Teams 2007 Review and 2008 Preview

[Rik E Boy]

Good work once again by the Pup. However, no mention of the injured 'grunt' midfielders whose absence in my opinion was even more detrimental to their 2007 chances than the forward line injuries in Brock McLean and Brent Maloney. McLean is an excellent in and under midfielder who had an aura of leadership about him in the Demons' successfull 2006 season. Maloney provides a penetrating kick and a fast entry into the foward 50 that was often lacking last season. If the Demons can get a full season out of McLean, Maloney, Robertson and Neitz I believe than can finish higher than many teams that are more highly rated at the moment.

However at this stage I agree with Pup's prediction. No spoon though..I reckon that belongs to Essendon or Richmond.

regards,

REB

[stan]

Good work once again by the Pup. However, no mention of the injured 'grunt' midfielders whose absence in my opinion was even more detrimental to their 2007 chances than the forward line injuries in Brock McLean and Brent Maloney. McLean is an excellent in and under midfielder who had an aura of leadership about him in the Demons' successfull 2006 season. Maloney provides a penetrating kick and a fast entry into the foward 50 that was often lacking last season. If the Demons can get a full season out of McLean, Maloney, Robertson and Neitz I believe than can finish higher than many teams that are more highly rated at the moment.

However at this stage I agree with Pup's prediction. No spoon though..I reckon that belongs to Essendon or Richmond.

regards,

REB

Mate Richmond seem to have a morgage on the spoon. In fact in years to come they will be able to select the spoon under the father son rule.

[Rik E Boy]

I reckon Essendon are in strife too stanley. They just aren't the same side without Hird and that midfield is the worst in the league. Richmond made real strides towards the end of last season. Richmond couldn't buy a win last year but they weren't getting flogged regularly like some teams such as Carlton, or even the Bullies towards the end of the year. They'll turn two or three of those narrow losses into victories next season giving them about six wins for the year.

Essendon on the other hand were kissed on the you know what and their ladder position was flattering to say the least and that was with Hird's last gasp. They've moved on the master coach and turned over some players who have been serviceable if not brilliant and those places have been taken by wet behind the ears' youngsters. I reckon the Dons will struggle and win less than six.

It's the Bombers for mine.

regards,

REB

[westozfalcon]

My season-2008 preview of my team, the Brisbane Lions:-

Travis Johnstone was a good 'get' in trade week. His experience will augment that of Black, Lappin and Power through the midfield. Add Michael Rischitelli and Jed Adcock to the mix and I think it makes for reasonably potent engine room.

We did lose Cameron Wood through the Johnstone deal but I think we are adequately represented in the ruck with Charman and the evergreen Beau MacDonald. Matthew Leunberger may need to step up to the plate a bit as a ruckman too.

You'd expect that Daniel Bradshaw's return from knee surgery would add attacking strength and provide a good foil for Jonathan Brown. It will probably cause Brown to be double-teamed less often by giving the opposition another marking forward to keep their eyes on. It will actually be interesting to see how the team re-adjusts to what will be a different forward set-up but I think that if Bradshaw and Brown stay fit and play most games together they will create headaches for opposition defenders.

Our defence is still a worry. With the embarrasment of riches we used to have with Justin Leppitsch, Darryl White, Mal Michael, Chris Scott etc in the backline I guess it will always appear weak but Daniel Merrett and Wayde Mills have been improving steadily and Jason Roe is very serviceable.

I like our crop of draftees, especially the big fella Henderson from Geelong and Tom Collier from Tasmania, but it would be unrealistic to expect them and any of the other blokes drafted to play senior footy this year.

Fixture-wise we have a glut of early season games at the GABBA so it will be important to have our best players fit to take advantage of that otherwise the chance of a finals berth will be shot. Having a corresponding spate of away games on the run home could see things unravel badly if we don't start the season well. It's interesting that we don't 'travel' to play Melbourne at the GABBA for the first time in about 6 years. We play them at the G!

I'd like to say 8th but my gut feeling tells me we will finish just outside the 8 at 9th or 10th.

