FINALLY! For the first time this year we all get to hear the best club song sung after the game. The Tigers not only won their first game, they belted a terribly disappointing Port Adelaide. In the worst conditions I can remember seeing, the young Tigers out-muscled their bigger and older opponents. Jack Riewoldt was again very impressive with four goals to prove that he is much more than just a high marking forward. As for the Power, they were bad. Really bad. You would think the conditions would have favoured their more mature bodies, but all Port could produce was their lowest ever score in the AFL. It was not a day the club will be, or should be proud of.
The Cats kept their incredible record going, winning another match down at Kardinia Park. The Demons have developed a lot this year, but were no match for the reigning champs. James Podsiadly's good form continues, what a story this could become if he went on to win the Coleman medal. I smell a Disney movie - Ala Cool Runnings. One positive for Melbourne was the debut of Jordan Gysberts. The highly fancied youngster started on Garry Ablett and looked right at home, ending the day with a commendable 26 disposals.
The Lions got back on track this week, with an exciting win against Collingwood on Saturday night. All match it looked as though the Pies would continue their impressive away form, until Bredan Fevola lit a fire underneath himself and kicked four spectacular goals to drag Brisbane over the line. It was great to see the players get around 250 game player Luke Power after the final siren. He is obviously a much loved character at the club, and you couldn't help but be happy for the bloke.
On Friday night, just as I was starting to think the Bulldogs were right on track for their flag tilt, they slip up against Essendon. Yes the Bombers were great, but the Bulldogs just should of won this match. Their usually skillful midfield were horrible, and it not only cost the side, they cost my Supercoach team too! The most in form ruck combination in the competition were again potent. David Hille and Patty Ryder are fast becoming a very dangerous pair. The most in form ruck combination in the competition were again potent. The biggest asset both of these players bring to the side is their mobility, and using that up forward. Both can take a pack mark and have good skills.
Winners this week
* Geelong - The only side that look like they can maintain great football for more than 5 weeks
* Richmond - Can't leave them off this week!
* Fremantle - Don't think they are going to stumble as badly as people seem to expect
Losers
* Adelaide Teams - Both teams had a horrible week
* Rhys Shaw - Had plenty of time to kick the winning goal against the Hawks, but couldn't get it done
* Port Adelaide - were so bad they deserve to be in the losers twice
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Round 9
Has the sleeping giant finally awoken? It won't surprise anyone that this weeks blog starts with Hawthorn, and their huge win over Carlton. Finally the Hawks showed the form that took them to the ultimate glory less than two years ago. It begs the question, where has this form been. What triggered the reversal? Maybe it was the fact that Hawthorn has not lost to Carlton since 2005, and with the exception of last years epic, have won many of those matches very comfortably. The Hawks are two games out of the 8, so they have to really get moving, but with a favourable percentage, there is hope for the Brown and Gold. As for the Blues, it is the first week that their forward line will really come under focus. Whilst recruit Lochie Henderson was encorouging, Setanta and his three little helpers had hardly any positive influence on the match.
The one side who are already in the 8, and are starting to look very strong, are the Western Bulldogs. They haven't made much noise, yet sit comfortably at 4th, and have an incredible drive, due to the failures of the last couple of finals campaigns. Their opponents on Saturday, North Melbourne, were absolutely slaughtered by their own supporters on talkback radio. It seems unwarrented to me. North are a very young side. They have been great to be as competitive as they have been so far this year, and surely they are going to have a couple of less than impressive games, especially when they play one of the premiership favourites.
The Dockers ticked off another unlikely win, this time in Sydney. If they keep winning away from home like they have been so far this year, they are a very serious top 4 threat, and no one is going to want to go over to Perth to play a final.
The big match of the year didn't quite live up to the billing. The one thing that the Friday night match did show us was that the Cats are every bit the premiership contender, and they have not dropped off in quality as many experts had predicted. I never thought they would miss the top 4, but I have to admit, I didn't think that they were as strong as they looked against the Pies. If they have improved on the last couple of years, I'd almost start engraving Gee on the cup now. Collingwood were the biggest dissapointment of the week. Simply put, they choked. Not just the players, but the coaches too. They completely changed the way they had been playing (and winning) and lost the ability to score. After belting all comers over the last month, why someone would change how they are playing is confusing to me. Maybe Mick, knowing this could be his last chance to coach a side to a flag tightened up?
