NRT -( Non Rucci Topic ) - Genuine premiership contenders.

[SpringChoke]

Apolgies for starting a thread that doesn't involve Rucci but what are peoples thoughts on who are still genuine premiership chances?

GENUINE CHANCE:

AFC - Provided we can find a new coach before the finals start. :rolleyes: - I'm only joking Ruc. Lack of a quality ruckman and injuries to KPP's is still major concerns.

WC - Lack of quality talls is its achilles heel.

Syd - They actually look better than they did at this time last year.

Geelong/St Kilda - Should be genuine chances but injuries ( Saints )and loss of form ( Cats ) have them precariously poised.

Collingwood - At the start of the year I would have said no way. If they can keep all their big guns out of the sick bay they might just well give it a crack.


OF THE REST:

Melbourne, Richmond, Hawks, Western Bulldogs and Freo - Making up the numbers, not a genuine premiership chance, although one or two may be in the top 8 come finals. The best of this group would be The Doggies, Melbourne and Freo. The Doggies don't have enough quality talls to be a genuine premiership chance this year. Melbourne, in true Melbourne fashion, play like princes one week, paupers the next. They now have enough toughness ( McLean, Sylvia, Moloney, Neitz, Pickett, Miller )to go further then week 1 in this years finals but do they have the talls, especially in the backline. As for Freo, they have the cattle to be a top 4 side but just can't deliver the goods.

Essendon, Carlton, Kangas, - Rebuilding, no chance.

Port Power - Imploding, no chance.

Thoughts?

[rooboy]

Port Power-imploding.....every chance

[goal sneak]

I wouldn't write the dees off just yet. Remember we would have beat yous if it wasn't for some poor goal umpiring.

[Carl Spackler]

West Coast's bigman stocks have risen lately with Lynch finally hanging on to a few marks and Hansen fit. Lynch is a mountain of a bloke who would have led the league last year in fluffed chest marks but now looks like their missing link.

Agree with the Crows ruckmen. We will not win a Grand Final with Clarke and Biglands. May as well throw Maric and Meeson in now rather than wait until Ricciuto, Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod are too old to have a crack at it before changing anything.

[Glenno23]

I wouldn't write the dees off just yet. Remember we would have beat yous if it wasn't for some poor goal umpiring.

actually, you would have drew with us:rolleyes:

i dont agree with geelong, i dont think they will do it now. they might well make the finals, but a contender? i dont think so

agree with everyone else though springy.

[- PC -]

Apolgies for starting a thread that doesn't involve Rucci but what are peoples thoughts on who are still genuine premiership chances?

GENUINE CHANCE:

AFC - Provided we can find a new coach before the finals start. :rolleyes: - I'm only joking Ruc. Lack of a quality ruckman and injuries to KPP's is still major concerns.

WC - Lack of quality talls is its achilles heel.

Syd - They actually look better than they did at this time last year.

Geelong/St Kilda - Should be genuine chances but injuries ( Saints )and loss of form ( Cats ) have them precariously poised.

Collingwood - At the start of the year I would have said no way. If they can keep all their big guns out of the sick bay they might just well give it a crack.


[Lets be honest at this time of year only those above stand out and Geelong are really struggling to be named in that bunch

Lets write them off for now and concentrate on the rest.

I think your assessments are close , but I take the slant that one teams weakness may be a strength dependent on who they play

ie I dont think WCs perceived lack of talls will hurt them against Sydney or Adelaide but will against Collingwood

In a similar vein our injured and lack of KPPs wont hurt us against Sydney or WC but Collingwood will exploit that.

St Kildas injuries , like Adelaides may be a blessing in disguise( always look for the positives) in that they will have ''fresher'' players at the right end of the season.

It will be interesting .

Oh and Melbourne may surprise but I dont count them ...yet

[crows98]

Apolgies for starting a thread that doesn't involve Rucci but what are peoples thoughts on who are still genuine premiership chances?

GENUINE CHANCE:

AFC - Provided we can find a new coach before the finals start. :rolleyes: - I'm only joking Ruc. Lack of a quality ruckman and injuries to KPP's is still major concerns.