[stan]

My season-2008 preview of my team, the Brisbane Lions:-

Travis Johnstone was a good 'get' in trade week. His experience will augment that of Black, Lappin and Power through the midfield. Add Michael Rischitelli and Jed Adcock to the mix and I think it makes for reasonably potent engine room.

We did lose Cameron Wood through the Johnstone deal but I think we are adequately represented in the ruck with Charman and the evergreen Beau MacDonald. Matthew Leunberger may need to step up to the plate a bit as a ruckman too.

You'd expect that Daniel Bradshaw's return from knee surgery would add attacking strength and provide a good foil for Jonathan Brown. It will probably cause Brown to be double-teamed less often by giving the opposition another marking forward to keep their eyes on. It will actually be interesting to see how the team re-adjusts to what will be a different forward set-up but I think that if Bradshaw and Brown stay fit and play most games together they will create headaches for opposition defenders.

Our defence is still a worry. With the embarrasment of riches we used to have with Justin Leppitsch, Darryl White, Mal Michael, Chris Scott etc in the backline I guess it will always appear weak but Daniel Merrett and Wayde Mills have been improving steadily and Jason Roe is very serviceable.

I like our crop of draftees, especially the big fella Henderson from Geelong and Tom Collier from Tasmania, but it would be unrealistic to expect them and any of the other blokes drafted to play senior footy this year.

Fixture-wise we have a glut of early season games at the GABBA so it will be important to have our best players fit to take advantage of that otherwise the chance of a finals berth will be shot. Having a corresponding spate of away games on the run home could see things unravel badly if we don't start the season well. It's interesting that we don't 'travel' to play Melbourne at the GABBA for the first time in about 6 years. We play them at the G!

I'd like to say 8th but my gut feeling tells me we will finish just outside the 8 at 9th or 10th.

Good analysis, there westoz. Agree with you tip about the midfield thats quite a list you have running through there and with a few targets up forward gives you a chance. Defensivly, Merritt down there is a worry, Roe looks solid but that is definitly your weak spot. For me brisbane 8 - 10.

[stan]

I reckon Essendon are in strife too stanley. They just aren't the same side without Hird and that midfield is the worst in the league. Richmond made real strides towards the end of last season. Richmond couldn't buy a win last year but they weren't getting flogged regularly like some teams such as Carlton, or even the Bullies towards the end of the year. They'll turn two or three of those narrow losses into victories next season giving them about six wins for the year.

Essendon on the other hand were kissed on the you know what and their ladder position was flattering to say the least and that was with Hird's last gasp. They've moved on the master coach and turned over some players who have been serviceable if not brilliant and those places have been taken by wet behind the ears' youngsters. I reckon the Dons will struggle and win less than six.

It's the Bombers for mine.

regards,

REB

Well im looking forward to the review on the bombers, should make for some interesting discussion.

[Rik E Boy]

I reckon westoz has undersold his Lions. I reckon they can go from 5-8 next season, surpassing a few of this season's 'bolters'.

regards,

REB

[westozfalcon]

I reckon westoz has undersold his Lions. I reckon they can go from 5-8 next season, surpassing a few of this season's 'bolters'.

regards,

REB

Hope you're right REB!

If Brown has another injury free season and we get our best side out on the park most weeks, a finish that high may not be out of the question.

[Rik E Boy]

Don't forget Daniel Bradshaw will be back as well and I reckon Rhan Hooper might have a year out of the box this season. Just a hunch as Quasimodo said to Lord Frollo.....

regards,

REB

[am Bays]

I reckon westoz has undersold his Lions. I reckon they can go from 5-8 next season, surpassing a few of this season's 'bolters'.

regards,

REB

Hope you're right REB!

If Brown has another injury free season and we get our best side out on the park most weeks, a finish that high may not be out of the question.

