Ladder after five rounds

[Ironmonger]

Uncanny...

I know this is a common perception re Collingwood Brisbane for 2014 but I still don't understand it. Shaw Yeo is the big loss from the team that played in 2013. Thomas, Didak, Krak, Jolly Longer, Docherty, Karnezis, Polec etc are much less so as none of those had significant game time in 2013. On the plus side however Adams McGuane give some compensation for the Shaw Yeo loss and Fasalo, Toovey, Beams, Keefe, Ball, Young and Grundy Moloney, Harwood, Staker, Brown, Maguire, Rich and Clarke all of whom missed significant parts of 2013 are back. Add White Martin and the top end draft picks of the last 2 seasons and I see little reason to think Collingwood Brisbane will slip compared to how we performed in 2013. With a more settled side and less injuries we should be improving considerably on 2013.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Are they? Brown averages 32 goals per season over the past three seasons which isn't much. At 32, with injury problems (hasn't played a full season since 2009) you wouldn't say his output will rise. Zorko and Green are pinch hitters, you can't rely upon them to kick a winning score every week.

To be honest Voss never played another forward consistently. So how could another player rack the goals up. For memory Merrett, Staker, Patful and Rockliff had stages playing forward then moved from there the following week. Probably why voss got the punt leaving Lisle in the reserves for most of the year.

Brown, Zorko and Green got them all because they consistently played there. 1 tall and 2 crumbers.

 

[Colonial]

Giants will be 3 from 5. Winnable games just a matter of if they are firing at the start

 

[Smoocher]

R1 - North vs. Essendon - by 30pts
R2 - Bulldogs vs. North - by 51pts
R3 - North vs. Port - by 41pts
R4 - Sydney vs. North - by 33pts
R5 - Collingwood vs. North - by 10pts

I'm tipping 4-1
2014 = Year of the roo

We haven't won a round 1 game for a long time and Essendon always start off well. I would be happy with a 3-2 start.

 

[eth-dog]

We haven't won a round 1 game for a long time and Essendon always start off well. I would be happy with a 3-2 start.

Funnily enough, the last time North won a round 1 game was in2009, against Melbourne. I don't think Scott was coach then iirc.

 

[Theo X]

Giants will be 3 from 5. Winnable games just a matter of if they are firing at the start

So GWS will will the same number of games they have in their history, in the first 5 rounds of 2104? Don't think so.

 

[eth-dog]

So GWS will will the same number of games they have in their history, in the first 5 rounds of 2104? Don't think so.

That would be correct, except they've won 4 games...

 

[Theo X]

That would be correct, except they've won 4 games...

3, 4, still totally unrealistic.
PS 2 in 2012, 1 in 2013 adds up to 3 to me.

 

[Fadge]

Carlton's fixture overall isn't that easy but its packed full with "blockbusters". Carlton playing the Hawks at the G and Cats twice at Etihad is refreshing compared to the usual match up against Richmond.

Just for the first 5 games though....

1st game against Port I would say would be about 70/30 in favour in of Carlton due to Etihad been Port's bogey ground and Carlton's midfield matching up well against Port. Not completely disregarding the chance of a Port win since rd 1 always has a few surprises though. Port are quite talented though and their team will be just as confident of pulling off a win as their supporters are.

2nd game against Richmond would be about 50/50. We are a bogey team to Richmond but they are a talented team that are on the up. Richmond are a better side then us on the outside but we should be able to bully them at the stoppages with our mature/bigger bodies and Jamison has the wood on Riewoldt. Thomas, Gibbs, Murphy and Judd ( v Cotchin, Martin, Conca and Delidio should be great fun to watch. Expect Carazzo or Curnow to tag Cotchin while Gibbs will go head to head against Martin again. Also looking forward to see what the Richmond board come up with for the unofficial preview again.

3rd game against Essendon is going to be tough with Essendon confident after their last two wins against us where they stole the game although I think Carlton will be keen for redemption. Last year they took advantage of our lack of run and inaccurate goal kicking to run over the top of us. A fit Murphy and Thomas will help immensely in this regard though and I still think this will be a 50/50 game since Essendon are a well rounded and talented team but we have the quality to match them in any area of the ground. The coaching battle will be crucial between Malthouse and Thompson since both coaches will be trying to get the best possible match ups.

