Blues are the best in the AFL, at the moment

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RICE80SF

Senior List
Jun 14, 2000
291
3
Geelong, VIC. (Is Don Is Grand)
Clearly from this weekends games the Dons have been overtaken as the form team in the AFL. No doubt about it, the Blues are numero uno at the moment and the Dons are on the slide. Their certainly not the same side they were at the start of the year and with a few injuries stacking up and maybe a suspension this week, the invincibles are looking a bit shakey.

If you break down the two teams the Blues have a better Forwardline and midfield, and their backline is almost as good as the Bombers. Even Rohan Connolly, a Bomber fan, has predicted the Blues will have more members in the All-Australian side than the Dons (3-6).

The big question is however, who will be up for the crunch games (sorry Dan), who'll be up for the finals?

So hopefully the media will start raving about the Blues for the next six weeks and turn on the bombers. I wonder if the Blues will be called chokers this year going from 2nd to 2nd if they fall short? I doubt it, where as we were branded chokers for going from 8th to 2nd.

Oh and Eagle fans, happy with that loss were we???? 7 goals against the worst (through injury) defence in the league,mmmhahahahah.



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BOMBER BLITZ IN 2000!
 
Looked mighty impressive in brushing aside the Lions yesterday didn't they ?

Are they playing better than the Bombers at the moment ? - Probably

Roll on Round 20 - then we can getter a better handle on where these two are in relation to each other.
 

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Carlton are playing very well at the moment and Essendon not as well as previous times this year, but this does not mean that they are on a slide.

They are still winning games by a comfortable margin, the fact that they have not won these games by more then they have, has got more to do with their accuracy in-front of goal (which I admit is a worry), then the way they are playing generally. Injuries to Heffernan, Hird and Moorcroft aren't welcome but certainly not back-braking. Last year, we missed Lloyd, Fletcher, Hardwick, Misiti etc for differing periods of time, towrds the end of the year, but still only lost one game (apart from the prelim f.) in that time.

In any case, whose to say that Carlton, or any other club in finals contention, won't be struck by injuries. Previous years have taught me that rd. 16 is too early to start predicting what will occur come seasons end. There's still 10 weeks to go!

J2!!
 
I reckon Essendon are looking shaky at the moment, but they have been very lucky with the draw so far, so they have kept winning.

I do believe that Carlton are certainly beatable, if you can shut down Camporeale, Ratten and Bradley. Kouta can't be shut down, so you almost have to concede that position and hope he doesn't dominate.

Geelong showed that Carlton can be beaten. If you shut down Camporeale, they were in front 21 minutes into the last qtr and it was only a couple of turnovers that turned the game Carlton's way.

Essendon with their full side on the ground will beat everyone easily, even Carlton. But with a few injuries they are as vulveable as anyone.

I think the sides that are playing as well as anyone at the moment would be the Bulldogs
and Melbourne, they're both just sneaking up quietly and could be major threats to the top 2 come August.

I hate to say it, but Geelong despite being in the top 4, (I still can't believe it's true) aren't playing well enough to challenge the four mentioned teams.

Clearly Carlton and the Bombers are the best 2, but Melbourne and the Bulldogs will have a major say come finals time.
 
I think the argument that Carlton are better than Ess is debatable. While everyone looks at Sundays match with awe, the fact is that Carlton still suffered a fade out in the second half(mainly third qrt). A trait which has been popping up in their matches. Sure, their attack looks good. But that is through the quality of their midfield. Carl easily has the best midfield in the comp in terms of consistency. The delivery into the forward line is exceptional. Ess still has a far greater percentage than Carl which is testament to the fact that deliveries to the forward line are set up through their back line. Ess b-line is still easily the best. No team has managed to kick over 90 points against them which relieves the pressure of the forward line to perform.
As others have mentioned, we won't know who is best until rnd 20.
NOTE: You don't have to belt the opposition every time, you only have to win comfortably. Both teams are doing that at the moment.
 
Go Cats I like your comment that Essendon are lucky with their draw? 15 teams 15 wins.

A win is a win is a win. Brisbane still kicked 11 goals in one qtr so maybe they still can be done. Meantime doesn't matter what Essendon do everyone puts the boot in, lets wait and see.
 
Carlton appear to be in better form than Essendon at the moment, but the Dons seem to be able to win matches with something in reserve.

The only reservation I have about the Dons is whether they'll be able to handle the pressure of a close match (that is assuming that a team can keep the margin within a goal or two as the game enters time on in the last quarter). I'm not doubting the ability of the team, it's just that they've been winning games by playing no more than a half or so of football, whereas Carlton have had to at least, fight out a few games here and there. Sometimes when teams get used to winning games too easily, they can forget how to win the close ones (like Brisbane did last year when they fell to North in the preliminary final).

Still, if I had to bet $10 on the premiership, I'd put it on Carlton. But if I had to stake my life, then it's still Essendon for me.
 
Rice.

Carlton do NOT have a better defence than Essendon. Essendon have conceded about 200 points less than any other team.

The Blues certainly don't have as many options in attack.

Perhaps the Blues have a better midfield, but that didn't help them last year. They still only went 12-10 for the season.