Most influential player in the competition IMHO if he stays on the park all year Brisbane will make the finals

[Pup]

Carlton 15th

Arrivals- Richard Hadley (Bris), Chris Judd (WCE), Ryan Jackson (R), Aisake O'hAilpin (R), Dennis Armfield (46), Steven Browne (36), Matthew Kreuzer (1), Darren Pfeiffer (2 PD)

Departures- Anthony Koutoufides, Matthew Lappin, Josh Kennedy (WCE), Craig Flint, Dylan McLaren, Anthony Raso, David Teague, Lance Whitnall, Ross Young (R).

Best Game Carlton Vs Essendon Rnd 3 MCG   125-122
One of the games of the season between these two arch rivals. Essendon stormed out of the blocks to lead by 8 goals, only for a Fevola inspired Carlton to over run them late in the game. Fevola was brilliant with 8 goals, and Scotland was good with 26 possesions. Brownlow votes went to Fevola, Scotland and the ever reliable Jimmy Hird.

Worst Game Carlton Vs Brisbane Rnd 16, Gabba.   163-46
What can you say about this game. This was the Jonothan Brown show. 14 marks, 10 goals 1 and he was unstoppable. This was a game to forget for the Carlton faithful with Brisbane and Brown utimately deciding the fate of Dennis Pagan in the 117 point belting. Brown, Lappin and Copeland all got Brownlow votes for the winners.

Who Stood Up- Andrew Carazzo, Fevola, Simpson, Scotland, Waite and Marc Murphy.

2007
What a year for this proud club with such a terrific history. It started with the Mitchell and Pagan incident, then the Whitnall family feud which was hardly ideal either. Then came the tanking issue, Did they or Didnt they? There is no doubt they did not lose games on purpose but they where certainly not going all out to win them. They lost their last 11 games and in 5 of them they were in a winnable positions late in the game. The Nick Stevens injury really hurt them leaving young gun Marc Murphy with the best tagger which was a big ask in only his second year. Andrew Carazzo was wonderful and was not far off being All Australian. Bryce Gibbs got a full year season and improved as the year went on despite heavy expectations and injury troubles. Simpson and Waite showed some good signs and Fevola still remains the key for this side and had a pretty reasonable year considering.Heath Scotland polled very well in the Brownlow and the B and F but IMO needs to do more with the footy to become a genuine worry for other sides. It was a sad way for a premiership coach in Pagan to go out but to be honest the writing was on the wall for him since last year. Also what a fall from grace for Lance Whitnall, B and F winner, Captain and then dumped all in one season, how quickly things can change.All in all 15th is not good enough for this club who have been so sucessful in the past.

Players who need a big 08

Jarrod Waite- His spot is in no danger but we have all seen what he can do, just about anything. He can play Key back and forward, run through the midfield. Is an excellent mark can kick and run. He could turn into a superstar, we just need to see it now week in week out.

Cain Ackland- Got thrown big money and a longer contarct to cross to the blues from the Saints to be the number 1 ruckman. His last two years have been pretty ordinary really and in 07 Ackland was ranked 16th with only 14 HO per game. Personally there is 10-18 ruckmen that i would rather play. he was being outshone by Cameron Cloke earlier in the year before he injured his shoulder. if Cain does not improve and Cloke can get his shoulders right and Kreuzer can develop slowly then, Ackland will find his spot in severe trouble at years end.

08 and Beyond
The big winners already from trade week/draft day already. They picked up the best player in the country who is a Premiership captain, Norm Smith medalist, browonlow medal winner, and someone who will lift the club on and off the field. They did not really break the bank to get Judd either, they lost pick 3, a decent KP prospect who in all honesty will never become a out and out star. and a speculative pick 20. They kept pick 1 and used it on talented ruck/key forward Matt Kreuzer who fitted their requirements perfectly. They picked up Hadley with a late pick which was a bonus IMO, if he can stay injury free then he will be a big bonus and will bolster the midfield. They are building a magnificent midfield, Murphy, Gibbs, Scotland, Judd, Simpson, Carazzo, Stevens and throw in Kreuzer in a few years, it could develop into a midfield not unlike the WCE one of 2005/6 or the Brisbane one of 2001/2/3. (A big maybe). The future looks very bright with a good midfield and a reasonable forward line led by the brilliant Fevola. The big problem is the back line and has been for a while, tyoo often Carlton have scored 18-25 goals only to lose.  Thornton is their only quality Key Back, with Waite only a pinch hitter not unlike Adam Hunter. The future looks a lot better than it did at this time last year but that does not change the fact that until the backline finds a way to sturdy up then they will struggle to beat top 6 sides.

