2007 Ladder Prediction Thread - Now Indexed!

[tribey]

West Coast
Fremantle
Sydney
St. Kilda
Melbourne
Western Bulldogs
Port Adelaide
Adelaide

Brisbane
Geelong
Richmond
Hawthorn
Essendon
Collingwood
Carlton
North

Premiership: West Coast
Brownlow: Dean Cox
Coleman Medal: Brendan Fevola
Rising Star: Bryce Gibbs
Norm Smith: Ben Cousins (there's a story)
Best Performed Traded Player: Jason Akermanis
Most Disappointing Team: Geelong
First Coach Sacked: Bomber Thompson/Dean Laidley dead heat

 

[FeelingBlue]

Adelaide
Fremantle
West Coast
Sydney
St. Kilda
Port Adelaide
Western Bulldogs
Geelong

Melbourne
Hawthorn
Collingwood
Richmond
Carlton
Essendon
Brisbane
Kangaroos

Premiership: Sydney
Brownlow: Mark Ricciuto
Coleman Medal: Brendan Fevola
Rising Star: Bryce Gibbs
Norm Smith: Adam Goodes
Best Performed Traded Player: Jason Akermanis
Most Disappointing Team: Brisbane
First Coach Sacked: Dean Laidley

 

[subi16s]

wce
fre
st k
bull
syd
mel
syd
adel

coll
geel
ess
carl
haw
kang
port
bris

premier: wce
brownlow: judd kerr tie 30 votes

 

[Mr--ShinBoner--#11]

1. Hawthorn
2. Richmond
3. Collingwood
4. Carlton
5. Roos
6. Essendon
7. Brisbane
8. Port.

9. Melbourne
10. Geelong
11. Swans
12. Doggies
13. Adelaide
14. Saints
15. WCE
16. Freo

Premiers: Hawks
R

hey i think that ladder is upside down! lol

 

[jules101]

West Coast
fremantle
Melbourne
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Geelong
St Kilda
Adelaide
Richmond
Hawthorn
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Essendon
Brisbane
Carlton
Kangaroos

 

[gytre]

It's time for me to make my yearly ladder prediction, so let's see how I go for 2007.

I believe we may see a few less upsets in 2007, as I believe some of the top teams are a fair bit better than some of the bottom teams. I believe the premiership will come from one of three clubs - The Eagles, Dockers or Swans. Once again it will be a non-Victorian team.

1. West Coast Eagles
2. Fremantle
3. Sydney Swans
4. Western Bulldogs
5. Melbourne
6. Geelong
7. St. Kilda
8. Adelaide
-----------------------------------------
9. Richmond
10. Hawthorn
11. Port Adelaide
12. Collingwood
13. Carlton
14. Brisbane Lions
15. Essendon
16. North Melbourne


(1st) West Coast Eagles - One team stands out above all others in 2007 - the Eagles. Never mind the headlines and the off-field distractions, when it comes to the AFL premiership, the Eagles are the team to beat. The Eagles had similar distractions last year and it didn't affect their on-field performance one iota. Expect Ben Cousins to be back playing soon enough. West Coast, led by the explosive Chris Judd, has one of the best midfields the game has ever seen. They have experience, but are far from an ageing club. They still have plenty of quality youngsters who can make further improvement. And with one flag under their belts, they will be confident of more. They have the list to do it.

(2nd) Fremantle - Last season the Dockers achieved their stated goal of winning a final. This season their goal should be nothing less than a premiership. With the addition of experienced pair Chris Tarrant and Dean Solomon, the Dockers have another avenue to goal and add some toughness to their backline. Giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands emerged as a superstar last season and will continue to improve. If he can give first use to their experienced midfield brigade of Carr, Bell and Hasleby, then the Dockers will win plenty of games and could even go all the way. I'm tipping a Western Derby grand final this season.

(3rd) Sydney Swans - They're another year older, the Swans, but they still have the quality to be a real force in September. They have plenty of depth, good speed across all lines, and some impressive youngsters like McVeigh and Malceski who can further improve. A reliable defence, plenty of goalkicking targets and the x factor in superstar Adam Goodes will see the Swans win plenty of games. The recruitment of ruckman Peter Everitt will give Darren Jolly much-needed relief, whilst also providing another forward target. Expect another strong showing by Sydney.

