The Sportsbag

Folks, we’ve reached the final preview. Today is Swans, Eagles and Bulldogs.

We hope you’ve enjoyed as much as we have had writing for you.

SYDNEY

1. Where will the mystery boys from Sydney finish? Can they play finals AGAIN!?

TB: Slightly less of a mystery now that we’ve seen them tread the boards against GWS. The swans are to be admired, in 10 years they haven’t bottomed out, and yet they’re perennially competitive, very competitive.

They look a team set to be challenging for finals again. Sure you can’t get much of a form line in a game against the Giants, but we did get to see some of the younger Sydney brigade and how they’ve progressed. Up until James McDonald laid him out Luke Parker looked very good and so did Lewis Jetta! He broke lines, split packs and added plenty of dash to a solid and tough midfield headlined by Josh Kennedy, Kieran Jack, Gary Rohan, Craig Bird, Jared McVeigh, and Dan Hannebery.

Throw in Ryan O’Keefe when he returns Adam Goodes when he feels like it and the big Mummy and gee wilkers you got a solid engine room. Ted Richards, LRT and Andrejis Everitt down back, Sam Reid, Goodes again up forward and they really do have a great side. They couldn’t miss finals with that set up.

Who knows Goodes could win another brownlow, who ever really knows with Sydney.

TL: Can and will. They haven’t lost any talent at the top end and have developed a system that manages to get their younger players at a level required to be competitive instantly at the top level.

They have the most honest list in the comp, with few standouts, but I find it very hard to find a chink in their armour. Goodes just keeps getting better with age, Bolton has discovered where the goals are after 10+ years of senior footy, the usual suspects of O’Keefe, Malceski, McVeigh and LRT continue to get the best out of themselves and then there is the Sydney Recycling factor – all of Mumford, Kennedy, Shaw, McGlyn, Richards and Mattner all started their careers somewhere else, and all a major contributors in Sydney’s best 22.

Add the gun youngsters – Hannebery, Meredith, Reid, Jack, Rohan, Parker, Jetta, Johnson and Smith – to the aforementioned senior unit and Sydney has a pretty handy line up in 2012.

Kennedy is my pick of the bunch this year. I was not surprised to see the inaugural Brett Kirk medal hanging off his neck last Saturday night. I expect him to pick up many more accolades along the way this year. He has this amazing ability to extract the ball from a stoppage (he was, after all the competition’s #1 stoppage player in 2011) and if he can push forward and get on the scoreboard, don’t be surprised if he adds a Bobby Skilton Medal to his trophy cabinet this year.

If ‘Joey’ and the rest of Sydney’s younger brigade all start to take that next step, we will see Sydney finish deep in finals footy this year.

JD: I’ve penciled them in for another finals appearance. Josh Kennedy is about to explode and make every Hawthorn fan think ‘what if?’. Sam Reid looks like he could be the competition’s next gun centre-half forward. Gary Rohan has Stevie J (and Lingy) written all over him, while Hannebery and Jack have cemented themselves as first picked players. Throw in a handful of youngsters like Nick Smith, Parker and Jetta with Rhyce Shaw, McGlynn and Grundy, and you have a pretty strong list. Let’s not forget the rapid improvement of Big Mummy. The guy is a beast.

2. Are they the most durable and steady team of the last 10 years?

TB: This is something we do know! YES! A Premiership two GF appearances and countless finals they are always around the mark. It’s been a good 10 years if you’re a Swans supporter.

TL: There are very few teams in the comp that have managed to stay ‘up’ for such a long period of time – they have featured in 8 of the last 9 finals series.

They have a knack of finding, or developing, like-for-like replacements around the ground. They have lost many premiership heroes from the formidable 2005-2006 teams; players like Barry Hall, Jared Crouch, Leo Barry, Darren Jolly, and Adam Schneider and of course spiritual leader Brett Kirk and mastermind coach Paul Roos.

The men in charge at the Harbour City have developed a system which has ensured the holes these men leave are easily filled by the next crop, which are groomed whilst in waiting to take their spots. Whatever blueprint the Sydney masterminds are using… it works!

JD: Certainly the most consistent team. Geelong is right up there with them in the durability stakes. While most have arced and rebuilt, Sydney has cleverly topped up and filled holes as well as smoothly transitioned from Paul Roos to John Longmire. And there older players - Goodes, O’Keefe, McVeigh, Bolton - keep playing well and nurture the kids.

3. Will GWS success hurt or hinder the ‘Bloods’?

TB: The extra exposure the GWS will bring to Sydney will only help them. Perhaps it will galvanise some half heated Sydney fans who don’t want the new boys stealing all the glory (in many cases im sure it’ll work the opposite way) but more exposure. They finally get a derby match and they don’t have to worry about getting beat by GWS anytime to soon.

TL: It will certainly take the shine off the on-field success that the Bloods will no doubt be enjoying. And it may even see NSW footy fans deflect to the new pin-up boys of the comp. But any success in the Rugby-dominated NSW is a good thing for the game.

If the success of GWS has the effect of raising the profile of AFL in NSW then that, in turn, will be a good thing for all involved in Aussie rules in the Harbour City.

JD: The addition of GWS won’t hinder the Swans, it’s great for the game in Sydney. They are two very different supporter bases, and I genuinely mean that with no tongue in cheek. Sydney won’t lose supporters to GWS, but rugby clubs out West are competing with a juggernaut like the AFL which will not let GWS fail. 8,000 members already is a tribute to the breadth of our great game. Another team means more stories, which means more newspaper inches, which is only positive thing for the game.

X-Factor?

TB: Sam Reid - I just love young forwards!

TL: Sam Reid

JD: Gary Rohan

Predicted Finish?

TB: 7th

TL: 4^th

JD: 7^th

WEST COAST EAGLES

1. They surprised last year, can we expect more improvement?

TB: Last seasons bolters might come back just a little this year.

There elder statesmen really exceeded expectations in 2011 and to maintain top four contention they would have to have the same output. That could be tough. But they are another team with some very exciting young players; Luke Schuey, Andrew Gaff, Jack Darling and an absolute athletic freak Nic Natinui so who knows what may happen this season now that they’ve had more time in the game.  

Most likely is that the youngsters will get better while the older guys drop off, seems pretty logical. Question is whether they can align the peak of the young brigade before the older players like Cox, Emberly, and Glass drop off. This is the season to do it. As captain planet used to profess “The power is yours!” West Coast Eagles.

TL: They certainly did surprise everyone last season, with a dramatic turnaround from wooden spooners to top 4 and preliminary finalists.

But I think last year opposition teams were waiting for, and expecting, their bubble to burst, without putting any real thought into the Eagles. This year they can expect a hell of a lot more scrutiny than 2011.

