AFL Futures 2011

[Smart Punting]

Season Bets:
•1.5units - Lance Franklin Coleman Medal @ $4.75 (C/S)
•1.25units - St. Kilda Premiers @ $7 (C/SB)
•1.25units - Port Adelaide to make Top 8 @ $5.50 (C)
•1unit - St. Kilda Minor Premiers @ $7 (S)
•1unit - Collingwood/St.Kilda Grand Final @ $7 (S/SB)
•0.5unit - Brendon Goddard Brownlow Medal @ $17 (C)
•0.5unit - Adam Goodes Brownlow Medal @ $34 (SB)
2011 AFL Season Preview
The AFL season is upon us and there is one question surrounding the league, who if anybody, can knock off Collingwood? Another hot topic is that of the Gold Coast Suns and how they will fair. Below we preview each and every team.

Adelaide - Had a terrible start to last year (0-6) which wasn't helped by their injury list. Will be an interesting year for the Crows as they can't rely on the likes of Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod anymore and the loss of Bock will stretch their defence a bit. Will improve from last year but probably miss the eight.

Brisbane - Have been surrounded by controversy in the off season with Brendan Fevola, but that is behind them. Have a few injuries and a few players seem to be underdone. Will be a tough year for the young Lions.

Carlton - A big year for Carlton and Brett Ratten. Have plenty of talent through the midfield but are a little leaky down back. Need to make the 8 for Ratten to keep his job and they should be right around the mark. Watch out for Chris Yarren of the HBF, could be a breakout year. Should finish 6-10

Collingwood - Were very impressive in winning last years premiership. The best thing about them is that they get equal contribution and that they can cover an injury here or there. The only doubt that may surround them is whether their young players can back it up again. Will finish top 4, but their odds are a bit short.

Essendon - Hard not to be impressed with the way Hirdy has the troops working. But it all comes down to whether they can do it in the games that matter. There is no doubt they have a better game plan and greater enthusiasm around the club. Most likely still miss the finals, but won't be far off.

Fremantle - They were a very good side last year and are team that is going forward. They are a very young side with some exciting prosects, but their injury list to start the season is quite large so they may have a slow start to the season. Should make the finals but still have the problem of winning away.

Geelong - The Cats are another team who have something to prove. A new coach in Chris Scott will give a different feel to the club as they also have to deal with the fact their star player in Gary Ablett is not around. Collingwood beating them in the prelim final last year may be the sign that the Cats dynasty is ending. Should still make the eight, but top 4 is a challenge.

Gold Coast - The new boys on the block. They got their man in Gary Ablett, but they also picked up a handful of clasy players along the way aswell like Brown, Bock, Fraser, Rischitelli and a few more. They will win a few games but won't move too far from the botttom four. With so many young players, fatigue will play a role part way through the season.

Hawthorn - A lot is expected from this Hawks team afer they had a disapointing year. They need to regain the form that won them the 2008 premiership. The inclusion of Hale and Bruce to this side is a bonus and Shaun Burgoyne will be fitter and more dominant this year. There major concern is their defence, but if their midfield can slow down teams enough then they can get by with the defence they have. Have every chance to push for top 4.

Melbourne - Were an impressive team when they executed last year. They are still very young, but have very high expectations of themselves. They should be pushing for a finals spot, but even if they miss out, doesn't mean they under achieve. Some are saying Dean Bailey could be in trouble, but as long as they play consistently and win as many games as last year, then he should be ok for one more.

North Melbourne - They have always been the team that slips under the radar. But they have some really exciting and talented young players. Getting Drew Petrie back on the field after a horror year is important. They still rely on Brent Harvey a bit too much and when some others begin to step up then they will start to climb. They will be in that group fighting for eighth spot.

Port Adelaide - Seems a lot of people have written off the Power this year, which is a little confusing. They are a young side who have a new coach which they won 5 of 7 games under last year. They had a few injuries to players all last year, who will be fit this year. Boak is moving into to that top class midfielder role, Gray and Hartlett are only getting better as are Broadbent and Trengove. Their young and only becoming more experienced and if they win 2 more games this year they play finals.

