Were hawthorn kicked out of the AFL?
Amazing year for the Hawks to play finals and grab Pick 1!
I love it how the Pies and Dees now have a heated rivalry.
Bloody hope soAre Richmond so s**t we get relegated?
“They” do every year and have done so since 2010
But how many times did we play bottom teams?
You versed sydney twice? Also a double up on the doggies who are quite formidable. Your easy double ups were Essendon and Fremantle, which are by no means easy beats compared to some teams.
Fair enough. I think people are underrating our youth but I understand this opinion.
What teams can't run with that midfield though? You can list 3 good players in just about every midfield in the comp, every team could list a handful of young players that they expect decent growth from as well. Everyone around you will also look to be improve, What's Richmond's point of difference?
Sorry it was a bit vague. Those 3 players are pretty good and all in the prime age range, which means we won't need to rely on our aging stars in our midfield (Dusty and Prestia, even though I don't think Dusty will necessarily drop off).
We are going to slide. Kenny got his contract. Time for our annual 11th placed finish.
You know that’s not true regarding Hinkley…
Kudos for so much effort. Very comprehensive!My way too early ladder prediction for 2024.
Collingwood
Brisbane
GWS
Carlton
Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Adelaide
Geelong
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Essendon
Gold Coast
St Kilda
Richmond
Hawthorn
North Melbourne
Fremantle
West Coast
Collingwood and Brisbane will still be the two best teams next year.
GWS showed that they can mix it with the best, They're solid around the entire field.
Carlton similar to GWS although i have slightly less confidence with them, but they should competing for top 4 if they perform. Although as we saw this year the difference between top 4 and missing the top 8 entirely can be slim!
Melbourne I have a feeling might be a bit shaky next year with the all the off field stuff. But I still can't bring myself to write them off, There's just way too much talent there. They did end up having a pretty easy fixture this year though so maybe a more difficult fixture could see them slide a little also.
Port Adelaide could improve if they pick up some decent defenders, Although I still think the slide a little. Still have a few holes in their list. They can't afford for players like Rozee/Butters to be off their game as they're so important.
Adelaide had quite the difficult fixture this year and still only just missed out, If their old boys in Tex etc. can keep firing and they get a slightly easier fixture and see some improvement in their youth. I could see them doing some serious damage next year.
Geelong I just can't write these guys off.... as much as we all want to year after year! They should have a better run with injuries they will have an easier fixture and they will still play in September, Hell they will probably be top 4 lol.
Sydney has plenty of young talent that could see improvement and I think they probably under performed this year. Could easily see them in the 8, If the likes of Chad Warner recapture their 2022 form. Their defense has some question marks though especially with McCartin hanging up the boots.
Western Bulldogs They are absolutely oozing with talent but I just don't have much faith in their game plan and their defense is sorely lacking. They need to shake things up but I can understand why they are reluctant, It often takes time for things to settle after hiring a new coach etc. and they want to make the most of their list whilst they can. The likes of Libba, Bont etc. won't be there for ever.
Essendon I think we will improve somewhat, The likes of McKay almost ensure that. If we can get Wright for the full year, get some of our perpetually injured players up and running we could see some nice improvement there too. Plenty of young players which could possibly see improvement also, Although the competition is so tight it probably won't be enough just yet.
Gold coast I think the list over at the gold coast goes a little under the radar, I quite like what they're building over there and with a new proven coach with lots of toys I think they will be quite competitive come next year.
St Kilda They were ravaged with injuries this year and still performed quite well so why on earth do I have them so low? The competition is so damn close that being this low you could still be competing for top 6. I do rate Ross as a coach but I just have a feeling they were running a bit on that "New coach high" and they will get a much harder fixture this year. I just see too many holes in their list personally.
Richmond Even with Lynch fit and firing I think they will struggle a little next year, I think a mini rebuild is in order.
Hawthorn although they finished very strongly and are building quite the solid brigade, I fear they are still too young to do it over an entire season. They won't be bad by any means it's just a close competition.
North Melbourne With Clarko finally at the helm and hopefully a better run with injuries I think North will compete well come next year! Although they are still extremely young and have massive deficiencies in their list, which will only become worse with McKay leaving. By no means will they be easy beats though!
Fremantle I think will struggle next year. They Probably won't improve much and others will go past them. Freo were looking quite good not long ago but they keep bleeding players which is rough. They will by no means be the West coast and North of this season but 2nd last regardless.
West Coast should hopefully bring better fitness and less injuries next year but they will find themselves here all the same. In need of a proper rebuild. They have some solid players and if they can get some continuity next year they should be a lot more competitive.
DISCLAIMER - I tried to take in account Ladder positions, Trades so far, Injuries, Fixture difficulty and just pure gut feeling. We all know this ladder wont be even remotely accurate (They never are) so try not to take it so personally. Iv'e also tried to give a brief reasoning at 5am, mildly intoxicated, So Enjoy it for what it is and let the discussions flow. You will undoubtedly have a better understanding of your own teams list than I ever will I'm sure.