However, their forward press is as good as anyone’s in the comp.  Their kids are just about the most exciting in the business, with Naitanui, Gaff, Shuey and Darling all looking to improve again this year. And then their senior core includes the likes of Cox, Kerr, Embley, Glass and Kennedy – it’s a pretty handy line up, and one that will surely see them take part in September action all over again.

JD: They were so close last year. Expect them to be top four again in 2012 barring injuries. For a club that was expected to bottom out, they have done a remarkable job. They’ve recruited well, filled some holes, and their midfield looks even stronger. Let’s hope Daniel Kerr’s bung hammy and shoulder can let him play at least 20 games.

2. How big is the loss of ‘The Frenchman’ LeCras?

TB: Always a big deal when a player of his quality goes down. They seemed to cope fairly well without him for the first half of last year and their forward line is very strong. This year they could’ve really used his match winning abilities in the close games, might cost them 4 points, that could mean 1 or 2 spots on the ladder.

TL: Huge. I rate the Frenchman as the best small forward in the business. His loss has just cost the Eagles 50-70 goals in season 2012.

And now we’ve learned that born-again forward flanker – and the man who afforded Le Cras more time in the midfield last year – Mark Nicoski, will join his blonde-haired buddy on the sidelines early in 2012 after tearing his hammy right off the bone.

For as good as the Eagles were last year, they can ill-afford to lose quality players this year. Compared to the comp’s big boys, they don’t have the depth to cover for big name players and it is for this reason only that I can’t see them reaching the heights of season 2011.

JD: He’s a talented player so he’ll be missed, but new recruit Josh Hill will fit straight in. They covered him last year, but they are a very well rounded team and their midfielders kick goals. They also have one of the better forward lines in the AFL (see below). Expect Luke Shuey to take another massive leap in his absence.

3. Do they have the best Forward line in the league (Kennedy, Darling, Natanui/Cox, and Shuey)?

TB: With LeCras it is certainly the best or equal to that of Hawthorns. Without him it is slightly less potent, only slightly. Big marking bodies wall to wall down there at West Coast. Darling pushes up the ground well and provides a link to Kennedy. Schuey will play more through the midfield but is very partial to a goal or two. Cox and Nic Nat pushing forward will cause all sorts of problems. That front six is a big headache for any opposition defence.

I am still going with Hawthorn as the best, Cyril, Buddy, Gunston, Hale and Puopolo, and Breust rotating through there.

TL: Any forward line with Buddy and Junior-boy would argue that they are probably the most potent attack in the comp, but the Eagles certainly have plenty of talent in their forward half.

The key for Worsfold this year will be getting an even spread from his attacking unit. If they can get 20-30+ goals from any on Cox, Darling, Shuey, Nicoski, Lynch, Masten and Embley, and let the big man Kennedy kick his 50+ for the year,  they will be posting scores that keep them at the top end of the ladder again this year.

JD: Add the Big Q-Stick into that sentence and you have a scary forward line filled with size, aggression and athleticism. Kennedy isn’t just steak knives anymore, he’s a legitimate forward gun. You have to love Darling’s size and aggression. While the prospect of Nic Nat and Coxy resting in the goal square is enough to give most back men night frights.

X-Factor?

TB: Nic Nat

TL: Nic Nat

JD: Daniel Kerr

Predicted Finish?

TB: 6th

TL: 6^th

JD: 3^rd

WESTERN BULLDOGS

1. Will Lake return to be the superstar All- Australian he once was?

TB: Geee that’s a tough call. It would have to be a miraculous turn around from where he was last year. He’ll be a damn site better, but maybe not All Australian. Lucky he locked in that contract back in 2010 when he was still good.

TL: AA will be a stretch for the man formerly known as Mr. Harris. He had a horrid run in season 2011, in which he battled injuries and confidence and finally, succumbed to languishing in the VFL.

He seemed to be Rocket Eade’s whipping boy when times got tough for the Doggies.  Towards the end of his tenure, Eade asked things of Lake that saw him taken right out of his comfort zone – we can all agree there was no merit in Rocket’s experiment to play Lake back into form as a forward target.

But with a new coach, comes a fresh slate. And surely Brendan McCartney will provide Lake the opportunity to slot back into his favoured Full Back position and instil the confidence in him to do what he does best – play off his man and take marks from opposition forward 50 entries.

JD: My Supercoach team hopes so. I think he will. He’d clearly tuned out with Rocket Eade, so new coach McCartney will do him the world of good and get him motivated. He sounds fit and injury free. Let’s hope he’s back to his best, because at his peak he is a beauty to watch. 

2. Can Brendan McCartney inspire this ageing list and have one last crack at finals?

TB: Probably not. I am sorry dogs fans as you are a long suffering group, but facts are facts, and you don’t have a bloody forward line! Jarrad Grant and Liam Jones are not reliable forwards yet. Tory Dickson is a good recruit but kicking 101 goals for Noble Park is less of an achievement than kicking 30 for the dogs. He’ll need to kick 30 for the dogs for them to be any chance for finals.

McCartney’s strength is in his tutelage of players, perhaps he can coax out 50 goals from Grant and Jones. He’ll need to if they want a finals birth.

TL: It would seem this ageing list has aged a little too much to see the Doggies figuring in September action. Bob Murphy is ageless and skipper Matty Boyd is a dead-set superstar, but the game seems to have passed Lindsay Gilbee, Daniel Giansiracusa seems to have got the utmost out of his football career and Brian Lake’s troubles have been well documented. There have been whispers that Adam Cooney’s best football is well and truly behind him at the ripe old age of 26. Daniel Cross battles harder than anyone, but he has no turn of foot and is being found out for speed in the modern game (refer to Leigh Brown’s inspirational chase down on Cross in 2010’s qualifying final).

McCartney will no doubt be hoping to fast-track the development of the next litter of pups in order to see the red, white and blue figure in September action again.

JD:  He looks like the right sort of bloke for this list, but I think they’ve missed the window and need to start looking towards the future.

3. What sort of a list has McCartney got to work with?

TB: It’s decent, not amazing or the best list going around, but he still has four guns running the midfield with Boyd, Cross, Griffen and Cooney and the backline is looking alright too. If Higgins could actually do something they would be a bit threatening.

But McCartney is there to get the best out of the young kids and that is the way forward for the dogs. Dallhaus, Liberatore, Cordy, Williams and Roughhead are the players Brendan should be focusing on.

TL: The future is bright. Liam Jones looks readymade to assume the key forward role. Big men Ayce Cordy and Little Rough will continue to develop. Little Libba, Clay Smith and Mitch Wallis will rise through the ranks and take over the midfield in due time. And we can expect Dahlhaus to continue to thrill the fans and provide the dash and flair the fans want to see, but it will take McCartney a few years with this next crop of pups take this club back to finals football.