WC - Lack of quality talls is its achilles heel.

Syd - They actually look better than they did at this time last year.

Geelong/St Kilda - Should be genuine chances but injuries ( Saints )and loss of form ( Cats ) have them precariously poised.

Collingwood - At the start of the year I would have said no way. If they can keep all their big guns out of the sick bay they might just well give it a crack.


OF THE REST:

Melbourne, Richmond, Hawks, Western Bulldogs and Freo - Making up the numbers, not a genuine premiership chance, although one or two may be in the top 8 come finals. The best of this group would be The Doggies, Melbourne and Freo. The Doggies don't have enough quality talls to be a genuine premiership chance this year. Melbourne, in true Melbourne fashion, play like princes one week, paupers the next. They now have enough toughness ( McLean, Sylvia, Moloney, Neitz, Pickett, Miller )to go further then week 1 in this years finals but do they have the talls, especially in the backline. As for Freo, they have the cattle to be a top 4 side but just can't deliver the goods.

Essendon, Carlton, Kangas, - Rebuilding, no chance.

Port Power - Imploding, no chance.

Thoughts?

Spot on, as I can see.

I will be keeping an eye on Collingwood to see how they go and if they can keep this good form they are demonstrating all season. How will they go if they get a few injuries to Fraser and Rocca? And can this depth they have now (not sure where it was last 2 year when they had all of those injuries) will play if put under pressure.


Final 4 should be

1) WCE
2) AFC
3) Collingwood
4) Sydney

[SpringChoke]

Lets be honest at this time of year only those above stand out and Geelong are really struggling to be named in that bunch

Lets write them off for now and concentrate on the rest.

I wouldn't write them off yet. If they lose this week they are no longer a genuine premiership chance. However, if they win they go to 4-5 which is where we were at the same stage last year.



St Kildas injuries , like Adelaides may be a blessing in disguise( always look for the positives) in that they will have ''fresher'' players at the right end of the season.

Fair Point.



Oh and Melbourne may surprise but I dont count them ...yet

If they played to their pontential, are they a top 4 side? I believe they're lack of quality in their backline prevents them from being considered a top 4 team. Their midfield is fine, nice mix of grunt and class and their forward line is better than solid.

[SpringChoke]

West Coast's bigman stocks have risen lately with Lynch finally hanging on to a few marks and Hansen fit. Lynch is a mountain of a bloke who would have led the league last year in fluffed chest marks but now looks like their missing link.

Agree with the Crows ruckmen. We will not win a Grand Final with Clarke and Biglands. May as well throw Maric and Meeson in now rather than wait until Ricciuto, Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod are too old to have a crack at it before changing anything.

I wouldn't go that far. But a lack of a quality "ALL ROUND" ruckman is definately one of our main weaknesses.

[SpringChoke]

It's ironic isn't it since they won the Pre-Season cup, The Cats appear to have lost the hunger. They look as "Flat as a biscuit" - :confused:

[crows98]

It's ironic isn't it since they won the Pre-Season cup, The Cats appear to have lost the hunger. They look as "Flat as a biscuit" - :confused:
They’ve done a Carlton. :eek:


Almost.:D

[Crowked]

I cant confidently place them in order of favouritism, but my contenders are

Adelaide, WCE, Sydney, Collingwood, St.Kilda and Melbourne.

At this point I cant see any of the others winning the flag.

[Carl Spackler]

If Brisbane roll Fremantle this week to make it three in a row, where would they sit? They then take on Collingwood in Melbourne before 4 games in a row at the Gabba.

[macca23]

I cant confidently place them in order of favouritism, but my contenders are

Adelaide, WCE, Sydney, Collingwood, St.Kilda and Melbourne.

At this point I cant see any of the others winning the flag.

And I don't think there are any, with the outside exception being Geelong if they got their act together.

Personally I think that only WCE, Adelaide, Collingwood and Sydney can win it.

