Since '94, a side from outside the 8 has made the top 4 every year. Who

[Mofra]

Port, Brisbane and Carlton most likely - in that order

 

[Flukey!]

You would think Port are a better side than their form line this year.
They are a good chance to bounce back, as are Carlton imo.

Doggies would be the one I would expect to drop out.

 

[bigpapagman]

Melbourne.

 

[Red.White and Blue]

Port looked great round 22 while Freo didnt look too bad. One round i know but if they played like that all year they are a chance. While Carlton and Richmond were vast improvers in 08 so dont be suprised if they are up there.

St Kilda to drop to 5th or 6th

Ill say Port, Freo, Carlton or Richmond

 

[essendon2008]

Just a feeling. I was just going to nominate a team because the trend has continued for so long, but I don't really believe it will happen.

Brisbane - They're 3 years off at the very least
Carlton - Think they'll slip inside the top 8
Essendon - Wooden spoon contenders
Fremantle - Just no
Melbourne - No explanation needed
Port Adelaide - Top 8 chance, maybe 6th
Richmond - Same as Brisbane
West Coast - Could push for a top 8 spot, probably just miss out

Mate i know im bias but Essendon won't be spoon contenders next year. I agree that it's hard to see any of these teams making top four, but I'm gonna take a punt and say Carlton

 

[Knight Ryders]

Looking at the Tigers from last season, I think they are a big chance to skip up the ladder next year and possibly finish 4th. Good young midfield and backline. Their forward line is the big question mark for mine.

 

[Ricketts]

Bombers or Blues.

Richmond are still Richmond.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Looking at the Tigers from last season, I think they are a big chance to skip up the ladder next year and possibly finish 4th. Good young midfield and backline. Their forward line is the big question mark for mine.

That's pretty much what I was going to say.

Richmond for the top four next year.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Carlton, Richmond and Brisbane are the only possibilities.

 

[Axcellence]

Would anyone count Port as well?

I thought Port had a hangover year... and should improve next year.

It was only 2007 that they made the grand final.


I am reserving my personal judgement on who makes it from outside 8 until all the trading and drafting is finished.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

Port Adelaide is my answer!

There is no way Carlton will finish tip 4. If they couldn't make finals with Judd and Fev firing in 08, why would anything change next year?

Essendon have been rubbish for 4 years, so top 4 is out of the question.

Richmond are still a bit too young to win on a consistent basis. 7th - 8th a strong possibility though.

Brisbane have a new coach on board, so will struggle to come to grips with a new program - like Melbourne and Freo did this year. Will have a better 2nd half than 1st half.

Freo and West Coast will finish 9-12th next year, as they'll start winning games at home again.

Melbourne are re-building and would be silly to win more than 4 games next year, in order to obtain picks 1 and 2 next year.

 

[Thrawn]

There is no way Carlton will finish tip 4. If they couldn't make finals with Judd and Fev firing in 08, why would anything change next year?

Because other players would have to fire up and/or improve. And there's plenty of scope for improvement. Judd wasn't even 100% this year. Two players firing alone cannot give you a top four spot.

 

[Slattery_20]

Carlton probably next in line, then Tiges & us. If we get fit - we probably won't - we're around the 8 in terms of cattle.

 

[Brazen]

Prob Carlton - but hopefully Eagles

 

[TigerGlory]

Richmond and Carlton are about even now. Carlton with a slighty better midfield is compensated by Richmond with a superior backline. Both forward lines are iffy, but hold the key.

Port are the most balanced, relativley same list as 2007.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Please don't let it be Carlton; the sycophantic media will be going on about how Judd did it all on his own and how great judd is and blah blah blah.

He's good, but they overrate him a lot. Remember when Sinclair clashed with Duddles? Apparently Judd was so so so tough for getting back on the ground, even though he came off second best and sinclair didn't even leave the field. But nah it was all about the Duddster.

 

[The_Bulldogs_Bite]

I would think Port Adelaide have a good chance to make the Top 4, certainly better than Carlton, Richmond & co. They had a dreadful year but they have a huge upside, it's quite poor they missed out on Finals, because they have alot of talented players.

 

[T-Pain]

in order of likelihood:

carlton
port
richmond

no chance any other team

 

[Scotland]

In: Richmond!

Out: St Kilda.

Lock it in.

 

[Waspy79]

Please don't let it be Carlton; the sycophantic media will be going on about how Judd did it all on his own and how great judd is and blah blah blah.

He's good, but they overrate him a lot. Remember when Sinclair clashed with Duddles? Apparently Judd was so so so tough for getting back on the ground, even though he came off second best and sinclair didn't even leave the field. But nah it was all about the Duddster.

Your comments about Judd are ridiculous, and unfortunately reflective of Hawthorn's post-premiership fan base attitude.

However I agree 100% with this - "please don't let it be Carlton"!

 

[SM]

Interesting.



Port look to have added some speed to their midfied, and if Treadrea came back and was in form they could rise up the ladder quickly. Cornes at CHb, Tredrea at CHF and the Burgoynes in the guts is a pretty good start.

The Cats could easily rise into the top 4. Plenty of improvement to come from their core group and if Ablett can replicate his late VFL form, and Hawkins provides any type of presence they will have enough scoring options. They are very even over the ground, but speed in midfield is still the biggest flaw. May see Gary jnr spending more time in their which would make a difference.

The Roos finished 5th in 2005 and then had a year this year where pretty much every player played well below previously displayed form. If they can pick up a CHF in the draft to even half cover the gaping hole at CHF then they ould be a chance as they are otherwise pretty even across the ground. A new reliance on young guys in the midfield may see an inconisistency that would see them get that high..

Can't see any of the other teams doing it.

Well done. Very well done.

 

[SM]

I'm sticking to my guns and going with Carlton and Richmond.

 

[Doggies_2008]

In: Richmond!

Out: St Kilda.

Lock it in.

I agree.

 

[bzparkes]

Richmond have a much better chance than Carlton, now they have Cuz.

 

[ok.crows]

Your comments about Judd are ridiculous, and unfortunately reflective of Hawthorn's post-premiership fan base attitude.

However I agree 100% with this - "please don't let it be Carlton"!

I thought the following comment on Judd:

the sycophantic media will be going on about how Judd did it all on his own and how great judd is and blah blah blah.

He's good, but they overrate him a lot.

... was spot on. "good, but over-rated a lot".

As for the comment on the media ... that was spot on too. There was one Carlton vs Crows game this year where Judd was getting shut out of the game by Shirley, and McLeod was having a bit of a purple patch. The commentator said something along the lines that McLeod was as influential as Judd ... but the stats man piped up and pointed out that McLeod had had twice the possessions of Judd!

The the original commentator then tried to claim that Judd's possessions were twice as important as McLeod's. McLeod, of all players!

I mean really ... how lame was that?