pavsbootlace
Cancelled
I've been interested by several comments made in other threads on this board about Port being one of the benchmarks for 2015. So, I'm hoping to get a few responses on who people think are the real premiership threats.
The way I see it, there are about 6 teams each year that have a real chance of winning the flag. There's usually 2 or 3 with a very strong chance and another few would need a few things to go their way to take home the cup.
In my opinion at the beginning of 2015, I don't see anything changing significantly from last year...
Definite Contenders - Hawthorn and Sydney were the teams to beat in 2014 and I can't see any significant reason for either team to drop off.
Outside Chances - Port seem to have a very good reputation on here, but it's worth considering what happened late in the H&A season when they were a few players down. They had all their key players on deck for finals, but you can't guarantee that will happen next year. Like Freo, Port are reliant on having their best players fit and cannot cover injuries like Hawthorn did in 2014. Interesing fact: Port have won only 6 of their last 14 games. Also, in their last 5 games against top 6 teams they've won 1 and lost 4. A young, improving side, but still only an outside chance, IMO.
Outside Chance - Freo. Despite losing a final at home to Port, I feel that with our best 22 on the park we're a better team than Port. Problem is, there some injury prone old blokes on our list which means I don't expect to see our best 22 on the park this year. We'd need good run but are still a chance.
Outside Chance - North have a few old blokes on their list as well and their finals performance against Sydney was insipid, but I still think they have the talent to get their if the chips fall their way.
Outside chance - Geelong. I've been trying to write them off for years, but they just keep coming.
I can't see anyone from outside the top 6 winning the flag next year.
So who do you think are in the box seat? And who is at the next level?
The way I see it, there are about 6 teams each year that have a real chance of winning the flag. There's usually 2 or 3 with a very strong chance and another few would need a few things to go their way to take home the cup.
In my opinion at the beginning of 2015, I don't see anything changing significantly from last year...
Definite Contenders - Hawthorn and Sydney were the teams to beat in 2014 and I can't see any significant reason for either team to drop off.
Outside Chances - Port seem to have a very good reputation on here, but it's worth considering what happened late in the H&A season when they were a few players down. They had all their key players on deck for finals, but you can't guarantee that will happen next year. Like Freo, Port are reliant on having their best players fit and cannot cover injuries like Hawthorn did in 2014. Interesing fact: Port have won only 6 of their last 14 games. Also, in their last 5 games against top 6 teams they've won 1 and lost 4. A young, improving side, but still only an outside chance, IMO.
Outside Chance - Freo. Despite losing a final at home to Port, I feel that with our best 22 on the park we're a better team than Port. Problem is, there some injury prone old blokes on our list which means I don't expect to see our best 22 on the park this year. We'd need good run but are still a chance.
Outside Chance - North have a few old blokes on their list as well and their finals performance against Sydney was insipid, but I still think they have the talent to get their if the chips fall their way.
Outside chance - Geelong. I've been trying to write them off for years, but they just keep coming.
I can't see anyone from outside the top 6 winning the flag next year.
So who do you think are in the box seat? And who is at the next level?