Who is Hawthorn's biggest threat in 2016?

[crazywildhorse]

Surely the last Victorian team to beat you in a final deserves a mention?

Based on the dramatic way they bombed out in 2015, I think they're still a couple years off it

 

[shotgun_blues]

IMO in order, at their best :

Port Adelaide - Have the capacity to bounce back very quickly into the Top 4. Quality list, young, fast. Add Dixon and get a full season from him then lookout.

Geelong - Dangerfield is a superstar and will only help Selwood who was down last year. Caddy, Duncan, Motlop, Guthrie & Blicavs/Stanley duo all improving again. Smith, Henderson & Selwood can only help them. Only way is up.

West Coast - Jury out. Could be anything from one season wonders to contenders again, either wouldn't surprise but their best is Top 4 worthy obviously.

Western Bulldogs - Young team on the march. Have the talent to go on with it again into Top 4 but are they Hawthorn 2007 or Port Adelaide 2014. Time will tell.


Sydney, Richmond, North Melbourne & Fremantle won 't get near a flag next year. A stretch for Top 4 but neither of their lists are flag worthy.

Adelaide & Collingwood are building nice lists but not flag threats next year.

 

[burger09]

AFL house

Im sure they are going to spend the entire off season coming up with a "cunning plan" once again.

Maybe they've already offered carlisle a little something?

 

[La Vache]

Port have a terrible coach and are no chance at a flag in '16.

Eagles are primed for another tilt.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Still need to add "Hawks" into the poll as an option...just like this year...our biggest threat was ourselves.

Done.

 

[WWSD]

Port Adelaide.

Charlie Dixon is a huge pick up for them. Add Ryder as their number one ruck who's best is very good and they've now got a decent team that challenge us on their day.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

I reckon Geelong. Danger is a huge inclusion to their midfield, add to that a full year from Duncan and their starting mid looks set.
Henderson down back replaces lonergan whilst their forward Line looks sound overall.

 

[smeltitdeltit]

Port have a terrible coach and are no chance at a flag in '16.

Eagles are primed for another tilt.

Woah ease up. He was coach of the year recently. That straight away means he's better than Clarko (using the Shane Edward/Cyril Rioli theory)

 

[No.19]

Port have the runs on the board against us. Hard to say what west coast will do with a harder draw but regaining Mackenzie and Brown (coming off knee recos isn't easy). North can trouble us too.

Rest of them are shit

 

[Proper Gander]

Saw this thread and was momentarily taken aback that nobody cares to consider the real threat that is Melbourne 2016.

Then I realised how ridiculous that was and decided to move on, leave you alone and go back to streaming Netflix

 

[cryptor]

Voted Port in the poll just because they'll have a favourable draw next year and they've got a talented list. But I don't subscribe to the notion that they've "worked us out" based on the two games this year.

First game they jumped us giving it everything they had early. They were kicking goals out of their arses and were taking full advantage of the fact that first quarters were our worst - and it was compounded by Lake going down early and Frawley being out also leaving us with no KPD. We fought back after we'd settled at quarter time but that first quarter was too much to chase down.

Second game was following the death and funeral of Cooper Ratten. The team would've been emotionally drained after the weeks events and played with a noticeable lethargy. The game was also at Etihad which seems to suit the Port Adelaide run and gun style.

 

[Spanghertron]

Richmond seem to play well against us and have beaten us 3 out of the last 4 times i think. I would say either them,west coast or port are our biggest threats.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Saw this thread and was momentarily taken aback that nobody cares to consider the real threat that is Melbourne 2016.

Then I realised how ridiculous that was and decided to move on, leave you alone and go back to streaming Netflix

You realise Roos is still your coach, yeah?

 

[Proper Gander]

You realise Roos is still your coach, yeah?

I do. Yes.

Sorry - what are you getting at?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I do. Yes.

Sorry - what are you getting at?

No finals for you.

 

[RelaxMax]

Saw this thread and was momentarily taken aback that nobody cares to consider the real threat that is Melbourne 2016.

Then I realised how ridiculous that was and decided to move on, leave you alone and go back to streaming Netflix

Meanwhile I love your avatar

 

[JoondalupJ]

geelong look to be a contender again and west coast should be coming back for revenge

WCE are definately up there. Port dropped off this year but has the goods. Geelong are re opening their window , but Dangerfeild does not mean a premiership 2016. Sydney will have Buddy back I hope to his best, and healthy , still they looked a bit tired this year.
I think Freo will struggle again when it counts , I don't even know if Ross is the super coach everyone talks about.
Richmond , I wouldn't have a clue.
North looked better and got robbed by Umps in the WCE game, but when they knew they couldn't win, they simply packed it in! Done it before too.
Crows , dropped off badly against the Hawks , Pyke is a ? . Anything could happen. But I think the Eagles will be setting up right now for next year!

 

[Hawker_85]

Based on his facial expression after we 3-peated it's probably Gil climbing a bell tower with a large caliber firearm.

 

[MrPremiership]

The AFL will not allow us to win the 2016 premiership.

Firstly, our draw. Not to mention the usual 6 day breaks against to 4 sides, multiple trips to WA, etc....but we will also have the toughest draw in the history of the competition. I'm tipping we play West Coast, Fremantle, Geelong, Western Bulldogs and Port 2 times.

Secondly, there will be a rule change about our game plan, sort of like chipping the football around is outlawed.

Hodge will be rubbed out for 12 weeks for sneezing on the field, they'll claim potential to cause influenza and death to opposition supporters.

All other clubs will take our assistants mid season.

 

[Off The Couch]

Father Time

 

[Agent Smith]

List management. We've been propping up our list with a key trade or two every year while our competitors struggled to tread water (or even go backwards, like Geelong).

This year, it's the other clubs bringing in talent while we're the ones losing players (Lake, Hale, etc). We have to keeping improving 10% each year just to stay at the same level compared with other clubs. Our improvement will come mainly from Schoey and Chip, who should be able to ensconce their positions in the team in 2016, and fairly important positions they are, too. Continual improvement from Howe, Doc and Billy will also be needed and guys like Kiwi will need to step up. All this happens, and we have a chance to go to the big dance again.

Hoping we can snare some good value in the National Draft, too.

 

[No.19]

A lot of love for west coast. One of the most overrated grand finalists in recent times due to a dream draw.

Port or North imo, Geelong having 4 new blokes in their 22 might take a while to get used to

 

[Stratts4Norm]

Old age

 

[StillAtLarge]

GWS with a bullet...

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

I think the contenders will come from WCE, Port, Freo, Cats and $wans.

Still not convinced on Norf or the Tiges.

Never quite know until after trading and draft how strong lists will be.

Cats have done very very well for mine.