd youngest list, cant see them threatening this year esp with so many injuries so early...

Freo were a disgrace tonight....Port are the ones who could make it but have not only lost 4 games but have plenty of % to make up....

[sydney-dog]

West Coast, IMO there second tier players have been carried for too long by the likes of Judd, Kerr, Cousins and Cox, now players like Braun, Embly and Fletcher have not gone another gear, and long term injuries to Priddis and Le Cras wil hurt them

St Kilda, great forward line, however, my concern is their leg speed, the back 6 is at best par, and their ability to win the contested ball is ordinary, players like Da Santo wins too may possessions by easy h/ball receives, IMO punters have rated them too highly, however, bottom half of the 8 is likely

Port Adel, they are playing selfish footy, an ego adjustment is required, back 6 looks thin, no ball winners in the midfield and Tredders up forward is a liability, Lade needs to push forward, Cornes to CHB, and drop players like Pearce if they are going to be a chance, however, IMO they are GONE

Brisbane, they have so much X factor, injuries may play a huge part in their season, they need to close the gap berween their best and worse games, I have them just outside the top 8

[silent hour]

At this very early stage of the season I think the top 8 at the ned of the minor round will come from, in no particular order;

1. HAW
2. GEEL
3. WB
4. SYD
5. COLL
6. ADEL
7. KANG
9. FREO
10. SAINTS

[Grahaml]

My Top 8

1. Geel. Clearly the best team IMHO, and have a good home ground advantage. Best yet to come this season I feel.
2. Haw. Will overtake Geel within 3 years with a very young core group.
3. WB. Just. 3-7 I think will be close again, but bullies look well balanced with Welsh and Hudson being worth a lot more at the bulldogs than crows if they stay sound.
4. Adel. Home ground advantage will be worth a lot in the end I feel. Close loss to the bulldogs in hindsight was a good effort away against a good team. Other loss to hawks in Tassie not great but should click over enough wins to get near top 4 and think defense will earn 4th.
5. Syd. Home ground advantage again. Losing Hall for 2 months will keep them out of the top 4 IMHO. Can't lose O'Loughlin, Kirk, Barry or Goodes or will quickly tumble.
6. Coll. They always do better than they should for some reason unknown to me.
7. WC. Cox and Kerr with home ground advantage should get them 12/13 wins I think.
8. St Kilda will dissappoint again. Gehrig to kick 60 goals. In the VFL.

9. Freo. Will be one of the form teams at the end of the year.... again. Pavlich will wonder where his future lies.... again. Coach will be under pressure.... again. Will pick up an overrated player or two from another club.... again. Will only finish this high because they'll beat teams in the west by default as the season wear on.
10. Kangaroos. Will be losers on the field and winners off the field this season. Players who did well last year will be slightly off the mark this season. Daniel Wells to be traded to Fremantle at the end of this year in a big blockbuster trade. Haven't the home ground advantage that Adelaide, West Coast and Sydney have which will cost them in the end.
11. Brisbane. Will make finals in 2009.
12. Port. Wish they'd finish lower but home ground advantage sees to that I think.
13. Richmond. Just when it seems Richmond can't get worse they always have a decent year to make their supporters think that just maybe next year......Spoon in 2009. Richardson cut at end of this year and bobs up in Sydney and is All Australian ruckman in 09. Claims to be having more fun than ever before.
14. Essendon. Not enough grunt in the midfield at the moment. Lucas, Lloyd, McPhee, Hille, Michael and Fletcher will make them competetive most of the time, but a lack of real quality midfielders will hurt.
15. Carlton. Just not as bad as Melbourne.
16. Melbourne. Only because there's no 17th team in the comp.

Coleman: Franklin.
Brownlow: Franklin.
Elected emperor of the world: Franklin.