Premeirship sides don't concede 11 goals in one quarter, like the Blues did.

Essendon are not playing at their best at the moment, but they are still winning. If Carlton are NOT at their best, they will lose. Essendon is one of the few teams that can be at their worst, and still win by 5 goals on average.

There is also the fact that Carlton HATE playing Essendon. They usually lose. Essendon has won 5 of the last 6, with Carlton's only win being a very lucky win, where they had 9 less scoring shots.

I'd have my money on the Bombers, especially in a final. Anyway, Carltons finals record is quite poor recently. They often get thrashed, as we saw last year in two finals. Essendon always perform in finals, and won't get thrashed. I think Essendon versatility is more than the Blues too.
 
Am i right in thinking that Essendon were the last to have beaten Carlton?

If so it is highly likely that when they meet in round 20 they would have won 34 consecutive games beween them. Should Carlton win that game then both teams would have completed one full round undefeated.

This has never been done since the inception of the AFL. Was it ever done during the VFL? Has there ever been a season where two sides were so dominant?

And as a side issue it is quite possible that these two teams could go into the finals having lost only 4 games in total. Under the current finals system, and any other final 8 system we have used, it is possible for both of these sides to then miss the Grand Final. I hate to say it but this gives some support to Dan24's ideas.
 
they had a stat on talking footy tonight about the number of teams having steaks suck as the ones carlton and esseonf r having this yr,its been done before with 3 teams in the same season,although those streeks were about 10 and 11 games each,i think it was the 50's it happened in
 
Thank you one and all for your contributions, that was a little experiment to see if anyone would get sucked in to trumpett the imenent demise of the Dons. Happy to see none of you guys/girls have fallen for it. Still we haven't heard from our friends Jod23, G4E, LongJohn, Kevin Sooky and Rooboy96, but never mind.

I don't really think the Blues' Forward line is as good as the Dons' even with Sir Lancealot, but they clearly have the best midfield in the comp, no question. Allan, Koutafidies, Ratten and Campo should all get in the All Oz.

The Blues back line is clearly no where near as good as the Dons, they conceded 11 goals in a quarter on Sunday the Dons let through 7 for the whole game Sat. night. The Bombers haven't let a team kick over 90 points for the whole year. Sorry Rohan but Lockyer before Hardwick is a joke.

No doubt Carlton are playing just as good if not better than the Dons at the moment but we're going through a bit of a trough at the moment and we're still winning. Barring injuries I can't see anyone challenging the Bombers, not even Carlton. We've proved we can win in any situation - wet, dry, windy, close ones and from behind.




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BOMBER BLITZ IN 2000!
 
I think it's fantastic that everyone is talking about Carlscum, it takes the pressure off our guys for a while.

I have never seen such blatant bias against a team in my life as I've seen this year. The media is against the Bombers, the commentators, the umpires, opposition players, coaching staff & supporters.

The big poppy syndrome is alive & well.

Hopefully everyone puts all their negative energy into Carlscum for the next 8 weeks, so our guys can just concentrate on their footy without all the outside pressures.


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Mantis
 

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What a horrible choice Essendon or Carlton.Its Essendon for me, they have more depth and are quicker.Carlton are probably harder at the ball but have less options up forward and
depend on Kouta too much.Ablett was another freakish player but couldnt win the Cats a flag...however if you go back to last years prelim final it was Kouta who got the baggers over the line...how long can he keep up this
superstar form?..he is making Carey and Hird look like hacks.It cant continue..bombers for the 2000 flag

Go Roos
 
Rice80sf, no I wasn't particulalry happy with the loss. I do however think you have neglected the fact that West Coast has many injuries at the moment. West Coast is struggling at the moment, and probably will for another year or two. There isn't a lot i can do about it. I still find it funny how so many ppl on these boards refer to them as the Weagles. Still jealous of them form the early to mid 90's are we? You Essendon fans are very cocky aren't you. Enjoy your moment, as it will suffer the same fate of West Coast in a few years. Ah well, I just have to remember back to last year, good on you Carlton. Carlton will spoil it for you again this year Essendon fans. There midfield will destroy you, and that is where matches are won these days. Carlton has no pressure on them at all this year, it is all on Essendon, and we know they couldn't cope with the pressure last year, so what makes this year any different. Anyway this is starting to sound like an essay. Come on Carlton and stick it up Essendon.
 
Razza, they played the good sides early when they were at the paek of their form and apart from North, have had a pretty soft draw the last 6 weeks when their form has been under question.

They played Richmond early, Carlton early, Melbourne early, Bulldogs early, It would have been interesting to see them up against these sides in the last month.
 
I forgot to add that if Darren Gaspar gets shoved out of the All Oz for Leppitch at CHB then there's no justice in this world.