Player to watch in 08
Marc Murphy- He had the best tagger in 07 due to Stevens injury and Scotlands inability to hurt sides by foot, and it was only his second year. He was still very servicable regardless. Next year with Judd and Stevens into the side, he will be given a much more free reign. Expect him to improve dramatically and have a terrific 08.

Pups Prediction
Will improve, with the inclusion of some excellent players but may not be enough to make the 8. IMO will finish 9th-13th most likely 10th

Next Up- Essendon

[Dirko]

Fair review Pup, although a few things. To say Lance Whitnall was dumped sounds alot harsher then the reality of the fact that his knees were no good and his AFL career was over due to this fact. Very good call from Carlton IMO.
Although 2007 was a poor year on field, Carlton posted a 2.6 M dollar profit. A huge turnaround, and that has cut our debt by half. A year like that in 2008 would see Carlton back in the black. There is the new Hyundai sponsorship deal which rumour has it is the biggest in the AFL, Visy has the shorts sponsorship which is worth $$$ and the plans for the redevelopment of Princes Park are well underway. This would give Carlton the facilities enjoyed by teams like Port Adelaide & Collingwood.
This is backed by the fact that Ahmed Fahour the CEO & Excecutive Director of the NAB, who bought the bank back from the brink is set to join the board as soon as next week.
He is the likely successor of Richard Pratt who has always stated that he would only reign for two years.
On field, the appointment of Brett Ratten is a good one as he is a Carlton man through & through, and his knowledge and understanding of the game is superb. Also having the youngest squad in the AFL, and he is the youngest coach gives a real good positive vibe. Throw in the assistants running around Princes Park at the moment in Mark Riley, Brent Montgomery, Craig Bradley & Terry Danihar, plus David Teague as the playing coach of the Bullants in the VFL gives a good base for Ratts.
Due to the turnaround of the finances of the Blues, and the new sponsors on board plus the expected first for a Victorian side to break 40000 members, things are looking up.
Chris Judd, enough said. Hadley & Pfeiffer are two guys who can make a impact next season, throw in Stevens who just about missed the whole year, and a fit Cloke and the on ball brigade looks alot better. Oh yeah some kids call Murphy & Gibbs should benefit from those ins too.
Up froward with the Fev, Betts, Fisher, Kruezer (when not on ball), Hartlett the goal kicking power is there. Down back is where we will struggle, but with Setanta able to go to f.ullbac.k instead of ruck, Thornton, Waite, Walker, Bower & Jamieson plus new recruit Hadley and Browne, might be able to contain better than last season. Also if Carlton can stop the drive from the centre this will go along way in helping them out.
Pup,IMO, Waite is a gun. He's just not firing. Perhaps having Ratts and a license to roam will help his game. He can break teams apart when on song, but this needs to be week in/week out. Ackland will not play out the year in the A's. Hampson showed enough last season in his few games, through in Kruezer, Cloke, the two O'ailphan Boys and he may struggle. Would do well as a forward pocket, ruck part time, as he did at St Kilda.
For mine will want to see improvement in Bower, a big unit who can play. Carrazo need to take the next step up, Fev needs his attitude in check.
Carlton to finish 10th as Pup predicted, but if the injuries stay away, Judd fires and our defence holds up maybe 7th....

[Pup]

Good points, I really only included the on field side of things in my review. Carlton will always be strong off the field especially with the new head honchos.

The appointments of the assistants is good for the club although i am not to sure about Teague as coach of the Bullants. I think they could have found someone better to be honest.

Still have reservations about Ratten as coach to be honest, i hope he does well but i will hold my judgement till the end of the year.

You cant get to excited about Kreuzer yet, to expect him to hold down a spot in the ruck in the first year is crazy, He will play most of his footy up forward but if needed should spend some time at the Bullants.

