Round 1 North v West @ Prospect

[bayman]

who knows but if it's like last years game at richmond west would win easily, i think francou's boys this time though

[Big Phil]

Saw both teams play in their respective trials on the weekend, and if both get their quality players return for this game, I'd say Westies, just.

[on the rails]

I think it will be a very close game but North's record against West since the start of 2004 reads only 1 loss vs lots of wins and with a new coach, game at home it should tip it in our favour however with North who knows what we might get?

[CENTURION]

West by 4 points.

[redandblack]

This should be a good game. West's record at Prospect is poor and their win in Round 1 last year was a rare event against North Adelaide.

Both sides, however, are almost 'starting fresh'. For North, a new coach, a new style and perhaps a welcome change of direction for their supporters. Their strengths will be on-ball and Clint Alleway, the weaknesses perhaps in defence. For West, there is a feeling that they're ready to start mixing it with the top teams. Their strengths will be a solid defence and a core of younger players who have now played 40 games or more and are 'ready'. Their weaknesses might still be in attack, so much will depend on Brad Fisher or a shared workload.

From a West point of view, it will be the hardest team to select for a long time and that won't be determined until the AFL availability is clear on Pettigrew, Davenport and Hartlett. Tippett???

Can't wait.

[G]

Very optimistic to think you will have Tippett for more than 1 game at best

[redandblack]

No, I don't think we'll have him at all, but next week is interesting.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Looking forward to redandblack's post match review.

[Thiele]

From a West point of view, it will be the hardest team to select for a long time and that won't be determined until the AFL availability is clear on Pettigrew, Davenport and Hartlett. Tippett???

Moran

[redandblack]

Thanks Theile, I'm presuming we'll have Moran.

I'll try not to disappoint, TSG.

[The Sleeping Giant]

FWIW, Westies appear to have had a good pre season, and will be very confident going into Round 1. North on the other hand have only had the 2 warm up games and I think might have a slow start to the year. Also a few question marks on injured players, and a couple will be under done. West by less than 3 goals.

p.s. Well done to the mods for fixing up bayman's posts. Not using CAPS is just lazy.

[fish]

North in a close one...

[Thiele]

West Adeliade to start the year with a win

[Wedgie]

From sportsbet.com.au:

North $2.23
West $1.65

[Peter Griffen]

From sportsbet.com.au:

North $2.23
West $1.65

Get on North at those odds. Obviously haven't seen our record against North especially at Prospect over the past 7 years!

[MagareyLegend]

This should be a good game. West's record at Prospect is poor and their win in Round 1 last year was a rare event against North Adelaide.

Both sides, however, are almost 'starting fresh'. For North, a new coach, a new style and perhaps a welcome change of direction for their supporters. Their strengths will be on-ball and Clint Alleway, the weaknesses perhaps in defence. For West, there is a feeling that they're ready to start mixing it with the top teams. Their strengths will be a solid defence and a core of younger players who have now played 40 games or more and are 'ready'. Their weaknesses might still be in attack, so much will depend on Brad Fisher or a shared workload.

From a West point of view, it will be the hardest team to select for a long time and that won't be determined until the AFL availability is clear on Pettigrew, Davenport and Hartlett. Tippett???

Can't wait.

R&B I don't understand the almost 'starting fresh' comment relating to West. They have had the same coach for 4 years now and pretty much the same group of players so this is probably a make-or-break year for the coach and for a club that has not won a premiership for almost 30 years.

[CoverKing]

West by 104 points

[redandblack]

Fair point, ML but I suppose no club ever really 'starts fresh'.

As far as West is concerned, I think there's a feeling that up until now, Andrew Collins has been remodelling a team he inherited that was, to put it bluntly, not up to league standard. I think this is the first time West feel as if they're starting a season on a par with the other team in terms of personnel and experience.

The core of West's team, IMO, now consists of young players who have now had 40 or so league games or more and I just get the feeling that they're now ready to start as a legitimate finals contender.

Whether they do or not remains to be seen and I might be more hopeful than realistic, but that's my opinion.

As I said, no team really starts fresh, so you're right, but I'll claim a bit of poetic licence.

[MagareyLegend]

Okay fair enough we will see what the first half of the season brings rather than just the first game because, as you would be well aware, West belted us (North) in the first game last year under lights at Richmond.

I do not believe that North have as good a personnel as this time last year - in fact far from it (but perhaps hopefully a better game plan though).

[redandblack]

Yes, another fair point.

NOrth seem to have decided to change direction away from imports to local products, so I think their team will look weaker than usual on paper, but your point about game style (and commitment) might make up for that.

I think Norwood are a bit similar, in that although they are still relatively strong in personnel, they're certainly weaker than last year. On the other hand, they've had a year to get used to Nathan Bassett's game plan and they're good at it.

I also agree about Round 1 results. It's not easy when your season highlight is in Round 1