JD: They’ve picked up some great kids - Wallis, Libba, Talia, Dalhaus and Jones - in recent years who will need more and more games. They’re on the right track. Guys like Gilbee, Giansiracusa and Murphy have been fighting for years, but they won’t have much more fight in them.

Let’s hope Murphy can continue his 2011 All-Australian form, Boyd, Griffen and Cross can keep the midfield ticking and Brownlow medalist Cooney, Higgins, Tom Williams and Lake can overcome chronic injury and reach their best again.

There’s hope…

X-Factor?

TB: Brian Lake

TL: Luke Dalhaus

JD: Shaun Higgins

Predicted Finish?

TB: 13th

TL: 13^th   

JD: 12^th

Thanks guys, it’s been fun!

Neary there folks. Check out Port Adelaide, Richmond and St Kilda today.

Tell us what you think.

PORT ADELAIDE

1. Does anyone really care?

TB:  Some people do care and those seven people live in Adelaide, and they are feral. However In the spirit of good sportsman ship we’ll extend a hand (unlike Luis Suarez) and do a review anyway.

Really we should care because whilst Port had a shocker year in 2011, it couldn’t get any worse in 2012, could it?

Importantly they ended the season well by re-signing their young talent like Travis Boak, John Butcher and Alipate Carlile.

They picked up Chad Wingard in the draft and he has already been impressive enough for draftee. Jarrad Redden has been really promising in the pre season and Robbie Gray looks like he might finally take off. Not to mention John McCarthy and Pfeiffer could be players. All together there is a decent team there that could become a consideration for the other 19,999,993 people that care about AFL.

There is no doubt they will improve this year, and hopefully now that Primus has cut away some dead weight and got some better support around him in the coaches box he too can show that he’s good enough to coach an AFL team.

We all saw the ‘Port Adelaide loses to the Bye’ It won’t get worse than that, even if we want it too.

TL: Anyone who likes winning 4 premiership points should care about Port… because I have a feeling they will hand them out at will this year.

JD: Nope. Not unless the Hawks or Pies are playing them and you have Buddy for the Coleman or Pendles for the Brownlow.

2. If you do; will they finish above Gold Coast?

TB: They will but it’ll be close again! And if they do slip up Port, GC will be waiting to climb that ladder. Put it this way lose to the GC again and they deserve to finish below them.

TL: All jokes aside, they are a serious rabble. They need to get competitive, and fast! Internally they would expect to head the two, new start-up teams on the ladder this year, but the rest of the football world is not so sure. On paper there probably isn’t as much talent as the Suns or GWS, but there is a hell of a lot more experience, so I’m prepared to have them just ahead of the competitions newcomers.

On a more positive note, they do have blokes like Boak, Gray, Butcher, Trengove and Hartlett, all great young players who they can build a future around. The two used players  Port brought in over summer - John McCarthy from the Pies and Brad Ebert from the Eagles – have both come from successful clubs, and should provide enough experience to make their underwhelming midfield a little more competitive in 2012.

Sadly though, it’s going to be a long year for the boys from Alberton.

JD: I don’t think so. There aren’t many positives in Port – apart from Gray, Boak, Hartlett and Butcher. Primus rightfully cleaned out the cupboard (Brogan and Cornes brothers), but they’re a long way off it now. They were woeful last season. The Suns - with a strong leadership group and bucketloads of promising kids – will take Port’s scalp again this season.

3. Primus’ last chance?

TB: Pressure is on over in Adelaide and yes this will be Matt Primus’ last chance. To Port’s credit though they are backing him 100%.  He has much better support staff around him in Gary Hocking, Shaun Rehn, Brad Gotch and hopefully they can collaborate to some and I stress some success. Primus is a club legend hopefully he can stay that way and not taint his contribution to the club with a poor stint as coach at a tough time.

TL: Port won’t do well this year, but it will be a huge shock to see a new coach in the drivers’ seat this time next year. Primus will need to pump games into his younger players and start building a game plan around the big Butch up forward.

All he needs is improvement. If they can show a little more competitiveness (that means ANY competitiveness) Primus will be safe and can concentrate on building a team that will lead an assault up the ladder in the years to come (just not this year).

JD: They’ll give him time to get a list that’s workable. He put them in the direction, but they’re miles off. Unfair to solely blame the coach when the list is diabolically bad, but the club needs wins, and fast.

X-Factor?

TB: John Butcher, I love clean marking key forwards and Johnny the butcher is exactly that. An old style forward that does the simple things well marks the ball and kicks goals.

TL: Travis Boak

JD: John Butcher

Predicted Finish?

TB: 16th

TL: 15^th

JD: 17^th

RICHMOND

1. Is the signing of Hardwick the right move?

TB: If you’re a fan of coaching from the bench then hell yes it is! Old Damo loves hanging out down there doesn’t he?

The players must be fans of it because they have really bought into Hardwick and his vision and will do just about anything he says.

From one on one contested footy to now trying to use the ball more and chip around Hawthorn style he’s not afraid to try new things and the team is willing to follow orders (generally pretty important if your head coach). He certainly fits the mould of the new breed of AFL coaches, young ex-player with a tough guy reputation that gives an “I’m not to be trifled with” vibe.

Hardwick has compiled a really good list in three years and unified the club, and got them playing decent footy occasionally, I think he deserves the opportunity to take this talented list further.

TL: He hasn’t been spat on yet by irate fans, nor has he walked up the race to a confetti-style shower of minced membership cards. So as Richmond coaches go; so far so good for Dimma!

He was one of the hardest nuts in his time, and his young tiger pups are starting to reflect a little bit of Hardwick grunt in their game style. He has a no-nonsense approach and hasn’t put a step wrong since taking over at Tiger land.

He has an enviable list at his disposal and if he can maintain a standard of discipline and get a bit of luck from the injury gods, he may just steer them into finals contention this year… maybe.

JD: Yep, locking Hardwick up long term eases the pressure on him this season, but also tells him the tremendous faith the club has in him the lead this motley crue. He’s got them on the right track, and with key players Foley and Riewoldt returning from injury.

2. With all the young talent they possess are they actually any good? Top 8 good? 

TB: Yes they have plenty of talent. Cotchin and Martin are without doubt going to be gun 250+ gamers, throw in Riewoldt, Deledio, Newman, Conca, Foley, Vickery, the signing or Ivan Maric (very important) and things look pretty bright. However we are yet to really see this team ‘roar’ (I am sorry for using such a cheesey line). This is the season to prove that the talent they have can, not only make finals but win some in years to come they’ll need a top 6 scalp to prove their credentials.