(4th) Western Bulldogs - The Bulldogs represent probably the best chance a Victorian team has of winning the flag in '07. Led by a solid group of veterans, the Dogs play a very entertaining brand of attacking football. The recruitment of ex-Lions star Jason Akermanis was a big coup for the Bulldogs. Ex-Eagle Andrew McDougall impressed in the pre-season and he gives the Dogs another key position player, whether in attack or defence. The Bulldogs get former captain Luke Darcy back from a serious knee injury and he will probably hold down full forward. This club has plenty of speed, skill and playing depth. Now if they can only get the best out of potential superstar Adam Cooney they could go a long way into September.

(5th) Melbourne - The dark horse in season '07. Coach Neale Daniher has kept much the same playing group together for the last few years with limited changes to personnel. Yet the Demons have so far failed to deliver him a premiership, begging the question of whether this list really has what it takes. Has Daniher already gotten the most out of this group? This is the big question. There's plenty of talent there, and some of their young guns like Colin Sylvia can further improve. The Demons should be in September again, but I think we have reason to be skeptical about them going all the way. This will probably be captain David Neitz's last season, so this might be the last chance for this group.

(6th) Geelong - Underachievers last season, the highly talented Cats will be looking to atone for a forgettable 2006. The club doesn't seem to have panicked. Gone are Matthew McCarthy and Kent Kingsley, but they have kept coach Mark Thompson and much of their list intact. Nathan Ablett has bulked up in the pre-season and will provide an important forward target. So too might young gun Tom Hawkins. With a solid defence led by new captain Tom Harley and champion full back Matthew Scarlett, the real question might be whether the Cats can kick enough goals. They have good speed, especially with David Wojcinski returning from injury, and a number of quality young players who can improve. There's no more excuses for Geelong. They have the list, but the question remains do they have the heart?

(7th) St. Kilda - Is the Saints list overrated? A lot of pundits had the Saints as a real premiership threat before the last two seasons and they still have much the same playing list available this season. Yet they have succumbed meekly in finals, perhaps begging the question of whether they were really that good at all. Certainly, they've had their share of injuries, but is that just an excuse? Coach Grant Thomas bit the dust to be replaced by first-timer Ross Lyon. The Saints have gambled further in recruiting Michael Gardiner and an ageing Matthew Clarke to boost their ruck stocks. Nick Dal Santo and Lenny Hayes are gun midfielders, Max Hudghton a terrific defender and they have plenty of goalkicking power in Gehrig, Riewoldt and Milne. Perhaps if the Saints can keep all their key players on the park for much of the season they might be a serious threat, but I think we have reason to be skeptical.

(8th) Adelaide - My tip to be one of the teams to decline this season and it's not hard to work out why. Season-ending knee injuries to ruckman Rhett Biglands and emerging star forward Trent Henschel, along with captain Mark Ricciuto missing the first part of the season may see the Crows struggle to kick enough goals. Ageing midfield stars Goodwin, McLeod and Edwards will shoulder a heavy burden again, but the Crows do have depth and do have some rapidly improving youngsters. They also have one of the best defences in the league and have ruckman Ben Hudson returning from a serious knee injury. Don't expect a flag from the Crows in '07, but do expect them to be thereabouts come finals time.

(9th) Richmond - One of the big improvers in '06, there's been a few changes in the off-season. Gone are Greg Stafford and Andrew Kellaway, whilst talented defender Graham Polak has been picked up from Fremantle and ex-Cat Kent Kingsley provides another attacking option. Nathan Brown shone in the pre-season and looks to be back to full fitness, which is excellent news for Tigers fans. The midfield is without superstars, but has plenty of speed in players like Deledio, Tambling and Tivendale. However, losing key ballwinner Mark Coughlan for the season with a knee injury will be a blow. Coach Terry Wallace has managed to get a lot out of the Richmond youngsters, and with further improvement they should be challenging for a place in the finals.

