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

[Philhawk]

Richmond: A real chance if they can get Nathan Brown back to full strength with Richo firing on all cylinders.

Port: Young, exciting team, will be a great chance.

Geelong: Rather cautious here, but injury permitting and with a big pre-seaon under their belt, they have the talent to make it.

Hawthorn: Wouldn't suprise me at all, but I wont be getting my hopes up.

Brisbane, Carlton and Essendon are all a very, very small outside chance (but with Brown, Fevola and Hird/Lloyd having big seasons, it's always a possibility), but that's about it, really.

 

[VanBerlo=God]

Agreed, that's why I think Geelong are the most likely. Seriously under achieved this year and are capable of bouncing back.

Next question though, who from this year's top 4 drops out. They all have a solid case to argue they will be there next year. I have no clue.

most probably either adelaide or freo, wce & sydney probably be top 4 for at least the next 2 seasons barring no major injury spree.

 

[The Zebra]

Next question though, who from this year's top 4 drops out. They all have a solid case to argue they will be there next year. I have no clue.

Very tough - but Adelaide looks the most vulnerable and who knows with Freo.

The top 4 from two years ago contains none of the teams that were there this year, and it is rare that the top 4 maintains any kind of similair look for more than to years.

History says there could be a bit of a shake-up.

 

[Warwick]

Looking at some of the teams who jumped form nowhere (Melbourne from their spoon in 1997 to the top 4 being a stand out) it is hard to rule out anyone. Melbourne were worse in '97 than Essendn and Carlton were this year.

I would guess to rule out Brissy and Carlton but what do i know? I'm sure I, along with everyone ruled out Sydney in 1996 after they finished last, last, last and 12th in the previous 4 seasons! And look what happened. But I think Essendon and the 'Roos (and everyone else) are two teams who can do it if things go right for them. No one would have predicted the Bulldogs would have gone from 15th to 3rd in 1997 with the same list.

I'm not saying Essendon or the Kangaroos will, but it's not out of the question, as the last 12 years have shown.

So while Brisbane had the most injuries on record (by about 40 weeks), and Essendon won less than half as many as the lions did, Essendon are a chance but Brisbane aren't?

Don't be dellusional. There aren't going to be too many sides below Brisbane next year, but Essendon will be one of them.

 

[Hugshawks]

Agreed, that's why I think Geelong are the most likely. Seriously under achieved this year and are capable of bouncing back.

Next question though, who from this year's top 4 drops out. They all have a solid case to argue they will be there next year. I have no clue.

Sydney and Adelaide look to be on shaky ground.

West Coast looks set and primed for at least another season.

Fremantle is a complete mystery.

 

[Cassius_Clay]

Geelong the only side that can do it.

 

[Keys]

Very tough - but Adelaide looks the most vulnerable and who knows with Freo.

The top 4 from two years ago contains none of the teams that were there this year, and it is rare that the top 4 maintains any kind of similair look for more than to years.

History says there could be a bit of a shake-up.

Right there is the beauty of the AFL. History shows us that at least one of last year's bottom eight will make top four and at least one of the top four will drop out.

WCE fans who think we only need to turn up next year to win again are deluded. Sure, we can win again but it will be harder again than 2006, which we won by the huge margin of one point.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Geelong the only side that can do it.

I agree. What's this crap about Port Adelaide and Hawthorn?

Both sides won't feature in the finals next season IMO.

 

[- PC -]

Hawthorn or Port

They would be mine...more Hawthorn though

 

[Belly]

I still have confidence in Geelong to make it if somebody falls out, but who can fall out

West Coast - might all stop caring, sink piss and do drugs. Chance 1.4%

Adelaide - An old list and a lack of talent coming through the young leagues could catch up with them. Chance 49.3%

Sydney - Might get injured and finally play at the 5-8 level many people expect of them. Chance 6.7%

Fremantle - Could very easily do a Freo. Chance 42.6%

That is IF one team falls out, I think none of them will, Geelong to come 5th or 6th.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Interesting stat. I'd say Richmond, Geelong or Hawthorn.