Your backline list there is very thin. Thornton struggles against the big men (Brown, Pavlich, Lynch, Gehrig), Waite pinch hits at both ends so cant be relied on at both ends, Setanta is not ready to play on key forwards, Hadley is a midfielder at heart and will rotate through there. Personally i dont rate Bower at all but time will tell and Browne is a first year draftee so cant see him having a massive impact. The backline is a real worry IMO.

[Rik E Boy]

Good work once again Pup but I disagree entirely with your view that Brendan Fevola stood up in 2007. I thought the Fev went backwards at a rate of knots with his mental approach to the game, the area that is always the hardest for Brendan to maintain. When his mind and work ethic is right there is no doubt that Fevola is one of the most talented fowards in the competiton but when he is not right mentally he is a dead set liability.

Take the Fremantle game in Perth for instance. Carlton arrive smartly attired in team gear and there's Fev in his Bogan bean. During the game he cracks a tanty and and just kicks it hapharzardly forward with no regard to team mates or the game plan and is promptly rewarded with a stint on the pine. After the game the Blueboys are again smartly attired drinking their soft drinks or juice and once again Fev is all about himself, drinking a beer and wearing the Bogan beanie again. Surprise surprise the next week he isn't selected for the Blues.

No way did Brendan Fevola stand up in 2007 as anyone who was silly enough to select him in their fantasy teams will attest. If he can stand up in 2008, then Carlton will go a long way. They will not make the finals however as this club needs to learn how to win again after spending much of this decade developing a losing culture while it indulges in tanking and bottom feeding. They will drop at least three or four winnable games next season in a manner akin to Richmond last year.

regards,

REB

[Dirko]

REB, a bit unfair there you only pinpointed one game, what about the other 15 or so where he had dummy spits.
If he can't perform this year than it will be adios Brendan...
Look at the Essendon game last year. If he turns up like that every week then watch out. If he turns up the Bad Boy Brendon version then
Agree we'll drop some close games, but also next year may win a few...

[Rik E Boy]

Yeah but Essendon's defence is rubbish which is why Mal Micheal was recruited but they still gave up plenty of goals. Even Kent Kingsley kicked seven against the Bombers and more than once too.

The worst is behind Carlton but there is still plenty of work to be done. You might be like the Cats circa 2000-2004, in and out of the finals but a much stronger side by the end of the period. Learning to win again is a factor that shouldn't be underestimated when you think about the Blues' chances next year. I think they'll be the toughest team to predict the outcomes of in the new season.

regards,

REB

[Pup]

Essendon 12th

Arrivals- Darcy Daniher, Heath Hocking, Adam Ramanauskas, Cale Hooker, David Myers, Tayte Pears.

Departures- Mark Bolton, Scott Camporeale, Chris Heffernan, James Hird, Kepler Bradley, Richard Cole, Mark Johnson, Lachlan McKinnon

Best Game Vs WCE Rnd 11 at Telstra Dome. Ess 15.5 to WCE 14.10
These two arch rivals clashed in a game were WCE came in as clear favourites. The game looked like it was going to go in that way with the Eagles leading by 6 goals early in the second quarter and 5 goals at Half time. After half time the bombers looked a different team and made a brilliant comeback with Hird and Peverill taking control in the middle and Scott Lucas causing Brent Staker enormous trouble up forward. Essendon held on to win a thriller with both teams having their chances. Hird and Peverill the best for the bombers. Rosa very good for the Eagles. Lucas kicked 5.

Worst Game Vs Carlton Rnd 3 at the MCG 122-125
This was close on the scoreboard but Essendon would have been gutted losing to their arch rivals after leading by 8 goals before half time(A Record Comeback). Fevola was unstoppable and Scotland was very good. Hird was good for the Bombers. The brownlow votes went to Fev, Scotland and Hird.

