2012 Predictions

[Mr Meeseeks]

Allright then.

1. Hawthorn
2. Collingwood
3. St Kilda
4. Geelong
5. Fremantle
6. Sydney
7. Carlton
8. West Coast

9. Essendon
10. North Melbourne
11. Melbourne
12. Richmond
13. Gold Coast
14. Western Bulldogs
15. Adelaide
16. Port Adelaide
17. Brisbane
18. GWS

 

[Top_4_Tiger]

If I thought there would be one I would have put it in (and I did as you pointed out with the Saints). Would you like me to re-do it with the changes you think will happen?

It's an opinion - not fact, an opinion (just like yours). I'm sorry if you don't agree, but this is how I see it.

I'm questioning that opinion in relation to the regularity in which the ladder is never a small shuffle of 2 spots per club. The opinion of 95% of the people in this thread contradicts history, or, historical 'fact'.

History doesn't always repeat, but it's highly likely that everybody predicting no change apart from 1 or 2 win differences will be very wrong.

It just doesn't make sense IMO.

 

[Ron The Bear]

I'm questioning that opinion in relation to the regularity in which the ladder is never a small shuffle of 2 spots per club. The opinion of 95% of the people in this thread contradicts history, or, historical 'fact'.

History doesn't always repeat, but it's highly likely that everybody predicting no change apart from 1 or 2 win differences will be very wrong.

It just doesn't make sense IMO.

   1965                1966

 1 St.Kilda          1 Collingwood (+1)
 2 Collingwood       2 St.Kilda (-1)
 3 Geelong           3 Geelong (-)
 4 Essendon          4 Essendon (-)
   ---------------     ---------------
 5 Richmond          5 Richmond (-)
 6 Carlton           6 Carlton (-)
 7 Melbourne         7 North Melbourne (+2)
 8 South Melbourne   8 South Melbourne (-)
 9 North Melbourne   9 Hawthorn (+3)
10 Footscray        10 Footscray (-)
11 Fitzroy          11 Melbourne (-4)
12 Hawthorn         12 Fitzroy (-1)

 

[hufus]

One year from the decades, and even it had a shift of four places which in relative terms with the expanded league would be 6 places.

Then again, my prediction had little change, so I'll shut up now

 

[JHF1870]

1. Collingwood (Will be even harder to beat)
2. Hawthorn (Should come back bigger and better)
3. Geelong (Will begin to slow down, premiership contender still)
4. Carlton (Will finally crack the top 4)
5. Sydney (Strong list with several exciting youngsters)
6. West Coast (Won't be able to replicate efforts this season, good year none the less)
7. Nth Melbourne (Will finally play finals)
8. Richmond (Have some of the most exciting prospects. Will finally play finals)
-----------------------------------------------
9. Melbourne (Will improve dramatically under this new coaching team)
10. Essendon (Second year blues for James Hird)
11. Freo (Ross Lyon will have minimal influence on this team)
12. Saints (Scott Watters will take time)
13. Dogs (Brendan McCartney ditto)
14. Adelaide (Brenton Sanderson ditto)
15. Lions (Little to no improvement)
16. Port Adelaide (No explanation neccesary)
17. Gold Coast (No explanation neccesary)
18. GWS (No explanation neccesary)

Premiers - Collingwood
NAB Cup - Carlton
GF - Hawks VS Pies
Brownlow - Pendlebury, Smokie Moloney
Coleman - Franklin
Rising Star - Will Hoskin Elliot

Wow you're a huge risk taker aren't you!

 

[PowerOfThePussy]

I'm questioning that opinion in relation to the regularity in which the ladder is never a small shuffle of 2 spots per club. The opinion of 95% of the people in this thread contradicts history, or, historical 'fact'.

History doesn't always repeat, but it's highly likely that everybody predicting no change apart from 1 or 2 win differences will be very wrong.

It just doesn't make sense IMO.

Dude, again it's my opinion. You did your ladder, I did mine, others did theirs.

