the big improver...the biggest drop

[bayman]

lets have everyones (at this stage) biggest improver & the biggest drop in the ladder positions from 2008


i think with what seems to be some good recruiting that norwood will improve the most of any team

i unfortuneately think that (unless we find a key defender or two) that we'll slide the most, sturt would be the other team even though they had very good depth in 2008, it is very hard to replace some of their players that are not there for whatever the reason in 2009

[MightyEagles]

Up - Eagles
Down - Sturt

[SDK]

I think Sturt have lost a lot of players and a new coach...they will drop down the ladder.
Norwood are the team to watch for sure.
Personally I think the premiership team will come from Centrals, Glenelg or Norwood. OK no surprise with the first two ha ha.

[dash61]

I think Sturt have lost a lot of players and a new coach...they will drop down the ladder.
Norwood are the team to watch for sure.
Personally I think the premiership team will come from Centrals, Glenelg or Norwood. OK no surprise with the first two ha ha.

How can you leave the Roosters out of that mix?????

[Hondo]

UP : North
DOWN: Sturt

[FlyingHigh]

Agree Norwood are shaping up as a force this year. McGuinness a big in. How Taylor Walker is handled by the Crows will be interesting.

Sturt will make the finals, but not be as dominant during the minor round as they have been the last two years. So a slight drop, but overall may end up in the same position.

Believe the Eagles are shaping up for a really tough year this year. Sure, we might have Biglands, Hentschel and McGregor, but mid-field depth was a problem last year, and not sure what is being done to address this.

North may be the big improvers in terms of positions up the ladder, but don't believe they will seriously threaten for the flag.

[redwhiteandblueblooded]

Up: West (only way they can go)
Down: Centrals (see above!)

[Mickyj]

Agree Norwood are shaping up as a force this year. McGuinness a big in. How Taylor Walker is handled by the Crows will be interesting.

Sturt will make the finals, but not be as dominant during the minor round as they have been the last two years. So a slight drop, but overall may end up in the same position.

Believe the Eagles are shaping up for a really tough year this year. Sure, we might have Biglands, Hentschel and McGregor, but mid-field depth was a problem last year, and not sure what is being done to address this.

North may be the big improvers in terms of positions up the ladder, but don't believe they will seriously threaten for the flag.

I like you thought the Eagles would struggle in 09 .IFthe rumoured mid fielders along with cheep turn out to be correct.IMHO then the Eagles will be much more competitive than I first thought.
BUTI am still worried re no youth in our ruck division other than Redden and Hill.And the backline needs to be improved from 08.
Forward line should be enhanced with the likes of Staple and Jolly moving up from the two's .

But I am still reserving my judgement until I see the new and improved list for 09.

Cheers

[beenreal]

Can't see any reason for Centrals to change.
Glenelg to remain the same.
I think Sturt will drop off.
I can't see Norwood getting much use out of Walker, and Cockshell will be a loss.
Skipworth would have been handy. A tough year for the Eagles.
North Adelaide to take the Eagles place.
South and West to occupy the same positions but with more wins....

.... Oh, and Port Adelaide will win the Flag!!

[Thiele]

Improver West Adelaide

Biggest Drop Sturt

[redandblack]

A very early summary of each side, which could change with further list changes.

Central should be there again. They're addressing a need to strengthen their defence and have some good reinvigoration through the likes of Dutschke, O'Hara, etc. Some of their major players might be slowing a little, but their aim would be to finish top 3, where their finals knowhow is obviously a major asset.

North should be the big improvers. Their weakness has generally been in ruck and defence and they've taken steps to address that with White, Schwarze and Ackland. I think Stewart is an exciting player and it's likely the new coach will instil a lot more hardness in a group that's often been talented, but perhaps lacking against some of the more solid teams.

With the retirements of some stalwarts and the loss of Cockshell, it will be a partly new-look Legs team, with a lot of experienced key players and one or two very good youngsters, including Donohue. Attack has often been their downfall and with the likelihood that Walker might not be available often, their fortunes will be decided here. Solid back line with plenty of pace from Duigan and Puopolo and an on-ball line up that would be one of the better ones in the league would indicate they should be big improvers. They won't want any injuries to their big men.