(10th) Hawthorn - Coach Alistair Clarkson has had his group of young Hawks on schedule with their development over the past few seasons to the point that they're now ready to challenge for a place in the finals. Young centre-half-forward Lance Franklin starred in the pre-season and will be a key player for the Hawks this year. In Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge, the Hawks have two of the best young midfielders in the AFL. However, there may still be deficiencies at Hawthorn. The Hawks failed to lure either Carlton's Brett Thornton or ex-Lion Mal Michael to bolster their fragile backline, and ruckman Peter Everitt has moved to Sydney.

(11th) Port Adelaide - 2006 was a rebuilding year for the Power and we can expect more of the same in 2007. Some of their youngsters, like rising star Danyle Pearce made tremendous progress and Port will be keen for such players to continue that rapid improvement. Brett Ebert finally began to show his true potential last season and he will be an important avenue to goal in 07. Shaun Burgoyne emerged as an elite player and Port still has a solid group of veterans. But whether they're good enough to make the finals may depend on whether captain Warren Tredrea can get fit and get back to his best form.

(12th) Collingwood - Collingwood had a fair bit go right for them in 06 with a low injury count and some rapid improvement by some of their young players. This season may not be so easy now that Chris Tarrant has left the club. They desperately need the talented Travis Cloke to step up in his place. A further blow was that talented forward Sean Rusling injured his shoulder and will miss the first half of the season. The Magpies have a very solid defence, but players like Buckley, Burns and Wakelin are all another year older. The Magpies bowed out meekly in the finals last season and I'm expecting a bit of a correction this year.

(13th) Carlton - Can the Blues pre-season Cup victory translate into success in the regular season? After all the turmoil in the off-season, there finally appears to be an air of stability at Carlton. Billionaire Richard Pratt is the new club president and Denis Pagan has been retained as coach. Full-forward Brendan Fevola was red hot in the pre-season and the Blues have a solid group of youngsters ready to take them off the bottom of the ladder, at least. Number 1 draft pick Bryce Gibbs looks a very likely prospect and is already in the club's leadership group, despite being just eighteen. Retaining defender Brett Thornton was a big bonus, but the Blues still look to have deficiencies as they don't have an elite midfield and their ruck stocks have been depleted with French, DeLuca and Bryan all leaving the club.

(14th) Brisbane Lions - Season 2007 represents the start of a new era for the Brisbane Lions, following the departure of triple premiership players Voss, Akermanis, Leppitsch, Brad Scott and Mal Michael. With such talent all disappearing at the same time, the focus will be on developing young players. And in the pre-season the young Lions shone. The speedy Justin Sherman is enormously talented and Michael Rischitelli could emerge as a top midfielder. The Lions will get Nigel Lappin and Richard Hadley back from injury and if gun forward Jonathon Brown can stay fit for the whole season, who knows what is possible? However, the departure of Michael leaves a gaping hole in their defence and this is likely to be a rebuilding year for this talented, but very young list.

(15th) Essendon - With the return of captain Matthew Lloyd from injury, and the controversial recruiting of Mal Michael, Essendon now has a very solid goal-to-goal line. But their problem last year was more to do with their midfield and a lack of speed at the club. Jobe Watson made some good progress in 06, but the Bombers need more out of Jason Johnson and they desperately need young players like Stanton, Dyson and Winderlich to go to the next level. James Hird is playing on for one more year, but he's no longer the superstar he used to be. It's doubtful whether Essendon has really improved their deficiencies, or if there's really much depth to their playing list. Furthermore, Dean Solomon has left the club. This could be Kevin Sheedy's last year as coach.

(16th) North Melbourne - Last season North's problem was finding enough players to kick goals. This season they have lost Saverio Rocca to retirement and must now endure the calamity of losing leading goalkicker Nathan Thompson for the season with a knee injury. With that in mind, it's hard to make a case for North. They're a blue collar team that lacks stars, and with Thompson going down, they have one less. The Kangaroos do have some talented youngsters in Harris, Swallow and Moran, but they'll need more time to develop. It's going to be a long season for North, but it could be a short season for coach Dean Laidley.

