have a crack at the 2008 ladder anyone ????

[carey]

very bored nothing to do so thought i'd have a crack at the 2008 ladder so here goe's this will be sure to upset afew and have people call me an idiot and probably worse but oh i'll have a crack and see how close i can get this is all at the end of the minor round aswell ;

1.geelong (still be the pace setters)
2.hawks (my tip for the big ones to watch in 08)
3.port (as long as the 07 g/f loss is not to much weight on the shoulders will be there again)
4.westcoast (still to much talent to right off just yet)
5.freo (cause they have to there time is running out! )
6.saints (see above)
7.carlton (just just dont know with the blues but judd in and stevens back in the midfeild scrap in the 8 i think)
8.collingwood (as much has it hurts me to say they have some real good kids there)

9.dogs (good coach fair list but i just dont know)
10.sydney (if it wasnt for 11 games at the s.c.g i'd have them lower)
11.adelaide (same old story just no forward line there leading goal kicker will be around 30ish not enough)
12.brisbane (same as sydney would have them lower but brown and bradshaw back)
13.roos (the shinboner spirit so only go on for so long but i do admire it) BRING BACK WAYNE !!!!!!!! lol
14.richmond (always to happy to just be competive coughlin back in will be huge for them)
15.melbourne (lost alot havnt gained much 1st year coach age'n leaders nah not for me)
16.essendon (much the same as above is there life after sheddy emmm not yet and knights a coach ? ask port magpies)

well there is my ladder anyone else care to have a crack ???????

[carey18]

very bored nothing to do so thought i'd have a crack at the 2008 ladder so here goe's this will be sure to upset afew and have people call me an idiot and probably worse but oh i'll have a crack and see how close i can get this is all at the end of the minor round aswell ;

1.geelong (still be the pace setters)
2.hawks (my tip for the big ones to watch in 08)
3.port (as long as the 07 g/f loss is not to much weight on the shoulders will be there again)
4.westcoast (still to much talent to right off just yet)
5.freo (cause they have to there time is running out! )
6.saints (see above)
7.carlton (just just dont know with the blues but judd in and stevens back in the midfeild scrap in the 8 i think)
8.collingwood (as much has it hurts me to say they have some real good kids there)

9.dogs (good coach fair list but i just dont know)
10.sydney (if it wasnt for 11 games at the s.c.g i'd have them lower)
11.adelaide (same old story just no forward line there leading goal kicker will be around 30ish not enough)
12.brisbane (same as sydney would have them lower but brown and bradshaw back)
13.roos (the shinboner spirit so only go on for so long but i do admire it) BRING BACK WAYNE !!!!!!!! lol
14.richmond (always to happy to just be competive coughlin back in will be huge for them)
15.melbourne (lost alot havnt gained much 1st year coach age'n leaders nah not for me)
16.essendon (much the same as above is there life after sheddy emmm not yet and knights a coach ? ask port magpies)

well there is my ladder anyone else care to have a crack ???????

Dutchy you have no idea. No way will the Kamgas finish that low. To much sun on your head today?

[carey]

well mrcarey18 your free to hace a crack i do thunk it is going to be a very even season but alot will depend on injuries susp. and soforth but yeah i did get abit of sun today stupid cricket !!!

[Psyber]

Port, Freo, Saints, Carlton, lower. Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Roos, higher.
I wiouldn't try to be more specific this early in the pre-season.

[carey18]

Must of been from all those sixes Frithy hit. i will sleep on it and post mine 2m. to much red wine.

[Wedgie]

1) Geelong

2) 119 points

3) The rest

Apologies to teams that play above their weight with heart like Collingwood.

[LBT]

1.Geelong....far too good. Hawkins etc still to star.
2.Saints...Recruited well...good all round.
3.Freo...FFS.... have a lot of talent just need to use properly.
4.Power...Good, Young list, ready to explode
5.Kangas....Good solid, Young list + returning star Thompson
6.Hawks...Franklin et al appear to be stars.
7.Collingwood...youngsters standing up.
8.Sydney...recruit well. Alwasys middle of the road.
9.Brisbane...still have some quality players inc Brown.
10.Carlton...Getting there. Soon to be a contender.
11.Adelaide...."re-building" still has 12 home games.
12.West Coast...Two best mid-fielders gone...window slammed shut.
13.Bulldogs...Relying on too many ex-crows...horrid history.
14.Richmond...Wallet is a horrid coach..Carp recruiting.
15.Melbourne. Dean Bailey LOL. Will take a while.
16.Essendon.....coach is crappy....stars on way out.