Injuries in the latter half of the season and finals are likely to play a big part in which of these 4 do win it

[goal sneak]

actually, you would have drew with us:rolleyes:


Actually we would have beat you. Those rabbits made two huge errors. Not only was the Davey kick 2 feet over the line before Hentchell touched it but Bruce kicked a goal that the rabbits claim touched the post. If the crows play the Dees at the G the dees would start favourite.

[Stiffy_18]

Actually we would have beat you. Those rabbits made two huge errors. Not only was the Davey kick 2 feet over the line before Hentchell touched it but Bruce kicked a goal that the rabbits claim touched the post. If the crows play the Dees at the G the dees would start favourite.
It did touch the post and if you take those rose coloured glasses off you would clearly see it. When he picked up the ball it touched the post before he could get a foot to it so technically, it was a point.

The Davey goals, I think that one was a dodgy decision.

[Kane McGoodwin]

West Coast's bigman stocks have risen lately with Lynch finally hanging on to a few marks and Hansen fit. Lynch is a mountain of a bloke who would have led the league last year in fluffed chest marks but now looks like their missing link.

Agree with the Crows ruckmen. We will not win a Grand Final with Clarke and Biglands. May as well throw Maric and Meeson in now rather than wait until Ricciuto, Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod are too old to have a crack at it before changing anything.
Good post.

1. Weagles KPP's are under-rated (ie. Hansen, Hunter & Glass).

2. I stated earlier, I believe we will struggle to win a flag with Biglands. I have seen nothing yet to change my mind. He is handy, but no Rehny.

[NikkiNoo]

and then stiffy you can also add in the mark that was paid to Robertson that was should have been a free kick to Bassett first and foremost. Robertson was able to goal from it so that is a goal 'technically' they shouldn't have.

[SpringChoke]

I reckon its safe to say with their loss on the weekend, Geelong are out of premiership contention. I would also think The Saints chances now look slim with Hayes out of the year and Hamill and Kossie on the long term injury list.

So its out of Adelaide, Collingwood, WC and Sydney. With Brisbane and Melbourne maybe the most likely of the rest.

[dyertribe]

I reckon its safe to say with their loss on the weekend, Geelong are out of premiership contention.

I don't have anything against Geelong per se, but geez I'm loving their slump - purely because of the "Premiership Favourites" tag hoisted upon them after that three-week period when they beat us in the NAB Cup Final (Supergoals the difference) and beat a pair of bunnies down at Kardinia Park.

Then much was made of their injuries, but who were they?

Playfair? Wojcinski? Riccardi? Kingsley? Harley? King? All honest players but not a gun among them.

Meanwhile, we're 7-2 without Welsh, Perrie, Hudson, Torney, Bock and now Hart - with the greatest South Australian player of all time still forced to play out of the goalsquare.

[crows98]

I don't have anything against Geelong per se, but geez I'm loving their slump - purely because of the "Premiership Favourites" tag hoisted upon them after that three-week period when they beat us in the NAB Cup Final (Supergoals the difference) and beat a pair of bunnies down at Kardinia Park.

Then much was made of their injuries, but who were they?

Playfair? Wojcinski? Riccardi? Kingsley? Harley? King? All honest players but not a gun among them.

Meanwhile, we're 7-2 without Welsh, Perrie, Hudson, Torney, Bock and now Hart - with the greatest South Australian player of all time still forced to play out of the goalsquare.

Steven Kernahan, John Platten, Barry Robran and dare I say it the great man himself Russell Ebert (sorry a KG isum) may have something to say about that DT.

[Mad Dog]

I don't have anything against Geelong per se, but geez I'm loving their slump - purely because of the "Premiership Favourites" tag hoisted upon them after that three-week period when they beat us in the NAB Cup Final (Supergoals the difference) and beat a pair of bunnies down at Kardinia Park.

Then much was made of their injuries, but who were they?

Playfair? Wojcinski? Riccardi? Kingsley? Harley? King? All honest players but not a gun among them.

