Non-Lions Footy Discussion

[KissKiss]

If the Swans can get Buddy right, I think they are a massive chance. I think their midfield is probably the best in the comp. Their problem is arguably in tall defenders but if Reid can spend time in defence, then that will provide coverage.

Tall defenders are a bit of a problem and its a good midfield but also a bit slow/one paced. The Hawks are again another year older. I've also been wondering when they would decline, but like Geelong did they have been handling it really well. Really I'd say it is a pretty open competition going into next year

 

[Fatcat08]

You can't help thinking that injury has to start striking some of these older hawks down for extended periods of time so for me I tend to think they may slide a little, but they're still top 4 for sure. Sydney is a hard one to place because that midfield is looking strong again with Heeney and Mills coming in. Buddy I agree will be the big one for their structures.

I actually have Richmond finishing top 4 this year. Think some of their additions this off season will help with their scoring power around goal which they need.

 

[KissKiss]

You can't help thinking that injury has to start striking some of these older hawks down for extended periods of time so for me I tend to think they may slide a little, but they're still top 4 for sure. Sydney is a hard one to place because that midfield is looking strong again with Heeney and Mills coming in. Buddy I agree will be the big one for their structures.

I actually have Richmond finishing top 4 this year. Think some of their additions this off season will help with their scoring power around goal which they need.

Really though they did get hit with injuries pretty bad in 2014. They did very well with guys like Cheney holding a KB spot for a while

 

[alscotoz2]

Perth Eagles.

PS I think Leemas was given a bit of an unnecessary grilling.

 

[lionshine]

With the exception of the Hawks and Swans, some of the top teams got stronger over the off season with some big acquisitions. The Eagles adding Redden and Jetta to address some needs in their already strong midfield and the Dockers adding Bennell who will be an A grader if he can keep himself out of trouble. You also have some teams who many are predicting to climb up the ladder and become legitimate contenders in 2016 the Cats and Port also adding to their squads with Dangerfield, Henderson, Scott Selwood and Zac Smith adding quality and experience to the Cats best 22 and Charlie Dixon providing Port with a gun KPF option(Although he is only a gun when injury free).

I know most of this has been touched on but it will be interesting to observe which of these new players will be success stories and those who will be failures. I think some people are underestimating just how big of an impact Bennell will have with the Dockers. On field he is a legitimate star and should be able to get off the leash playing in a top side(Something he has never done before). Likewise if Dixon can get his body right come September(If Port can make it that far) I expect him to have huge impact in the finals.

 

[Milux]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-01-06/new-setback-for-experienced-west-coast-recruit

Looks like reddos having surgery. Interesting they note him as a forward. Dont know where that comes from.

 

[CarloLion]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-01-06/new-setback-for-experienced-west-coast-recruit

Looks like reddos having surgery. Interesting they note him as a forward. Dont know where that comes from.

Yeh very odd. Alex Malcolm has watched very few Lions games methinks

 

[Ironmonger]

Yeh very odd. Alex Malcolm has watched very few Lions games methinks

He called him a midfielder in two earlier articles:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-02/i-need-a-fresh-start-redden-explains-request-to-leave-lions

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-12-29/the-afls-best-midfields-in-2016

Maybe an editing error. Or a lack of editing error.

 

[lionshine]

The verdict on the Bombers players is set to come out Tuesday morning. Does anyone have any ideas on what they think the verdict will be?

 

[Hollow Knight]

The verdict on the Bombers players is set to come out Tuesday morning. Does anyone have any ideas on what they think the verdict will be?

I expect the two most likely outcomes are...

1. Not guilty/insufficient evidence

or

2. Some sort of guilty verdict but with backdated suspensions resulting in no effective bans for Essendon players in the 2016 season.

 

[mpal6]

Freo will hit their peak this year & win the flag - then drop down the ladder significantly in the coming years IMO

Harley Bennell in full flight next to Fyfe will be awesome to watch. Freo got a steal there, they've to cash in next season.