4th game against Melbourne doesn't need too much commentary since Melbourne's and Roos record against Carlton and Malthouse respectively is atrocious. Carlton V Melbourne games in the past have been incredibly lifeless ( less fun to watch then our losses) and I think Carton will win this easily.

5th against the Bulldogs is a major danger game for all sorts of reasons. Bulldogs love playing Carlton and their past history against us includes games where they ruined our top four chances(2011) and finals chances (2013). Their senior brigade love playing Carlton and their inside mids match up quite well against us at Etihad. I'd say we are about 60/40 though since the inclusion of Everitt, Thomas plus upcoming youth allows the Blues to hurt the Bulldogs on the outside in a way that weren't capable of before. This game will be decided in the midfield and Carlton will hope that the inclusion of a fit Murphy,Bell, Gibbs and Thomas to the midfield will tip the game in our favour. The Bulldogs team and fans will be confident of a win against us though.

I'd say that 4 Wins would be the most likely result although 3 wins wouldn't shock me. 2 Wins would be incredibly disappointing since all 5 of these teams are beatable. However I expect every game to be close either way ( 20 points at most) except for the Melbourne game.

If Carlton are 5 - 0, watch them get backed into premiership favourites.

 

[BM123]

If Carlton are 5 - 0, watch them get backed into premiership favourites.

Every team that goes 5-0 are premiership favourites to the media.

 

[GH213]

Ill have a crack for the sake of it ...

Rd1 v GCS
Should win this one despite the suns expected big improvement and the fact the game is away. Its a good thing its not in cairns too. Win by 16pts

Rd2 v Carlton
50/50. Our bogey team. Last years finals should spur the tigez on for redemption but you never know v the blues. We always seem to trot away from them and they always come back. Despite the fact they should improve a bit with another pre season with mick I'm going to be bias (Hopeful) ... Win by 5pts.

Rd3 v Western Bulldogs
I wouldn't pencil it in as a win as the dogs will be starting to become a middle teir side but recently we have won pretty comfortably. Win by 24

Rd4 v Collingwood
As with the last however many years we will probably lose this one. We showed last year we can compete pretty well with the pies, being in front at some stages, but cloke was unstoppable. Lose by 13.

Rd5 v Brisbane
If Voss was still coaching id say this was a win but Leppa would obviously know a hell of a lot about our structures and game plans and probably the ins and outs of most of our players, which is a huge advantage to them considering its at the GABBA. We have a better driled and talented side but if leppa can get things going his way he could potentially exploit our weakness. Bit of a, dare i say it, danger game. Win by 16pts.

I'm going with a 4-1 start which is pretty good. Would love 5-0 like anyone would but could also see us going 2-3 with a loss to GCS, Carlton or even Brisbane. Touch wood we dont have a horror confidence crushing start and go 1-4 ....

 

[lmach]

2014 = Year of the roo

haha












ha

 

[BM123]

haha












ha

I found it funny that he said that after having Sydney beat North by five goals. Premiership teams tend to be good enough to beat Sydney away.

 

[go_the_dockers]

I know this is a common perception re Collingwood for 2014 but I still don't understand it. Shaw is the big loss from the team that played in 2013. Thomas, Didak, Krak, Jolly etc are much less so as none of those had significant game time in 2013. On the plus side however Adams give some compensation for the Shaw loss and Fasalo, Toovey, Beams, Keefe, Ball, Young and Grundy all of whom missed significant parts of 2013 are back. Add White and the top end draft picks of the last 2 seasons and I see little reason to think Collingwood will slip compared to how we performed in 2013. With a more settled side and less injuries we should be improving considerably on 2013.

I don't buy into the idea behind that if an player who didn't play a lot the previous year leaves the club, it will not hurt you the next year.

Every year all clubs have injuries, and the more depth you have the better you are.

I think collingwood will be back in the top 4 in 2015/2016 but this year will be a mini rebuild.

 

[Colonial]

So GWS will will the same number of games they have in their history, in the first 5 rounds of 2104? Don't think so.

Yes but in those 1st 5 rounds we are playing games against teams who are beatable from a bottom of the ladder perspective. It is doable.

 

[Smoocher]

1: North v Ess 50/50 game but based on our history will not win 1st round.
2: North v WB. Should win.
3: North v Port. Despite Port being on the improve we should win this.
4: North v Sydney. Biggest test. If we win this we will make top 4. Expect that we will not win.
5: North v Collingwood. After the bulldogs this will be our easiest win. Although they have a good midfield they are very slow. Lots of ring a ring a rosy expected from several Collingwood mids racking up brownlow votes.

