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

[Dutchy]

reckon you cant put a line through Rich, Melb, Essendon and Carlton straight up not to make the 8...

Many are knocking the Roos but I cant see much reasoning...we are in a better situ than this time last year...4 players coming back from long term injuries (Jones, Thomspon, Harding & Adams) that were ready to play late last year so have done all their rehab plus full pre season....look forward to continued development of Campbell, Thomas etc and have high hopes for Lochie Hansen this year....Draw is much much better this year also....and dare I mention coming off a Prelim final after beating a team that everyone rates as a Top 4er this season...must say its quite bemusing

[Blue Boy]

must say its quite bemusing

Thats what I thought to when they made the prelim last year

[JK]

As I said before Dutchy, in my case, it's not disrespect for the Roo's, was more just a case of thinking they got every ounce out of their squad last season, so didn't see as much room for improvement as perhaps some of the other teams (although the likes of Campbell, Thomas, Lower etc should continue to develop).

That said, with the exception of Thompson (whom I rate, but is yet another big man coming off a decent injury) I'd forgotten about those names you'd mentioned, and hadn't checked the draw either.

[Rik E Boy]

reckon you cant put a line through Rich, Melb, Essendon and Carlton straight up not to make the 8...

Many are knocking the Roos but I cant see much reasoning...we are in a better situ than this time last year...4 players coming back from long term injuries (Jones, Thomspon, Harding & Adams) that were ready to play late last year so have done all their rehab plus full pre season....look forward to continued development of Campbell, Thomas etc and have high hopes for Lochie Hansen this year....Draw is much much better this year also....and dare I mention coming off a Prelim final after beating a team that everyone rates as a Top 4er this season...must say its quite bemusing

Jones, Thompson , Harding and Adams. Just give em the cup now LOL.

regards,

REB

[carey]

thats gold reb !

[Mr66]

LOL. I knew that he couldn't let that prediction go through to the keeper.

regards,

REB

Are you cyber-stalking me REB?

[Dutchy]

Hmmm Corey Jones almost won All Australian honours last year, we know how good Thomson is, and Harding was leading goalkicker in 2003 and has had 40 goal seasons in the past....plus I havent been excited about our youngsters coming thru since the early 90's (Hansen, Thomas, Campbell, McMahon, Gibson, McIntosh, Wells, Smith and Swallow are all 100+ gamers)

Take Geelong out of the equation I reckon we are the 2nd best Vic team

[gadj1976]

Hmmm Corey Jones almost won All Australian honours last year, we know how good Thomson is, and Harding was leading goalkicker in 2003 and has had 40 goal seasons in the past....plus I havent been excited about our youngsters coming thru since the early 90's (Hansen, Thomas, Campbell, McMahon, Gibson, McIntosh, Wells, Smith and Swallow are all 100+ gamers)

Take Geelong out of the equation I reckon we are the 2nd best Vic team

I'm not going to get into the debate of whether you're second or not, my point is raised by a North Melb mate of mine who says North will continue to struggle through the midfield because you've got no pace. Harvey aside, although he is aging.

Unless you get pace, he believes you wont get the ball forward on enough occasions to trouble the top 4 consistently. I'm interested in your opinion on that belief.

I believe you've got a top 4 forward line, but an 8-12 midfield, meaning you would finish about 6-10. To clarify, your midfield is good, but you've got the same types (generally speaking) of players in the midfield, lacking legspeed, and possibly delivery.

Everyone says that it takes a year to come back from a knee reco, so Harding and Thommo shouldn't be expected to catapult you to top 4 contention on that alone.

Thoughts?

[Dutchy]

yeah thats probably a fair call re the pace of our midfield...would love to see Thomas played int he midfield, he has a bit of Michael Long about him...Id say the coaches realise pace is a problem (esp afer the prelim), but our strength is the ball winners like Simpson, Harris and Swallow just need to get speed around these blokes....

[gadj1976]

yeah thats probably a fair call re the pace of our midfield...would love to see Thomas played int he midfield, he has a bit of Michael Long about him...Id say the coaches realise pace is a problem (esp afer the prelim), but our strength is the ball winners like Simpson, Harris and Swallow just need to get speed around these blokes....

yep, fair enough. With leg speed, especially Wells and the young guys you got from Nth Adelaide, you're going to improve, you just have to hope that they improve enough to get the ball forward enough times for your forward line to keep you competitive with the top sides.

BTW, do you think Edwards, Thommo, Petrie and possibly the resting ruckman can play forward at the same time? (see my comment about leg speed in the midfield and apply it to a crammed forward line). Harding and Jones would be the only other forwards. I see Petrie playing back with Hansen, Pratt, Watt (possibly squeezed out) and the guy that cracked his head in the bathroom playing in the backline. (sorry, I cannot remember the guys name - good player, dark skin, lefty, did have a 'fro', can visualise him, cannot recall his name - Gibson?)

