Joshen
Norm Smith Medallist
Quite a few opposition posters have brought up how North topping up with players signaled their intentions for a flag assault and that anything but a top 4 level season would be considered a failure. This got my thinking about which of the teams in the finals this year have got the most hanging on the line in September/October. Feel free to criticise at will and/or construct your own lists:
1. Fremantle
For the first time in their history Freo have got something to put in the trophy cabinet and with this minor premiership comes the expectation of something a bit more significant. Finishing on top of the ladder with a game to spare allowed them to rest players and so with a clean bill of health they have no excuses this September. Have been around the mark for quite a few years and are lined up against a somewhat out of sorts Sydney team (due to injuries) while its biggest rivals for the flag have to duke it out on the other side of the draw. Sandilands, Pav, and other stars are getting on a bit + with the best midfielder in the game this season the Purple Haze will be disappointed bowing out before the last game of the season. They are running out of time to grab that elusive first premiership. What they need: a flag.
2. Hawthorn
May seem a bit harsh but a threepeat does not come around very often (yes I know Brisbane but bear with me). Another flag would transform Clarkson's Hawks from a great team into a dynasty. Admittedly they have had their shares of ups and downs this season and will have to get past a tough West Coast away (or go through the semi-final route) but most fans still have them as the premiership favourites. Like Fremantle they have a few older players who are in their last couple of seasons (although in fairness they have been able to rejuvenate their list quite successfully) so might only see another year as a contender. What they need: a flag.
3. North Melbourne
As previously touched upon North came into the season with high expectation off a surprising preliminary finals appearance. The recruitment of a couple of experienced players; Waite in particular heralded the expectations of a return to at least the second last weekend of the season. After this year and especially 2016 with Harvey, Petrie, Dal Santo, Wells etc. nearing the end, it is now or never to achieve the ultimate glory for these Roo veterans. Another inconsistent season has us in the bottom half of the 8 again so expectations may need to be adjusted but after a controversial selection policy last week bowing out week 1 would be embarrassing. What they/we need: an elimination final win and at least a competitive semi.
4. Richmond
The Tiger army is restless for some September success and the prospect of bowing out in week 1 for the third year in a row would be a nightmare for coaches, fans, and players. Their list is in pretty good shape age-wise so certainly not boom or bust however, finishing a win off top 4 will have the Punt Road faithful hoping to replicate Port and North last season in making it to prelim final week. The Tigers don't have the excuse of inexperience nor spending all their petrol tickets making the 8 this year. What they need: an elimination final win.
5. West Coast
One of the surprise packets of the season West Coast have managed, despite a decimated backline, to finish top 2 on the ladder and find themselves as one of the premiership favourites. There seems no reason why they can't stick around the most desirable positions on the ladder for the years to come, only a decade-ish after they last hoisted the trophy. This reduces the pressure on Simpson and co. however, a straight sets exit would be a disappointing way to end the season and the West Coast faithful are hopeful they might grab their 4th premiership; making them one of the most successful teams in the AFL era. What they need: a preliminary final birth.
6. Sydney
Sydney are their at the pointy end of the season but there seems little hype around last season's runners up. They have a couple of key players injured and haven't showed the dominance that got them into the Grand Final last year. It also seems likely they'll be around the mark again in 2016. Still, as with any top 4 team a loss in the second week of finals would be deemed a failure and there is no reason why some fans wouldn't expect them to knock of a vulnerable Freo. What they need: a preliminary final birth.
7. Adelaide
Facing the toughest of all circumstances this season in tragic fashion a rejuvenated Adelaide side had strong bookends to their season (round 23 aside) and find themselves as one of the hottest teams coming into September. There is little pressure on the team from the city of churches however, with speculation arguably best player Dangerfield is on his way home to Victoria they'd like to have a successful run at it while he is still at the club. What they need: an elimination final win.
8. Western Bulldogs
The most surprising team this season is also the one with no pressure going into the finals series. The young pups have exceeded all but the most optimistic Bulldogs' fans expectations and will host their first final under coaching sensation Luke Beveridge. The future seems bright at Footscray so a flop would not be too disheartening although ending the season with back to back losses would be disappointing, particularly given their successes against other contending sides this year. The Murphy-led Dogs will have no fear against any of the other teams in the 8. What they need: an elimination final win.