3-2 would be a fair start.

 

[Masked Magician]

1: North v Ess 50/50 game but based on our history will not win 1st round.
2: North v WB. Should win.
3: North v Port. Despite Port being on the improve we should win this.
4: North v Sydney. Biggest test. If we win this we will make top 4. Expect that we will not win.
5: North v Collingwood. After the bulldogs this will be our easiest win. Although they have a good midfield they are very slow. Lots of ring a ring a rosy expected from several Collingwood mids racking up brownlow votes.

3-2 would be a fair start.

Contain cloke and reid and ill believe

 

[Smoocher]

Contain cloke and reid and ill believe

Contain Black & Petrie and you may minimise the loss.

 

[Gone Critical]

I don't buy into the idea behind that if an player who didn't play a lot the previous year leaves the club, it will not hurt you the next year.

Every year all clubs have injuries, and the more depth you have the better you are.

I think collingwood will be back in the top 4 in 2015/2016 but this year will be a mini rebuild.

I agree with that to a degree but think you need to individualise assessments a little. Collingwood were bad in 2013. We had injuries and some dissent in the ranks. There was a natural attrition of players. It is the 6 or 7 1st 22 players that are starting the year fit that may make a difference to the Pies. Depth helps but the number of injuries makes a difference. It not a surprise when you look at Collingwood 2010-11 and see few injuries and 2012-13 when there were significant injuries.

On the proviso that we have a good run with injuries we should be a much better side in 2014 than we were in 2013.

 

[Gone Critical]

1: North v Ess 50/50 game but based on our history will not win 1st round.
2: North v WB. Should win.
3: North v Port. Despite Port being on the improve we should win this.
4: North v Sydney. Biggest test. If we win this we will make top 4. Expect that we will not win.
5: North v Collingwood. After the bulldogs this will be our easiest win. Although they have a good midfield they are very slow. Lots of ring a ring a rosy expected from several Collingwood mids racking up brownlow votes.

3-2 would be a fair start.

Love the way Collingwood are appearing to be considered easybeats to so many coming into 2014.

 

[Masked Magician]

Contain Black & Petrie and you may minimise the loss.

you are unproven, earn some respect as a team

 

[Smoocher]

I agree with that to a degree but think you need to individualise assessments a little. Collingwood were bad in 2013. We had injuries and some dissent in the ranks. There was a natural attrition of players. It is the 6 or 7 1st 22 players that are starting the year fit that may make a difference to the Pies. Depth helps but the number of injuries makes a difference. It not a surprise when you look at Collingwood 2010-11 and see few injuries and 2012-13 when there were significant injuries.

On the proviso that we have a good run with injuries we should be a much better side in 2014 than we were in 2013.

Agree, but i see Collingwoods youth they have invested in the last 2 drafts not being up to it for another season or 2. Our youngsters are a couple of seasons ahead of yours and we should see that translate into more wins.

 

[Smoocher]

you are unproven, earn some respect as a team

As unproven as Collingwood. All I hear on all Collingwood posts is how they have the best mids, the best forwards, the best youth etc etc. Yet the team has slowly slid down the ladder in the last 2 years. The mids are good but slow. The forward (Cloke) is excellent but thats where the forward line starts and ends. The Ruckman will be good in 2-3 years (He is only a kid in ruck terms). The Backline with Reid is OK but all I hear is that he will play forward which leaves a gap in backline. Why can't Collingwood supporters simply acknowledge you are in a mini rebuild.

 

[Masked Magician]

As unproven as Collingwood. All I hear on all Collingwood posts is how they have the best mids, the best forwards, the best youth etc etc. Yet the team has slowly slid down the ladder in the last 2 years. The mids are good but slow. The forward (Cloke) is excellent but thats where the forward line starts and ends. The Ruckman will be good in 2-3 years (He is only a kid in ruck terms). The Backline with Reid is OK but all I hear is that he will play forward which leaves a gap in backline. Why can't Collingwood supporters simply acknowledge you are in a mini rebuild.

I can and we were starting in 2013, yet we still played finals... You are just jealous

 

[Smoocher]

I can and we were starting in 2013, yet we still played finals... You are just jealous

Really "Jealous". Are we in kinda.