[tatts]

1/ Eagles - determined to prove themselves
2/ Geelong - great team
3/ Magpies - building for 2 years now
4/ Power - good young side
5/ Swans - always around the mark
6/ Freo - Take Harvey a while to get rid of crap culture
7/ Carlton - The big improvers
8/ Saints - Always under acheive
9/ Hawks - Played above themselves last year
10/ Bulldogs - To many Crows rejects
11/ Roos - Only average just like coach
12/ Lions - Need Brown to play every game
13/ Melbourne - Unsure - could be anything
14/ Adelaide - Just dont rate them - SOFT
15/ Bombers - Not much talent left there now
16/ Richmond - Wallace needs to go

[Rik E Boy]

1. Geelong: This team now knows what it takes to win the flag and that makes them very dangerous. Won't win 21 matches in 2008 though. Will probably start off 2-3 again before coming home with a wet sail.
2. West Coast: I can think of ten areas where the West Coast can improve on last season and last season they finished third. Cousins and Judd will both be missed but plenty of games were put into the up and comers last year. Only Geelong have gone past them since their 2006 flag IMO.
3. Collingwoood: Collingwood just don't get thrashed, they win on the road and normally cop Essendon, Richmond and Carlton twice plus a host of matches in Melbourne. Top four for mine.
4. Fremantle: An experienced combination that underperformed drastically in 2007. If you are looking for a 2007 side to 'do a Geelong' this year then for me that team is the Dockers, but that only equals fourth and not a flag as the midfield is still suspect.
5. Port Adelaide: Port will be in the unusual position of winning less matches on the field but actually advance as a group. Most Portonians would accept they punched on above their weight last season..hopefully for the Power some of the lighter brigade have hit the gym and that they have adopted Port's traditional 'power at the ball and the body' approach.
6. Sydney: People who aren't too keen on the Swans style of play have been gleefully but prematurely in my view predicting their demise. The Swans are a hardened combination who have had the benefit of an extended pre-season unlike last year. Expect a faster start than the last few seasons but they'll run out of steam I reckon.
7. Brisbane: The Lions improvement will continue and they will earn themselves a spot in the top eight. The return of Bradshaw and the recruitment of Johnstone has many talking up the Lions as a top four chance but not with that defence boys.
8. St Kilda: It's Summer time and it is the season to be overrating the Saints. They will fill their medical room once again as they play so many matches at Telstra Dome. Will be very hard to tip accurately as they are up and down like a yo-yo. They'll make the eight but that's about it.

9. Kangaroos: The Kangaroos will be about the place but might get overtaken by a few clubs next season. Unlike 2007 they won't have put in as many yards on the training track over Summer. Only a small factor but it doesn't take much of a drop off to go from top four to just outside the eight.
10. Hawthorn: Hawthorn have been the talk of the town over Summer and I reckon if any group will believe it's own press it might be this one. The Hawks start the season with a few blokes on the sideline and may not hit the ground running. They have a farily hyped forwardline but Buddy, Roughead and Boyle are still not consistent (probably why the got Dew) and the defence will leak in 08 I feel. A step backwards before they move forwards is my tip.
11. Western Bulldogs: The Dogs have pinched a couple of Crows but last year they lacked a power foward and too my knowledge such a beast did not grace the playing fields of AAMI stadium last season. The Dogs are another side that might make a monkey out of me and recapture their 2006 form but some of their runners look a bit unaccountable and there is another year on the odometers of Johnson and West.
12. Carlton: Carlton will emerge from the bottom four and will threaten for the eight but I feel they will pay the price for tanking and losing that winning culture that they used to have a decade ago. In other words, look to the Blues to drop matches they were a chance of winning. Judd and Stevens are huge ins but don't expect Kruezer to do a Selwood as he won't be ready for a few years. Kruezer is the key to Carlton so they'll be handling him with kid gloves.
13. Melbourne: This time last year a lot of people were overrating the Demons and this year a lot of peope are prepared to underrate them. Perhaps I have done the same here. The Demons' depth was found wanting last year but at full strength Melbourne are a 6-10 proposition. I'm still not sure about the defence at Demonland but the rucks and fowardline remains sound.
14. Adelaide: I predict a bleak winter for the Crows. They have (on paper) the worst foward line and ruck division in the league but there is still class in the form of the Goodwin, Bassett, Rutten, Edwards and McLeod. The excellent defence will be forced to work very hard to keep this team in matches. If Craig can get the Blackbirds into the eight this season I would rate that as his finest coaching achievement as he doesn't have the catttle any more.
15. Richmond: Richmond will improve a hell of a lot but will still be a long way away from it in 2008. Except an upset here and there and more than a few floggings as well. If they can get some game time into their ruck options they might finish ahead of a few more clubs but this list is still in the potential stage and is a fair way off delievering.
16. Essendon: With a new coach and without their spirtual leader, I can see some wooden kitchen implements heading out to Windy Hill come September. That midfield is a Barry Crocker, the defence leaks like a sieve and any team with two key defenders should be able to keep the Bombers to a losing score. Stone motherless.