Hello IluvWestcoast you must be fresh from the Weagle Forum seeing as it's down at the moment, typical biased, tunnel vision point of view. You can't blame injuries this time, the Kangas had better players than you guys out, especially in defence as I mentioned. As well as Stevens & Colbert just coming back. Teams have there ups and downs, wow that must have taken you a while to come up with. You enjoy barracking for the Blues for the rest of the year ok, you fair weather fan. Don't expect any joy at finals time though, the Bombers will have their measure. Oh and Fraser will look good in a Saints jumper next year.:p

THE BOMBERS "Futures so bright, gotta wear shades"
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It looks as though Carlton are in better form at the moment, but even so, I don't think Essendon will lose to them in round 20. Wouldn't that undo a years top work?
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Anyway, still much rather see the Dons go all the way than Carlton....

I_luv_WC- don't get sucked in.... Yes we're having a few problems, and Yes we will miss the finals this year. The fact is that a lot of people here are pretty happy about that, so don't let them get you in
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Because I would rather see Carlton win the premiership than Essendon does not make me a fair weather fan. I don't support Carlton at all, i just hate them less than I hate Essendon. And to the idiot who said North had better players out that West Coast you are an absolute tool. North had Archer and Martyn out. Currently West Coast is missing Gardiner, Cousins, Wirripunda, McKenna, Braun and Rintoul. Players just having come back into the team include Cummings and White, while Peter Matera keeps on injuring himself. So Rice you are an out and out idiot. You should get your facts right first, not me. I'm sure West Coast will get some good draft picks, or players if Gehrig leaves the club. I have my doubts on whether he will leave considering he has just moved into a new house. If Gehrig does leave I wish him all the best, but he should remember that WA has the best climate for footy in the AFL. Most of games played in WA are in fine weather (and yes i know it rained on the weekend, so don't bring up that argument because I said most!!!). If gehrig does go back to Victoria he will be no where near as good, playing in crappy conditions for most of the year. Anyway thats all I have to say.
 
ILuvWC,

Come on, give us some credit. North beat you guys fair and square (even if the people on the Eagles forum seem to think there's some sort of Victorian conspiracy* at work....you're almost as paranoid as the Brisbane mob).

Yeah, you had injuries, but we had Martyn and Archer out and they are the two keys to our defence (which incidentally is one of the worst in the league, and as Rice80 pointed out, you only managed 7 goals). We also had Colbert in for his first game back, Stevens in for his second back, Carey was carrying an injury, and in wet weather, we went in with three talls in Burton, Capuano, and McKernan. On top of that, the club also had to deal with the passing away of Ron Casey and the game was played on your turf. Not only that, the Eagles had a rest the previous week by not even trying to win against the Dons. Oh, and for all of this season, North have only played for no more than 2 1/2 quarters. So, the game was pretty much in your favour and you came up 10 goals short.

By the way, the injury excuse. Try this for size....Richmond. Admit it, your boys wearn't hungry enough, they wearn't passionate enough, and they were beaten by a team that was more committed than your's.

Regards
Shinboners


*Secret Agents Judge and Ayres...you are both doing a great job. Keep it up.
 
Shinboners,

If Carlton did win the flag, I wouldn't even hear big Jack's victory speech.

I'd leave the country. It would be the only option for an Essendon supporter. How else could you get away from it ?

Let's just hope it doesn't happen. It sickened me last year that they seemed happy to lose the Grand Final, as long as they got past Essendon. Where are your priorities if you think like that ?

Arrogant Carlscum.
 
Love the logic Bluecrow...

Anytime SA, WA, NSW or QLD want 8 other teams in their States to share the talent around and water down home ground advantage they're welcome to 18 home games - I think that the Lions would actually prefer what they've got - 11 or 12 genuine home games each year -

You are a fool!
 
Dead right Dutchman. Bluecrow doesn't know what he is talking about.

This year Essendon play 22 games.

Only 4 (yes 4) do we get an advantage.

We also play 4 games where we are at a disadvantage (when we travel interstate)

And we play 14 neutral games.

The 4 games where we get an advantage, are against non-Victorian sides at Colonial.

So, the end result is :

4 advantageous games
4 disadvantageous games
14 neutral

A match at Colonial against another Victorian team (or at the MCG for that matter) is neutral.

Now for the Crows :

The Crows have 10 matches, where they get an advantage. They have 10 where they get a disadvantage. And they have 2 neutral (the local derbies). So, the end result is :

10 advantaeous games
10 disadvantageous games
2 Neutral (local derbies)

So, as you can see, this year, both the Crows and Bombers have the SAME NUMBER of advantageous games and disadvantageous games. Essendon are NO better off than the Crows. In fact, you could argue that the Crows are better off, becasue the Crows home ground advantage is BETTER than Essendon's home ground advantage. Colonial hosts nearly 50 games, so it's nearly a neutral ground anyway.

Sure we play 18 gams in Victoria, but how does that help you win, when the majority of these are neutral, with NO advantage.

Typical Adelaide. Always looking for an excuse.
 
But if, for example, the best two teams were from different states (Eagles and Essendon let's say), They are both in really good form, so would win all 'advantage' and 'neutral' games. The only games separating them would be those hard to win 'disadvantage' games, of which the interstate side has more......
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Anyway, it doesn't matter. To be a great team, you've got to be able to play anywhere. The only concern I have is the long-term effects travelling across the country each fortnight has on players, and their degenerative or chronic injuries.
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