Richmond are actually getting quite good and should cease being the joke of the league; 10+ years without a finals appearance and only 2 in 30 years now that’s comedy!I see them just missing the top 8 with a tough draw at the start of the year which will really test them. They also need a monster down back to bolster their defence.

TL: The talent they have is amazing. Their midfield boasts the likes of Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin and that’s enough to get any red-blooded Tiger fan wet! They will have a support cast of Foley, Tuck and Jackson to provide the necessary rotations through the middle. And now they have the Mullet to hopefully start feeding and protecting them in the guts. Their midfield is shaping nicely, but it is the pointy ends of the ground where the Tigers fall away from the rest of the comp.

Jack Riewoldt is an absolute gem. He jumps over everything, can pluck them from anywhere and rarely sprays his shots at goal. He will continue to improve, but geesh, does he need a chop out down there! Vickery is improving, but he just doesn’t throw his body around enough. Brad Miller tries hard, but he is playing on borrowed time at the moment.

Right now, Richmond seems just 2-3 gun key players short of being consistently competitive. If they do manage to sneak up into the 8 this year, you can be sure it will be on the back of the heroics of a very talented core group of players.

JD: They are top eight good, but they won’t be top eight good. Their midfield core is nearing elite - Martin, Cotchin, Deledio, Foley, Houli and Conca – but the gap between the stars and the dude is too great. Guys like Jake ‘THE PUSHUP’ King, Shane Edwards, Matt White and Addam Maric try hard, but are forever treading water. Riewoldt needs consistent help up forward from guys like Nahas, Vickery and Brad Miller (only joking). The backs are young and athletic, but stalwarts McGuane and Moore are too one-dimensional.  Guys like Grimes, Webberley and Astbury need to help out old man Newman down back.

Big years by Martin, Cotchin, Deledio and a 70 goal year from Riewoldt will help them catch the leaders, but I don’t think they’ll get enough help.

 
3. Are we witnessing the beginnings of the Richmond juggernaut coming to life? 

TB: Hahaha, Richmond juggernaut! I didn’t know you could put those words together? It sounds odd.

But I confess I am getting sucked into believing the hype that maybe this Richmond team could actually play finals and then win some…..maybe, perhaps ….not this year but next. If they played an elimination final against say Essendon at the MCG on a Friday night can you imagine the crowd they would get? Huge.

It’s sad to think that we won’t be able to hang it on Tigers supporters as much anymore, but the Tigers supporters have had it pretty rough for a while now. So chin up boys and girls because the future looks goooood. Good enough for you to finish 9^th (or 10^th) again this year before you really explode next year.

Oh and Deledio re-signed so that’s good news too. Pop the champagne!

TL: Tiger fans have been ranting and raving about this for 30 years now! Granted, their list does have a lot more standouts now, but juggernaut?! I’ll believe it when I see it.

JD: There are still glaring holes in the ruck and forward line. Ivan Maric isn’t the answer in the ruck, though I will enjoy watching his glorious, throwback to Adelaide flowing in the breeze. That mullet deserves its own public holiday. Vickery has some skills, but too often goes missing and can’t be relied upon. Nahas needs to do more than being the envy of every player in the locker room. The midfield is solid, the backs are getting there, but Riewoldt is relied upon too much and he just wasn’t up to it last year.

X-Factor?

TB: Ivan Maric- Finally a ruckmen that can actually tap it to his team mates.

TL: Dustin Martin

JD: Trent Cotchin

Predicted Finish?

TB: 10th

TL: 10^th (Although 9^th would be fine also)

JD: 10^th

ST KILDA

1. Should they have cleaned the cupboard in the offseason?

TB: Abso-bloody-lutely! They are an old bunch of underachievers now, how did they not win a flag with that list? Their best is behind them and the youngsters don’t look too flash, partly because old mate Ross Lyon didn’t give them much of a chance. They need to off load Koschitzke, Gram, Blake, Schneider, Clarke, Dempster and probably many others and just play some kids.

They do still have some stars on their team, real stars too like Goddard, Dal Santo, Riewoldt, and Hayes but these guys are tired, tired of getting to the top and then succumbing to a better side on the day and they are not enough to win a flag.

The other option they have is trade their way into a better side, but they would have to sacrifice some real talent to get a promising youngster/s, or draft picks. Could the GWS’ approach for Goddard be a blessing in disguise? They are not going to win the Premiership with the list the way it is now so why not plan for the future and do what is necessary, clean up this messy and tired list.

Watters needs a nice durable pair of rubber gloves to get the cleaning underway.

TL: In theory, yes. In reality, this would have left far too many holes in their team list. List Cloggers: This will be - as it has been even in their ‘glory days’ of the mid 2000s right up to the GF replay of 2010 – their sticking point in 2012.

Lucky to escape the axe last season were players like Farren Ray, Brett Peake, Dean Polo, (Un-Australian Hall of Fame Inductee) Ralph Clarke and Jason Blake (although they did chop him, but somehow decided to  re-drafted him). I don’t give the Sainters a hope in hell if these blokes consistently get games this year.

They have a strong group of leaders that will protect and nurture the lighter bodies, therefore they need to give their kids more of a go. I’m sure I would be putting my melon over the ball every time if I knew I had blokes like Lenny Hayes and Nick Riewoldt covering my back.

It’s time for the Saints to inject some youth and forget about the ‘cloggers’ that have been weighing them down for too long.

JD: The window is closed, so yes, it was time. Make Goddard captain, send Riewoldt away for a bounty of picks (surely GWS enquired?), cut Blake, Raph Clarke, Gram, Polo, Peake and Farren Ray.

Their gruelling style of play and winning record means that they haven’t played enough kids over the past three years and they have some old, sore bodies, but this is the cost of a multiple tilts at a flag. It’s just too bad they have nothing to show for it.

2. Is Riewoldt the right choice as captain and can he recapture the form that made him the best forward in the league?

TB: No, I would’ve given it to Lenny, even though he was out all last year he will be the hungriest for success and he’s a natural born strong leader, on and off the field. Give Riewoldt a break a let him concentrate on footy. He looked tires and fed up last year a change is as good as a holiday they say, and big Nick could sure use one.

On the matter of form, Riewoldt can get back there only if he is slightly more selfish in his style of play. For too long he has had to run up to half back mark the ball, off load, sprint to the forward 50 and present again a lot of the time in a 2 on 1 situation completely buggered. He does this all game (no wonder he’s tired and fed up). Hey Kozi, McEvoy, anybody!! Help the guy out you lazy bunch of so and so’s!! Let Roo roam to the wing if he really wants to, but get him operating at true centre half forward and he’ll be a gun again, running and jumping at the ball not many can go with him. Watters this is where you come in, get a structure that works for your champ and captain, he’s worth it.

