2012 - The official non-Crows Football discussion.

[Allefgib]

Bit worried for the bombers... do they have the cattle?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I've thought the Bombers were completely shit for ages. Consistently surprised by the number of games they win.

Playes like Lonergan, Winderlich, Hooker and many other spuds... somehow get the job done (sometimes).

Bombers fans have written it off. Happens every time they go to Perth apparently. Should forfeit and save on the plane tickets.

 

[Dirty Bird]

Well, I have tipped Essendon avoiding the spoon on %, so I guess I also agree they're shit.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Threads like these should be in The Backyard.. which is where this one will be residing shortly.

The main board is for discussing the AFC, threads specifically for discussing non-Crows related stuff belong elsewhere. That's not to say that they're not worthy of discussion, which is why we have "The Backyard".

You mean like Port Adelaide coaches and Hawthorn players? unless your applying a very liberal meaning to the context of "non-crows" stuff.

IMO I think we need to have just 2 categories - Football (anything football related) and non football (everything else).

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Bit worried for the bombers... do they have the cattle?

Wouldn't worry about them too much yet.

IIRC, in 2010 St Kilda lost all their pre season games and even got rolled by 120 point by point Adelaide in there final trail game and went onto play in the GF.

pre season games don't means very much.

 

[Lawrst]

I've thought the Bombers were completely shit for ages. Consistently surprised by the number of games they win.

This,

How the hell did they finish above richmond, north and freo.

Im worried for the WB this year, it might be a loonggg year for them unless some of the younger players can really carry the load.

 

[Dirty Bird]

This,

How the hell did they finish above richmond, north and freo.

Im worried for the WB this year, it might be a loonggg year for them unless some of the younger players can really carry the load.

North and Freo were decimated by injuries for just about the whole year.
Essendon had the extra motivation that Hird provides (don't underestimate that, A.Jarman did wonders at North)

Essendon had that early jump and started on fire.

North and Freo struggled for consistency due to their injuries.

Richmond are just overrated. Maric does fill a hole, but they're not going to challange for a while, they need to pull a Davis or a McKernan out of their butt to get anywhere close to a premier contender, all they are is a poor mans Carlton (And I dont even think Carlton are balanced and deep enough to challange)

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Thoughts on West Coast?

Probably played a little above themselves last year (if that's possible) so logic says that they should slip back a little this season. Especially with LeCras out, who is a class act.

However you look through their squad and it is pretty well balanced and plenty of upside. Kennedy, Glass and Cox alone make for a pretty impressive spine.

Top level midfield talent perhaps a question mark but have a few players on the level down who are pretty consistent (Rosa, Selwood x 2).

I really like the Hurn, Butler, Waters combo down back. Smart, reliable.

McKenzie and Schofield are average but your 2nd and 3rd defensive talls can be. Plenty of premiership teams carry average players in these positions.

Can Kerr and Embley keep getting the job done?

We've heard it before but is this Masten's year? He finished 2011 very well.

The other question I have is how much improvement these players will show in 2012: Gaff, Hams, Sheppard, Darling, Shuey and Naitanui. Will they increase their output significantly or plateau as many young players do?

My initial thoughts when LeCras went down was that they would be in the lower reaches of the eight. I'm revising that slightly and reckon they might challenge the likes of Carlton for the top four.

 

[Hank93]

Thoughts on West Coast?

Probably played a little above themselves last year (if that's possible) so logic says that they should slip back a little this season. Especially with LeCras out, who is a class act.

However you look through their squad and it is pretty well balanced and plenty of upside. Kennedy, Glass and Cox alone make for a pretty impressive spine.

Top level midfield talent perhaps a question mark but have a few players on the level down who are pretty consistent (Rosa, Selwood x 2).

I really like the Hurn, Butler, Waters combo down back. Smart, reliable.

McKenzie and Schofield are average but your 2nd and 3rd defensive talls can be. Plenty of premiership teams carry average players in these positions.

Can Kerr and Embley keep getting the job done?

We've heard it before but is this Masten's year? He finished 2011 very well.

The other question I have is how much improvement these players will show in 2012: Gaff, Hams, Sheppard, Darling, Shuey and Naitanui. Will they increase their output significantly or plateau as many young players do?

My initial thoughts when LeCras went down was that they would be in the lower reaches of the eight. I'm revising that slightly and reckon they might challenge the likes of Carlton for the top four.

Their still definitely a contender for the top 4. Gaff, Selwood, Shuey, Masten, Shepard, Darling should all improve their output this year. They'll have to rely on Kerr, Cox, Embley and Glass continuing their strong performances to stay in the top 4 race.

The loss of LeCras is a huge blow.

I don't think they can win the premiership based on his injury.

 

[Hank93]

How do people think GWS will go this season? I thought they were going to be beyond hopeless, but Saturday Night changed my prediction.

A lot of their youngsters really impressed me, mainly Tyson, Coniglio, Smith, Cameron, Cooyou, Tomlinson and Bugg.

I can see them having a very similar season to Gold Coast. Struggle big time early, snag a win or two in the middle part of the season, and remain competitive in regards to how young their side is.

 

[PykeDream]

I really like the Hurn, Butler, Waters combo down back. Smart, reliable.