Lets assess them at the end of next season if you like and you can have a go at me then if I'm way out, but for now I will be sticking with my opinion because well, it's mine.

Don't quite understand why it bothers you tbh. Anything is possible at this stage.

 

[tacopavlich]

1. Collingwood (Will be even harder to beat)
2. Hawthorn (Should come back bigger and better)
3. Geelong (Will begin to slow down, premiership contender still)
4. Carlton (Will finally crack the top 4)
5. Sydney (Strong list with several exciting youngsters)
6. West Coast (Won't be able to replicate efforts this season, good year none the less)
7. Nth Melbourne (Will finally play finals)
8. Richmond (Have some of the most exciting prospects. Will finally play finals)
-----------------------------------------------
9. Melbourne (Will improve dramatically under this new coaching team)
10. Essendon (Second year blues for James Hird)
11. Freo (Ross Lyon will have minimal influence on this team)
12. Saints (Scott Watters will take time)
13. Dogs (Brendan McCartney ditto)
14. Adelaide (Brenton Sanderson ditto)
15. Lions (Little to no improvement)
16. Port Adelaide (No explanation neccesary)
17. Gold Coast (No explanation neccesary)
18. GWS (No explanation neccesary)

Premiers - Collingwood
NAB Cup - Carlton
GF - Hawks VS Pies
Brownlow - Pendlebury, Smokie Moloney
Coleman - Franklin
Rising Star - Will Hoskin Elliot

Lol turn it up

 

[The Night Shift]

Lol turn it up

C'mon..Schwab "won" them Clark. Didn't you know he's as good as Buddy.

 

[dajesmac]

I predict Brisbane to surprise a ton of people in 2012. Underrated list, could play finals. Slightly ahead of Adelaide who will improve big time.

 

[aflcliche]

Collingwood v Carlton Grand Final.

 

[AndyNicka]

1. Collingwood
2. Hawthorn
3. Geelong
4. Carlton
5. Sydney
6. West Coast
7. Fremantle
8. St.Kilda
---------------------------------------
9. Bulldogs
10. Adelaide
11. North Melbourne
12. Essendon
13. Melbourne
14. Richmond
15. Brisbane
16. Gold Coast
17. Port Adelaide
18. GWS

 

[Slattery_20]

1 Cats
2 Blues
3 Collingwood
4 Hawks
5 Freo
6 WCE
7 Syd
8 Ess

9 North
10 Rich
11 Saints
12 WBD
13 Crows
14 Melbourne
15 GC
16 Bris
17 PA
18 GWS

 

[Firrito24]

1. Collingwood
2. West Coast
3. Hawthorn
4. Sydney
5. Geelong
6. Carlton
7. North Melbourne
8. Essendon

9. Brisbane
10. Fremantle
11. Western Bulldogs
12. Richmond
13. St.Kilda
14. Melbourne
15. Adelaide
16. Gold Coast
17. Port Adelaide
18. Western Sydney

 

[BrandonG]

anybody have new predictions with the fixtures being released now ? fairl confident with my teams draw

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I predict Brisbane to surprise a ton of people in 2012. Underrated list, could play finals. Slightly ahead of Adelaide who will improve big time.

Agree; they're my 'bottom 4 to top 4 pattern' choice.

 

[strategy]

My top 8 for 2012 .
Premiers : Hawthorn
Brownlow: Murphy ( Carlton )
First coach sacked : Primus

Cats
Hawks
Eagles
Collingwood
Carlton
Fremantle
Essendon
Sydney


Saints
North
Dogs
Crows
Dees
Tigers
Lions
Suns
Port
Giants

 

[BrandonG]

After going through and looking at the fixture for 2012 and marking down who would win which matches i have come up with a new ladder! this is just of my own rating of each teams lists (will change after draft) and excluding injuries!

1st Hawthorn 20 Wins - Have a Hard start to the year but i think they will be the team to beat come finals next year! where robbed this year

2nd Carlton 19 Wins - yes i may be biased but i believe in our list we could switch with Geelong in 3rd!

