Hawthorn 2014

[Fricky]

Hard to see anyone beating the Hawks at finals time assuming they have their best players back. Incredible depth

Sydney and Port I reckon. Yes both these clubs played a Hawthorn side with injuries but I think the Swans and Power are the two best sides in the comp this season.

[bennymacca]

People like Simpkin hallahan Langford etc just coming in and immediately doing their but bodes well for them. They still need to fast track those blokes as hodge and Mitchell and Burgoyne aren't getting any younger but Lewis is almost the main midfielder now.

Still the best side in the comp when fully fit imo. Though port are looking mighty good if port can stitch up a top 2 spot and play home finals I think we probably saw the grand final match on the weekend.

[MatteeG]

Port looked good, I reckon we held some of their better players quite well but they still found a way.

Depth is there for a reason- I was happy to see Shoey make it through another game. Be good to see Alex Woodward get a crack soon. Little ball magnet.

Sydney, Port are probably the more consistent, I reckon Freo and Geelong on their day are a threat to anyone. North Melbourne manage to disappoint everytime I think they may do anything.

[Sorry Dude]

I still think Hawthorn are the team to beat. You have Schoenmakers back in which then releases Gibson to do what he does best. Mitchell is the heart of that team! Roughy back takes focus off of Gunston (even though he had a cracker on the weekend) and then you have (I don't think he is 100%) Hodge just floating in between the 50's doing his thing.

Port and Sydney are playing great footy, but I only think Sydney (when both teams are fully fit) have the personel to take it to the Hawks.

[woodublieve12]

I still think Hawthorn are the team to beat. You have Schoenmakers back in which then releases Gibson to do what he does best. Mitchell is the heart of that team! Roughy back takes focus off of Gunston (even though he had a cracker on the weekend) and then you have (I don't think he is 100%) Hodge just floating in between the 50's doing his thing.

Port and Sydney are playing great footy, but I only think Sydney (when both teams are fully fit) have the personel to take it to the Hawks.

Geelong anyone?

[Booney]

For sure Hawthorn were not full strength on Saturday night but patches of their "system" shone through and the clever Port coaching staff would have learnt a lot from that game, regardless of who was in or out.

For mine : Hawthorn, Sydney, Port/Geelong, Fremantle for the flag.

[Booney]

I still think Hawthorn are the team to beat. You have Schoenmakers back in which then releases Gibson to do what he does best. Mitchell is the heart of that team! Roughy back takes focus off of Gunston (even though he had a cracker on the weekend) and then you have (I don't think he is 100%) Hodge just floating in between the 50's doing his thing.

Port and Sydney are playing great footy, but I only think Sydney (when both teams are fully fit) have the personel to take it to the Hawks.

Geelong anyone?

Yes, but they will need to finish top 4 or risk an away game to the SCG or perhaps Adelaide Oval.

Although, coming from outside the top 4 this year might be more "doable" than previous years. Gold Coast might still hold onto 4th, do they get a mention anywhere?

[bennymacca]

I think it's pretty essential port finish top 2, because it will be much harder for them to win away in a final. At home they would be scary though

[woodublieve12]

I still think Hawthorn are the team to beat. You have Schoenmakers back in which then releases Gibson to do what he does best. Mitchell is the heart of that team! Roughy back takes focus off of Gunston (even though he had a cracker on the weekend) and then you have (I don't think he is 100%) Hodge just floating in between the 50's doing his thing.

Port and Sydney are playing great footy, but I only think Sydney (when both teams are fully fit) have the personel to take it to the Hawks.

Geelong anyone?

Yes, but they will need to finish top 4 or risk an away game to the ANZ or perhaps Adelaide Oval.