 

[amos]

Geelong. Although I'm not quite sure where their goals will come from next year but they'll be around the mark.

 

[wce4premiership]

Richmond for me, if nathan brown can fire they'll do alright.

 

[Oh When the Saints]

Do other people feel the same uncertainty about the Dockers?

It wouldn't surprise me if they continued with good form and made the GF in 2007 after finishing 2nd.

Nor would it surprise me if they didn't make the eight and finished 10th.

??

---------------
Trederea, Burgoyne x 2, Lade, Cornes x 2 = all A-Class players for Port
Throw in Pearce, Cassisi, Brogan, Salopek, Ebert and others who can all play a bit, and Port are definitely a T8 chance next year.

 

[Hawkk]

If Nathan Brown can get back to his 2005 form, Richmond are a show.

Hawthorn have no chance of making the top 4 next year unfortunately.

 

[Darealrath]

Geelong or Port and i wouldn't be shocked. Really like the Port team at the moment. Anyone else and i'd be surprised.

I could see us sneaking into the 8 with a good injury run but top 4 would be a huge ask, and very unlikely.

 

[Bourky23]

if the trend continues ill go..... richmond or port

 

[Ripper]

As to who would drop out. you could make a case for all four.

Eagles - Premiership hangover
Swans - Old list and injuries catching up
Adelaide - See Sydney plus lack of ruckmen.
Freo - Who knows.

 

[RichosGuns]

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.

Ha, i laugh at your optimism. Only a Kangaroo supporter would thing the Roos have even a half decent chance of making the finals next year. "If they can pick up a CHF in the draft", as if, even if they do it takes a while and a couple of pre-seasons to get KPP up to AFL star level

 

[Ron The Bear]

I think there is some value in looking at a three year block.

Melb went 4th in 1998 to 14th in 1999 to 3rd in 2000
Brisbane went 8th in 1997 to 16th in 1998 to 3rd in 1999
Port 7th in 1999 to 14th in 2000 to 3rd in 2001.

Teams have aberration years.
It is worth looking at the year before their low finish to get a guide.

Ahhh, the old "forgive a horse one bad run" theory.

 

[Ricketts]

Geelong or Essendon.

 

[Sherman_11]

Geelong should be the team that does it

Brisbane could do it if Brown fires for 22 weeks - And by fires i mean he would have to take out the coleman and the brownlow.

Richmond is the only other team that could do it

But the real question should be - Who falls out of the 8 to let one of these teams in? IMO Collingwood

 

[Belly]

Geelong should be the team that does it

Brisbane could do it if Brown fires for 22 weeks - And by fires i mean he would have to take out the coleman and the brownlow.

Richmond is the only other team that could do it

But the real question should be - Who falls out of the 8 to let one of these teams in?

Collingwood are the obvious choice and should fall out.

StKilda might non adapt or like the new coach

anything could happen with Melbourne

Adelaide are getting older

The other 4 don't seem to have any chance of falling out of the 8.

 

[doppleganger]

Geelong should be the team that does it

Brisbane could do it if Brown fires for 22 weeks - And by fires i mean he would have to take out the coleman and the brownlow.

Richmond is the only other team that could do it

But the real question should be - Who falls out of the 8 to let one of these teams in?

Sydney may actually get an injury next year
Adelaide's bubble has burst it seems, already missing a couple of keys next year, and the best players are all old.
Pies, missing taz & didak will hurt, not sure that medhurst & t.cloke can cover for them!
Saints, backline shot, can kosi-hamill-clarkes ever actually play some good footy??? They may need them to next year.
Dees, been at the same 5-8 level for 3 years now, either drop off or push for a flag next year
Dogs, like the look of them

Geelong & Richmond to move into the 8 replacing Adelaide & St.Kilda

 

[94_Eagles]

Richmond.