Prediction Who will win the 2018 Premiership, early predictions

[Gethelred]

Last year, I said the Tigers had set themselves for this year; I didn't think they'd go the whole way, but that was how they'd set themselves up, for the genuine short term.

This off season, the team that's doing this is Port Adelaide. They've gotten some pretty decent ins - Rockliff, Watts, as well as discared Melbourne Trengove and North's Thomas - to complement Dixon, Ryder, Wines, Wingard, Boek and Grey. Their best players are mercurial, and now they've actually got a pretty even spread of players to go through the midfield, when their top tier needs to rest or is in the forward line. Watch Watts turn in an AA year without anyone paying any attention to him courtesy of him playing alongside Charlie Dixon; it's easy to be ignored to your team's benefit when you've a living distraction of muscle and facial hair to play alongside. Rockliff adds yet another goal kicking midfielder to their rotation, and it really means they can play Wingard where he can most hurt the opposition, forward of the ball. Lindsay Thomas is a prick, but he was also among the best small forwards in the league a few years back, and he's clearly having issues with his behaviour on field; perhaps a change of scenery and a newfound desire to improve himself could see a renaissance for him.

I'll be honest, I don't really like Port Adelaide. But they're my pick for the flag next year.

What's yours, this far out?

 

[Jabba73]

Us.

End thread

 

[Aphrodite]

I want next week's Tattslotto numbers.

 

[Aphrodite]

Last year, I said the Tigers had set themselves for this year; I didn't think they'd go the whole way, but that was how they'd set themselves up, for the genuine short term.

This off season, the team that's doing this is Port Adelaide. They've gotten some pretty decent ins - Rockliff, Watts, as well as discared Melbourne Trengove and North's Thomas - to complement Dixon, Ryder, Wines, Wingard, Boek and Grey. Their best players are mercurial, and now they've actually got a pretty even spread of players to go through the midfield, when their top tier needs to rest or is in the forward line. Watch Watts turn in an AA year without anyone paying any attention to him courtesy of him playing alongside Charlie Dixon; it's easy to be ignored to your team's benefit when you've a living distraction of muscle and facial hair to play alongside. Rockliff adds yet another goal kicking midfielder to their rotation, and it really means they can play Wingard where he can most hurt the opposition, forward of the ball. Lindsay Thomas is a prick, but he was also among the best small forwards in the league a few years back, and he's clearly having issues with his behaviour on field; perhaps a change of scenery and a newfound desire to improve himself could see a renaissance for him.

I'll be honest, I don't really like Port Adelaide. But they're my pick for the flag next year.

What's yours, this far out?

Way too far out.

Haven't even had the Draft yet.

 

[Jeremias]

After the last two years, who knows?

The competition is so even - I reckon you could make a legitimate case for at least 7 teams in 2018:

1) Adelaide
2) Essendon
3) Geelong
4) GWS
5) Port Adelaide
6) Richmond
7) Sydney

It's going to be a fascinating year I reckon.

At this very early stage I'm liking Sydney.

Way too far out.

Haven't even had the Draft yet.

To be fair, the draft is unlikely to be a significant factor in who wins the flag.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Now or never for the Crows I reckon. Geelong must fancy themselves pretty highly too to get Gaz back at his age.

 

[thylacine60]

Crows v Sydney. Also, Russell is shit.

 

[Smegger]

I'll have a ping at Cats vs Swans.

Although, tbf my 2017 prediction of Swans vs GWS flopped.

 

[SurreyBlue]

GWS v Geelong or Sydney.

 

[Juddalenko]

Just not Richmond please....work has been unbearable enough with one premiership.

 

[Benaly28]

Port,cats and Essendon no chance whatsoever.
Sydney,crows,gws the 3 at the moment but too far out.

 

[Smegger]

Port,cats and Essendon no chance whatsoever.
Sydney,crows,gws the 3 at the moment but too far out.

Any reason to write the Cats off?

 

[Benaly28]

Any reason to write the Cats off?

Most think Ablett will be the saviour I'm not sure a 33/34 year old who is starting to have injury concerns will be,granted he might be dangerous up forward with danger but their backline is suspect and Hawkins is a worry as well.Too many holes for me just an opinion.

 

[KennyHuntersBlues]

* the corrupt AFL will make sure of it

 

[katmanblue]

Way too far out.

Haven't even had the Draft yet.

When was the last time a a player was influential in a flag in their draft year?

On SM-N920I using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[The Dice Man]

When was the last time a a player was influential in a flag in their draft year?

On SM-N920I using BigFooty.com mobile app

2017. Jack Graham.

 

[PrinceCharles]

Way too far out.

Haven't even had the Draft yet.

My tip is for the team with pick 14.

 

[Metalcrusher]

Don't ask me .... what you know is true ....

 

[Gethelred]

Don't ask me .... what you know is true ....

Can't bring myself to like that...