regards,

REB

[the joker]

it is surprising that every one thinks the crows will finish down the bottom. they have twelve games at aami win 8 of 12 and only have to win 4 of 10 just to make the finals. and i exspect johncock,thompson,knights,maric,vince to make big strides this year. and with the core group crows will be hard to beat at home and the have a very good record away over the last three years

[Dirko]

1 Geelong..too big, too good
2 Hawthorn..will improve but crash in the finals
3 West Coast..Kerr still dynamite plus good depth
4 Collingwood..Will make the GF IMO, for a Geelong v Collingwood clash
5 Fremantle..now or never..if not now..then they should tie a anchor around the ankles and jump off the Freo docks...
6 Port Adelaide..Good list, youngsters to have not such free reign
7 Brisbane..Jon Brown..
8 Sydney..experience, but IMO on the way out..
9 Adelaide..slide out of the 8 for the Crows
10 St Kilda..yawn, waste another year
11Carlton..improved midfield, 2009/2010 a crack..
12 Kangaroos..Will be down this year..just a feeling
13 Western Bulldogs..see St Kilda
14 Melbourne..tough going for the Dees
15 Richmond..Bye Bye Wallace
16 Essendon..It's been a hard days Knights....

[Sojourner]

1. Geelong,
2. West Coast,
3. Hawthorn,
4. Brisbane,
5. Port Adelaide,
6. Collingwood,
7. Sydney,
8. North Melbourne,
9. Fremantle,
10. Adelaide,
11. Carlton,
12. Western Bulldogs,
13. St Kilda,
14. Essendon,
15. Melbourne,
16. Richmond.

Geelong - Back to Back seems to be becoming more common, their list has a lot of depth, the dreaded hangover could prove an issue though!

West Coast - Still have a lot of talent to burn and a formidable list of juniors & "second string players" that are comming up through, I dont feel that they are anywhere near a rebuilding stage as yet and have enough in the tank for a fair dinkum crack at the top three.

Hawthorn - Have spent a lot of time watching the others in September, surely it is time for them to return to being both successfull and competitive as it was in the 1980's. - Lack of home ground advantage though could be their downfall.

Brisbane - dragged through some real garbage last year with recruiting and their list in general, yet still are coached by the best AFL coach in the game. Their form over the last few years should be taken into account rather than just last years form, I think that they are a very good chance at playing in the finals and if they do make it will win more than one pushing their position upwards from where they finish in the season (7th-8th)

Port - Hate them and hate the fact that yet again they will be naturally competitive and successfull. Anti Port Bias keeps me from increasing their position!

Collingwood The depth that they have built up and their finals experience from last season surely has to place them in good stead for another go in 2008.

Sydney Still have more to give, home ground advantage has to push the weight in their favor with their current list.

North Melbourne Although knocked out in straight sets it doesnt represent their form in season 2007 to get there, will likely win again in the same fashion - put it all down to the "shinboner spirit" we keep hearing about!

Fremantle Sadly destined yet again to be the "also ran's" of the competition. Perhaps I am a little over superstitious, yet the anchor has to go if they are ever to succeed!

Adelaide Most departments are good at the Crows, yet the club needs not just one strong forward but several and there just does not seem to be that in the tank. Goal kicking is the issue that the Crows needed to address more in previous years and I feel that the club will have to square this up to be successfull.

Carlton Have had the benefit of some good recruiting and will begin the long haul up the ladder.