Glenelg are hard to predict. Was 2008 a one-off or part of a planned progression. There's obvious major losses in the key defensive posts, but their key forward strength is impressive. A good, tough on-ball brigade will keep them up there, but Bay fans will be hoping for a recruit or two to top them off. For me, likely to drop a spot or two.

Sturt's last 2 years defied all earlier predictions and it would be easy to write them off after their loss of several key players, but there's still a lot of talent. They face a challenge on and off the field and it's reasonable to think it might take a little time for their very talented group of younger players to come up to speed. They should be thereabouts, but might have missed their chance last year. Luke Norman was one of the most fearless players going around and let's wish him luck with the Blues.

That's the first lot, the others to follow. I obviously don't profess to know each team as well as its own supporters, so it's just a general look, for discussion.

[FlyingHigh]

Agree Norwood are shaping up as a force this year. McGuinness a big in. How Taylor Walker is handled by the Crows will be interesting.

Sturt will make the finals, but not be as dominant during the minor round as they have been the last two years. So a slight drop, but overall may end up in the same position.

Believe the Eagles are shaping up for a really tough year this year. Sure, we might have Biglands, Hentschel and McGregor, but mid-field depth was a problem last year, and not sure what is being done to address this.

North may be the big improvers in terms of positions up the ladder, but don't believe they will seriously threaten for the flag.

I like you thought the Eagles would struggle in 09 .IFthe rumoured mid fielders along with cheep turn out to be correct.IMHO then the Eagles will be much more competitive than I first thought.
BUTI am still worried re no youth in our ruck division other than Redden and Hill.And the backline needs to be improved from 08.
Forward line should be enhanced with the likes of Staple and Jolly moving up from the two's .

But I am still reserving my judgement until I see the new and improved list for 09.

Cheers

So Roberts and Lee have left the club? Roberts mightn't have been our answer as a ruckman, but he seemed fit and played an awesome game against Norwood in the wet. Interesting whether you'd try to keep developing him, or fall back on BIglands and McGregor whose careers are coming to an end. Hopefully McGregor will be better for being able to commit 100% to the Eagles this year, thought he struggled at times last year.

Backlines were a worry. Hier showed his talent/potential towards the end of last year, and now really needs to consolidate. Broadbent gone. Other than Fiacchi, players in the other smaller defensive positions seemed to not be able to produce consistent footy at the standard required.

[drebin]

Can't see any reason for Centrals to change.
Glenelg to remain the same.
I think Sturt will drop off.
I can't see Norwood getting much use out of Walker, and Cockshell will be a loss.
Skipworth would have been handy. A tough year for the Eagles.
North Adelaide to take the Eagles place.
South and West to occupy the same positions but with more wins....

.... Oh, and Port Adelaide will win the Flag!!

I'm sorry if I missed something but the bays lost both their CHB and FB and yet to announce any decent replacements so I fail to see how they could possibly maintain a year like last year based on that? They could suprise though as it is early days and any team could either drop or rise depending upon a whole lot of variables.

From my teams perspective - with the recruiting we have done to date and with the new coach I would expect nothing less than a top 3 finish, at the worse at least making the 5 should be the minimum (as it wuld be with every other club!).

[redandblack]

Where to for the Eagles? It's certainly a bonus to have some AFL players such as McGregor back in the fold regularly and if Biglands could come up, it would be a huge bonus, but strangely the availability of AFL players such as Salter and Stewart will still have a bearing on their position. Their fortunes, like so many others, will also depend on the progression of some of their 'second-tier' players, but they've got enough experience and talent to comfortably be thereabouts. Whether that can be changed to climbing the ladder is problematic. Perhaps a rise in the table, but not enough.

Port will be relying on the development of their list. They've got a good ruck and on-ball division and several very promising players coming through. Key position strength is perhaps adequate at best and they might be vulnerable to a bad injury run. I can't see them finishing higher.

South look destined to another low finish, but hopefully they might see the first benefits of a different direction. They will be relying on the improvement of a host of lesser-known players and that might take more time. Cockshell will add to their big man strength, but they're likely to continue to cause upsets one week and drop winnable games the next. Sampson will be looking to continue the development of his core group of better young players.

West will be hoping that their gains far outweigh their losses. Just about all of their older players have gone and the addition of Birss and others should give them better use of the footy. They will have a vastly better on-ball brigade, but will need several young players to step up in some of the big man positions. I'd see some improvement and a rise on the ladder in 2009. (With my Blood's hat on, I think we'll actually go top).