3rd Geelong 18 Wins - they have some quality youth coming through and with the veterans guiding them the future doesn't look as bleak as some might think!

4th Collingwood 17 Wins - hard to tell weather the introduction of Buckley will affect them ! personally i think it will which is why they are 4th

5th Fremantle 15 Wins - can switch with Westcoast . i think Lyon will help them win a lot more games in Melbourne

6th Westcoast 15 Wins - i Don't think there senior players will have a repeat year but there young guns in Gaff,Shuey,Nic Nat and S.Selwood will keep them up there!

7th Saints 14 Wins - Have another year in them should get off to a better start to the year

8th Essendon 13 Wins - Looked extremely promising at the start of 2011 before injuries struck ! could rise up above saints but cant see them being higher then freo/westcoast

9th North 12 wins - Very unlucky not to make the 8 ! could break through but the 8 interstate games make this difficult!

10th Brisbane 11 wins - i don't mind there list they pushed a few teams at points last season

11th Sydney 9 wins - This one surprised me once i was done selecting the winners. i do rate Sydney and i would actually be surprised to see them this low . Will definitely be proven wrong with this one

12th Adelaide 8 Wins - Don't see to much improvement for them in 2012 but will still rise 2 or so places higher in 2012

13th Bulldogs 8 wins - Much the same as Sydney will most likely finish higher

14th Melbourne 7 Wins - very similar year to there last will be another roller coaster ride for there fans!

15th Richmond 5 Wins - Have a fairly decent midfield but that's where it ends , will probably finish higher then this but as for now this is where i have them

16th Gold Coast 3 Wins - playing it safe with the bottom 3! Gold Coast could finish much higher compared to port and gws

17th Port 2 wins- Will avoid the wooden spoon once more but that is no coarse for celebration. Gold coast has alot more improvment in them compared to port

18th GWS 1 win - Will get a win but won't be as impressive as gold coasts first year !


Carlton and hawks to play it off in the GF and could go either way honestly , Geelong could replace either team also!

Nab cup will be any of the top 4 in my prediction


Would be great to have a year of football as close as this with only a game or 2 separating almost every team!

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

anybody have new predictions with the fixtures being released now ? fairl confident with my teams draw

Yep. I usually don't make predictions because it's either a rehash of this year's ladder with a random team selected to rise/drop. In other words, how do you predict the future, right?

But, I decided to do one this year, now that the fixtures are out. I wanted a bit of basis to decide how I'd rank teams. Surprised that some drop, some rise, a lot similar to this year, though I did it all by going through game by game.

Now, I fully expect some upsets. I haven't factored these in (how can you?). So here's my assessment of 2012. Will be fun to see how it pans out:

1. Collingwood (approx 17-19 wins). Can't see them being out of any game. Probably around 15 games they "should" win, with another 7 being 50/50 contests. Only away from Victoria to Brisbane, Adelaide, GWS, Sydney and West Coast. I expect at least 2 wins from that block. Only 50/50 Vic games are against Hawks and Cats IMO. Just too good for the rest of the Vic sides.

2. Hawthorn (approx 16-18 wins). I see 2 losses against West Coast and Sydney away. The rest are more winnable. Only really games against Pies, Cats and Blues that could go either way. Should canter in the rest and be a massive flag threat.

3. Geelong (aprrox 16-18 wins). Is the hunger still there? Maybe. Can't find a game that I'd pencil in as a loss, though. Have a few more 50/50 games than the Hawks (including 2 Perth games and I think the Adelaide game will be a challenge). Just pipped for top 2, though. Still better than most.

4. Carlton (approx 14-16 wins). Expected to be top 4 in 2012 by most, and I can't see why not. Only games I can't see them winning are against Collingwood. Have a lot more 50-50 type games than the Hawks and Cats, which hurts their top 2 aspirations, however. Lack of key positions players will continue to be their Achilles.

