The current situation

[firstblood]

These are my thoughts on how the 9 sides are shaping up at this stage of the year. (Not in any particular order)

Glenelg...look very good and are probably favorites to go top.

Sturt...looking the goods as well.

Centrals...will the sleeping giant awake come finals time ?. I think so, look out if they do.

Norwood...most improved side this year but may crumble in the finals.

Eagles...who Knows! If they get their act together they may be a threat.

North...Look like slipping back a few notches and won't bother the top 3 should they make the finals.

Port...Hanging in there, but i doubt will make an impact.

South...in all sorts of trouble, IMO were lucky and jagged a couple of wins early, and that should be enough to fend off the wooden spoon.

West...disapointing but the rebuilding process has started. Might sneak in a win or 2 before years end. Looking for improvement next year.

[JK]

Not bad FB, I'd suggest:

Glenelg - Clear favourites, only question mark (although I think they'll be ok with it) might come over injury and quality of cover.

Sturt - Right alongside the Bays, I like their depth which could prove pivotal

Central - Expect them to start winding up about now (lol hopefully the game after next), older bodies and a rash of injuries this year might have put them behind the 8-ball, but the double chance gives them time to address these things (provided there's no further setbacks).

Norwood - Improved, but still a long way off the top 3 until proven otherwise.

North - Playing well below their capabilities, but still have time if they can overlook or address some offield issues

Eagles - Same as North, far more capable than they've shown on a regular basis ... I'd expect either them or North to go a bit further in the post season than many think.

Port - Could legitimately trouble most or all teams in the finals, however they have likely left their run a little late.

South - Will spend the rest of the season with an eye toward 2009

West - Ditto

[Pseudo]

Not bad FB, I'd suggest:

Glenelg - Clear favourites, only question mark (although I think they'll be ok with it) might come over injury and quality of cover.

Sturt - Right alongside the Bays, I like their depth which could prove pivotal

Central - Expect them to start winding up about now (lol hopefully the game after next), older bodies and a rash of injuries this year might have put them behind the 8-ball, but the double chance gives them time to address these things (provided there's no further setbacks).

Any current disparity betwen these three teams will be balanced in September by their relative finals experience. Glenelg might look good now but is still largely unexposed to finals pressure. Central might look average now, but only a fool would write them off in September.

Norwood will cause some headaches for these three in the run up to September and is an outside chance to knock one off in the finals. Port and Eagles will slug it out for the token 5th spot.

[Dutchy]

Central might look average now, but only a fool would write them off in September.

Im a fool!

[Big Phil]

Central might look average now, but only a fool would write them off in September.

Im a fool!

Good to see you share the same sentiments as me Dutchy...

IT WAS A JOKE MATE

[MagareyLegend]

West...disapointing but the rebuilding process has started.

On what basis do you make this statement? I see no signs of rebuilding. Their only youngster blooded who would have any real impact in the future (Hartlett) will be drafted so what & where is there evidence of rebuilding. Negative, close-down Victorian style of footy yes, but rebuilding?

[holden78]

Westies recruitng really has been a joke for years now & along with my team the Eagles , just have failed to address obvious weaknesses . Usually both teams get found out with a lack of genuine midfield quality that Glenelg & Sturt have worked in beautifully this season . Rehn really should have his plums sliced off for the state he left the Bloods in , when he headed for the money & glory of the GayFL ! Obviously the Board is jointly to blame , but from what I hear , they were soooooo in love that any thing Rehn said was golden ! And do you think he gives a rats tossbag now about West , yeh right !

[Rik E Boy]

Central might look average now, but only a fool would write them off in September.

Im a fool!

It was only a matter of time before you finally fessed up ha ha.

regards,

REB

[Grahaml]

Ahh, Shaun Rehn. Got himself some sort of team in 2003, didn't he? Sadly for West they were all gone 2 years later and not replaced and Rehn's ego led to apparently the honest belief he could replace them without recruits. Recruits are an absolutely necessary part of any SANFL premiership team now. Not the be all and end all, I think you need to use all avenues of getting players through juniors and country zones along with recruits.

Anyway, Collins had no chance given to him to go after players. How well Westies go in attracting the right players to complement their kids and zone players will go a long way to deciding whether West try to beat Sturt's 8 consecutive spoons.