Analysis 2017 = Weak year?

[HTT]

Only been 2 stand-out sides from start to finish of 2017 compared to 4-5 in previous seasons. If I'm being honest I'm keen for Hawthorn to comeback next year so we can watch some more quality football again. Bulldogs to regain key players - maybe Brisbane will enter the hyperbolic time chamber this off-season. Good thing they're all resetting in a write off year.

Yeah just like 2015, wait no, 2014, wait no 2013, wait no 2012, wait no when other than last year were 4-5 sides genuine contenders? And right now you'd have to give at least us, Sydney and Adelaide a genuine shot, so that's more than 2

 

[docko911]

Richmond finished 15-7 in both 2013 and 2015. Richmond are much stronger than both those years.

This year is a stronger competition.

 

[telsor]

It has to be a weak year. Richmond made the prelim and still hasn't beaten anyone.

 

[SCRAY72]

Seeing this line get trotted out a lot on here, can anyone offer some justification behind it?

Equalisation has seen the talent spread far more evenly in the competition, meaning almost no games have been sure things, upsets aplenty, no seemingly bulletproof sides (ala Hawthorn of recent times), and unpredictable, nightmare tipping.

Good for footy? Weak or even? Discuss.

Don't care at this stage.
So far the two teams in the prelims didn't make the prelims last year and that is good for footy.
Disappointing that all 3 finals were blow outs.

 

[ashep]

Since round 6 we've played some of the best footy of the last decade.

Our path now goes through the minor premier Crows in Adelaide then Richmond with 80,000 behind them at the G.

This will be the greatest flag of all.

 

[SCRAY72]

Richmond finished 15-7 in both 2013 and 2015. Richmond are much stronger than both those years.

This year is a stronger competition.

Agree to a point but interesting that Dogs finished on the same number of wins as 2017Tigers in 2016 minus a little % difference and ended up 7th.
Good luck in the prelim.

 

[Furn2]

The standard of play has been pretty poor in the finals and so far, very scrappy.

People will say the pressures been great but to me it's more a case of a lot of fumbling and lack of composure and skill.

 

[Roobs321]

Just forget the Swans 0-6 start and pretend their Adelaide prelim is the Grand Final. Then appreciate the leveled out competition, save the bottom four's last month. Everything else, seemingly including the finals series, has been as weak and devoid of elite sides as I can recall. It's not a season that will resonate in the memory, as you better remember flags earned in the midst of formidable competition.

Being in NSW and getting 2 guaranteed Swans/Giants games almost every week means the declining quality of 2016-17 has been papered over somewhat, thank god.

 

[quotemokc]

Was all fun and games when the teams from 6th to 18th were all on a level playing field but once again there are only a few actual contenders.

 

[DrEvil_]

It has to be a weak year. Richmond made the prelim and still hasn't beaten anyone.

It the very reason you are in the prelim, as Richmond usually beat themselves.

 

[DrEvil_]

Since round 6 we've played some of the best footy of the last decade.

Our path now goes through the minor premier Crows in Adelaide then Richmond with 80,000 behind them at the G.

This will be the greatest flag of all.

Yeah best footy, can't even beat 12th

 

[Bradkli]

All year we've had to hear how this is "the best season ever"....what a myth. This year has been an embarrassment. I would
love see Richmond win the flag but here's a snapshot of "the best season ever"
- horrific umpiring
- dumb rule changes every week
- terrible kicking for goal
- deplorable skills
- Adelaide finishing top- even hawthorn beat them in Adelaide
- Geelong finishing 2nd- have two good players.
- GWS 3rd- played four good quarters all season- two against Melbourne and two against the Bulldogs
- port 5th- carlton beat more top 8 sides then them
- essendon and west coast making finals

 

[Demon13304]

Bigfooty is the most negative place on earth

 

[Gydafud]

Since round 6 we've played some of the best footy of the last decade.

Our path now goes through the minor premier Crows in Adelaide then Richmond with 80,000 behind them at the G.

This will be the greatest flag of all.

Y-you forgot to mention Geelong

 

[cannot]

i dont buy its a 'weak year'. Sounds like salty north, carlton, hawks fans


Adelaide = very good football side

GWS = team chock full of talent maybe never seen before due to AFL francise

Geelong = Hawkins, Danger, Selwood and still the core of the flag winning dynasty on the list

Sydney = a top 4 side in reality, like Adelaide a very good team

 

[dylan93]

I'd say more of an even year?

 

[SCRAY72]

All year we've had to hear how this is "the best season ever"....what a myth. This year has been an embarrassment. I would
love see Richmond win the flag but here's a snapshot of "the best season ever"
- horrific umpiring
- dumb rule changes every week
- terrible kicking for goal
- deplorable skills
- Adelaide finishing top- even hawthorn beat them in Adelaide
- Geelong finishing 2nd- have two good players.
- GWS 3rd- played four good quarters all season- two against Melbourne and two against the Bulldogs
- port 5th- carlton beat more top 8 sides then them
- essendon and west coast making finals

When you put it this way, makes you think.
Adelaide also got thrashed by North
Gotta include the inconsistency of the MRP

 

[Gydafud]

Geelong = Hawkins, Danger, Selwood and still the core of the flag winning dynasty on the

The core? It's only Hawkins, Selwood, Lonergan, Taylor and Mackie. Only Selwood and Mackie remain from the 2007 side. Hardly the core of those years.

 

[Brown Bottle]

Bigfooty is the most negative place on earth

Yeah, every year on here the game gets worse, the umpiring gets worse, the administration gets more corrupt, etc.

*yells at cloud*

"Claremont's 1981 team would wipe the floor with all of these pretenders! Remember when Footy was <insert whichever words suitably bemoan the lack of something in the modern game>?"

 

[cannot]

The core? It's only Hawkins, Selwood, Lonergan, Taylor and Mackie. Only Selwood and Mackie remain from the 2007 side. Hardly the core of those years.

still your best players innit

 

[kneecapper]

Is has been a weak year since the expansion teams apparently and all premiers since then have been "assisted".

Love Hawthorn flogs complaining about league assistance. You campaigners got priority picks when you were a basket case.

 

[Gydafud]

still your best players innit

Yeah, but vastly different side. Not disagreeing with the rest of your post, but drawing a connection between that side of 07-11 to now is a long bow. It's like saying the Hawks 91 side had the core of the 78 group because Tuck was playing.

 

[Luv_our_club]

Love Hawthorn flogs complaining about league assistance. You campaigners got priority picks when you were a basket case.

Mate i was being sarcastic. We were the premiers during that time!!!!!

 

[Gavin Excell]

The 2013 Freo and Hawks squads would destroy the current top 4 no worries.

Rubbish

 

[Leviathan Pie]

Absolutely, point totals from the top 4 will tell you its a soft year at the top.