Biggest risers & biggest sliders for 2019

[Football Tragic]

Not so certain their game styles will be exploited, wc showed this year they were the only team to break down pressure systems and almost got done by those systems in the 2 finals against the Pies.

Furthermore TBH I think the Pies prematured and still have a lot of improvement in their bottom to mid level dozen players and it is highly unlikely that both teams will have the same devastating injuries (particularly in game - going down in rotation) that they did this year.

As for wc they have an arguably underrated midfield, yes they are a transition team but are able to get on top of pressure mid teams like Coll, Rich and Melb.

As for the fixture, a lot seem to forget that the Pies this year beat a lot of in form teams - regardless of the opp ladder position with key injuries. Same wc still winning without NN and Gaff and in part Schuey, Kennedy and Darling.

Even though very different game styles they execute them very well, Coll very suffocating and then damaging on the transition wc surgical and precise in DE.

Pressure is still the new black and the likes of Dees, Pies and Tiges will still be contending. Likewise wc who know how to counteract those styles even though it almost brought them undone.

Risers:

Lions, North and possibly Freo

Sliders:

Cats, Swans and possibly hawks

Hey you could be right but Collingwood had a very easy fixture this year which gave them a leg up (like it did for the Tigers in 2017) into the finals. Everyone predicted Adelaide would be fighting off for the flag in 2018 after their GF berth the previous year too. History says that you need to take your opportunities when they are there and Collingwood did that to make the GF and West coast did that to win it. Both teams are far from guaranteed an automatic ticket into the same position again. Richmond easily beat Collingwood in the two home and away clashes last season but Collingwood used that to learn how to beat them in the finals. The same will happen now to the Pies and Eagles. It's how clubs evolve and why the three-peat teams of Brisbane and the Hawks were so special.

In the end we're all just guessing but I just think things will be far more difficult for both Grand Finalists in 2019 and teams such as Geelong & Hawks will slide. Once again though, just my opinion.

 

[Obeanie1]

Funnily enough, it was thrown at Gaff, but you knew that didn’t you?

So the warchest, sans AFL help is still intact for next year.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Oh, and he is still a top flight outside player with elite disposal, a glaring weakness in years past. Now rectified thanks to getting that other gun Dom Tyson who can slot into the Higgins slot in the middle, freeing up that top player Higgins for more outside run and carry.

So who is fearing Norths trading / FA raid next?

You must be confident with the strike rate so far!

 

[B4Bear]

So who is fearing Norths trading / FA raid next?

You must be confident with the strike rate so far!

Don’t ask, don’t get.

 

[TedDougChris]

Don’t ask, don’t get.

Another year of improvement and you will start to get your targets. Takes a few years to get the message of potential success across to players.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Reckon Carlton will still find a way to slide from last

Essendon need to show something for all they offseason winning they’ve apparently been doing for the last few years

Yep no more excuses we have enough talent it’s time to deliver now.

 

[Big Blood]

Brisbane up a few positions
Adelaide up thanks to returned players and easier draw
I expect 3-11th (Collingwood down to Essendon) will stay broadly the same but reshuffle, with Adelaide to rise, Port to fall out of the group.

 

[88mph]

Freo must rise;

Had the toughest draw in 2018
Have the 8 toughest in 2019
Added a forward line
Welcome many players back from injury

These 4 points alone will equate to a few more wins, finishing just outside the 8.

 

[Unique Name]

Brisbane up a few positions
Adelaide up thanks to returned players and easier draw
I expect 3-11th (Collingwood down to Essendon) will stay broadly the same but reshuffle, with Adelaide to rise, Port to fall out of the group.

What are your thoughts on Sydney?

Finished the season poorly so naturally everyone will say you're going to fall... but I thought one of your biggest issues was that Buddy didn't have anyone to share the forward line with. Is Reid ready to go? Having a good foil for Buddy makes your forward line so much more dangerous and less predictable.

Age is definitely not on the side of quite a few of your best 22 but do they have one last swan-song in them?

 

[Swaggyroo]

Risers: North, Essendon, Brisbane

Sliders: Sydney, Port, Geelong

 

[LuckyBounce!]

Freo must rise;

Had the toughest draw in 2018
Have the 8 toughest in 2019
Added a forward line
Welcome many players back from injury

These 4 points alone will equate to a few more wins, finishing just outside the 8.

St. Kilda had the toughest draw in 2018.

 

[Unique Name]

St. Kilda had the toughest draw in 2018.

It's all abit of bullshit though isn't it?

s**t teams (Saints/Freo/etc) have hard draws. Because most of their opponents are better than them. The end.

The draw might change your finishing position one spot or so. But if you finish bottom 4 it has nothing to do with the draw.

 

[Carson Dial]

Tougher if you are destination club like the Saints though

 

[Coolangatta]

Geelong's got a tough start. Collingwood, Melbourne, Adelaide away, GWS, Hawthorn, West Coast, Essendon, North.

 

[Unique Name]

Who is in Geelong's forward line now? Hawkins had a great year in '18. Is Danger going to play more forward with Menzel leaving?

 

[TedDougChris]

Who is in Geelong's forward line now? Hawkins had a great year in '18. Is Danger going to play more forward with Menzel leaving?

Think they plan to play Dahlhaus as a pressure forward. He has struggled with hitting the scoreboard though in recent years.

 

[Kappa]

Who is in Geelong's forward line now? Hawkins had a great year in '18. Is Danger going to play more forward with Menzel leaving?

Hawkins
Dalhaus
Ablett/Dangerfield
The 2nd ruckmen
Kelly/Menegola rotating through high half forward.

I would guess