5. Sydney (approx 13-15 wins). I would say a lot keep expecting Sydney to drop, and on face value, I'd agree. But they are always in the contest, which is why you can never discount them from pushing up the ladder. A lot of their away games are winnables, which is what you want as a non-Vic side. Only really see 4 probable losses to the Hawks, Eagles, Carlton and Cats away. Could be a surprise top 4 threat, but I have them settling in 5th spot.

6. Fremantle (approx 13-15 wins). Good draw for the Dockers, and with Ross Lyon in charge, this could finally be their time to build towards that first flag. Only really 3 games I wouldn't have them with a good chance of winning, which tells me if they stay fit, they're a good side. Injuries killed their 2011, so Ross the Boss will want to have everything cherry ripe as this side can easily discard this year as an anomoly.

7. West Coast (approx 13-15 wins). Also have a good draw. Like Sydney, a lot of their away games are winnables and they get the tougher teams at home where they can go in with home ground advantage. In fact, the only 2011 top 8 sides they don't play at Subiaco are themselves and Essendon. Could easily finish much higher, but I have them settling in around 7th spot (I'm hoping for much higher!).

8. Adelaide (approx 11-13 wins). This one surprised me. I don't think their squad is the worst, nor do I think it's the best. But their draw is irresistibly good. Get the 3 worst sides in the comp (GWS, Gold Coast and Port) twice each and play 3 of this year's top 4 at home (Geelong, Collingwood and West Coast). Probably the best run of the mid-tier sides.

9. Essendon (approx 10-12 wins). I think the Bombers will be thereabouts again next season. Not quite good enough to be in the best 3rd of the comp, but definitely have the potential to beat almost anyone. Consistency and injuries are their main concerns. Need to field close to their best 22 as their depth is questionable. Will get better, but not enough to challenge. Should make the 8 but I have them just missing due to Adelaide's amazing draw.

10. North Melbourne (approx 9-11 wins). About half of North's games are in that 50-50 bracket. This will be their key in 2012. Win a good portion of those to go with the 5 wins I think they are monties for, and it's finals. Split them and they may just miss out. Would not be surprised to see them pinch a spot in the 8, but my numbers have them falling a game or two short.

11. St. Kilda (approx 9-11 wins). The big dropper, to counter Adelaide's rise. There had to be someone and it's the Saints. Stars are getting older. New coach may inspire them, but they have a lot of tough road trips. The caveat is that they only play this year's top 4 once each and they can set themselves up for a good year as their first 5 games are very winnable, so if they can be the best of the next batch, they could even challenge for top 4. However, I just don't see it happening.

12. Western Bulldogs (approx 7-9 wins). Like North, have a lot of 50-50 games against teams that are pushing for a spot in the 8. But a lot of tough games that will push their loss column up and just not enough in the "should win" bracket. Road trips against Adelaide, Fremantle, Sydney and even Brisbane will be tough. Also can't see them knocking off Collingwood, Geelong (get them at Ethiad and in Geelong!), Hawks or Blues in 2012.

13. Brisbane (approx 7-9 wins). I think Brisbane will improve, particularly their home record. Get a lot of winnable home games, with only Geelong and Collingwood being the ones where I don't give them a show. Have the capability to rise, but I think it will be a baby steps rise. More chance for finals in 2013-14.

14. Richmond (approx 6-8 wins). Wow. My honest opinion of Richmond is they are an improving side. But so are many others. Similar to North and the Bulldogs in that half of their games are 50-50 contests. They have a tough start to the year so they really need to go on the attack and surprise a few in order to challenge for finals. Realistically don't see a pencilled in win until they play GWS in round 12. Make or break year for the Tigers. Will they continue to languish or is this the year they make their move? Tough draw tells me Hardwick's in trouble.

15. Melbourne (approx 6-8 wins). Another side that is probably just the last of the mid-tier sides - capable of pinching a finals spot but likelihood is that they won't. Have more pencilled in wins than the Tigers but probably more pencilled in losses to counter that. From rounds 5 to 11 I can't see them winning a game. Maybe the Essendon game, but they are going to be playing catch-up unless they can somehow stun a few sides in those couple of months. Their draw after their round 12 bye is much more favourable, so every chance they can make the 8. However I don't think May/June is going to be kind to them.

