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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Which of the top team's are you most/least worried about?
- Thread starter Phil McCreviss
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I tend to agree that Carlton has too many "whippets". They remind me a little of the Bulldogs a few years ago - a good side with some really pacey guys but fell just short when the heat came on in the finals and the bigger bodies won out.
Back in January I picked Hawthorn, West Coast, Collingwood and Freo for the top four, with Carlton and Geelong just outside and Adelaide in 7th spot. I haven't changed my mind too much since then. Main fears are the sides from the west. They have a significant home ground advantage and I think Freo has just got to improve this year - if only from the fact that they had so many injuries last year, plus the fact that their new coach (I hate even saying his name) will make them a much better defensive game.
Perth sides are the biggest concern. The Eagles and Freo will be hard to stop over there and because there are so many ordinary teams they will get there 5-6 wins interstate and nail a top 4 spot. That's why is it so important to finish top 2 and avoid the interstate trip in the first week. We need be playing the finals in Melbourne. so in essence, we are competing with the pies, cats and blues for the remaining top 4 spots and therefore games against those sides have added importance.
Biggest threat is WC. Lots of serious talent and a tall forwardline.
Least worried about Carton. They have an almost invisible spine.
Least worried about Carton. They have an almost invisible spine.
I'm not sure you're allowing for the fact that Carlton will continue to improve this season Phil. I reckon their midfield will match it with the best this season, but of course that is just my opinion.
As far as key position players go, lets not forget either that Geelong have won 3 flags without a gun forward. Mooney, Pods, and Hawkins are nothing more than serviceable which IMO is what Waite is now, and what Hampson could be if he improves this year. What Geelong had though was a gun backline, and IMO if Jamison is fit he is the equal of any defender in the comp, and Henderson is showing some real potential down there.
Look, if we played Carlton tomorrow I would expect to win. I just think writing them off as a threat to us ain't a smart move. We won't blow them away like we have in years gone by.
Fair assesment, but would add Simpson to that list. I rate him, give him too much space and he is as damaging as Garlett.
- Thread starter
- #32
The other teams in the comp haven't stood still mate. I get what you are saying but just as the Blues have improved, so have we. Buddy, Roughead, Lewis in their prime. Hodge and Mitchell the seasoned veterans. Games in to our kids last year. The list goes on.
Agree with the Pods, Hawkins argument but Carlton's mids are not fit to tie Geelong's shoelaces. Outside of Judd and Murphy who else can dominate in that midfield? Compare that to Selwood, Bartel, Ling, Kelly etc. Daylight between the Cats and Blues
No doubt. Reality is though that some teams will improve more than others (and I hope we are the ones improving the most), but to write off a team that is a massive chance to finish top 4 is foolish IMO.
At the end of 2010 plenty asked who outside Hodge and Mitchell could dominate for us in the midfield.
I'll worry about Hawthorn and leave the rest to sort themselves out.
- Thread starter
- #35
Who said I am writing them off? All I am saying is that we play well against them and I won't be worried about them come September if we finish top 4.
I don't think anyone in 2010 questioned our talent. Who outside Hodge and Mitchell? Try Lewis, Sewell, Rioli , Burgoyne to name a few. Main difference is that we had won a premiership with that list already. And if we are comparing forward lines I wouldn't trade 4 Waites and 3 Hampsons for Franklin/Roughead and Gunston combination. That front half is scary good.
Carlton will never comprehensively beat us in the midfield, nor in the forward line or back line. West Coast can if NicNat gives his midfield first use, Collingwood can if their forwards and midfield get on top and the same with the Cats. Carlton are a long way away from troubling our current list,
West Coast for sure, but I'm not discounting Freo. My dark horse for the top 4. If they keep a full side on the park and Morabito and Barlow come to the party, they'll be tough to beat. Wouldn't mind if Fyfe decided he wanted to come to Hawthorn too. 
A man can dream. They'll have to start winning away from home sooner or later as well, wouldn't they? A scary proposition.
Of course I'm still worried about the Cats and the Pies, just not as much because we meet them on a familiar ground that we play very well on.
Still not threatened by Carlton. I just feel like we have their measure. That being said, their speed could be a danger, but the likes of Savage and Smith have alleviated our foot speed problems a bit. We're harder, stronger and tougher at the footy than the Blues. Robinson is about their only rough nut. Hawthorn has about 8. That's a recipe for pain.
A man can dream. They'll have to start winning away from home sooner or later as well, wouldn't they? A scary proposition.Of course I'm still worried about the Cats and the Pies, just not as much because we meet them on a familiar ground that we play very well on.
Still not threatened by Carlton. I just feel like we have their measure. That being said, their speed could be a danger, but the likes of Savage and Smith have alleviated our foot speed problems a bit. We're harder, stronger and tougher at the footy than the Blues. Robinson is about their only rough nut. Hawthorn has about 8.
That's a recipe for pain.
I'd say "not worrying about them" is as good as writing them off as having the ability to beat us.
Both teams play to their ability and we win, without a doubt. If we're off though, or missing a few, and they have a day out, they are a threat. Maybe not for the flag, but to be beat us on a given day.
Check the Geelong board during 2008. Pretty sure they "wouldn't have been worried about us".