Western Bulldogs Seems strange that they played so well in 2006 and so poorly in 2007, yet I think that there are premiership windows yet their lack of success in recent years makes it a short one, so will rebuild again for another go in 2009 not unlike recent Melbourne Demons sides that have rebounded back quickly in the past.

St Kilda Seem to be under fire from more than just one direction and the hits have made their mark in the club morale.

Essendon Interesting choice for a coach yet I feel that they will take a step backwards before they go forwards.

Melbourne Lack of funds and training resources are taking its toll on the Dees - Apologise and bring Joseph back as CEO and it could well be a different story in two years time.

Richmond Terry Wallace has to be better than a bottom finish yet Richmonds recruiting strategy in recent seasons has tied a huge Millstone around his neck.

[Aerie]

Geelong - the team to catch and would have to be heavy favourites going in to the season
Hawthorn - a natural improvement on last year with a quality list
Fremantle - similar to St Kilda, you never know, but the potential is there
West Coast - still a strong squad despite the loss of two superstars
St Kilda - see Freo
Port Power - the surprise packet last year, still should be good enough to finish in finals
Sydney - a solid team but going nowhere
Carlton - the big improvers and with Judd and Stevens playing full seasons good enough to finish 8th

Brisbane - on the way up, if Brown performs as well as last year should make a strong showing for the 8
Collingwood - give their all, but not good enough for finals
North Melbourne - see Collingwood
Western Bulldogs - the disappointment of 2007 and will continue to underachieve
Adelaide - the season the Crows had to have...
Melbourne - their best players are towards the end, time to rebuild
Richmond - the heat will be on Wallace this year
Essendon - huge pressure post Sheedy and without Hird lose that touch of class

[gadj1976]

I think the saints will surprise a few and finish top 4.

To those people who have Carlton Top 8, I put it to you that Judd and Stevens doesn't fix our backline problems. We need a full season out of Judd, Stevens, Murphy, O'hAilpin x 2, Fev's brain not to explode, AND key injuries to other sides for us to make the top 8.

[Dirko]

I think the saints will surprise a few and finish top 4.

To those people who have Carlton Top 8, I put it to you that Judd and Stevens doesn't fix our backline problems. We need a full season out of Judd, Stevens, Murphy, O'hAilpin x 2, Fev's brain not to explode, AND key injuries to other sides for us to make the top 8.

Well put fellow Blue Boy !

[sydney-dog]

1. Cats
2. Hawks
3. Eagles
4. PA
5. Adel
6. Freo
7. Collingwood
8. St Kilda

9. Syd
10. Brisbane
11. Melb
12 WB
13. kANGA'S
14. Carlton
15 Rich
16. Ess

Cats, obvious selection
Hawks, last season set the platform to take an extra step
Eagles, still have plenty of talent, may improve with less distractions
PA, should hold there form, however, no top 4 certainty
Adel, now have the right mix with youth and experience, side will have more pace and flexibility
Freo, under pressure to perform, away form and disipline still a worry
Collingwood, plenty of pressure on young blokes to back up in 2nd year
St Kilda, have topped up, however back 6 and leg speed is a concern

Syd, may regret no freshening up there list
Brisbane, on the improve, form away from home a worry
Melb, will improve, but not enough
WB, over rated and soft
Kanga's, depth may be an issue
Carlton, ordinary back 6, poor ruck division, still lack a stong leadership group
Rich, ordinary list
Ess, too one demensional, too slow over the ground

[Hondo]

1 Geelong
2 Hawthorn
3 West Coast
4 Collingwood
5 St Kilda
6 Fremantle
7 Port Adelaide
8 Sydney

9 Adelaide
10 Brisbane
11 Kangaroos
12 Bulldogs
13 Carlton
14 Melbourne
15 Essendon
16 Richmond

[Dutchy]

North Melbourne Although knocked out in straight sets it doesnt represent their form in season 2007 to get there

ahem......how do you get to the Prelim if you have gone out in straight sets?

loving how everyone under rates 2007 over achievers yet Over rates the under achievers from 2007..

[Andy #24]

1.Adelaide

2-16. Who cares? They can draw straws to lose the GF. No one rated us when we won the minor premiership 3 years ago either. You are all fools!!!

[Dutchy]

Geelong
St Kilda
Hawthorn
West Coast
Nth Melbourne
Brisbane
Port
Collingwood

Bullies
Sydney
Fremantle
Adelaide
Richmond
Carlton
Essendon
Melbourne