Gold Coast vs Greater Western Sydney (The long run)

[Lightning McQueen]

Who will see finals action first between these two clubs?

I think Gold Coast will finish higher next season again with their more mature and match hardened bodies but I think GWS will see finals action by 2016 when these kids put on some body mass and can handle the vigours of AFL footy.

[Brodlach]

GWS for me, they have some forwards developing whereas GC doesnt.

[Booney]

I think GWS easily.

Their young guns around the midfield appear better and more advanced at this early stage, have genuine key forwards in Cameron and Patton and appear better coached. Sheedy and Williams well known for junior player development.

At the Suns, Ablett will be sound for the next 4 years and their other senior players are not worth much to them and I dont see their forward half any where as potent as the GWS.

Suns are a long, long way off IMO.

[Johno6]

Suns are desperate for a key forward

[Strawb]

Suns are desperate for a key forward

Travis Cloke is needing a contract

[Alaska]

I think Lynch, Dixon and Day are all as good as Patton and Cameron could be and all being big will take 4 years or more to become consistent. Look at the time it took for Hawkins, Tippett, Walker, Cloke, Petrie, Josh Kennedy, etc. It is the development process that worries me at GCS. But if GWS get ahead they will sack the coach and it could all change in a matter of months

[daysofourlives]

GC for me, they are a year further advanced than GWS so it makes sense they will arrive a year before GWS. Bock will make massive difference next year. May see finals by 2014, GWS no chnace by then

[Media Park]

GWS will be the first. Easy.

[Booney]

GC for me, they are a year further advanced than GWS so it makes sense they will arrive a year before GWS. Bock will make massive difference next year. May see finals by 2014, GWS no chnace by then

To play finals you will need 14 wins or thereabouts.

So in 2013 GC will need to go to 6 or 8, from 2 this year.

Then in 2014 from 6 or 8 wins to 12 or 14. This simply isnt going to happen .

[The Sleeping Giant]

Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

[Lightning McQueen]

Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

Please explain? They are sitting below both of the clubs you pointed out at this point of time.

[Booney]

Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

You've got to be kidding.

[valleys07]

GWS.

The fact they have 2 promising forward targets to develop, along with what will be a very good midfield group puts them ahead of the suns.

I think them having the extra year to sit back and analyse what the suns did in their debut season will assist them in quicker progression.

It'll still be around 2016 at the earliest before either side will be in a position for finals IMO.

[Wedgie]

Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

And comfortably at that. Melbourne might improve soon but Port will probably bottom out even more and for a very long time if not ever.

[Strawb]

These club better watch out or they may lose a few promising players to other clubs to keep them in the finals race.

[The Sleeping Giant]

The Sleeping Giant wrote:<br />Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

<br /><br />Please explain? They are sitting below both of the clubs you pointed out at this point of time.

Not far below.

Well Port are a mess on and off field. Have drafted very average footballers for the last 5-6 years.

Melbourne aren't much better than Port on the field. Had 3 choice draft picks that have not lived up to the expectations or left.

Both expansion clubs have future stars of the game on their lists, are building culture and character despite getting some floggings, and will have some nice early draft picks again.

[Lightning McQueen]

Not far below.

Well Port are a mess on and off field. Have drafted very average footballers for the last 5-6 years.

Melbourne aren't much better than Port on the field. Had 3 choice draft picks that have not lived up to the expectations or left.

Both expansion clubs have future stars of the game on their lists, are building culture and character despite getting some floggings, and will have some nice early draft picks again.

I think Melbourne are worse off than Port, Neeld was not the answer, on the same token, will Port be able to attract the answer.
I don't think the two expansion clubs are ahead at this point of time but come March next year there's every chance they will be.
I think Gold Coast made wise choices with their mature aged players but have been smashed with injuries to these players since their inception.
GWS got players to buy them a bit of time to develop their kids, they'll get whalloped again next season a fair bit but they'll be better for it.

[daysofourlives]

GC for me, they are a year further advanced than GWS so it makes sense they will arrive a year before GWS. Bock will make massive difference next year. May see finals by 2014, GWS no chnace by then

To play finals you will need 14 wins or thereabouts.

So in 2013 GC will need to go to 6 or 8, from 2 this year.

Then in 2014 from 6 or 8 wins to 12 or 14. This simply isnt going to happen .

By 2014 you will only need 11-12 wins to make finals as there wont be 4 easybeats like there is now.
I agree it would take until at least 2016 if the current top sides retained their current form but they wont.
The standard across the board will have dropped.
Only clubs i can see having a dramatic climb over the next few years are GWS, GC, Kangas, and Tigers. The rest will not improve by much and the top clubs will come back to the field due to the 3 years of average drafting options. It will probably not be that noticeable as the games will be much tighter.

So the combination of improvment at the bottom and decline at the top will see everyone meet in the middle sooner than you think

[Booney]

The Sleeping Giant wrote:<br />Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

<br /><br />Please explain? They are sitting below both of the clubs you pointed out at this point of time.

Not far below.

Well Port are a mess on and off field. Have drafted very average footballers for the last 5-6 years.

Melbourne aren't much better than Port on the field. Had 3 choice draft picks that have not lived up to the expectations or left.

Both expansion clubs have future stars of the game on their lists, are building culture and character despite getting some floggings, and will have some nice early draft picks again.

Just as you refer to in your own words, Melbournes top draft picks have not come along as most people expected, the same could happen to GWS and GC young "guns". Alot of water to go under the bridge before they are bone fide stars.

[Booney]

Both these clubs are ahead of Port and Melbourne.

And comfortably at that. Melbourne might improve soon but Port will probably bottom out even more and for a very long time if not ever.

^

His hatred clouds his opinions too much to give them any credence.