Yo!
I'm not across any teams' preseason outside of some mentions of Essendon on our board. Seeing Essendon is still not even middle of the road, without noticeable off-season improvement, compared to rivals, I haven't been paying a lot of attention to list changes and how that affects the pointy end of the competition.
I'm assuming that Melbourne very much has the window open and based on what their list has shown over the last two years and their demographics "should" be favourites going into 2023.
Geelong defied the gravity of ageing last year, but I also think that is also related to some teams underperforming. I think their culture, list and systems say they'll be there to swoop if younger more powerful teams don't perform but I don't think they go in as favourites.
I think Sydney got where they did with a young list that will improve and also have culture and systems that keep them in the frame but I see them like Geelong as not quite "the s**t", but unlike Geelong, I think their demographics suggest they'll be on the improve over the next two years.
Carlton is in a similar position (in my eyes) that we saw Melbourne in 2022 and Richmond in 2017. Underperforming for decades and finally at the peak of a patient and thorough rebuild. Sure they choked last year and they haven't put anything on the board, but I think their list is as good as anyone's going into 2023.
Richmond has got Martin back and added some real power to their midfield. Over the last two years, they've blooded a lot of youth as well. If their pressure returns to what it used to be I think a lot of teams trying the roll-the-dice game plan that worked for Collingwood last year will be found lacking against Richmond.
I also have a sneaky suspicion that Footscray's list is also "in the window" and a lot better than what we saw last year. 2022 is a better indication of what they are capable of and a combination of injuries and internal politics brought them down. If they play to their potential they could be as good as anyone.
Finally, Brisbane. They have excitement all over the park and despite finishing in and around the top 4 you feel like generally speaking, they have underperformed over the last few years. Partly by drinking their own bathwater as they smash teams on the home deck and then going to water in the finals. It is a lot like the Port side of 01-03. The additions of Dunkley and Ashcroft to their midfield make it potentially the best in the league. Hipwood was just finding his feet last year and the combination of him and Daniher could be unstoppable if Joe stops clowning. The addition of McKenna is interesting too he's only 26 and I expect him to make a huge impact.
So, ranking them all I have Melbourne and Brisbane as my favourites, I think Brisbane is the sleeper, with Carlton to round out the top three. I'll throw a blanket over the rest of those above as 4th. However, considering where their list is at, I think all 7 of those teams will be disappointed if they don't make the top 4 without a huge injury list as an excuse.
Anyhow, as I said, I haven't not been following it closely to say any of that with real confidence. Why am I wrong about Melbourne and Brisbane? Why won't Carlton charge up the ladder and dominate?
I'm not across any teams' preseason outside of some mentions of Essendon on our board. Seeing Essendon is still not even middle of the road, without noticeable off-season improvement, compared to rivals, I haven't been paying a lot of attention to list changes and how that affects the pointy end of the competition.
I'm assuming that Melbourne very much has the window open and based on what their list has shown over the last two years and their demographics "should" be favourites going into 2023.
Geelong defied the gravity of ageing last year, but I also think that is also related to some teams underperforming. I think their culture, list and systems say they'll be there to swoop if younger more powerful teams don't perform but I don't think they go in as favourites.
I think Sydney got where they did with a young list that will improve and also have culture and systems that keep them in the frame but I see them like Geelong as not quite "the s**t", but unlike Geelong, I think their demographics suggest they'll be on the improve over the next two years.
Carlton is in a similar position (in my eyes) that we saw Melbourne in 2022 and Richmond in 2017. Underperforming for decades and finally at the peak of a patient and thorough rebuild. Sure they choked last year and they haven't put anything on the board, but I think their list is as good as anyone's going into 2023.
Richmond has got Martin back and added some real power to their midfield. Over the last two years, they've blooded a lot of youth as well. If their pressure returns to what it used to be I think a lot of teams trying the roll-the-dice game plan that worked for Collingwood last year will be found lacking against Richmond.
I also have a sneaky suspicion that Footscray's list is also "in the window" and a lot better than what we saw last year. 2022 is a better indication of what they are capable of and a combination of injuries and internal politics brought them down. If they play to their potential they could be as good as anyone.
Finally, Brisbane. They have excitement all over the park and despite finishing in and around the top 4 you feel like generally speaking, they have underperformed over the last few years. Partly by drinking their own bathwater as they smash teams on the home deck and then going to water in the finals. It is a lot like the Port side of 01-03. The additions of Dunkley and Ashcroft to their midfield make it potentially the best in the league. Hipwood was just finding his feet last year and the combination of him and Daniher could be unstoppable if Joe stops clowning. The addition of McKenna is interesting too he's only 26 and I expect him to make a huge impact.
So, ranking them all I have Melbourne and Brisbane as my favourites, I think Brisbane is the sleeper, with Carlton to round out the top three. I'll throw a blanket over the rest of those above as 4th. However, considering where their list is at, I think all 7 of those teams will be disappointed if they don't make the top 4 without a huge injury list as an excuse.
Anyhow, as I said, I haven't not been following it closely to say any of that with real confidence. Why am I wrong about Melbourne and Brisbane? Why won't Carlton charge up the ladder and dominate?