Credit to St. Kilda this week. Under a lot of pressure and with many people questioning their ability to cover the larger Subiaco Oval, the Saints won, and won well. The may have struggled during the first 9 rounds, but they have been able to fall over the line for enough wins that they are still very much in the top 4 race
Big Winners
* Geelong. Go and get any price you can for them on the premiership.
* Darwin football lovers. They only get two games all year, and the first one was an absolute cracker!
* Hawthorn. Can they make a run at the 8? If so, who'd want to play them in the finals?
Losers
* Brisbane Lions. Where has it all gone wrong?
* Scott Thomson (NM). Obviously just a pest of a bloke. I'd have preferred to have seen Barry hit him to really teach him a lesson.
* Richmond. Again. But they can at least say they are the most consistant side in the league.
The one side who are already in the 8, and are starting to look very strong, are the Western Bulldogs. They haven't made much noise, yet sit comfortably at 4th, and have an incredible drive, due to the failures of the last couple of finals campaigns. Their opponents on Saturday, North Melbourne, were absolutely slaughtered by their own supporters on talkback radio. It seems unwarrented to me. North are a very young side. They have been great to be as competitive as they have been so far this year, and surely they are going to have a couple of less than impressive games, especially when they play one of the premiership favourites.
The Dockers ticked off another unlikely win, this time in Sydney. If they keep winning away from home like they have been so far this year, they are a very serious top 4 threat, and no one is going to want to go over to Perth to play a final.
The big match of the year didn't quite live up to the billing. The one thing that the Friday night match did show us was that the Cats are every bit the premiership contender, and they have not dropped off in quality as many experts had predicted. I never thought they would miss the top 4, but I have to admit, I didn't think that they were as strong as they looked against the Pies. If they have improved on the last couple of years, I'd almost start engraving Gee on the cup now. Collingwood were the biggest dissapointment of the week. Simply put, they choked. Not just the players, but the coaches too. They completely changed the way they had been playing (and winning) and lost the ability to score. After belting all comers over the last month, why someone would change how they are playing is confusing to me. Maybe Mick, knowing this could be his last chance to coach a side to a flag tightened up?
Credit to St. Kilda this week. Under a lot of pressure and with many people questioning their ability to cover the larger Subiaco Oval, the Saints won, and won well. The may have struggled during the first 9 rounds, but they have been able to fall over the line for enough wins that they are still very much in the top 4 race
Big Winners
* Geelong. Go and get any price you can for them on the premiership.
* Darwin football lovers. They only get two games all year, and the first one was an absolute cracker!
* Hawthorn. Can they make a run at the 8? If so, who'd want to play them in the finals?
Losers
* Brisbane Lions. Where has it all gone wrong?
* Scott Thomson (NM). Obviously just a pest of a bloke. I'd have preferred to have seen Barry hit him to really teach him a lesson.
* Richmond. Again. But they can at least say they are the most consistant side in the league.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Round 8
Round 8 saw the emergence of two teams clearly above the rest. Just like 2008 and 09 Geelong are one of the two teams, and the other is Collingwood. Fantastic then to see that the two line up against each other in Round 9. This game would have had the same build up as the St. Kilda v Geelong (2009) and Hawthorn v Geelong (2008) if it had of been later in the season as those two matches were. It is an absolute credit to Geelong that they have been the constant in these massive matches, and scary that they are still playing as brilliantly as ever.
Friday's nights game between Collingwood and Freo proved that the Magpies are the real deal (if you weren't already convinced). Despite the knockers, I believe the Dockers are here to stay, and the way Collingwood clinically took care of them was ominous. Having said that, I really like the Dockers. They remind me alot of Hawthorn in 2007, when they were in the top 3 for the majority of the year, before the extremely young side tired late. If there are any markets on next years premiership, I'd be having a serious look at the Dockers, and I suspect you'd get pretty good odds too.
Melbourne have finally had the down week they were overdue. They are a young side, and there's no doubt they have come a long way, but I don't think they will make the finals this year. They have been much more competitive, and the Melbourne faithful can look forward to some success in the not too distant future.