[Dutchy]

Yep Gibson....and yes I see Petrie's spot being CHB, we have a very tall side so the right balance will be important...good problem to have is all the genuine forwards/goal kicking options we have, dare say Shannon Grant will finish his days in the forward line also to try to speed up the midfield

[Booney]

Can win it-

Geelong
Collingwood
Hawthorn
Port
West Coast

Cant win it-
Adelaide
Essendon
Carlton
Richmond
Melbourne


The rest can work out thier draft picks over the next 22 weeks

[grant j]

1. Geelong
2. Eagles
3. Collingwood
4. Port Power
5. Hawthorn
6. Gold Coast Kangaroos
7. Bulldogs
8. Freo

9. Syderney
10. Crows
11. Carlton
12. Saints
13.Brisbain
14. Essendon
15. Richmond
16. Melbourne

G.F. Geelong to beat Collingwood by under 4 goals in a tight game

[Rik E Boy]

Jeez Dutchman you are massively overrating Harding. The only time he does anything is against Geelong LOL. As for 40 goal year even Kingsley racked up three 50's. Harding is VERY inconsistent IMO.

I'm a bit confused about Corey Jones too mate, so please forgive this ignorant old Cat. In your post you mentioned 'coming back from long term injuries' and listed Jones in that number. Now the Jones (I think) you are referring to played the majority of the season IIR. Is he suddenly going to go from 46 goals to 92 because he won't be missing one or two matches? I thought you were referring to another Jones hence my sarcastic jibe earlier (in othe words I rates Jones as much as you do).

Thompson is a big in there's no doubt about that I hope for your sake that he can stay on the park and play some decent footy. You'll have a decent foward line with Thompson on the park and if Harding can pull his finger out.

That other bloke I've never heard of mate. You'll be in the mix but one thing about having such a large number of youngsters is that your form will fluctuate.

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Agree with Harding, he is a big massive IF...in fact Im a little suprised they kept him on the list..probably wouldnt be in my starting 22 if all fit....apologies but Jones missed the finals series, not exactly long term but was a huge out during that time...

I also read last night that we have 17 1st or 2nd year players so if we get injuries we may struggle...Thomo looked good in the footage I saw last night in the inter trial, took contested marks and kicked 3 goals

Also reckon WCE might not be Top 4 this year...see they have the 3rd youngest list in the AFL...plus who will kick their goals...

[Pup]

Agree with Harding, he is a big massive IF...in fact Im a little suprised they kept him on the list..probably wouldnt be in my starting 22 if all fit....apologies but Jones missed the finals series, not exactly long term but was a huge out during that time...

I also read last night that we have 17 1st or 2nd year players so if we get injuries we may struggle...Thomo looked good in the footage I saw last night in the inter trial, took contested marks and kicked 3 goals

Also reckon WCE might not be Top 4 this year...see they have the 3rd youngest list in the AFL...plus who will kick their goals...

WCE have some brilliant kids that dont get much media spotlight over in Vic or SA. Injuries willl be the key to their year. If they have a reasonable run with Injuries then IMO they will be top 4. In fact i think it may even be the youngest in the AFL? (Might be mistaken).

Still have a very good midfield even without the likes of Judd and Cousins. Have the best ruckman/midfielder in the comp as well as probably the best fullback (Top 2 at least).

Lynch has kicked 50+ two years in a row and is improving every time he plays. Remember he has just turned 25. The club has a terrific bunch of developing KPP. Last year with forwards over 190cm we had kicked the 3rd most goals in the league. The forward line can consist of any of these Key Position Players- Hansen, Lynch, Hunter, Mitch Brown, Kennedy, Chad Jones or Brent Staker.

While i dont think they will finish top, I still believe they have a realistic chance of going all the way if things go right. My prediction would be finishing top 4 with 6th being the lowest. This squad will be scary come 2009-2010 IMO.

[Dirko]

Also reckon WCE might not be Top 4 this year...see they have the 3rd youngest list in the AFL...plus who will kick their goals...

Where did you find this info ? Would be interested to see club by club who has the youngest/oldest etc...

[Dutchy]

was in the paper last week, dunno if its on the net somewhere?

[Pup]

Carlton (By an average of only 21 days)
WCE
Hawthorn
Brisbane
Port
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne
Collingwood
Roos
WB
Geelong
Adelaide
Sydney
St Kilda
Freo

Thats a list youngest to oldest from an article a few weeks ago. Pointless stat IMO as all the way down to Geelong they average only 23 and they really are in the ideal position to give the flag a real shake for the next 3-4 years.

To get a gauge on how you are really going you have to look at the quality of those kids.

[Blue Boy]

Carlton (By an average of only 21 days)
WCE
Hawthorn
Brisbane
Port
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne
Collingwood
Roos
WB
Geelong
Adelaide
Sydney
St Kilda
Freo

Thats a list youngest to oldest from an article a few weeks ago. Pointless stat IMO as all the way down to Geelong they average only 23 and they really are in the ideal position to give the flag a real shake for the next 3-4 years.

To get a gauge on how you are really going you have to look at the quality of those kids.

Wow - hows Adelaide 10 players moved on from last year and we still have a higher average list !!!