Positives Mark McVeigh, Scott Lucas, Dustin Fletcher, James Hird, Alwyn Davey

2007
Where do you start with the bombers, they have such a great histoy with until now some living legends involved at their club. IMO their year this year was a bit of a disappointment, To finish 12th with the likes of Hird, Fletcher, Lloyd, Lucas and co is always going to be seen as a failure and so it was when the long serving Sheedy got the boot in a fashion that he did not deserve considering what he has done for the club. It staggers me that they went through all the drama in the media and getting rid of Kevin at that stage of the year only to appoint the bloke in the next office (Matthew Knights).
They have some clear deficiencies on the field as well, Their midfield is terrible, they are very slow as a group and the skills are just not up to scratch. If you are at the pace of Watson, Welsh, Johnson, Stanton, Peverill and Rama you need to be damaging when you get the footy, none of these do that. They have some players who can improve that (Lovett, Davey, Jetta) but they still have some developing to do when it comes to becoming pure midfielders. The emergence of Ryder and Laycock was a bonus for Essendon, both look to be bright prospects, Laycock maty nearly over take Hille as Essendons number 1 ruckman early in 2008 if he continues to improve. To much was left to the likes of Hird, Fletcher and Lucas this year. The Backline is equally as worrying as the midfield IMO with Michael and Fletcher just leaking to many goals. Fletcher seems to play the HB role more than ever and take the lesser forwards (Rowan Jones and these sort). Once players taker Michael to the goal square he looks in trouble especially on quality forwards. Ryder looks the goods but i have my doubts wether he will be a long term CHB prospect. One bonus was the addition of Alwyn Davey who performed brilliantly in the first half of the year. His pace, goal sense and pressure in the forward 50 was breathtaking to watch and when he got injured you could see the difference he made almost instantly.

Players who need a big 08

Jobe Watson- His spot is probably not on the line but really needs to improve again, his clearance work is brilliant, as good as any IMO but needs to improve his disposal (Kicking). He needs to improve his pace. He is a old fashioned ball magnet he just needs to use the footy better which will give him the confidence he needs to become a much better player.

Courtney Johns- Has been on the list for a long time with very little reward. He is injury prone and is struggling to break into the forward line with Lucas and Lloyd and the switch to the backline does not seem to have worked either. He is a very big man and IMO needs to be more physical, far to timid for a man of his size. I hope he performs well this year but if he does not it may just be curtains on his AFL career.

08 and Beyond
Picked up 2 very good players in the draft Myers and Pears. Myers is future leadership material and is a great pick up IMO. They have done the right thing and got rid of some of the old blokes such as Campo, Cole, Bolton, Johnson and to an extent Bradley. This gives Knights a very young list to work with which is what he is good at, He was pretty good with the young Bendigo list in the last 2 years but this is a massive step up for him and will be a big test. They have some very good kids but i cant see them improving enough for Essendon to be any threat to the finals this year. Winderlich and McVeigh will need to continue to improve in the middle, Hille is going to have to step up this year as is Welsh and Watson. They really need to feed Stanton, Winderlich, Monfries, Ryder, Gumbleton, Jetta, Lovett, Davey and co as much game time as they can to develop them even further. Especially Gumbleton who IMO is going to be a brilliant player. Lloyd and Lucas are going to have to continue to dominate up forward for them to win games.

Big 08 Scott Gumbleton
Is a brilliant talent and could quite easily become the best player from his draft. Is one of the up and coming KPP and i think he will come on with leaps and bounds this year.

Pups Prediction 13th-16th
Will go backwards without the likes of Hird to count on IMO. Not to mention Sheedy. Will be abttling for the spoon IMO.

Next Up- Western Bulldogs.

[Dirko]

Bout time Pup !!

Let smac have a go at dissecting it...

For mine Essendon for the SPOON !!

[smac]

To be honest jabber, I haven't paid much attention to what they have done since seasons end last year, but I fear calls of the spoon may be close to the mark.

Perhaps April 5 and June 22 are two games that will decide the spoon for 2008.

[stan]

I can see Essendon really struggling this year. The midfield is not potent and there forward line is most dangerous with the ball coming in quickly. The back line, well Will be under pump this year - mainly due to the midfield getting towled up!