1. Fremantle
For the first time in their history Freo have got something to put in the trophy cabinet and with this minor premiership comes the expectation of something a bit more significant. Finishing on top of the ladder with a game to spare allowed them to rest players and so with a clean bill of health they have no excuses this September. Have been around the mark for quite a few years and are lined up against a somewhat out of sorts Sydney team (due to injuries) while its biggest rivals for the flag have to duke it out on the other side of the draw. Sandilands, Pav, and other stars are getting on a bit + with the best midfielder in the game this season the Purple Haze will be disappointed bowing out before the last game of the season. They are running out of time to grab that elusive first premiership. What they need: a flag.
2. Hawthorn
May seem a bit harsh but a threepeat does not come around very often (yes I know Brisbane but bear with me). Another flag would transform Clarkson's Hawks from a great team into a dynasty. Admittedly they have had their shares of ups and downs this season and will have to get past a tough West Coast away (or go through the semi-final route) but most fans still have them as the premiership favourites. Like Fremantle they have a few older players who are in their last couple of seasons (although in fairness they have been able to rejuvenate their list quite successfully) so might only see another year as a contender. What they need: a flag.
3. North Melbourne
As previously touched upon North came into the season with high expectation off a surprising preliminary finals appearance. The recruitment of a couple of experienced players; Waite in particular heralded the expectations of a return to at least the second last weekend of the season. After this year and especially 2016 with Harvey, Petrie, Dal Santo, Wells etc. nearing the end, it is now or never to achieve the ultimate glory for these Roo veterans. Another inconsistent season has us in the bottom half of the 8 again so expectations may need to be adjusted but after a controversial selection policy last week bowing out week 1 would be embarrassing. What they/we need: an elimination final win and at least a competitive semi.
4. Richmond
The Tiger army is restless for some September success and the prospect of bowing out in week 1 for the third year in a row would be a nightmare for coaches, fans, and players. Their list is in pretty good shape age-wise so certainly not boom or bust however, finishing a win off top 4 will have the Punt Road faithful hoping to replicate Port and North last season in making it to prelim final week. The Tigers don't have the excuse of inexperience nor spending all their petrol tickets making the 8 this year. What they need: an elimination final win.
5. West Coast
One of the surprise packets of the season West Coast have managed, despite a decimated backline, to finish top 2 on the ladder and find themselves as one of the premiership favourites. There seems no reason why they can't stick around the most desirable positions on the ladder for the years to come, only a decade-ish after they last hoisted the trophy. This reduces the pressure on Simpson and co. however, a straight sets exit would be a disappointing way to end the season and the West Coast faithful are hopeful they might grab their 4th premiership; making them one of the most successful teams in the AFL era. What they need: a preliminary final birth.
6. Sydney
Sydney are their at the pointy end of the season but there seems little hype around last season's runners up. They have a couple of key players injured and haven't showed the dominance that got them into the Grand Final last year. It also seems likely they'll be around the mark again in 2016. Still, as with any top 4 team a loss in the second week of finals would be deemed a failure and there is no reason why some fans wouldn't expect them to knock of a vulnerable Freo. What they need: a preliminary final birth.
7. Adelaide
Facing the toughest of all circumstances this season in tragic fashion a rejuvenated Adelaide side had strong bookends to their season (round 23 aside) and find themselves as one of the hottest teams coming into September. There is little pressure on the team from the city of churches however, with speculation arguably best player Dangerfield is on his way home to Victoria they'd like to have a successful run at it while he is still at the club. What they need: an elimination final win.
8. Western Bulldogs
The most surprising team this season is also the one with no pressure going into the finals series. The young pups have exceeded all but the most optimistic Bulldogs' fans expectations and will host their first final under coaching sensation Luke Beveridge. The future seems bright at Footscray so a flop would not be too disheartening although ending the season with back to back losses would be disappointing, particularly given their successes against other contending sides this year. The Murphy-led Dogs will have no fear against any of the other teams in the 8. What they need: an elimination final win.
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