Thank God for that question mark, as Waters and smart certainly don't belong in the same sentence.

My initial thoughts when LeCras went down was that they would be in the lower reaches of the eight. I'm revising that slightly and reckon they might challenge the likes of Carlton for the top four.

As much as I'd hate for it to happen (my equal least favourite team), I agree that they'll be fourth again. I don't think that the top four will require as many wins as they did last year; Eagles should have an advantage with their Subi fortress and soft draw. Le Cras is important but I'm not sure they'll be too gutted to lose Embley. Glass, Kennedy, Lynch is the vital spine that needs to stay fit.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Thank God for that question mark, as Waters and smart certainly don't belong in the same sentence.

What do you mean, like general knowledge?

 

[Lawrst]

Richmond are just overrated. Maric does fill a hole, but they're not going to challange for a while, they need to pull a Davis or a McKernan out of their butt to get anywhere close to a premier contender, all they are is a poor mans Carlton (And I dont even think Carlton are balanced and deep enough to challange)

Yea they are overrated but i still think it wont be long before they have some serious weapons in their team. Martin alone is going to be a freak!

West coast should finish between 6-3 imo

 

[PykeDream]

What do you mean, like general knowledge?

Yeah, he doesn't exactly exude an air of knowledge and thoughtfulness in the press conferences and interviews I often see over here. Tough as nails footballer and vice captain, but there's a reason why Scott Selwood is preferred as the next captain when Glass retires.

 

[Allefgib]

West coast I rate, unfortunately.
Le cras hurts alot. Any talk of lars or is it the full she-bang for his knee op?

Bombers I'm not worried about just from sunday but just general talent level. Where are the game winners? Hurley? Guy has talent...but seems far more comfortable down back.

 

[Footypie32]

As it is with any team really, reckon it's all about injuries for WC. If Cox, Kerr, Embley and Glass etc stay fit, top 4 is certainly within reach.

As for Waters not being intellectually gifted- once saw him get dragged off a bus by 4 coppers after the driver pulled over and called them because he and his mates were smoking up the back. He did not go quietly.

On to GWS. It's just the NAB cup. I believe Collingwood and the Bullies played watered down sides. They'll get hammered once the real thing starts.

 

[FR0GGY]

West coast I rate, unfortunately.
Le cras hurts alot. Any talk of lars or is it the full she-bang for his knee op?

Bombers I'm not worried about just from sunday but just general talent level. Where are the game winners? Hurley? Guy has talent...but seems far more comfortable down back.

Going the conventional route Allefgib.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Yeah, he doesn't exactly exude an air of knowledge and thoughtfulness in the press conferences and interviews I often see over here. Tough as nails footballer and vice captain, but there's a reason why Scott Selwood is preferred as the next captain when Glass retires.

Ah, I see.

Smart in a football context to me means correct decision making (on the field), not panicking under pressure, doing the right thing at the right time.

But yes, you woudn't want Waters at your table for the club quiz night.

 

[Allefgib]

Going the conventional route Allefgib.

Cheers Froggy. Won't be any chance of finals then.

 

[PykeDream]

Was at the Freo vs Richmond game today - isn't Ivan's mullet glorious. Could spot him from the opposite end of the ground with ease. Everyone in the crowd around me was asking who the guy with the hair was. Rucked very well I thought against his old teammate Griffin, and Clarke, with some very ambitious contested marking attempts (one or two of which came off). The Tiges certainly missed him when he was subbed off at half time, as Derickx was absolutely monstered (and I thought he was meant to be decent?).

 

[Footypie32]

Was at the Freo vs Richmond game today - isn't Ivan's mullet glorious. Could spot him from the opposite end of the ground with ease. Everyone in the crowd around me was asking who the guy with the hair was. Rucked very well I thought against his old teammate Griffin, and Clarke, with some very ambitious contested marking attempts (one or two of which came off). The Tiges certainly missed him when he was subbed off at half time, as Derickx was absolutely monstered (and I thought he was meant to be decent?).

How that game go? Any other standouts?

 

[FR0GGY]

Did anyone see Omeras game on Friday night? The bits I saw he was awesome! Great snap for goal. Very cool and calm. Even his body looked ready for afl.

 

[PykeDream]

How that game go? Any other standouts?

Richmond were quite inexperienced, while Fremantle had a lot of their useless fringe players on the field (McPhee, Crowley, Anthony). Tiges worked hard but didn't seem to have any real game plan, just bombing forward with their eyes down. Their forwardline looked very slick to start, but wasn't as effective when Riewoldt was subbed out. Backline was quite shaky late and their midfield was substantially weakened.

Freo's forwardline looked a bit lost to start but they gelled later with some very good crumbing attempts by their small players. Their backline actually performed better later in the game.

Ballantyne, Neale and Mzungu impressed, as did Riewoldt and Martin. Few others really stood out.

 

[Dirty Bird]

What a game tonight!!!!!!!

 

[Footypie32]

Ha. Port players dont know their own song. I swear they missed a line (uurrgghh!... How do I know that?!).

Good win by them in the end though. Could be some improvement from them this year. Are St Kilda really that bad??!