[Mickyj]

So Roberts and Lee have left the club? Roberts mightn't have been our answer as a ruckman, but he seemed fit and played an awesome game against Norwood in the wet. Interesting whether you'd try to keep developing him, or fall back on BIglands and McGregor whose careers are coming to an end. Hopefully McGregor will be better for being able to commit 100% to the Eagles this year, thought he struggled at times last year.

Backlines were a worry. Hier showed his talent/potential towards the end of last year, and now really needs to consolidate. Broadbent gone. Other than Fiacchi, players in the other smaller defensive positions seemed to not be able to produce consistent footy at the standard required.

My mail is that they have in fact left the club and playing at henley next year.For me the switch between the two as second ruckman was made at the wrong times of the year.But that is just my view and young Redden had a run as well.
My biggest worry is the age factor I know from old knees what getting old is like .I hope Biglands is 100 percent.
I just wonder how many AFL players will be playing at Oval Ave each week.From the past i have said never rely on them but what do you do when 5 or 6 league players could be AFL aligned lads!!
And that would not include any coming back from the Crows like Burton latter in the year.
Second tier guys need to be given more of a chance in 09 these guys lead the way against sturt at thebbie in 08.
And if the rumoured de listed Carlton players and the unknown Sturt player combine with Cheep the Eagles could have a very good mid field.
And in truth how many AFL games do us Eagles Fans really think Trent will play .I think he will become like Kenny did last year a regular main stay at Oval Ave with the odd call up from the crows .

Do not write off Eagles in 09 personally I think Eagles will or should take Sturts Spot in 09 .

[Mickyj]

C
North Adelaide to take the Eagles place.

I assume you think North will finish 6th in 09

[wycbloods]

Agree Norwood are shaping up as a force this year. McGuinness a big in. How Taylor Walker is handled by the Crows will be interesting.

Sturt will make the finals, but not be as dominant during the minor round as they have been the last two years. So a slight drop, but overall may end up in the same position.

Believe the Eagles are shaping up for a really tough year this year. Sure, we might have Biglands, Hentschel and McGregor, but mid-field depth was a problem last year, and not sure what is being done to address this.

North may be the big improvers in terms of positions up the ladder, but don't believe they will seriously threaten for the flag.

I like you thought the Eagles would struggle in 09 .IFthe rumoured mid fielders along with cheep turn out to be correct.IMHO then the Eagles will be much more competitive than I first thought.
BUTI am still worried re no youth in our ruck division other than Redden and Hill.And the backline needs to be improved from 08.
Forward line should be enhanced with the likes of Staple and Jolly moving up from the two's .

But I am still reserving my judgement until I see the new and improved list for 09.

Cheers

How many ruckmen do you want that is two young ones . You don't pick 4 or 5 do you .

[Big Phil]

Although we know of a few recruits at each club, I think I'll hold my more detailed judgement until I see the final playing lists for each side...

Naturally with all the recruiting Norwood have done you would expect them to improve and I think the Bays and Sturt may just drop away ever so slightly. North may just end up the most improved side in the comp with a good list but I wonder how long it will take for a squad with a lot of new faces and a new coach to gel ?

Centrals will hopefully be up there still and I really hope Westies and South start to improve. Eagles will be competitive as will Port Adelaide.

[dash61]

Biggest Improver - North Adelaide (By A Mile)

Fallin' Of The Pace - Sturt (Hope not for Luke Norman)

Shock - Norwood (Do a Norths in 08 and actually go backwards, after all the recruiting)

Others
Glenelg - Fall back a little
Ports - Around the same as 08
Eagles - Same as Port
Centrals - Only a fool could ever predict against them
Souths - May be a smokey and improve slighty
Wests - Hope we do improve but without a RUCKMAN, doubt it

So the GF contenders (CD, NA, GLG)
Top 5 contenders (ST, NWD, WWT) possibly Souths or Ports biting at their heels
Bottom 3 (SA, PA, WA)

Too early to predict but if i was compelled to have a stab, that would be it)

[Dutchy]

While people think that a new coach will give them immediate improvement, history says its generally doesnt until year 2 or 3 of their reign, therefore would get too excited about Norths chances or Sturt staying Top 3

Id say Norwood to replace Sturt in Top 3