Who will make the top 5 in 2009

[doggies4eva]

same as 2008 with hopefully better gf result

A better result would be us winning by a bigger margin

[jockey]

dogs, bays,norwood,sturt and eagles

[NO-MERCY]

Centrals
Norwood
Glenelg
port
Sturt
End of minor round.

[Punk Rooster]

Centrals, Sturt, Nth Adelaide, Norwood and Glenelg for me.

as above- interesting to see this combination is the majority in the poll

[Voice]

Centrals, Sturt, Nth Adelaide, Norwood and Glenelg for me.

as above- interesting to see this combination is the majority in the poll

Same for me also. Would make for large crowds again in the finals.

[Wedgie]

I think Central, North, Glenelg and Norwood are certs.
I think Sturt, Port and Eagles will battle it out for 5th but I think it will be like a few years back when West snuck into the 5 and a huge gap in quality between the Top 4 and the rest.
Out of those 3 I'd put Port at the bottom and probably lean towards Sturt over the Eagles for the 5th spot.
I think the overall standard is going to drop a notch on the last few years too.
Last year the 7th side (ie North) killed the eventual premier late in the season. I don't think you'll see that happening this year.

[whufc]

IMHO Central, Glenelg, Norwood are certs,

North are the team i can't get my head around. I think they are getting slightly over-rated again this season (by supporters from all clubs). This time last year there was the thought on this forum that they were premiership favourites and top 3 certs at worst. Yet the finished miserably in 7th

Honestly i think North have only just covered there loses with recruiting and with an unproven coach may not be as big an improver as expected. They are likely to see less of Nick Gill as well.

[Wedgie]

IMHO Central, Glenelg, Norwood are certs,

North are the team i can't get my head around. I think they are getting slightly over-rated again this season (by supporters from all clubs). This time last year there was the thought on this forum that they were premiership favourites and top 3 certs at worst. Yet the finished miserably in 7th

Honestly i think North have only just covered there loses with recruiting and with an unproven coach may not be as big an improver as expected. They are likely to see less of Nick Gill as well.

North's biggest and most influential recruit wont be play one game this year, he'll be sitting in the coaches box.

[whufc]

Yeah i agree, but Healy is very unproven as a senior coach, he did a good job with Central reserves, and comes across in a very professional manner. But have also heard he is not every players favourite. Can be a mates mate when it comes to certain parts of his coaching.

[redandblack]

I think North are strong contenders this year, for the following reasons;

Last year they looked like a side just going through the motions and the change of Coach should make a big difference.

Their previous perceived main weaknesses were in ruck and defence. Ackland, Schwarze and having White available to train should strengthen those spots considerably.

Their losses don't weaken them much. Of those gone, I would have thought Ward and Ivens are the biggest losses, from a talent point of view, although there may be good reasons why Ward left (?). Several of the others were either well past their best, had already retired, or were fringe league players at best. One or two, such as O'Brien, were probably disappointments.

Their key position players are very good. I'm not sure who will fill full-back (Gallman/Schwarze?), but White, Alleway and Stewart are top class. I rate Stewart very highly.

I think top spot is well up for grabs, with Central, Norwood, Glenelg and North all possibilities.

[Wedgie]

Yeah i agree, but Healy is very unproven as a senior coach, he did a good job with Central reserves, and comes across in a very professional manner. But have also heard he is not every players favourite. Can be a mates mate when it comes to certain parts of his coaching.

Its not so much the new coach its not having the old coach which will be a huge bonus.

[Wedgie]

Their key position players are very good. I'm not sure who will fill full-back (Gallman/Schwarze?), but White, Alleway and Stewart are top class. I rate Stewart very highly.

When it comes to full back and a bloke who can kick goals when moved forward don't forget about Andrew McIntyre too.
North's only perceived deficiency is backup in the ruck depending on how Dodman comes along (O'Hara is out for the entire year) and pace on the ball.
Im still concerned about Ryswyk on the wing too, hopefully Toby Stribling steps up.

[magpie in the 80's]

Centrals
Glenelg
North
Norwood
WWT

[whufc]

I think North are strong contenders this year, for the following reasons;

Last year they looked like a side just going through the motions and the change of Coach should make a big difference.

Their previous perceived main weaknesses were in ruck and defence. Ackland, Schwarze and having White available to train should strengthen those spots considerably.

Their losses don't weaken them much. Of those gone, I would have thought Ward and Ivens are the biggest losses, from a talent point of view, although there may be good reasons why Ward left (?). Several of the others were either well past their best, had already retired, or were fringe league players at best. One or two, such as O'Brien, were probably disappointments.

Their key position players are very good. I'm not sure who will fill full-back (Gallman/Schwarze?), but White, Alleway and Stewart are top class. I rate Stewart very highly.

I think top spot is well up for grabs, with Central, Norwood, Glenelg and North all possibilities.

White, Alleway and Stewart are top class i totally agree with you BUT they had them playing last year, so i don't know how much those guys are going to improve the squad one year on.

Schwarze / Ackland for my mind are very on/off and are only another injury away from being gone IMHO.

The area North lack the most is hardness around the ball, and i can't see any improvement in that area. In fact i think they have lost a few of the hardest ball winners in Ward, O'Brien, Ivens, Coulter and Wintle. This was a weakness last year and they haven't recruited in that area at all.

[redandblack]

I haven't said anywhere that those three players will improve them this year.

[Dog_ger]

Dogs

Bays

Eagles

Blues

Magpies

[topsywaldron]

Im still concerned about Ryswyk on the wing too.

Thank god he didn't finish up at Norwood.

[Punk Rooster]

Im still concerned about Ryswyk on the wing too.

Thank god he didn't finish up at Norwood.

why, 'cause he's not from a down-trodden minority group?

[hearts on fire]

Centrals
Glenelg
Sturt
Eagles
Port

[sturtpeter]

There is no way anyone can confidently predict the five yet.

I have a gut feeling Westies will improve under the astute mentorship of Collins.

Norwood have some gun recruits.

Sturt will be more than Competitive.

At this early stage I think it could be Tigers v DB GF.