It's good to see Lyon accepting that he couldn't break Hawthorn zoning/structures on his own and got Guerra + Hale added to coaching panel. Soon the whole AFL coaching landscape is going to be covered by Clarkson coaching factory.

 

[mpal6]

Paul Roos has had the Dees for 2 years now, so they'd have to be in the mix, yeah?

He'll very quickly step away end of this season - if it falls apart, Goodwin's fault. If successful, Roos laid the ground work. Win win and messiah Roos lives on.

 

[Lace Out]

18 teams,so many possibilities for future outcomes of any club.Teams at the bottom who are meant to be waiting their time to rise to the very top could peak after passing 8 or 10 teams and then start a slippery slope back down again.

 

[Leemas]

I've never really followed the Essendon thing cause I never really cared but could someone ELI5 how Jobe Watson didn't get into any trouble when he admitted to taking that weight loss drug? And why his Brownlow wasn't stripped? I find it all terribly confusing.

 

[MacMum]

...because he is Jobe Watson......the son of Mr Nice Guy, Tim Watson.

 

[dlanod]

Can't ban anyone imo. Who has them twice automatically gets a massive boost. Unfair for 12 teams

It's not any different to playing any other shit team twice. I doubt CAS is taking into account strength of schedule anyway.

 

[Happy_Neale]

I've never really followed the Essendon thing cause I never really cared but could someone ELI5 how Jobe Watson didn't get into any trouble when he admitted to taking that weight loss drug? And why his Brownlow wasn't stripped? I find it all terribly confusing.

There was too much ambiguity around whether it was prohibited or not to ban them for the AOD drug.

 

[Gadzorks]

Can't ban anyone imo. Who has them twice automatically gets a massive boost. Unfair for 12 teams

While AFL is obviously the best sport in the world the anit-doping authorities are internationally focused and have the "aim of bringing consistency to anti-doping policies and regulations within sport organizations and governments right across the world". A game played by a small number of professional players in a country of only 25 million is well down on their radar, but a scalp that supports their serious intent. Given the the CAS is also an internationally focused organisation I for one will very surprised if the appeal does not support WADA.

 

[alscotoz2]

While AFL is obviously the best sport in AUSTRALIA the anit-doping authorities are internationally focused and have the "aim of bringing consistency to anti-doping policies and regulations within sport organizations and governments right across the world". A game played by a small number of professional players in a country of only 25 million is well down on their radar, but a scalp that supports their serious intent. Given the the CAS is also an internationally focused organisation I for one will very surprised if the appeal does not support WADA.

Fixed that for ya!

 

[KissKiss]

So the players find out at 7.30am? So if its not guilty I would assume it will be leaked to the public by about 7.32am. Any later than that and I assume some level of guilt

 

[WA Lion]

So the players find out at 7.30am? So if its not guilty I would assume it will be leaked to the public by about 7.32am. Any later than that and I assume some level of guilt

Have to allow the spin doctors sufficient time to work their magic about why they lost!

 

[KissKiss]

Have to allow the spin doctors sufficient time to work their magic about why they lost!

Yep the not guilty stories are all ready to go, but any other result takes time to read and figure out the outcomes

 

[WA Lion]

Have to allow the spin doctors sufficient time to work their magic about why they lost!

Nah in all seriousness, I am genuinely fascinated by what the outcome will be tomorrow.

Normally I am all for things being very simple and straightforward, and the party which tries to complicate the matter is generally the one with the weakest case and looking for an advantage from a technicality, but in this case due to the involvement of WADA and CAS I am really not sure which way it will go

 

[alscotoz2]

Have to allow the spin doctors sufficient time to work their magic about why they lost!

If they take a whack (which they won't) the AFL will be demoralised...and we'll be bored to tears for the next 6 months. YAWN!

 

[Skoob]

What's going to grate, is the common misconception that "Not guilty" = "Innocent".
Bombers fans gloating that their players, club, and golden child did nothing wrong (you know, apart from secret dodgy injections of **** knows what).