Richmond - Flat out, they are still rebuilding. The middle part of last year they looked good when they put some wins on the board, but they just can't do it every week. Have a few handy draft picks, Houli will be a good addition to the side and the return of Foley will improve the midfield. Need to find more avenues to goal and not rely on Riewoldt all year.

St. Kilda - For some reason all the journalists have Collingwood so far ahead of the Saints, becuase they beat them in the Grand Final last year. But consider this, had the Saints scored one more point in the first Grand Final they would be Premiers, so are they really that far behind? Remember Saint Nick wasn't 100% near the end of the season due to coming back from injury. A smart move from the club was to recruit Ryan Gamble from the Cats. He should provide that other dimension to their forward line, like what Sam Gilbert did in the first GF. You will not find a side more motivated to win this years premiership.

Sydney - One of the great coaches of our time has moved one, but Paul Roos has left his side in good shape. The challenge for John Longmire is to get the best out of every player, like Roos has been able to do. Expect Lewis Jetta to have a good year and not suffer from the second year blues. Will find themselves in the top eight and if you are slightlty off the day you play them, it will be a very tough day.

West Coast - Could well be another long tough year for the Eagles. They are rebuilding and are waiting for some key posistion players to develop. They have the home field advantage that will win them a few games, but on the road don't expect much at all. There will be a lot of talk about John Worsfold later in the year.

Western Bulldogs - The challenge has been set by David Smorgon, make a Grand Final or else. They have been close the past few years but just can't find that extra edge to get them their. What they need to do is finish in the top two. They can't afford to lose easy games throughout the year. If Shaun Higgins can stay fit and on the park, that will be a massive boost. Should be a top 4 side and only time will tell whether they can go all the way.

Final Word

This is such an interesting year on the betting front. Like we said before, the Saints were one point away from being Premiers last year, so they really aren't that far behind this year. Collingwod are now the hunted and we saw what happened to a young Hawthorn side when they became the hunted. The Hawks were preparing themselves for this season, part way through last and they look good at the moment. For value, Port look good odds for the final eight, considering they just missed out last year. All other teams who finished around the same spot last year are a lot shorter. One thing we will learn this year is to not write anyone or any team off.

[mighty_tiger_79]

good preview there SP

[Ron Burgundy]

8 weeks on and a few of these are dead.

I have taken Coll (minor prem) into GC (wooden spoon) at odds of $3.

I still consider Collingwood a better team than the Cats and think that Jono Brown will lift the Lions to at least a few wins and leapfrog the Suns.

This one might come down to the R24 clash between Pies and Cats.

[Mop Up]

Ok firstly I am an Adelaide supporter.. BUT I think $4.60 is some value for them to make the Top 8...

They have a pretty soft run home after this week against Collingwood

[G]

If Adelaide are $4.60 now to make the 8, then wont they be slightly longer early next week after being flogged by Collingwood ?

[Mop Up]

Have put $40 on Kennedy @ $15 for the Coleman

[lebron]

What about the Brownlow this year? Hoping Judd doesnt win, have money on Goodes, Pendlebury, Boyd and Hodge. At the half way mark I think they would all be over 8-9 votes except Hodge. Agree? Your tips/bets?

[Ron Burgundy]

It's a bit out there, but I placed $10 on goddard to win the Brownlow @ $240.

I just hope he strings a few BOG's in the last half of the season, and then lay the bet.

[OnSong]

It's a bit out there, but I placed $10 on goddard to win the Brownlow @ $240.

I just hope he strings a few BOG's in the last half of the season, and then lay the bet.

Selwood's suspension should help!

[overloaded]

Ok firstly I am an Adelaide supporter.. BUT I think $4.60 is some value for them to make the Top 8...

They have a pretty soft run home after this week against Collingwood

Soft is the right word to use when talking about the crows