Meanwhile, we're 7-2 without Welsh, Perrie, Hudson, Torney, Bock and now Hart - with the greatest South Australian player of all time still forced to play out of the goalsquare.
Interesting that out of the top 4 sides - if you apply a "player strength" rating to each of the current 22 to come up with a "team strength" percentage.....

Current team strengths are

Sydney 97% (Injuries – C.Bolton)

Collingwood 96% (Injuries – Wakelin)

West Coast 95% (Injuries – Nil)

Adelaide 66% (Injuries – Welsh, Perrie, Bock, Hart, Hudson, Torney....etc)

Very much a subjective exercise in applying player ratings but even I can see where there is most opportunity for improvement...:thumbsu:

[Stiffy_18]

West Coast will be without Judd for 3 weeks now so it would be interesting how that affects them. I don't think it will make a HUGE difference but it will make it a bit tougher for them.

[Mad Dog]

West Coast will be without Judd for 3 weeks now so it would be interesting how that affects them. I don't think it will make a HUGE difference but it will make it a bit tougher for them.
Hopefully Goody can have a big 3 weeks in front of the umpires....;)

[birdmanptr]

And I don't think there are any, with the outside exception being Geelong if they got their act together.

Personally I think that only WCE, Adelaide, Collingwood and Sydney can win it.

Injuries in the latter half of the season and finals are likely to play a big part in which of these 4 do win it

Sorry Macca but Geelong are about where i thought they would be they looked good in 04 and that was their big chance along with the Saints.Even if they got their act together 7th is about as high as they would finish

For mine Collingwood clear flag favourite then the Eagles Swans then us our problem still no key foward that you need in tight games.

[SpringChoke]

Sorry Macca but Geelong are about where i thought they would be they looked good in 04 and that was their big chance along with the Saints.Even if they got their act together 7th is about as high as they would finish

For mine Collingwood clear flag favourite then the Eagles Swans then us our problem still no key foward that you need in tight games.

Ottens must be the worst trade since errrr The King.

[Capitalist]

Ottens must be the worst trade since errrr The King.

where did they get King from ?

[- PC -]

where did they get King from ?Wayne not Steven

[dyertribe]

Steven Kernahan, John Platten, Barry Robran and dare I say it the great man himself Russell Ebert (sorry a KG isum) may have something to say about that DT.

Ken Farmer, Neil Kerley, Bernie Smith, Paul Bagshaw, Malcolm Blight, Craig Bradley...

I reckon he's already surpassed them all, and he still isn't done.

[- PC -]

Ken Farmer, Neil Kerley, Bernie Smith, Paul Bagshaw, Malcolm Blight, Craig Bradley...

I reckon he's already surpassed them all, and he still isn't done.Big call that

[Allefgib]

Big call that

How many of those made 8 AA sides? A few as captain? A best and fairest medal at the top competition in the land?

I'll concede its not a call all will make but.. I'm with DT on this one.

[- PC -]

How many of those made 8 AA sides? A few as captain? A best and fairest medal at the top competition in the land?

I'll concede its not a call all will make but.. I'm with DT on this one.And thats the issue that I have. Sure I am a grumpy old man and OldFartsClub Member 33 and back in my day football was better and players today couldnt hold a bootlace to the grea..oh where was I.

Did Kerley and co have an opportunity to make AA? AA selection was based on carnivals which were held in 3 year intervals. SA and WA players found it difficult to be recognised past Bordertown.

I have no doubt Mark Riccuto is a great footballer and the best the AFC has produced... but I have concerns in trying to come to terms with the changes football has undergone and how that affects our rating of players

I have no doubt Roo is the best footballer in 20 years...before that I will not say

[Wayne's-World]

Ken Farmer, Neil Kerley, Bernie Smith, Paul Bagshaw, Malcolm Blight, Craig Bradley...

I reckon he's already surpassed them all, and he still isn't done.
Your kidding yourself if you believe Roo has surpassed Bagshaw, Robran, Ebert, Blight, Farmer and I could name another 10.

