Daniel RogersHow's your team going?
August 12th 2009 04:54
Hi all. For something a bit different, I'll be summing up each of the 16 teams' performances for the year, and outlook for the future.
Starting from the top, by my final ladder predictions.
St. Kilda
Unbelievable year. In a year where everyone expected Geelong and Hawthorn to dominate, St. Kilda have finally stepped up to the plate. With a high quality team for most of the decade, they finally have the right structure. I still have my doubts about them getting over Geelong or Collingwood in September.
Geelong
Still as brilliant, classy and dominant as ever. Despite 3 losses this season, they still have the skills to go all the way. Need to watch for Collingwood and St. Kilda in September.
Collingwood
Had a slow start to the year, but once they got over their injuries they haven't dropped too many games. They should end up 16 -6, 3 wins behind Geelong and 1 and a half wins ahead of 4th. Despite finishing 3rd, they have a very good chance of knocking off one of the top 2.
Brisbane
Will finish with 14-7-1, to sneak into the top 4, and double chance category. They'll need it too, as their first final will be a trip to Melbourne to face St. Kilda. However, when they played earlier in the year, they were definately not embarrassed by the Saints, and have a good chance of doing well in September.
Adelaide
Just missing a top 4 spot, despite a very good year, probably finishing 13-9. They lost a few games they should have won, and struggled on the road. They should have a pretty good draw in the finals. In my predictions they should win first week, and could win second too, to come up against either Geelong or Collingwood in the Prelims.
Western Bulldogs
Despite their current position and recent good form, their run home has 3 of the predicted top 4 teams in the last 3 rounds. This will cost them position and momentum heading into September. They should finish 12-10. Because of where they will finish, and the build up they have to September, they will struggle in the finals, and will have to work hard to win first week, but should.
Carlton
Also should finish 12-10, but a much inferior percentage to the Bulldogs. An up and down season, but doing enough to finish in a good position. This sets up a good first round against the Bulldogs. That game could go either way. Carlton probably won't make Preliminaries though.
Hawthorn
Yes, the reigning premiers will sneak into the 8. However, that may be short lived, as this puts them up against Adelaide in Adelaide, which is no easy feat. They will have 11-11, narrowly ahead of 9th by a small percentage, but safely ahead of 10th. They will struggle in the finals though. Even if they beat Adelaide on the road, they will then come up against most likely Brisbane in Brisbane, another tough match. If they miraculously get through both those games, it will be a preliminary final against St. Kilda. Not easy.
Port Adelaide
It will come down to percentage to decide the final spot in the 8. If it is Port Adelaide, they will have a better chance than Hawthorn of knocking off the Crows in the first week, as home ground advantage goes out the window. Will also struggle in September. If they make it.
Essendon
Still a chance to make the 8, but would have to beat Freo in WA, which is possible, and then Hawthorn at the MCG, which is also possible. But would still have to rely on Carlton or North Melbourne beating Port Adelaide in Adelaide. Again, possible. So an outside shot at the most for the Bombers. They would also struggle in September. Should finish 8-13-1.
Sydney
Can't make the finals anymore. Showed some good signs against St. Kilda, but with Barry Hall out, and some top players such as O'Loughlin and Goodes on the back end of their careers, I don't think things will get better before they get worse. 8-14
West Coast
West Coast aren't all that bad a team. They are still in a bit of damage control after the Cousins/Judd evacuation. They have a good quality midfield that has just struggled to gel, until recently. With a good win over the Dogs, they are finally starting to look good again. With Naitanui showing some flare this year, I can't wait to see the Eagles next year, when he's a regular starter, and really adjusts to the game. 8-14
Fremantle
Yes Fremantle will finish 13. Not 16. 13. Should win 1, maybe even 2 in the last 3 rounds. Consistently inconsistent year to year, but you can always rely on them to finish around the bottom. Fremantle have never shown any real signs of finishing top 8 in the 13 odd years they've been in the competition, and still don't. I feel a little sorry for players such as Pavlich, Bell, Sandilands, and Tarrant. Good quality players, stuck at the wrong club for deserved success. 6-16
North Melbourne
It hasn't been a good year or 2 for the Kangaroos. Every now and again they show glimpses of the late 90's Roos, but consistently fall short. Or draw. Hopefully a new coach, a few early draft picks and a quality trade may get this team going next year. 5-16-1
Richmond
Every time I see Richmond play they excite me. The skill level at that club does not reflect their position on the ladder. They've had a lot of problems this year with coaches and injuries especially. Expect this team to really be the Tigers of old in the not too distant future. 5-1-16
Melbourne
As most would expect, this is where the ladder will end. Melbourne have struggled all year, however many glimpses they show. The game against West Coast that they won for Jim Stynes is reflective of how this team needs to play every week. Emotion driven, desperate and focused. The number of skill errors this team produce week in week out is not AFL standard, and it costs them accordingly. A new coach is in order, I believe. 4-18.