16. Port Adelaide (approx 4-6 wins). Hard to find wins for Port. Should beat Richmond and GWS at home but even the Gold Coast away game I have my doubts over. Always a chance in a Showdown and can be stubborn at AAMI against visiting sides. Have a feeling they need a new coach and the Adelaide Oval move will help them when it happens. Might be a good year to go for a start of first round priority pick as well.

17. Gold Coast (approx 3-5 wins). Actually think they're better than Port. Was impressed that they can be competitive in so many games, only to fade away. They'll get better. Probably underrating them based on 2011 results but hard to find pencil in wins. Really only GWS games at this stage.

18. Greater Western Sydney (approx 0-2 wins). Really can't see them doing as well as the Suns did this year, which could mean lean pickings in terms of wins. But it's all about the paycheck... I mean development... for the Giants players. Won't be surprised to see them scrape in an upset or 2. But a very good chance to go winless just the same.

So, there's be my long winded predictions. Makes for some mouth watering first week finals, so let's bite the bullet and predict that (with a bit of fun... not at all serious compared to the above):

Qualifying Final - Hawthorn v Geelong (MCG Friday night)
Another classic and the Hawks' still can't get over the Cats. The reigning premiers are at their absolute best. Buddy scores 9 but the Cats win by 2 points. Hawks players shattered.

Qualifying Final - Collingwood v Carlton (MCG Saturday)
Carlton stun everyone by knocking off the Magpies by 13 points in perfect conditions at the MCG. Judd is best on ground and finally winning a close final prompts Ratten to do a nudie run after the siren.

Elimination Final - Sydney v Adelaide (ANZ Stadium Saturday night)
A tough game but Sydney account for Adelaide reasonably comfortable with a 23 point win.

Elimination Final - Fremantle v West Coast (Subiaco Sunday)
Packed house with absolutely massive build up. It's like Grand Final week came to Perth. Premier Colin Barnett rips into Labor for their lack of action in deciding on a new stadium, saying that this game coulda-shoulda been at a new, larger stadium. Thousands of angry Fremantle and West Coast members bombard talkback all week about ticket sales. Many call in tears with stories that their child is dying and his last wish was to get tickets to this game. EBay records its highest every WA produced traffic as people scalp tickets left right and centre. Tight and intense through the first half. Half time sees tempers flare and a massive melee instigated by Hayden Ballantyne. It's a knife's edge for the entire second half, as the teams go goal for goal. Siren Pavlich goals with a minute to go to put the Dockers up by 5 points, but Shuey screams through the middle after a NicNat palm down to split the middle and the Eagles are up by a point. 40 seconds left, Eagles get it forward before McPharlin grabs it and goes, he dishes to Pavlich at half back, who handballs to Hill who gallops through the middle. He has the chance to dish back to Pav but instead chips to Ballantyne at half forward, in a similar spot to his infamous kick in the 2nd derby of 2011. Sirens sounds. Crowd is on their feet. Ballantyne kicks for his team's continuation... it's online and looks to be clearing the pack in the goalsquare. But Naitanui leaps on the shoulders of Aaron Sandilands and takes what has to be the great mark of all time to deny the goal and the Eagles win by 1 point! Scenes of euphoria by Eagles players are only matched by devastation of Fremantle's.

Semi-Final - Hawthorn v West Coast (MCG Friday night)
The Eagles throw everything at the Hawks, but the heroics of the previous game leave them without enough in the tank. Buddy slots six while Naitanui stars at the other end with a career high 7 goals. Hawks win by 16 points.

Semi-Final - Collingwood v Sydney (MCG Saturday night)
Sydney's poor record against the Pies continues as Collingwood march on to another prelim with a 38 point win. Sydney accept their fate at being around the 6th best team for yet another season.