 

[Wheels On Meals]

GWS.

The others in the mix are Adelaide, Sydney, Geelong, Richmond, Melbourne and *.






Can't see Port getting close.

 

[PumpyChowdown]

I'll go through each team alphabetically stating why I believe they can or can't win it:

Adelaide - CAN'T - Team disharmony, unable to perform on the big stage. 2017 was their year and they blew it. Losing Lever and Cameron is huge. Gibbs is not the Messiah, he's just a very nice boy.

Brisbane - CAN'T - Rebuilding, way too young and inexperienced

Collingwood - CAN'T - Basket case on and off the field. Horrendous list, worse coach.

Carlton - CAN'T - Rebuilding, way too young and inexperienced

Essendon - CAN - fairly solid list, with good additions in the trade period, though they didn't address their biggest weakness which is contested ball. Would be a very long shot to win it, but seeing as next year will be similar to the last two, we may see another surprise winner (please PLEASE GOD NOOOOOO!!!!!)

Fremantle - CAN'T - Don't think they'll win it, but could be big improvers, list isn't too bad.

Geelong - CAN - Ablett / Dangerfield / Selwood / Duncan is a pretty decent midfield. Suspect forward line though - Hawkins looks lost lately. Will be a contender.

Gold Coast - CAN'T - New coach, huge list turnover, will be a struggle of a year. Here's hoping Stewie Dew can work some magic coz there's some very good talent on their list.

GWS - CAN - Only just though. I'm very suss on this team. They have got more talent than we've just about ever seen in a team, but they don't play like a cohesive unit. Questions must be asked of Leon Cameron if he can't get this group up. Have the talent, but can they do it?

Hawthorn - CAN'T - The dynasty is dead! Huge exodus of talent in the last few years, big rebuild and they don't have the cattle yet.

Melbourne - CAN - I'd look to Melbourne being genuine contenders. They've got so much talent and a really good spread. Viney, Petracca, Hogan, Oliver, Hunt, Jetta, McDonald, Garlett, Gawn, Tyson, Lever... They also should really be hurting after what can only be considered a bitterly disappointing 2017. Top 4 minimum IMO.

North Melbourne - CAN'T - Wooden spoon for sure. Team is is real trouble.

Port Adelaide - CAN - Very aggressive off season trading and recruiting, and mostly nailing them. Watts and Rockliff will be huge for them. Like Melbourne, top 4 should be a minimum KPI.

Richmond - CAN - Surprised the shit out of EVERYONE last year. Dusty and Rance just about the best two players in the comp and a very even spread from the rest of the team. If they can keep that manic game plan up and don't suffer too much of a premiership hangover I can't see any reason why they couldn't go back to back.

St. Kilda - CAN'T - Dunno what it is about this Saints team, but they just don't look very good. Very vanilla squad, and unfortunately it looks more and more likely that their number 1 draft pick in McCartin is a bust. Just don't have the cattle or the gameplan to pull it off and they almost need a mini rebuild.

Sydney - CAN - Haven't really lost anyone of note in the off season and as they demonstrated in the back half of this year, they were just about the best going around. Probably need a few kids to step up though as Kennedy, Buddy and co aren't getting any younger.

Western Bulldogs - CAN'T - Stringer is a big loss for them, though it may be overall better for the club to rid themselves of someone who (allegedly) was causing all sorts of internal problems. Still have a decent list, Bont is a superstar, and will be interesting to see if the Boyd / Schache combo clicks. Very high risk / high reward forward duo they have. Still a few years away, but could possibly pull off another huge surprise if Bevo can get the best out of them.

West Coast - CAN'T - Just don't rate them away from home. Mitchell and Priddis are enormous outs for them and leave a gaping hole in the midfield.

So there you go. It's out of GWS, Geelong, Essendon, Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. I'm going to go with a Port vs Melbourne Grand Final and Melbourne continuing the streak of drought breaking premiership victories.

 

[SBYM]

I'd add the Crows to the CANs above, otherwise, you've pretty much nailed it.

 

[gandaal]

Port and Essendon certainly think the window is open. They're probably right, because if Richmond can win it anyone can.

I think it'll be GWS next year. Lobb in the ruck leaves them with a more balanced forward line.

 

[Mr_Plow]

I genuinely don't know.

I was going to say *, but they suck at contested football, yet they haven't addressed it and that is what wins finals.

Port have all the necessary pieces but are severely limited on the big stage.

GWS will be top 4 again, no doubt.

 

[GapInIkonPark]

Sydney, Adelaide, Geelong or Richmond.

Two teams in the Now or Never space, Adelaide and Geelong.

Three teams copying Richmond recruiting mature players, *, Power and Demons. Think they are in 5-8 group.

Sydney I think was right up there after lots of injury and a poor start in Season 2017 and will be up there next Season too. Richmond can’t afford an injury to one of its big 4 in Rance, Martin, Cotchin and Riewoldt.