So that is that. I can see a St. Kilda vs Geelong Grand Final, which ever way you look at the possible top 8 teams and positions. As shown last year, the winner on the day won't be determined by the 25 weeks leading up to it.
As a St. Kilda supporter, I would love to see the Saints win. But as a St. Kilda supporter, I think Geelong will.
Starting from the top, by my final ladder predictions.
St. Kilda
Unbelievable year. In a year where everyone expected Geelong and Hawthorn to dominate, St. Kilda have finally stepped up to the plate. With a high quality team for most of the decade, they finally have the right structure. I still have my doubts about them getting over Geelong or Collingwood in September.
Geelong
Still as brilliant, classy and dominant as ever. Despite 3 losses this season, they still have the skills to go all the way. Need to watch for Collingwood and St. Kilda in September.
Collingwood
Had a slow start to the year, but once they got over their injuries they haven't dropped too many games. They should end up 16 -6, 3 wins behind Geelong and 1 and a half wins ahead of 4th. Despite finishing 3rd, they have a very good chance of knocking off one of the top 2.
Brisbane
Will finish with 14-7-1, to sneak into the top 4, and double chance category. They'll need it too, as their first final will be a trip to Melbourne to face St. Kilda. However, when they played earlier in the year, they were definately not embarrassed by the Saints, and have a good chance of doing well in September.
Adelaide
Just missing a top 4 spot, despite a very good year, probably finishing 13-9. They lost a few games they should have won, and struggled on the road. They should have a pretty good draw in the finals. In my predictions they should win first week, and could win second too, to come up against either Geelong or Collingwood in the Prelims.
Western Bulldogs
Carlton
Also should finish 12-10, but a much inferior percentage to the Bulldogs. An up and down season, but doing enough to finish in a good position. This sets up a good first round against the Bulldogs. That game could go either way. Carlton probably won't make Preliminaries though.
Hawthorn
Yes, the reigning premiers will sneak into the 8. However, that may be short lived, as this puts them up against Adelaide in Adelaide, which is no easy feat. They will have 11-11, narrowly ahead of 9th by a small percentage, but safely ahead of 10th. They will struggle in the finals though. Even if they beat Adelaide on the road, they will then come up against most likely Brisbane in Brisbane, another tough match. If they miraculously get through both those games, it will be a preliminary final against St. Kilda. Not easy.
Port Adelaide
It will come down to percentage to decide the final spot in the 8. If it is Port Adelaide, they will have a better chance than Hawthorn of knocking off the Crows in the first week, as home ground advantage goes out the window. Will also struggle in September. If they make it.
Essendon
Still a chance to make the 8, but would have to beat Freo in WA, which is possible, and then Hawthorn at the MCG, which is also possible. But would still have to rely on Carlton or North Melbourne beating Port Adelaide in Adelaide. Again, possible. So an outside shot at the most for the Bombers. They would also struggle in September. Should finish 8-13-1.
Sydney
Can't make the finals anymore. Showed some good signs against St. Kilda, but with Barry Hall out, and some top players such as O'Loughlin and Goodes on the back end of their careers, I don't think things will get better before they get worse. 8-14
West Coast
West Coast aren't all that bad a team. They are still in a bit of damage control after the Cousins/Judd evacuation. They have a good quality midfield that has just struggled to gel, until recently. With a good win over the Dogs, they are finally starting to look good again. With Naitanui showing some flare this year, I can't wait to see the Eagles next year, when he's a regular starter, and really adjusts to the game. 8-14
Fremantle
Yes Fremantle will finish 13. Not 16. 13. Should win 1, maybe even 2 in the last 3 rounds. Consistently inconsistent year to year, but you can always rely on them to finish around the bottom. Fremantle have never shown any real signs of finishing top 8 in the 13 odd years they've been in the competition, and still don't. I feel a little sorry for players such as Pavlich, Bell, Sandilands, and Tarrant. Good quality players, stuck at the wrong club for deserved success. 6-16
North Melbourne
It hasn't been a good year or 2 for the Kangaroos. Every now and again they show glimpses of the late 90's Roos, but consistently fall short. Or draw. Hopefully a new coach, a few early draft picks and a quality trade may get this team going next year. 5-16-1
Richmond
Every time I see Richmond play they excite me. The skill level at that club does not reflect their position on the ladder. They've had a lot of problems this year with coaches and injuries especially. Expect this team to really be the Tigers of old in the not too distant future. 5-1-16
Melbourne
As most would expect, this is where the ladder will end. Melbourne have struggled all year, however many glimpses they show. The game against West Coast that they won for Jim Stynes is reflective of how this team needs to play every week. Emotion driven, desperate and focused. The number of skill errors this team produce week in week out is not AFL standard, and it costs them accordingly. A new coach is in order, I believe. 4-18.
So that is that. I can see a St. Kilda vs Geelong Grand Final, which ever way you look at the possible top 8 teams and positions. As shown last year, the winner on the day won't be determined by the 25 weeks leading up to it.
As a St. Kilda supporter, I would love to see the Saints win. But as a St. Kilda supporter, I think Geelong will.
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