Preliminary Final - Carlton v Hawthorn (MCG Friday night)
Midfields go head to head but it's Buddy that proves the difference. 10 goals in a display that has many saying it is on par with Gary Ablett's 1989 finals series sees the Hawks win through to the Grand Final by 7 points.

Preliminary Final - Geelong v Collingwood (MCG Saturday)
The Pies are out to avenge last year's Grand Final result. Pendlebury stars as Collingwood roll past the Cats by 12 points and into their 3rd (well, 4th) consecutive Grand Final.

Brownlow Medal - Buddy Franklin the surprise packet with a nailbiting win by 1 vote over Scott Pendlebury.

Grand Final - Hawthorn v Collingwood (MCG Saturday)
Buddy is well held by Tarrant for the first 3 quarters to only one goal as Collingwood control the game and Nathan Buckley and Eddie McGuire look confident of redemption. With a quarter to player, Collingwood lead by 42 points. Then Buddy explodes. Two quick goals after starting as rover in the last quarter and the margin is 30. 5 minutes later Mitchell gets a head high free kick and slots it. Hodge grabs one at half forward and then launches another goal to reduce the margin to 18 with 9 minutes left. The Pies get a steadier through Cloke, but then Buddy repeats his dribbling effort from last year's prelim for his 4th. Mitchell wins it from the middle and spears to Buddy for his 5th. The margin is two goals with 6 minutes to play. The Pies get a point through Dale Thomas, before Burgoyne runs the middle and spots up Buddy again. He has 6 now and it's 7 points with just 3 minutes left. Hodge booms one from the middle and it comes off hands and gets toe poked through for another by Hale. 1 point with 2 and a half minutes left. The atmosphere is electric. The ball ping pongs between half back lines. With 30 seconds to play, Hodge takes the ball from the hands of Dale Thomas at half back and runs down the wing. He searches for Franklin... he can't mark... HANDS IN THE BACK! The umpire pays a free kick. Franklin is 60 metres out, hard on the boundary at left half forward. The siren sounds! Crowd is at fever pitch. Eddie's head looks like it is about to pop. Nathan Buckley sits, sullen, with no animation in the coaches box. Those listening to 3AW can hear the smirk on Malthouse's face. Franklin looks nervous, yet somewhat confident. He is told he cannot run off his line. He takes a deep breath, comes in and drops the ball to his boot. Surely he'll score at least a point from that distance. The ball stars right... looks like it could miss altogether, but it bends back... and back... and back... IT'S A GOAL! Franklin's kicked a goal and Hawthorn have won the premiership! The most jubilant scenes you could ever expect are on display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by Hawks players, officials and fans alike. Collingwood players slump to the ground. Eddie has his head in his hands. Buckley still sit, motionless. The greatest ever comeback in a grand final. Collingwood fans leave devastated, but hardened by the fact that it pretty much always happens to them.

The season ends with Scott Pendlebury announcing he is going to GWS as their captain. Mick Malthouse comes in as coach of Richmond. And the free agency madness begins with Brendon Goddard....

Ok, I'll stop there. I should really do some work.

 

[Professor Knowall]

..The umpire pays a free kick. Franklin is 60 metres out, hard on the boundary at left half forward. The siren sounds! ... Franklin looks nervous, yet somewhat confident. He is told he cannot run off his line. ...

You were going ucommonly well with your presdictions ... until this total stuff up. Surely you must know, as we all know, of the special 'Franklin rule' where umpires are instructed to allow him to run off his line at ant time ... beause of his unique natural arch", for which he is apparently the only player to have.

So, after running off his line, Buddy sinks the slipper into it, the ball stars right... looks like it could miss altogether, but it bends back... and back... and back... and soaring higher ... and higher ... and higher above the back, standing vertical on Jolly's broad shoulders, Daisy stretches upright and ... spills the mark of the century right on the goal line ... but spills it forward. The premiership is Collingwood's - by a point.

 

[tazaa]

3 posts since fixture comes out. And all have North missing finals. Trolling??
Has anyone seen our fixture??
Well start favourite in 14 possibly 15 of our matches??