Although, coming from outside the top 4 this year might be more "doable" than previous years. Gold Coast might still hold onto 4th, do they get a mention anywhere?

edited for accuracy

[Booney]

I still think Hawthorn are the team to beat. You have Schoenmakers back in which then releases Gibson to do what he does best. Mitchell is the heart of that team! Roughy back takes focus off of Gunston (even though he had a cracker on the weekend) and then you have (I don't think he is 100%) Hodge just floating in between the 50's doing his thing.

Port and Sydney are playing great footy, but I only think Sydney (when both teams are fully fit) have the personel to take it to the Hawks.

Geelong anyone?

Yes, but they will need to finish top 4 or risk an away game to the ANZ or perhaps Adelaide Oval.

Although, coming from outside the top 4 this year might be more "doable" than previous years. Gold Coast might still hold onto 4th, do they get a mention anywhere?

edited for accuracy

[bennymacca]

gold Coast might still hold onto 4th, do they get a mention anywhere?

I'm really hoping they do. Will probably mean a few dangerous teams outside the 4, like freo or Sydney, who both might get home finals first up, and would be a pretty horrible second week matchup for the losing QF.

[woodublieve12]

shut up jerk

[Fricky]

gold Coast might still hold onto 4th, do they get a mention anywhere?

I'm really hoping they do. Will probably mean a few dangerous teams outside the 4, like freo or Sydney, who both might get home finals first up, and would be a pretty horrible second week matchup for the losing QF.

If the Suns finish 4th it'll be great for them and the comp but they will the hammered in the first week of finals. This season they've beaten Rich, Bris, Melb, Giants, North, Saints and Bulldogs but have been belted by Freo and Hawthorn. Their draw has been very kind to them and they may be able to pull off enough wins to finish in the top 4, but they will be hard pressed to win a game in the finals. Their next 6 weeks are Crows, Swans, WCE, Geelong, Hawks and Collingwood. They are big chance against the Crows but I cant see them getting with 6 goals of the other sides.

Suns will play finals but will just be making up the numbers.

[TEX07]

I still think Hawthorn are the team to beat. You have Schoenmakers back in which then releases Gibson to do what he does best. Mitchell is the heart of that team! Roughy back takes focus off of Gunston (even though he had a cracker on the weekend) and then you have (I don't think he is 100%) Hodge just floating in between the 50's doing his thing.

Port and Sydney are playing great footy, but I only think Sydney (when both teams are fully fit) have the personel to take it to the Hawks.

Geelong anyone?

Yes, but they will need to finish top 4 or risk an away game to the SCG or perhaps Adelaide Oval.

Although, coming from outside the top 4 this year might be more "doable" than previous years. Gold Coast might still hold onto 4th, do they get a mention anywhere?

There next 5 -6 weeks will be telling IMO - Adel, Syd, WC (away), Cats, Hawks and Collingwood. They could easily only win 1 out of that 6 games - that being this week against the Crows. I think that Port will only lose 1-2 more games and finish top 2 - The Hawks have a tough last 3 weeks with Freo (away) , Geelong and then Collingwood. If they get thier best side on the park they will be the other top 2 side IMO.

[bennymacca]

We will certainly find out about them in the next 6 weeks. If they get 2 or 3 they are a big chance

[bennymacca]

Mcevoy out for 4 weeks with a hammy

[cennals05]

Nick Bowen ‏@AFL_Nick 3m
Alastair Clarkson facing an indefinite absence from coaching after being diagnosed with Gullain-Barré syndrome

[Sorry Dude]

Nick Bowen ‏@AFL_Nick 3m
Alastair Clarkson facing an indefinite absence from coaching after being diagnosed with Gullain-Barré syndrome

http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/spo ... -hospital/

[woodublieve12]

Nick Bowen ‏@AFL_Nick 3m
Alastair Clarkson facing an indefinite absence from coaching after being diagnosed with Gullain-Barré syndrome

http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/spo ... -hospital/

gee that's bad news... Hope he has a speedy recovery...

Hawks can't catch a break at the moment...

[bennymacca]

Wow. Hope he gets well.

Definitely going to affect their premiership chances.