TL: He is walking around on dodgy pins and it would take an amazing turnaround for him to find some of the form that saw him chosen in 3 All-Australian teams and take out 4 club championships. But we all know he will fight tooth and nail to bring in those big marks and he is absolutely vital for their set-up and structure.

As a leader, it is really a toss of a coin between him and Lenny Hayes. Hayes looks to be the spiritual leader. He is the one everyone looks up to, the one who inspires others to dig in and the one they are most likely to play for. But Riewoldt is more of a complete package off-field. He presents well, he is first-class with the media and barring one or two recent cock-ups (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun) he represents a strong front for a football club crying out for some real success.

JD: Riewoldt needs time to heal his body without the added stress of captaining a rebuilding team. Goddard is the man to lead. He’ll be ably supported by Hayes, Dal Santo and Montagna. Riewoldt can recapture that breathtaking form, but he has a lot of miles in the tank, and he hasn’t got the same cavalry kicking the ball down his throat.

3. Does anyone expect the Saints to be better than last year? How much longer can they battle on for without pressing the reset button on their list? 

TB: They couldn’t even handle the mental prowess of a Frankston school girl! How are they supposed to cope competing with teams that are now more talented than they are? They can’t and won’t. Not only was Ross Lyon a big loss but he took that 14 year old looking kid Zac Dawson with him so that they really don’t have any defence at all now. Tom Simpkin alone is not a defence not even with Fisher playing his best footy.

They need a big injection of youth this year, and while it may be promising to see young players do good things and get game time it will also see them slip down the ladder, they need to do this because they tried to top up and reset for a flag when Ross Lyon took over, they didn’t get there and now they are left with an ageing no premiership winning list of under achieving whingers incapable of claiming the holy grail.

They need to change their attitude from victim, hard done by losers, to confident, risk taking dare devils who will do anything for glory. No more soppy videos with Lenny Hayes tearing up PLEASE!!

TL: I don’t think they need to start fresh. Teams should take note of the Sydney model and learn that you don’t necessarily need to ‘bottom out’ to stay competitive. Young players who walk through the door at Sydney are told what is expected of them. They are aware of the standards required to crack into ones and know that if they are keeping up their end of the bargain, they will be rewarded with games of senior footy. It then takes a strong group of leaders to protect and look after their kids and make sure they tow the line out on the field. Culture also plays a big part in the initiation process, but that’s too deep for this forum…

The Saints have the right mix to nurture their young players. Riewoldt, Hayes, Nicky Dal, Montanga, Fisher, Goddard… this is a serious list of players who I think should be showing the way for some of the Saints’ young guns in Winmar, Cripps, Ledger, Siposs and Stanley and kids I think will debut this year in Jack Newnes and Seb Ross.

If they can get games into these kids and still keep their core group of seniors out on the park, they may just have the mix to turn their fortunes around after a lousy 2011.

JD: Should have pressed reset. They’re like a Super Nintendo which just wont turn off - pull it out from the wall and start over. Hayes won’t be around forever, but he’ll put his life on the line for this team. Milne, for all his misgivings, has proven he’s still an elite forward, while Dal Santo, Fisher and Goddard are stars. Montagna still has some dash, Steven looks to be a tough midfielder and McEvoy is a battering ram in the ruck. Too many fringe players (as mentioned above) fill the teams best 18 unfortunately, and not enough kids have been getting games, like Stanley, Winmar, Siposs and Cripps.

Nothing excites me about this list, but I still think they’ll hang on to a top eight spot (which defies all my logic).

X-Factor?

TB: Lenny Hayes- Champion will be great to have him back

TL: Lenny Hayes

JD: Lenny Hayes

Predicted Finish?

TB: 11th

TL: 11^th

JD: 8^th

Today we have the Hawks, Demons and Kangaroos.

Tell us what you think! Like it? ‘Like’ us on Facebook!

HAWTHORN

1. Just how good are they?

TB: Well 12 of the leagues captains have them as favourites and so do the betting markets. There is a reason for this; they got pipped by Collingwood from getting into the big show last year, and had a tough time with injuries yet still achieved. Young talent across the park and (although I hate the phrase) they have quality ‘role players.’ Puopolo, Breust, Shiels, Savage all came from no where last year to have real impact in a quality side. Their midfield is stacked with talent, and looks to get better with Cyril AND Buddy running through there this year.

Speaking of Buddy, he looks set to absolutely EXPLODE this year! If he can stop himself from getting reported he could be an unstoppable force on the field. If Cyril has a break out year much like Gary Ablett did when he started to work harder and play midfield then God help us all.

They are without playing a game yet the best team in the league. How good? Damn Good!

TL: Very, very good. They know they are on the up. They had a short lapse (possibly a premiership hangover?) and are now ready full a fully fledged assault. They will still be hurting from last years’ prelim exit at the hands of the Pies, and no doubt Clarko will be using that as fuel to fire up his troops in 2012.

Their main problem last year was an inability to conquer the top two teams. They were zip and 5 against the Pies and the Cats, and ironically play them both in the first two rounds this year. They will want to draw blood early!

They have given their younger brigade plenty of experience in the last couple of seasons and have found some absolute beauties in Shiels, Breust, Suckling, Savage and Smith. All excellent ball users and important cogs in the machine this year.

They have proven once again to be a haven for homesick Victorian’s looking to return home, this year acquiring promising tall forward Jack Gunston from the Crows. He will be a great foil for Buddy inside forward 50, especially when Hale and Roughy will be looking to share ruck duties to cover for Max Bailey.

They haven’t lost any talent at the top end of their B&F list, and the return of big Roughy, Gilham, Stratton and Young will set them up for a serious crack at the 2012 title.

JD: (Disclaimer: I am a Hawks supporter)

I’ll try and keep this short…believe the hype. The 2012 Hawks look hungry, fit and deep.

For the first time in years, the defence looks solid. The Hawks finally have a full shed of tall timber down back with Gilham, Gibson, Shoenmakers, Boumann and a floating Stratton mixed with the grunt of Puopolo and Guerra and the run and poise of Burgoyne, Suckling and Birchall.

Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Sewell, Savage and Shiels make this engine room tick, while Cyril, Isaac Smith, Bateman and Clinton Young add much needed zip and carry.

Buddy, Hale, Gunston, Cyril, Bruest and Roughead are a formidable unit roaming the forward 50.

The first four rounds – Pies, Cats, Crows and Eagles – will be a tough yardstick. If they can get through relatively unscathed they’ll be in a box seat. Lose a few and the bubble will burst.