 

[Bardo State]

I could deal with that Jorel

 

[Buddy Guy]

Brownlow Medal - Buddy Franklin the surprise packet with a nailbiting win by 1 vote over Scott Pendlebury.

Grand Final - Hawthorn v Collingwood (MCG Saturday)
Buddy is well held by Tarrant for the first 3 quarters to only one goal as Collingwood control the game and Nathan Buckley and Eddie McGuire look confident of redemption. With a quarter to player, Collingwood lead by 42 points. Then Buddy explodes. Two quick goals after starting as rover in the last quarter and the margin is 30. 5 minutes later Mitchell gets a head high free kick and slots it. Hodge grabs one at half forward and then launches another goal to reduce the margin to 18 with 9 minutes left. The Pies get a steadier through Cloke, but then Buddy repeats his dribbling effort from last year's prelim for his 4th. Mitchell wins it from the middle and spears to Buddy for his 5th. The margin is two goals with 6 minutes to play. The Pies get a point through Dale Thomas, before Burgoyne runs the middle and spots up Buddy again. He has 6 now and it's 7 points with just 3 minutes left. Hodge booms one from the middle and it comes off hands and gets toe poked through for another by Hale. 1 point with 2 and a half minutes left. The atmosphere is electric. The ball ping pongs between half back lines. With 30 seconds to play, Hodge takes the ball from the hands of Dale Thomas at half back and runs down the wing. He searches for Franklin... he can't mark... HANDS IN THE BACK! The umpire pays a free kick. Franklin is 60 metres out, hard on the boundary at left half forward. The siren sounds! Crowd is at fever pitch. Eddie's head looks like it is about to pop. Nathan Buckley sits, sullen, with no animation in the coaches box. Those listening to 3AW can hear the smirk on Malthouse's face. Franklin looks nervous, yet somewhat confident. He is told he cannot run off his line. He takes a deep breath, comes in and drops the ball to his boot. Surely he'll score at least a point from that distance. The ball stars right... looks like it could miss altogether, but it bends back... and back... and back... IT'S A GOAL! Franklin's kicked a goal and Hawthorn have won the premiership! The most jubilant scenes you could ever expect are on display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by Hawks players, officials and fans alike. Collingwood players slump to the ground. Eddie has his head in his hands. Buckley still sit, motionless. The greatest ever comeback in a grand final. Collingwood fans leave devastated, but hardened by the fact that it pretty much always happens to them.

The season ends with Scott Pendlebury announcing he is going to GWS as their captain. Mick Malthouse comes in as coach of Richmond. And the free agency madness begins with Brendon Goddard....

Ok, I'll stop there. I should really do some work.

You are going to red carded for posting pr0n

 

[PykeDream]

3 posts since fixture comes out. And all have North missing finals. Trolling? Has anyone seen our fixture? Well start favourite in 14 possibly 15 of our matches?

1. Collingwood
2. Hawthorn
3. Carlton
4. Geelong
5. West Coast
6. Fremantle
7. North Melbourne
8. Sydney

9. Richmond
10. Essendon
11. Melbourne
12. Adelaide
13. Brisbane
14. St Kilda
15. Western Bulldogs
16. Gold Coast
17. Port Adelaide
18. Greater Western $ydney

I reckon North will be good to go next year, will really put the heat on teams in the Top 8

 

[Gus]

3 posts since fixture comes out. And all have North missing finals. Trolling??

Clearly bigfooty predictions mean a lot to North supporters. Already starting with the "please rate us".

 

[The Donners]

1. Hawthorn
2. Geelong
3. Collingwood
4. Essendon
5. West Coast
6. Fremantle
7. Carlton
8. Sydney

9. North Melbourne
10. Melbourne
11. Richmond
12. Adelaide
13. Western Bulldogs
14. St Kilda
15. Gold Coast
16. Brisbane
17. Port Adelaide
18. Greater Western Sydney

With the draw Essendon were given, subject to injury, top 4 is a monty.