I would however put him in the same category and probably better than Kerley who was a great great player

[SpringChoke]

Your kidding yourself if you believe Roo has surpassed Bagshaw, Robran, Ebert, Blight, Farmer and I could name another 10.
I would however put him in the same category and probably better than Kerley who was a great great player

Why?? How many games did Bagshaw, Ebert and Robran play in the best competition?? As it stands now Roo>>Blight>>>>>>>Robran, Ebert>>>>>>>>>>>>Bagshaw.

[- PC -]

Why?? How many games did Bagshaw, Ebert and Robran play in the best competition?? As it stands now Roo>>Blight>>>>>>>Robran, Ebert>>>>>>>>>>>>Bagshaw.
And this is why as I noted above this is a difficult subject to analyse

Oh and SC they did play in the best competition ;)

[SpringChoke]

And this is why as I noted above this is a difficult subject to analyse

Oh and SC they did play in the best competition ;)

In some South Australians eyes they did, the rest of the country would disagree.

[Allefgib]

And this is why as I noted above this is a difficult subject to analyse

Oh and SC they did play in the best competition ;)

no offense PC but thats just being biased and not making a valid argument. Biassed as all true South Aussies would be of course :)

[RogerRabbit69]

I think Roo has earnt a place alongside some of the greats of SA footy. IMO, he's far and away the best player the Crows have produced. If he was playing at the old SANFL level (pre-Crows), it wouldn't be unrealistic to expect him to win at least a couple of Magareys and captain the SOO side on a number of occasions. I reckon he deserves the champion tag.

[crows98]

I think Roo has earnt a place alongside some of the greats of SA footy. IMO, he's far and away the best player the Crows have produced. If he was playing at the old SANFL level (pre-Crows), it wouldn't be unrealistic to expect him to win at least a couple of Magareys and captain the SOO side on a number of occasions. I reckon he deserves the champion tag.


No doubt about that RR and Mark Ricciuto is most definitely a champion player and the best Adelaide Crows player we have produced but dyertribe said “Meanwhile, we're 7-2 without Welsh, Perrie, Hudson, Torney, Bock and now Hart - with the greatest South Australian player of all time still forced to play out of the goalsquare”

Lots of players have an equal playing résumé and some could argue that they are even better. Mark Ricciuto is in the grand final but he has not won the game yet. If he can lead the AFC to another premiership it will go along way to helping him become the best SA player ever, but he’s not there yet.

[RogerRabbit69]

Aaah. I was too slack to read back that far, just picked up the tail end of the thread.

Personally, I'm not sure I would declare he's the greatest ever - but I don't think it's a totally outlandish claim, either. He has achieved a huge amount over a long period of time.

I'm sure in 20 years or so when there's another superstar playing for Adelaide, people will be questioned for comparing him to someone like Ricciuto.

[dyertribe]

Whay-ay, debate :) :thumbsu:

WW, PC and C98, I didn't say what I said as a throwaway line and I certainly respect the achievements of all the players mentioned and your opinions on such.

But the way I see it is, Ricciuto has been deemed in the best eighteen of the undisputed best competition of the land where the cream of the crop play - a national competition where you can be playing on the Gold Coast one week, Adelaide the next and Perth after the that (big difference to Alberton, the Parade and Thebarton; or the Junction Oval, Princes Park and Punt Rd) - in eight of his seasons in the game, captaining it twice.

He has won a Brownlow, a feat only four other South Australians have achieved (Smith, Blight, Platten, Wanganeen) - and he arguably should have had another two in 1997 and 2004.

He has been club champion three times, with his groin preventing him from a fourth (and a Brownlow) in 1997.

For some icing on the cake he has played in an AFL Premiership and was an integral part of getting us to another.

And he is still just what, 30?

Crows98, I take your point re him being in the 'Grand Final and not having won yet', but by the time he is done he will have well over 300 games under his belt and at least one more AA guernsey in the cupboard - if he can get a tenth that will be a decade of recognised excellence at the highest level, an unprecedented achievement.

WW, right now Roo sits at the same table as Ebert, Farmer, Blight, Barrie and Platten. I reckon he's already well past Bagshaw.