Regardless, I think we'll have to agree to disagree here.
Top teams with big, quality rucks and power forwards will worry us. Speed used to also be an issue but expect it to be less so this year.
WCE - is the biggest dark horse, rucks are significantly better than ours and have enough big forwards to worry us. Having roughy back will alleviate some of this and greater depth in defensive options will help. Loss of lecrae and nicoski is big for them - give our smaller defenders greater leeway to help out / rebound. Not sure they're quite the finished product this year but look out in 2013.
Geelong - reckon the loss of ottens and ling is going to be significant. Ottens was always damaging in big games and ling always shut down one of mitch/hodge. Think we may have advantage in midfield now. They're such competitors that it'll always be a close game. Still concerned they have our measure.
Pies - lack of depth is their issue. Our bottom 8 is better than theirs - which is where we press home the advantage. Tarrant is key for them structurally vs us, while a fit bailey to nullify jolley is equally important for us.
Freo - who knows? I reckon teams greater focus on ball movement is going to expose lyons defensive game style, but have heaps of talent and mcpharlin is a good match up for buddy. Will do some damage this year but would be relatively confident playing them in a final at the 'G.
WCE - is the biggest dark horse, rucks are significantly better than ours and have enough big forwards to worry us. Having roughy back will alleviate some of this and greater depth in defensive options will help. Loss of lecrae and nicoski is big for them - give our smaller defenders greater leeway to help out / rebound. Not sure they're quite the finished product this year but look out in 2013.
Geelong - reckon the loss of ottens and ling is going to be significant. Ottens was always damaging in big games and ling always shut down one of mitch/hodge. Think we may have advantage in midfield now. They're such competitors that it'll always be a close game. Still concerned they have our measure.
Pies - lack of depth is their issue. Our bottom 8 is better than theirs - which is where we press home the advantage. Tarrant is key for them structurally vs us, while a fit bailey to nullify jolley is equally important for us.
Freo - who knows? I reckon teams greater focus on ball movement is going to expose lyons defensive game style, but have heaps of talent and mcpharlin is a good match up for buddy. Will do some damage this year but would be relatively confident playing them in a final at the 'G.
I think Carlton will be a danger this year, don't expect it to be easy just because we have beaten them the last 7 times. They have a very balanced team without any obvious chink in their amour, also with a midfield that is just as good as any others going around.
Also Cats, still a very strong outfit. Beating them in the centre is critical.
Collingwood will have a depth issue this year, but with their best available 22 they are still potentially the team to beat.
West Coast for me are too one dimensional. I'm probably least worried about them.
Also Cats, still a very strong outfit. Beating them in the centre is critical.
Collingwood will have a depth issue this year, but with their best available 22 they are still potentially the team to beat.
West Coast for me are too one dimensional. I'm probably least worried about them.
West Coast over there are my biggest worry. Pies would be my least worry. Can't wait to play them later in the year when they are at "full strength" and knock them off again.
capitalhawk
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The way I see it is a 5 tiered comp.
Hawthorn
West Coast/Collingwood/Freo/Geelong
Carlton/Adelaide/Swans/StKilda
Richmond/North/Brisbane/Bulldogs/Essendon
Port/Melbourne/Gold Coast/GWS
Hawthorn
West Coast/Collingwood/Freo/Geelong
Carlton/Adelaide/Swans/StKilda
Richmond/North/Brisbane/Bulldogs/Essendon
Port/Melbourne/Gold Coast/GWS
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I have that same feeling about Carlton yet I think if it isn't the top 3 from last year then they are the team most likely to rise above them.
WA sides are going to be dangerous for sure too.
Taskmaster
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The only teams I rate are Coll, geel and wce. These are the teams that will be a challenge for us.
Frem and Carl are absolute pretenders! I can't believe some of the rubbish talk about these 2 clubs, it's a joke! They will just make up the numbers, if they make the 8.
Frem and Carl are absolute pretenders! I can't believe some of the rubbish talk about these 2 clubs, it's a joke! They will just make up the numbers, if they make the 8.
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lol :d
I'm most worried about West Coast because they could clean us up in the ruck, and our backline is still somewhat unproven.
That's right, anyone who watched Carlton play yesterday will be impressed, their midfielder is one of the best, they have class/speed. Probably why went after burgoyne so hard, thinking we were getting a marc murphy. Then again, geelong's midfield is not quick, but big/tough, so it is a big contrast. Also with West Coast, I don't know if their midfield is in the same category as carlton.
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I worry about everyone.
On Carlton, I went to the game last night and am convinced as long as we dont make it a running race, we will be fine. Waite will trouble us a little in the air if he is allowed to run and jump at the ball but he is also very agile on the lead. Close down the space in their forward line and slow down the ball movement into their 50 and they look a far worse team.
Don't be fooled too much by the game last night, Brisbane stopped pressuring them by half time and allowed Carlton to run in waves down the field. I doubt that will happen against us.
Carlton were very good out of the centre and it is the one area they will really be able to expose us if their rucks get on top.
Don't be fooled too much by the game last night, Brisbane stopped pressuring them by half time and allowed Carlton to run in waves down the field. I doubt that will happen against us.
Carlton were very good out of the centre and it is the one area they will really be able to expose us if their rucks get on top.
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