2. Do they have enough ruck stock to see them through the season?

TB: This is the only question mark on the Hawks now that Bailey has gone down (again, poor bastard). He will be back to ruck again though, and Hale has been really impressive in the preseason. SO if he can keep up the good work for the first 10-11 rounds with Roughead doing the duties in the forward line, the Hawks should be fine until Bailey returns. An injury to Hale would be catastrophic, ruckmen are still very important. Having said all this their mids are so good that they could work off the opposition, but it will mean they have to work that little bit harder, and over a long season that could add up to fatigue at the pointy end of the year.

Conclusion they should be fine barring injury to the tallest advanced hair ambassador.

TL: Max Bailey finally had his first injury-free season in 2011 and surprised many by putting in some really promising performances. However it seems the 3-time ACL survivor will miss the first 2 months of season 2012 after undergoing surgery for a wrist problem incurred during a preseason games against the Dees. The poor bloke can’t seem to take a trick.

David Hale will be asked to shoulder the baulk of the ruck work in Bailey’s absence. They will certainly lose his versatility around the ground, as he was a real positive last season, making a real impact when he was thrown forward. Big Rough is their other option, but for a bloke who has missed the best part of 12 months with an achilles rupture, the coaches box will need to be very cautious as to how much time they give to Roughy on the ball.

Ruck issues aside, the Hawks have proven they have the stocks around the ground to cover their ruck deficiencies. I don’t see this being an issue for Clarkson and co this year.

JD: Always a problem for the Hawks. The loss of Bailey to injury for half the season is a blow, but Hale has proved more than able to carry this load in the past. The addition of Gunston and return of Roughy and his jaw will free up the Hawks and Hale. McCauley shouldn’t be counted on to do a hell of a lot, same with Grimley and Lowden. All projects at this stage, though don’t be surprised to see them get a couple of games this year. Roughy’s slow return from injury will probably prevent him playing in the ruck. Send him deep in the forward line and ease him back.

3. Can anyone stop Buddy, except himself and injury?

TB: At 25 Buddy is now bigger and stronger than he has ever been. That sounds scary, because it is! We’ve seen him monster defences in the past, now he might just consume them! Like a Dragon Ball Z character he is in ‘Super Sayin’ mode this year and will do plenty of damage. His problem may be that he attracts so much attention from defences that he will be in a 3 on 1 a lot of the time, whilst this will even the odds it will also free up Buddy’s buddies to kick goals. He will not go goal-less in any game this year.

TL: In full flight, he is the best. I just hope that Clarko doesn’t get too carried away with the midfield experiment.

Yes, it’s well and good to have Buddy racking up the numbers and breaking the lines with his freakish ability to play amongst the mids, but he may not have much up the ground to kick to - unless he can chase down his own inside 50 entries!

I’m sure Hawks supporters will much rather see Buddy jumping on opposition defenders’ heads and kicking big bags of goals rather than racking up high disposals and helping himself to Brownlow votes… leave that to Mitchell and Hodge who do a good enough job of that on their own.

One last thing… Imagine big Buddy starting in the guts for the opening bounce, lining up on mosquitoes like Nat Fyfe or Tom Scully?! Good luck to whoever get the job on his this year!

JD: Only himself, and a handful of players. Lately, he’s been playing like a kid who just found out what ice cream is – loving life, happy and carefree; roaming the midfield and kicking bombs from 55. Frawley, Lake and Scarlett and co. seem to be the only players to consistently keep him in check. Silly suspensions frustrate the hell out of supporters, teammates and Clarko, so let’s hope he’s on his best behaviour, because the Hawks need him firing.

X-Factor?

TB: Cyril Rioli, the reason is that he is tipped to play more time in the midfield and I can’t wait to see him spin, dart and slide around the opposition then deliver a bullet pass to Jarryd or Lance.

TL: Cyril Rioli

JD: Ben Stratton

Predicted Finish?

TB: 1st (Disclaimer: I am not a Hawks supporter)

TL: 2^nd

JD: 1^st

MELBOURNE

1. Another lost season for Demons fans?

TB: It’s painful to think that they will have to endure another year of mediocrity, painful but true. The loss of Sylvia is a big one and they need all the midfield talent they can muster right now. Magner could be the perfect cure let’s hope he gets up for round one (supercoaches are willing him on too). With Mitch Clarke up forward things will hopefully get a little straighter for Melbourne but I just cannot see them challenging for the eight. Could the spirit of Jim propel them to better things this year? For Dees fans I hope so, otherwise it’ll be another loooong season.

TL: Unfortunately, yes. Already 2012 hasn’t been great to the Dees. The shock announcement of not one, but two 20 year old co-captains sparking discussions regarding their lack of leadership – which saw last years’ skipper Brad Green denounced from the leadership group all together. There was the highly publicised accusations involving Liam Jurrah, and now the sad passing of club legend… no AFL legend… no all-round legend Jim Stynes.

But don’t worry, they’ll escape the torture of watching their side getting bullied come ski-season. The slopes seem like the perfect place for tormented Dees supporters to get a break from the garbage they’re team is likely to turn out again.

Hopefully they can harness the emotions we have seen during the past week and translate that into something positive on the footy field.

JD: I’m optimistic about Melbourne like I am about getting drafted in 2004.

If the loss of club legend Jim Stynes doesn’t motivate them then nothing will. He was a larger than life figure who literally put his body on the line for the club on and off the field. A true inspiration.

If they can’t do it for Jimmy - let alone themselves, their new coach and their fans - they will continue to suffer in mediocrity for many seasons to come.

2. Is Neeld the right man for this young list?

TB: I like a new young coach with a bright young side. I think it gives both the opportunity to be innovative and daring. Neeld can really lay down his philosophy with the playing group and instil the culture he wants without too much hang over from a previous coach and ageing players set in their ways. He comes with great experience and high praise from previous clubs, can’t mount an argument for Neeld being a bad choice. I like him I like the appointment, might need 18 months to get them all on his page.

TL: Probably, but then again, who knows? He will take plenty from Malthouse, having been his right hand man for a few years now. And if he can get as much out of his kids as Malthouse  did from his this will bring a bit of joy to Dees fans and give them something to look forward to in the future.

He also needs to keep the senior players honest. They are starting from scratch with a new coach which will be great for this side which has teased and teased, but ultimately given nothing for years now.

JD: New uncompromising disciplinarians are the flavour of the month this season. Neeld has come from the Malthouse school of hard knocks and will be a great fit for this list. Bailey was a nice bloke, but nice blokes don’t win you games. Neeld has already put players on notice – Jack Watts – and he won’t be the last. More effort and intensity is key.