Richmond got even closer to their first win this week, and surely based on they way they played on Sunday they will fall over the line against someone. Only skill error cost the Tigers a win. They do play West Coast here in Melbourne, and if I were a Tiger supporter, I'd pencil that one in as a must attend game. Hawthorn have nothing to celebrate about. Had they have played anyone else yesterday, they would've lost and gone 1-7. Plain and Simple.
Carlton announced themselves as a very serious top 4 threat with a great win over an in-form Port Adelaide. Coming off a short turnaround after the Monday night game, the Blue's looked in real trouble late in the third quarter, yet found the strength to overrun the Power. I think right now Carlton are the third best team in the league. The buzz that could be created around Melbourne if Collingwood play Carlton late in September would be enormous.
St. Kilda have fallen deeper into trouble, losing their third game out of four. Again the Saints couldn't find a reliable path to goal, even with Essendon's two best defenders (Pears & Hooker) missing a large chunk of yesterday's game. It's hard to imagine the Saints challenging late in September on their current form, even with the inclusion of Riewoldt, but I'm not willing to write them off just yet.
Round 8 Big Winners
* Collingwood - Scary good at the moment. Didn't look to be dominating against Freo or Carlton, yet beat them both very comfortably.
* Western Bulldogs - Sneaking under the radar a little after they didn't start the season as we all expected. In the top 4, and I don't think they are going anywhere
* East Perth - Signed Andrew Lovett. Will absolutely dominate the WAFL, as long as he keeps his life on track.
In Trouble This Week
* Hawthorn - Won no fans this week, despite winning.
* Ben Nason - Got his hair pulled, and to be honest, deserves it given how shocking it looks. Needs to take a leaf out of Tyrone Vickery's book and get a hair cut.
* Sydney & Brisbane - After great starts to the year, both have really struggled in recent weeks, and now look like they will both be battling for a top 8 spot.
Friday's nights game between Collingwood and Freo proved that the Magpies are the real deal (if you weren't already convinced). Despite the knockers, I believe the Dockers are here to stay, and the way Collingwood clinically took care of them was ominous. Having said that, I really like the Dockers. They remind me alot of Hawthorn in 2007, when they were in the top 3 for the majority of the year, before the extremely young side tired late. If there are any markets on next years premiership, I'd be having a serious look at the Dockers, and I suspect you'd get pretty good odds too.
Melbourne have finally had the down week they were overdue. They are a young side, and there's no doubt they have come a long way, but I don't think they will make the finals this year. They have been much more competitive, and the Melbourne faithful can look forward to some success in the not too distant future.
Richmond got even closer to their first win this week, and surely based on they way they played on Sunday they will fall over the line against someone. Only skill error cost the Tigers a win. They do play West Coast here in Melbourne, and if I were a Tiger supporter, I'd pencil that one in as a must attend game. Hawthorn have nothing to celebrate about. Had they have played anyone else yesterday, they would've lost and gone 1-7. Plain and Simple.
Carlton announced themselves as a very serious top 4 threat with a great win over an in-form Port Adelaide. Coming off a short turnaround after the Monday night game, the Blue's looked in real trouble late in the third quarter, yet found the strength to overrun the Power. I think right now Carlton are the third best team in the league. The buzz that could be created around Melbourne if Collingwood play Carlton late in September would be enormous.
St. Kilda have fallen deeper into trouble, losing their third game out of four. Again the Saints couldn't find a reliable path to goal, even with Essendon's two best defenders (Pears & Hooker) missing a large chunk of yesterday's game. It's hard to imagine the Saints challenging late in September on their current form, even with the inclusion of Riewoldt, but I'm not willing to write them off just yet.
Round 8 Big Winners
* Collingwood - Scary good at the moment. Didn't look to be dominating against Freo or Carlton, yet beat them both very comfortably.
* Western Bulldogs - Sneaking under the radar a little after they didn't start the season as we all expected. In the top 4, and I don't think they are going anywhere
* East Perth - Signed Andrew Lovett. Will absolutely dominate the WAFL, as long as he keeps his life on track.
In Trouble This Week
* Hawthorn - Won no fans this week, despite winning.
* Ben Nason - Got his hair pulled, and to be honest, deserves it given how shocking it looks. Needs to take a leaf out of Tyrone Vickery's book and get a hair cut.
