2008 Premiership Ladder

[CaptainDangerfield]

Here it is people. You can start placing your bets for 2008. This is how the ladder will look at the end of the 2008 minor round:


Geelong – The Grand Final massacre of the Power chokers was one of the most awesome displays of football I have ever seen. With Hawkins and the hugely gifted Varcoe waiting in the wings, another few years as genuine premiership contenders is in store for the Cats.

St Kilda – Have had a shocking run with injury over the last 2 years. IMO will be a top 4 chance. Highly unlikely they will be there for the last day in Sept though. When fit, their top 8 players are as good as any in the competition. We all saw with Port Power last year how far having a quality 1st tier core players can take you, even if your players ranked 9-22 are average.

Hawthorn – Probably a quality tall backman and ruckman away from Geelong like dominance. Their biggest enemy in 2008 will be themselves. Their Freo like undisciplined game in the final against the Kangas (obsession with targeting Brent Harvey ) was one the more bizarre coaching instructions I have seen in a long time. The jury should still be out on Clarksons ability.

Sydney – Shocking run with injury in 2008. Still capable of beating anyone on their day. Possible top 4, possible premiership chance.

Port Power – 2008 and 2009 will be Ports last chance to win a premiership before their next rebuild. Rely too much on Lade, the B's and the Cornes'.

Fremantle – I’m expecting them to bounce back in 2008. Given the unpredictable nature of Freo, they could finish anywhere from 2nd -14th. Genuine top 4 chance.

West Coast – Even without Judd and Cousins they will still be around the mark.

Western Bulldogs – The likes of Welsh and Hudson will add plenty. Possible top 4, not a genuine premiership chance.



Kangas - Amazing 2007 season. Their lack of experience and body strength were found out in an embarrassing finals performance.

Collingwood – Along with Adelaide, the Woods are my big slider for 2008.

Adelaide – The first year of at least a 5 year rebuild. Can’t see much finals for us for awhile, yet I can’t wait to see how our youngsters go in 2008. Exciting times ahead.

Brisbane – At the risk of stating the obvious, still rely to much on Brown.

Melbourne.

Carlton – The rebuild continues.

Essendon – Probably the worst Bombers list they have had in the last 20 years.

Richmond – Once again, just making up the numbers. Basket case.

 

[Farmy]

Geelong

Collingwood

Kangas

Adelaide

WestCoast

Hawthorn

Brisbane

Port Power

Western Bulldogs

Fremantle

Sydney

St.Kilda

Melbourne.

Carlton

Essendon

Richmond

The only sure thing is that Adelaide are going to be top 4.

 

[that_dood]

Here it is people. You can start placing your bets for 2008. This is how the ladder will look at the end of the 2008 minor round:


Geelong – The Grand Final massacre of the Power chokers was one of the most awesome displays of football I have ever seen. With Hawkins and the hugely gifted Varcoe waiting in the wings, another few years as genuine premiership contenders is in store for the Cats.

St Kilda – Have had a shocking run with injury over the last 2 years. IMO will be a top 4 chance. Highly unlikely they will be there for the last day in Sept though. When fit, their top 8 players are as good as any in the competition. We all saw with Port Power last year how far having a quality 1st tier core players can take you, even if your players ranked 9-22 are average.

Hawthorn – Probably a quality tall backman and ruckman away from Geelong like dominance. Their biggest enemy in 2008 will be themselves. Their Freo like undisciplined game in the final against the Kangas (obsession with targeting Brent Harvey ) was one the more bizarre coaching instructions I have seen in a long time. The jury should still be out on Clarksons ability.

Sydney – Shocking run with injury in 2008. Still capable of beating anyone on their day. Possible top 4, possible premiership chance.

Port Power – 2008 and 2009 will be Ports last chance to win a premiership before their next rebuild. Rely too much on Lade, the B's and the Cornes'.

Fremantle – I’m expecting them to bounce back in 2008. Given the unpredictable nature of Freo, they could finish anywhere from 2nd -14th. Genuine top 4 chance.

West Coast – Even without Judd and Cousins they will still be around the mark.

Western Bulldogs – The likes of Welsh and Hudson will add plenty. Possible top 4, not a genuine premiership chance.



Kangas - Amazing 2007 season. Their lack of experience and body strength were found out in an embarrassing finals performance.

Collingwood – Along with Adelaide, the Woods are my big slider for 2008.

Adelaide – The first year of at least a 5 year rebuild. Can’t see much finals for us for awhile, yet I can’t wait to see how our youngsters go in 2008. Exciting times ahead.