 

[Willy_37]

Fremantle
Bulldogs
Geelong
West Coast
St Kilda
Adelaide
Essendon
Sydney

Melbourne
Hawthorn
Carlton
Richmond
Brisbane
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Kangaroos

Premiers: Fremantle
Brownlow: Brett Burton
Norm Smith: Matthew Pavlich
Rising Star: Scott Gumbleton
Coleman: Matthew Lloyd

 

[jules101]

(15th) Essendon - With the return of captain Matthew Lloyd from injury, and the controversial recruiting of Mal Michael, Essendon now has a very solid goal-to-goal line. But their problem last year was more to do with their midfield and a lack of speed at the club. Jobe Watson made some good progress in 06, but the Bombers need more out of Jason Johnson and they desperately need young players like Stanton, Dyson and Winderlich to go to the next level. James Hird is playing on for one more year, but he's no longer the superstar he used to be. It's doubtful whether Essendon has really improved their deficiencies, or if there's really much depth to their playing list. Furthermore, Dean Solomon has left the club. This could be Kevin Sheedy's last year as coach.

You're right... hate to have these slow players like Lovett, Dempsey, Jetta, Davey and to a lesser extent Dyson, Winderlich, Stanton. We are not slow anymore.

 

[jules101]

Fremantle
Bulldogs
Geelong
West Coast
St Kilda
Adelaide
Essendon
Sydney

Melbourne
Hawthorn
Carlton
Richmond
Brisbane
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Kangaroos

Premiers: Fremantle
Brownlow: Brett Burton
Norm Smith: Matthew Pavlich
Rising Star: Scott Gumbleton
Coleman: Matthew Lloyd

I doubt Gumby will play enough games this year to win the rising star mate..

 

[gytre]

You're right... hate to have these slow players like Lovett, Dempsey, Jetta, Davey and to a lesser extent Dyson, Winderlich, Stanton. We are not slow anymore.

Yeah, and they'll look quicker if Essendon can actually win the ball.

 

[jules101]

Yeah, and they'll look quicker if Essendon can actually win the ball.

a. Lovett will be close to winning the B&F this year if he plays in the midfield. I know preseason form doesn't mean too much but he will be in for a big seaosn imo.
b. You never said anything about ball winning ability, you said speed. Speed we have.

 

[gytre]

a. Lovett will be close to winning the B&F this year if he plays in the midfield. I know preseason form doesn't mean too much but he will be in for a big seaosn imo.

You can speculate all you like... I shall wait til he delivers the goods.

b. You never said anything about ball winning ability, you said speed. Speed we have.

Yeah, if the quicker players you've listed even get selected.

 

[Citizen]

A mixture of bias and instinct... The Grand Final will see a triumphant Essendon team chair retiring champion James Hird off the ground. In scenes reminiscent of 1993 the Bombers will steal the march on other more fancied clubs and snatch a premiership from nowhere. That said, not rushing to stake the house on it.

Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
Essendon
Melbourne
Adelaide
West Coast
Sydney
St. Kilda

Geelong
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Brisbane
Hawthorn
Kangaroos
Carlton
Richmond

Premiership: Essendon
Brownlow: Aaron Sandilands
Coleman Medal: Matthew Lloyd
Rising Star: Bryce Gibbs
Norm Smith: Scott Lucas
Best Performed Traded Player: Jason Akermanis
Most Disappointing Team: Collingwood

 

[mfcrox]

1 - West Coast (Just too dominant… 2nd of many consecutive premierships)
2 - Fremantle (Win 95% of home games... and Mr. A. Sandilands)
3 - St. Kilda (Finally get over injuries, and Gardiner & Clarke will feed rovers)
4 - Melbourne (Will finally reach top 4, and won't lose at the MCG until GF)
5 - Sydney (Top sides will figure out measures to stop their boring winning)
6 - Western Bulldogs (Plenty of potential... a few years away though)
7 - Geelong (Mark Thompson won't be coach next season)
8 - Adelaide (Aging unit will finally start to decline)
_____________________