* Sydney & Brisbane - After great starts to the year, both have really struggled in recent weeks, and now look like they will both be battling for a top 8 spot.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hypothetical Wednesday
It's that time of the week again. There's been a lot of talk about whether clubs will be properly compensated for players leaving to play for the Gold Coast. This week is has been suggested that there may be a panel of ex players set up, to decide each players worth.
I thought I'd take 6 players who have been linked with the Gold Coast side, and decide for myself what these players are worth in a draft.
Garry Ablett - Picks 1 & 3
Easily the most publicised link to the Coast, Ablett demands massive compensation for the Cats. I have loosely based these picks on what the Blues received for Chris Judd. Not only is Ablett the Cats best and most skillful player, he is also a marquee marketing player (in his own right, as well as the link to his dad).
Campbell Brown - Pick 50
Probably the man most believe has already signed (despite vehemently denying the fact). Not an overly skillful player, but has been important to Hawthorn as a 'Team Man'. Don't think he is worth a top pick, and probably not a player I'd be looking at if I were at the Gold Coast. He is a battler at best, and deserves only a later pick for the Hawks.
Michael Hurley - Pick 4
Despite a rocky start of the field, this kid really looks the goods to me. Can play back, but I saw him destroy Hawthorn up forward last year, and that's where the Bombers are really lacking at the moment. Is worth better than what they picked him at, even at this early stage, because he has shown more than enough potential to justify the Bombers receiving a top 5 pick.
Nick Riewoldt - Pick 1, 2 & 5
The pin up boy of the competition right now. He is the most important player of the premiership favourites. This demands respect from the new AFL club, and the Saints (despite not really needing it) should receive this most favourable compensation. With the access to younger players the GC already have, coupled with the fact Riewoldt would become a hometown hero/icon, you could still argue it'd be worth giving these picks up to secure his services.
Joel Selwood - Pick 3
The Cats must be thinking that Selwood is there next captain, and at 21, Selwood is young enough that it is fair to presume he still has a good level of improvement in his game. That thought would be scary to any midfielder who has played on him. Just think what sort of compensation the Cats would be in for if Ablett and Selwood both headed north.
Jarrod Harbrow - Pick 15
The latest player to be spoken about in the media in the GC conversation, Harbrow, given his come from the rookie list, and is still quite young is not considered to be a great commodity under the current compensation system. Despite this, Harbrow has to be worth a first round pick, given he has really stepped his game up in the last year or so. I really like the way he plays, and would be a great addition to any side, let alone a new one.
Let me know what you think about these players, and any others you might be interested in knowing the worth of.
I thought I'd take 6 players who have been linked with the Gold Coast side, and decide for myself what these players are worth in a draft.
Garry Ablett - Picks 1 & 3
Easily the most publicised link to the Coast, Ablett demands massive compensation for the Cats. I have loosely based these picks on what the Blues received for Chris Judd. Not only is Ablett the Cats best and most skillful player, he is also a marquee marketing player (in his own right, as well as the link to his dad).
Campbell Brown - Pick 50
Probably the man most believe has already signed (despite vehemently denying the fact). Not an overly skillful player, but has been important to Hawthorn as a 'Team Man'. Don't think he is worth a top pick, and probably not a player I'd be looking at if I were at the Gold Coast. He is a battler at best, and deserves only a later pick for the Hawks.
Michael Hurley - Pick 4
Despite a rocky start of the field, this kid really looks the goods to me. Can play back, but I saw him destroy Hawthorn up forward last year, and that's where the Bombers are really lacking at the moment. Is worth better than what they picked him at, even at this early stage, because he has shown more than enough potential to justify the Bombers receiving a top 5 pick.
Nick Riewoldt - Pick 1, 2 & 5
The pin up boy of the competition right now. He is the most important player of the premiership favourites. This demands respect from the new AFL club, and the Saints (despite not really needing it) should receive this most favourable compensation. With the access to younger players the GC already have, coupled with the fact Riewoldt would become a hometown hero/icon, you could still argue it'd be worth giving these picks up to secure his services.