Brisbane – At the risk of stating the obvious, still rely to much on Brown.

Melbourne.

Carlton – The rebuild continues.

Essendon – Probably the worst Bombers list they have had in the last 20 years.

Richmond – Once again, just making up the numbers. Basket case.

Thats a little pessimistic for December. Crows to play finals hopefully.

 

[AC07]

Here it is people. You can start placing your bets for 2008. This is how the ladder will look at the end of the 2008 minor round:



Adelaide – The first year of at least a 5 year rebuild. Can’t see much finals for us for awhile, yet I can’t wait to see how our youngsters go in 2008. Exciting times ahead.

Over reaction.

Crows Top 8 for sure *unless injuries kill us again. Too many players will step up. Our club has shown that skills and progress can come quickly and they will IMO.

*Definate top 8 possible top 4.

 

[AC07]

Here it is people. You can start placing your bets for 2008. This is how the ladder will look at the end of the 2008 minor round:

Adelaide – The first year of at least a 5 year rebuild.

I am with Craig and the club on this. I don't understand the whole 5 year rebuild thing. To me it's prehistoric thinking. The club has simply replenished it's squad. Clubs and players are always building the team to make it better. This year we have more than before which could turn out to be a positive in the short term. What's a rebuild anyway

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I am with Craig and the club on this. I don't understand the whole 5 year rebuild thing. To me it's prehistoric thinking. The club has simply replenished it's squad. Clubs and players are always building the team to make it better. This year we have more than before which could turn out to be a possitive short term. What's a rebuild anyway

"club has simply replenished it's squad - Great comment, you would make a good politician. We've lost our inspirational captain, our 1st choice ruckman and our best forward. Not to mention three of our toughest players in Bode, Mattner and Torney.

Just on the 5 year rebuild comment, do you think we will be a GENUINE premiership chance in the next 2 years?

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Geelong



[/B]The only sure thing is that Adelaide are going to be top 4.

I agree. Ruckmen and forwards are overrated.

 

[Farmy]

I agree. Ruckmen and forwards are overrated.

You'll see.

Bookmark my post for the end of the 2008 home and away season.

 

[Tas]

Kangas - Amazing 2007 season. Their lack of experience and body strength were found out in an embarrassing finals performance.

People like to focus on the losses, but we still won a Semi-Final against Hawthorn despite having a fair few injuries, particularly to our forward line, something that people like to forget.

The better teams will always maul the inexperienced sides that can't field their best team. It was disappointing that we dropped our heads but Port lost to the Cats by more than we did yet I never hear the same kind of criticism about their performance.

I think 2008 will be another even year, it is going to come down to winning the winnable games. It may sound overly simplistic but we made the top 4 because we only dropped one game we could have and should won. A few others were close margins but we weren't really ever in the picture. Collingwood and Hawks also had very good years but they dropped some real shockers over the year and ultimately was the reason we finished higher.

It will come down to which teams make too many mistakes and I feel that is impossible to predict.

 

[AC07]

"club has simply replenished it's squad - Great comment, you would make a good politician. We've lost our inspirational captain, our 1st choice ruckman and our best forward. Not to mention three of our toughest players in Bode, Mattner and Torney.

Just on the 5 year rebuild comment, do you think we will be a GENUINE premiership chance in the next 2 years?

Aren't clubs always doing that. The term rebuild gives the impression that our purpose is not to win premierships but to just 'rebuild'. We are better than that. We have added some players like we do every year. Just a few more this year. We still have experience and tough players.

We have a new inspirational Captain.

With Ruckman we will have to wait and see. Just coz Huddo is gone doesn't mean the world has ended and we are no chance.

If we hold up with injuries and progress our players at the same pace we normally do then we are a definate Premiership contender every year.

 

[Hawkers Hero]

Not a bad list, personally id have the Pies and the Lions in the 8 at the expense of the Dogs and Swans.

Agree with your bottom 4 though - lock it in

 

[maccas_no1]

Geelong

Collingwood

Kangas

Adelaide

WestCoast

Hawthorn

Brisbane

Port Power

Western Bulldogs

Fremantle

Sydney

St.Kilda

Melbourne.

Carlton

Essendon

Richmond

The only sure thing is that Adelaide are going to be top 4.

I like you optimisim but top four is not where Adelaide will be 5th to 10th is being realistic

 

[Bombers1234]

Essendon – Probably the worst Bombers list they have had in the last 20 years.

seeing as we won 10 games last year and have added to our list with good drafting this year, thats a preety dumb statement.