[crows98]

Whay-ay, debate :) :thumbsu:

WW, PC and C98, I didn't say what I said as a throwaway line and I certainly respect the achievements of all the players mentioned and your opinions on such.

But the way I see it is, Ricciuto has been deemed in the best eighteen of the undisputed best competition of the land where the cream of the crop play - a national competition where you can be playing on the Gold Coast one week, Adelaide the next and Perth after the that (big difference to Alberton, the Parade and Thebarton; or the Junction Oval, Princes Park and Punt Rd) - in eight of his seasons in the game, captaining it twice.

He has won a Brownlow, a feat only four other South Australians have achieved (Smith, Blight, Platten, Wanganeen) - and he arguably should have had another two in 1997 and 2004.

He has been club champion three times, with his groin preventing him from a fourth (and a Brownlow) in 1997.

For some icing on the cake he has played in an AFL Premiership and was an integral part of getting us to another.

And he is still just what, 30?

Crows98, I take your point re him being in the 'Grand Final and not having won yet', but by the time he is done he will have well over 300 games under his belt and at least one more AA guernsey in the cupboard - if he can get a tenth that will be a decade of recognised excellence at the highest level, an unprecedented achievement.

WW, right now Roo sits at the same table as Ebert, Farmer, Blight, Barrie and Platten. I reckon he's already well past Bagshaw.


http://66.139.77.172/ubb/graemlins/weep.gif and he's ours, what a great champion he is. http://66.139.77.172/ubb/graemlins/thumbsup.gif


I just want to thank the Port Adelaide Football club for screwing the SANFL over and allowing us to go into the AFL in 1990, other wise we would never had Mark Ricciuto as an Adelaide Crows.

[Capitalist]

Whay-ay, debate :) :thumbsu:

WW, PC and C98, I didn't say what I said as a throwaway line and I certainly respect the achievements of all the players mentioned and your opinions on such.

But the way I see it is, Ricciuto has been deemed in the best eighteen of the undisputed best competition of the land where the cream of the crop play - a national competition where you can be playing on the Gold Coast one week, Adelaide the next and Perth after the that (big difference to Alberton, the Parade and Thebarton; or the Junction Oval, Princes Park and Punt Rd) - in eight of his seasons in the game, captaining it twice.

He has won a Brownlow, a feat only four other South Australians have achieved (Smith, Blight, Platten, Wanganeen) - and he arguably should have had another two in 1997 and 2004.

He has been club champion three times, with his groin preventing him from a fourth (and a Brownlow) in 1997.

For some icing on the cake he has played in an AFL Premiership and was an integral part of getting us to another.

And he is still just what, 30?

Crows98, I take your point re him being in the 'Grand Final and not having won yet', but by the time he is done he will have well over 300 games under his belt and at least one more AA guernsey in the cupboard - if he can get a tenth that will be a decade of recognised excellence at the highest level, an unprecedented achievement.

WW, right now Roo sits at the same table as Ebert, Farmer, Blight, Barrie and Platten. I reckon he's already well past Bagshaw.

Great Post - DT I completly agree - Roo won;t be AA this year but you would think next year he will get his tenth, and hopefully we can give him a flag as captain. He has also shown he can be the next D jarman of the AFC, moving to FF nad pinch hit in his later years 3-4 yrs are possible before he retires

I will add Robran pre knee >>> Ebert :D

[macca23]

WW, right now Roo sits at the same table as Ebert, Farmer, Blight, Barrie and Platten. I reckon he's already well past Bagshaw.



Way past Bagshaw IMO. And Platten too for that matter.

Roo, Robran and Ebert would be the elite 3 IMO (in that order), and while I personally agree with your argument that Roo has earned the title to be regarded as the best, I'm also prepared to accept a broader view that places these 3 on top of the heap without any attempt to split them.

They are all champions.

[RogerRabbit69]

I read somewhere a while ago that Neil Craig reckons Rick Davies is the best player he has ever seen. Thought that was interesting.