Joel Selwood - Pick 3
The Cats must be thinking that Selwood is there next captain, and at 21, Selwood is young enough that it is fair to presume he still has a good level of improvement in his game. That thought would be scary to any midfielder who has played on him. Just think what sort of compensation the Cats would be in for if Ablett and Selwood both headed north.
Jarrod Harbrow - Pick 15
The latest player to be spoken about in the media in the GC conversation, Harbrow, given his come from the rookie list, and is still quite young is not considered to be a great commodity under the current compensation system. Despite this, Harbrow has to be worth a first round pick, given he has really stepped his game up in the last year or so. I really like the way he plays, and would be a great addition to any side, let alone a new one.
Let me know what you think about these players, and any others you might be interested in knowing the worth of.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Round 6
There is a reason that I haven't been able to post a review of Round 6. I'm still coming to grips with the terrible showing my beloved hawks produced on Saturday night, especially considering it was against my, and most Hawthorn people's, least favourite team.
Okay. So just what has caused such a fall from grace (and me to lose many bets - just ask Spencer).
I believe that the problem lies in the middle tier of players. It's not just because these players aren't good enough to maintain the level of play they achieved in 2008. I have a theory that these players see themselves as a 'middle class players' and are more than comfortable with the thought of retiring as premiership players. Now that they have already earnt that tag, there has been a drop of in their hunger to win matches. These players include Michael Osborne, Rick Ladson, Brent Guerra, Chance Bateman. They have not dropped off massively, but because the competition is so close this year (with the exception of Richmond) even a small drop will mean most teams will go past you. It is important to remember that injuries have not help things at Hawthorn. The defence was seen as a weakness even at its best during 2008, so naturally if you lose your biggest and best defender (Trent Croad) coupled with having virtually no ruckmen the team will be weakened.
Enough of the hawks, I need to wipe the tears away.
Lots more talk this week about St. Kilda and their boring style of play. Again I'd suggest even Saints fans are getting sick of having to watch their team play without their captain, it really is painful. For the rest of us we just have to hope all teams work out how to beat them, otherwise it's a method is here until Riewoldt returns.
Luckily for channel 7, the Sunday game, Collingwood vs. Carlton was an absolute ripper. It was an old fashion shot out. The great thing about this match was the skills weren't even that great. It was just a geniune contest, played in a way that is truly entertaining. The third quarter was the best quarter of football I've seen all year.
The Dockers keep winning, the crows losing, two things no-one at the start of the season predicted. It'll be interesting to see if these young Dockers can run out the season in the form we are currently seeing them in. If so their could be a purple haze across the nation like never before.
Again look out for Hypothetical Wednesday post later today.
Okay. So just what has caused such a fall from grace (and me to lose many bets - just ask Spencer).
I believe that the problem lies in the middle tier of players. It's not just because these players aren't good enough to maintain the level of play they achieved in 2008. I have a theory that these players see themselves as a 'middle class players' and are more than comfortable with the thought of retiring as premiership players. Now that they have already earnt that tag, there has been a drop of in their hunger to win matches. These players include Michael Osborne, Rick Ladson, Brent Guerra, Chance Bateman. They have not dropped off massively, but because the competition is so close this year (with the exception of Richmond) even a small drop will mean most teams will go past you. It is important to remember that injuries have not help things at Hawthorn. The defence was seen as a weakness even at its best during 2008, so naturally if you lose your biggest and best defender (Trent Croad) coupled with having virtually no ruckmen the team will be weakened.
Enough of the hawks, I need to wipe the tears away.
Lots more talk this week about St. Kilda and their boring style of play. Again I'd suggest even Saints fans are getting sick of having to watch their team play without their captain, it really is painful. For the rest of us we just have to hope all teams work out how to beat them, otherwise it's a method is here until Riewoldt returns.
Luckily for channel 7, the Sunday game, Collingwood vs. Carlton was an absolute ripper. It was an old fashion shot out. The great thing about this match was the skills weren't even that great. It was just a geniune contest, played in a way that is truly entertaining. The third quarter was the best quarter of football I've seen all year.
The Dockers keep winning, the crows losing, two things no-one at the start of the season predicted. It'll be interesting to see if these young Dockers can run out the season in the form we are currently seeing them in. If so their could be a purple haze across the nation like never before.
Again look out for Hypothetical Wednesday post later today.
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