9 - Port Adelaide (Burgoyne’s and Tredrea the keys)
10 - Hawthorn (Still too raw... will cause a few upsets though)
11 - Essendon (Lloyd returning will see a rise up the ladder... not top-8 though)
12 - Collingwood (Buckley's hamstring woes return... Tarrant a massive loss)
13 - Brisbane (Mr. J. Brown will dominate… depends on fitness of stars)
14 - Carlton (Will show some good signs, slowly creeping back up the ladder)
15 - Richmond (If playing in the NBL they might finish higher)
16 - Kangaroos (No Thompson = No North… Priority Pick beckoning)

Premier - West Coast (Most dominant season since Essendon 2000)
Runner-up – Melbourne (Lose 1st week of finals, win 2nd & 3rd week, lose GF)
Brownlow – Judd (3-votes in 6-8 matches… 27-33votes total)
Coleman Medal – Lloyd (85-90 goals)
Rising Star - Nathan Jones (You heard it hear first)

 

[PoidaCat]

Geelong
St Kilda
Bulldogs
Richmond
North Melbourne
Essendon
Carlton
Melbourne
---------------
Collingwood
Tasmania
Port
Adelaide
Sydney
Brisbane
West Coast
Fremantle

 

[OOZAY]

1. Sydney
2. Melbourne
3. West Coast
4. Adelaide
5. Fremantle
6. Western Bulldogs
7. St. Kilda
8. Brisbane
--------------
9. Essendon
10. North Melbourne
11. Collingwood
12. Port Adelaide
13. Geelong
14. Carlton
15. Richmond
16. Hawthorn

 

[Ekulman]

West Coast
Fremantle
Sydney
Collingwood
Bulldogs
Adelaide
Geelong
Carlton

Richmond
Melbourne
St. Kilda
Brisbane
Hawthorn
Essendon
Port Power
Kangaroos


Premier: Freomantle
Runner up: Collingwood
Brownlow: Simon Black
Coleman: Fevola

 

[Ceriouss]

Adelaide
Sydney
West Coast
StKilda
Fremantle
Melbourne
Western Bulldogs
Geelong
------------------
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Collingwood
Hawthorn
Brisbane
Carlton
Essendon
Kangaroos

 

[Kochie 16]

Premiers: Freo
Brownlow: J.B. and Blacky
Rising Star: Riskki
Coleman: J.B

 

[adamcf]

West Coast
Fremantle
Sydney
Collingwood
Bulldogs
Adelaide
Geelong
Carlton

Richmond
Melbourne
St. Kilda
Brisbane
Hawthorn
Essendon
Port Power
Kangaroos


Premier: Freomantle
Runner up: Collingwood
Brownlow: Simon Black
Coleman: Fevola

Drug test please

 

[Whooooos got it??]

1. West Coast
2. Sydney
3. Fremantle
4. Geelong
5. St. Kilda
6. Adelaide
7. Western Bulldogs
8. Hawthorn


9. Brisbane
10. Melbourne
11. Port Adelaide
12. Carlton
13. Collingwood
14. Richmond
15. Essendon
16. Kangaroos

Thats my opinion fellas

 

[cartman48]

Fremantle
Bulldogs
Melbourne
Geelong
Hawthorn
St. Kilda
Brisbane
West Coast

Collingwood
Sydney
Richmond
Adelaide
Carlton
Port Power
Essendon
Kangaroos


Premier: Fremantle
Runner up: Bulldogs
Brownlow: Sam Mitchell
Coleman: Tim Boyle (kidding) - Fevola

 

[rancidpants13]

Drug test please

did anyone see caroline wilson's picks in the sunday age? she's got sydney 10th...TENTH!!! and behind SIX victorian teams....including the kangaroos, who she picks at 7.... hey, maybe she'll br proven right....ahhh ha ha ha ha, no chance

 

[mulhollanddrive]

she's the football journalist who hasn't written a single word about football - and her tips reflect that.

All she does is write gossip about administrators.

 

[Ekulman]

she tipped the pies for the wooden spoon last year didnt she
kangaroos making the 8 is abit of a joke though. especially since thompson is out