3. Do they have to play finals to judge this year a success?

TB: Not necessarily, to be up there and in the hunt for finals come rounds 22 and 23 would be a success in my book. They could be another team thrown into the middle section of the ladder 7-14, eight teams will fill these spots and with a bit of luck and some good results and they could be in the top couple of these eight spots. They will need some luck though, or some Stynes fighting spirit, that would take them very far.

TL: Maybe internally they think they are a legitimate chance of playing finals, but surely Melbourne fans have already booked their flights to Noosa for the September school holidays?

I think success for the Dees this year will be judged development of younger players like Watts, Gysberts, Trengove, McKenzie, Grimes, Blease, Strauss, Martin, Tapscott and Howe. These kids need to stick together and become the core of a side that one day teams will fear playing. If they can focus on becoming, consistently, a hard team to play against, I’m sure we will all give them a pass mark at the end of the year regardless of a finals berth.

JD: Two years ago the Dees were talking up their finals chances and after two disastrous campaigns they’re back on the ‘we’re two more years away’ rhetoric. They need to put together consistent performances, more games in the kids and more leadership and teamwork from perennial underachievers Silvia, Green, Morton and Watts.

4. Two young captains can they handle the heat and stay united?

TB: They’ve had to handle a fair bit so far and the first siren hasn’t even sounded first Jurrah and now the Jim Stynes tragedy. On both occasions Trengrove has impressed with his composure and Grimes has been solid too.

Matthew Lloyd raised a good point when he questioned how they would handle enforcing the philosophy of the leadership group and that of the club on more senior players, and whether they are equipped to do so. It is a tough ask at 20 years of age walking up to a senior player like Nathan Jones or Jarrod Rivers and telling them to pull their head and work harder. This situation could potentially put a divide amongst the playing group, the young guys vs the older guys. If this happens they are stuffed!

TL: They have a combined total of 69 senior games. They are both going to be great players for years to come, but come on?! Was there NO ONE ELSE to take the reins at Melbourne this year? Not even as a temporary leader to give these kids a chance to develop first as senior footballers, then as leaders? You’ve got to be kidding me!

And then Melbourne has the audacity to throw poor Brad Green in front of the media at preseason training session, not 6 months after they gave him the boot from their leadership group all together!

I really do hope Grimes and Trengove ‘stick it right up ‘em’ this year, but the whole situation seems farcical. It is a slap in the face for blokes like Moloney, Jamar and Sylvia, but maybe the move speaks more about the lack of leadership amongst these senior players at Melbourne?

JD: They handled the Jim Stynes press conference very well. You had to feel for the two young men. Grimes needs to stay on the park - he’s looks like a great leader. Trengrove is young, but his style of play will inspire his teammates. They’ll need help from Frawley, Jones, Moloney, Jamar and Rivers.

X-Factor?

TB: Most would say Mitch Clark but we know what he is there for, to kick goals. Trengrove is the man I like.  He showed he could be a damaging and effective player, strong too! More improvement from him is exactly what the Dees need.

TL: Colin Sylvia

JD: Jack Grimes

Predicted Finish?

TB: 12th

TL: 14^th

JD: 15^th

NORTH MELBOURNE

1. When can we end the talk and see some action?

TB: (Disclaimer: I am a North supporter)

Has to be this year. Much like the Blues the Roos have had plenty to say publicly about there expectations for the season, finals or bust. Luckily I think they are much better placed than last year to do make finals. They will have to be too as it is much more competitive for the 7^th and 8^th spot on the ladder. In their favour is a fit and healthy list, and very nice draw (compared with last years nightmare) and the extra games in their youngsters. Still without a bonified monster down back they’ll have to be good. I like their chances.

JD: The Kangas are the classic Jekkyl and Hyde team. Fierce and hungry one week, limp and turnover prone the next. They are on the cusp – the list is brimming with young players good enough to help this team mix it with the big boys, but they’re still a few stars short. Swallow, Harvey, Petrie, Goldstein and Ziebell are guns, but they still need help. They’re definitely in the hunt for a playoff spot, but the top teams look out of reach.

2. What do they need to take the step from blue collar to challenger/threat?

TB: As mentioned above, the backline is North’s most vulnerable line. Thompson, Firrito and Grima are solid but not big scary stoppers, the likes of which they will need to man Buddy, Cloke and the Reiwoldts oh and Tommy Hawkins too. There is a remedy to this situation; Lachie Hansen……DO SOMETHING!!!! No one is holding there breath. Watch for the Delaney brothers to be the ones to take this role.

To be a real threat the young mids like Atley, Harper, Cunnington, Wright, Greenwood and Bastinac all need to go to another level. Throw H-Mac and Petrie up forward and big Goldy swapping with H-Mac through the ruck and there is a very handy team there. It’s all potential at this stage, they actually have to do it, that’s the hard part.

TL: North need to start feeding some of their younger players some steak and eggs! They need to toughen up to compete with the big boys. They have too many players who get beaten over the ball and leave too much contested stuff to Swallow, Petrie and old man Harvey.

With big Todd Goldstein dominating the ruck their midfield needs to stand up and be more competitive this year.

JD: North is more blue collar than a Jimmy Barnes cover band.

Youngsters like Ziebell, Cunnington, Bastinac, Hansen, Black and Tarrant need to take the next step. Harvey has been burdened for years, and Swallow, Goldstein and Wells stepped up last season to help shoulder the responsibility. Too much is still left to too few.

Coach Scott impressed last season with his attitude and competitiveness and the boys looked to buy in and fall in line. Again, more games into the kids and a consistent effort each week will turn them into a sleeper for the top eight.

3. Which young players have to stand up and become stars this year?

TB: Forget about Hansen he’ll be pushed out of the side. They need the midfield to become an elite unit that kicks goals. Bastinac, Ziebell, Harper and Ately are the four that could and should become superstars. Harper looks great around the goals, Ziebell is hard and tough, Bastinac goes all day and Ately has real polish. Together they would form a formidable unit.

TL: It is not about individuals with the Roos, it will take more of a collective effort.

It’s time for blokes like Ziebel, Bastinac, Greenwood, Cunnington, Grima, Tarrant, Hansen, Wright and Goldstein to take some ownership for the direction of this footy club. All those names have played 50 games or near enough, and it is their time to stand up and take some pressure off the usual suspects Harvey, Petrie, Swallow and Wells.

JD: As above. Ziebell, Bastinac, Cunnington, Tarrant, Hansen, Greenwood and Anthony tease but usually fall short. So much is promised from Cunnington and Ziebell - this is their year to grab the bull by the horns and pay back the faith.