 

[Farmy]

I like you optimisim but top four is not where Adelaide will be 5th to 10th is being realistic

We had a horrible injury run this year, if our injury run is better next year the team will be better next year.

2008 season will be a vast improvement on the 2007 season.

 

[maccas_no1]

Geelong, Collingwood, Kangaroos, Port Power, Bulldogs, Hawthorn, St Kilda, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Carlton, West Coast, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne and Richmond.

 

[Macca19]

Without looking at a fixture for next year:

Geelong
Hawthorn
WestCoast
Collingwood
Western Bulldogs
Port Adelaide
St.Kilda
Fremantle
---------------------
Adelaide
Kangas
Brisbane
Melbourne.
Sydney
Essendon
Carlton
Richmond

 

[maccas_no1]

We had a horrible injury run this year, if our injury run is better next year the team will be better next year.

2008 season will be a vast improvement on the 2007 season.

I made the same prediction last year and I am far more optimistic about 2008 than I was about 2007 forwardline is still a HUGE issue and 'on paper' looks lees capable than last year.

 

[Crowked]

My final ladder positions
Geelong
Collingwood
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
WestCoast
Carlton
St.Kilda
Port Adelaide
Sydney
Adelaide
Essendon
Kangas
Brisbane
Melbourne
Richmond

My predictions
For the first time in a very long time I can see an all Victorian top 4. Also predicting a final series without an SA team for the first time, well, ever perhaps???. Carton are my big improver this year, rising to a finals appearance on the back of Judd, Stevens and Gibbs. Of course this will likely be the first season they werent just playing for draft picks after round 5 in a very long time. The great tank fest is over. Richmond and Melbourne to be in the cellar all season (Richmond might not win a single game, theyre crapola). Kangas, Crows and Power to free fall from the lofty heights of recent times.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Without looking at a fixture for next year:

Geelong
Hawthorn
WestCoast
Collingwood
Western Bulldogs
Port Adelaide
St.Kilda
Fremantle
---------------------
Adelaide
Kangas
Brisbane
Melbourne.
Sydney
Essendon
Carlton
Richmond

Sydney bottom 4?????

I'm surprised people rate Collingwood so high. Their rucks are average at best. Their midfield is still developing yet is currently also average and their backline without Clement looks very ordinary. IMO they overachieved in 2007 more so than even Port. Granted they have some quality kids but those kids are still a few years away from being strong/experienced enough to be a Genuine threat.

Collingwoods strengths is its forward line and its coaching dept. However its main strength is still the draw it is gifted every year.

 

[noddy]

I don't much care where we finish.

But where ever that is we will win the flag.

hic-up, hic-up

 

[Rise_up_Stiffy]

Geelong
Hawthorn
St.Kilda
West Coast
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Fremantle
Adelaide
---------------------
Brisbane
Roos
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Carlton
Melbourne
Richmond
Essendon

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I don't much care where we finish.

But where ever that is we will win the flag.

hic-up, hic-up

Starting early this xmas Nod?

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Geelong
Hawthorn
St.Kilda
West Coast
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Fremantle
Adelaide
---------------------
Brisbane
Roos
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Carlton
Melbourne
Richmond
Essendon

On second thoughts, do West Coast still have the cattle to win a flag? You would think alot would have to go right.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

seeing as we won 10 games last year and have added to our list with good drafting this year, thats a preety dumb statement.

I don't think there would be too many people outside of Windy Hill that would argue with me. If your 22 isn't the worst of the last 20 years your midfield definately is.

 

[srv23]

On second thoughts, do West Coast still have the cattle to win a flag? You would think alot would have to go right.

I think they have the players to challenge for it again - Judd was nowhere near the Judd of old last season because of his injuries and Cousins missed a fair bit due to his extracurricular activities. So the impact of losing those 2 won't be quite as big as it would have been say end of 2006. Cox is still just about the best ruckmen in the comp and their key position players are pretty similar to when they were considered near certs for top 4. They still have the likes of Kerr (although he's going to have to get used to getting a lot more attention next year) and Stenglein in the middle. In addition they keep finding young midfielders who can step in and be competitive eg Priddis last year. Throw in some of their new draftees like Ebert who can step into AFL footy next year, the fact that they're nearly unbeatable at Subi and I still think they'll be a pretty formidable unit - I certainly think they'll be in the 8.

It's unfortunate cause I hate them Why oh why can't we beat them???