4. McIntosh and Goldstein; deadly ruck duo or top heavy trouble?

TB: Individually they are both great ruckmen who win the ball for their mids and get around the ground picking up plenty of their own leather also both can be damaging up forward. What’s that old saying? Two’s better than one. Damn straight they are. This combination is second in the league only to Cox and Nic Nat, just! It will work for North as both are mobile rucks that can go forward. It will be better combination than the David Hale and McIntosh duo that’s for sure.

TL: Goldstein is a gun. So much so that the 24 year olds’ name was thrown about for All Australian honours last year. He is a great tap ruckman and he covers the ground really well, plugging defensive holes and pushing up forward to provide attacking options. He has developed very nicely for the Roos and is an important piece of Brad Scott’s midfield puzzle.

In that time McIntosh seems to have lost the number 1 ruck title. And what you don’t want to be in any AFL team in the modern game is the number 2 ruckman. Teams will look to fill that role with a mobile tall forward, and North have just about the best in the comp in Drew Petrie. This could see big Hank on the sidelines a bit this year, depending on whether Scott tries to stretch opposition defences by way of height.

JD: Goldstein is a gun. McIntosh’s absence last year was a blessing in disguise, as Todd got more game time and responsibility as he became more comfortable playing the game he only recently started playing. The torch has been passed to Goldstein as the number one ruckman at the club so big H-Mac needs to fall in line. His experience will help Goldstein’s development and also potentially turn them into a two-headed monster around the stoppages.

Keep Petrie forward, and rotate Goldy and Hamish in the ruck and up forward. Make it work boys!

5. Finals or die?

TB: Yes, but no as well. Yes, because I am a Roos supporter and I expect them to make finals, it is finals or die when I have my North eye patch on.

NO because they still have the youngest list next to the GC and GWS and the fact that we are challenging for finals now is a great sign, and things should get better in the next two years.

The competition now has three tiers. The top 5, the middle 9 and the bottom 4. North are very  much in the middle bracket and where we finish in this bracket will be dependent on the games these middle teams play against each other. All teams in this bracket are capable at their best of knocking each other off thus consistency and good form will become the per-requisites for finals footy. The 3 teams of (North, Essendon, St Kilda, Adelaide, West Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Bulldogs and Richmond) that best display the qualities will be in, barring injury it’s a very level playing field and each side can determine their fate.  So mental resilience and belief become key skills for all teams, does this young North side have these skills? I sure hope so.

TL: Not necessarily. They are one of 5 or 6 teams that can press for those last two spots in the top 8. They will need to beat up on the lowly ranked sides and start taking a few scalps of the bigger teams along the way. I expect there to be 8 better teams than North this year, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they slip into the 8 and play a cameo in September (but most likely not).

JD: Last chance to improve, then 2013 is finals or die.

X-Factor?

TB: Hamish McIntosh. Back into the side after being sidelined by an achilles last season he could become a real headache for opposition defences if he pushes forward often and continues to dominate in the ruck like he did in 2010. Maybe he could clog up the defence too.

TL: Drew Petrie

JD: Ben Cunnington

Predicted Finish?

TB: 8th

TL: 12^th

JD: 11^th

Today it’s Geelong, Gold Coast and GWS…We’d love to hear your thoughts.

GEELONG

1. Surely this is the Cats year to drop off?

TB: This season the Cats will be without Ling, Ottens, Milburn and Mooney all big parts of their success over the last 5 years. Add to this emerging star Menzel sidelined with injury until at best mid-year. It sounds pretty bad.

It won’t be. They still have a gun midfield that has always been tough and unforgiving, that core group has lost one star in Ling but Guthrie looks ready to step up. Hawkins finally unleashed his talent last year to great affect and he will serve as a superb replacement to Mooney. Mitch Duncan has more games under his belt, and some of the young talent the Cats have rolled out during the NAB cup you wonder if they will have a bad year in the next 10! The ruck spot is the biggest worry Orrensen has been less than impressive and West still has work to do. They may be slightly more vulnerable than years gone by, but still a very strong side that will win many games.

TL: The Cats have to start going backwards soon… don’t they?! It almost feels like last years’ triumph was the pinnacle of one of football’s great dynasties, but I would be remiss to write off a team that still has Bartel, Scarlett, Corey, Johnson, Enright, Kelly, Chapman, Selwood… (the list goes on).

For all their premiership success of late, what is really  impressive is that Geelong have managed to uncover some young gems in this time. Players such as Menzel, Duncan, Christensen and Vardy.  Their system has allowed for these youngsters to get good game time whilst  being surrounded and protected by the hardened, older bodies.

Then there’s Selwood, Hawkins, Varcoe and Taylor. Established guns who are all young and still improving.

Geelong enviably have a list that can still produce success. Deciding factors this year will be injuries, player management and motivation.

JD: Surely. We’ve been saying this for years, but time after time they’ve proved us wrong. The depth of this list is seemingly endless and it’s strong core of Selwood, Bartel, Scarlett, Chappy, Kelly, Mackie, Stevie J, Pods, Hawkins and Carey seem indestructible. The inception of Chris Scott was a breath of fresh air, instilling a fresh attitude into this superb list.

Injuries slowed them last year, but they were fit when it mattered. They have big game performers all over the park - Selwood, Chapman, Scarlett, Bartell and Stevie J - but pure mental burden of three premierships in five years will make it hard to back up one last time. You’d think the Pies’ youth and renewed hunger, along with the fancied Hawks and intriguing Eagles have overtaken them though.

2. How much do the retirements of Ling, Milburn, Ottens hurt the depth of this champion side?

TB: See above. Way too much talent running around at Geelong, would it kill them to share a little!?

TL: Ling hurts, but it was inevitable. His job on Dane Swan in last year’s Grand Final  reinforces the fact he was just about the AFL’s best tagger right up to the time he hung his boots that day.  Although, the way the game is going with rolling zones, frontal pressure and high rotations, the role of a tagger may become a little redundant. So I expect Chris Scott will be comfortable filling Lingy’s position.

Milburn was a mongrel, but he was also a bloody good defender. However his spare-parts role in Geelong’s defence will easily be filled by a raft of mid-sized defenders on their list.

Ottens may prove to be the biggest loss of all three. He provided plenty all over the ground and gave first use to his mids more often than not. I like the way Trent West is developing, and his form has been solid this preseason, but he’s no Ottens… not yet, anyway.

What Geelong wont be able to replace with these retiring stalwarts is the 783 combined games experience they take with them. That is a lot football intellect departing all at once!

JD: They’ll hurt, particularly Ottens and Ling. Their leadership and size around the stoppages will be sorely missed. And Ling’s aura as a shutdown/junkyard-dog tagger will not be missed by Judd, Mitchell, Kerr, Watson, etc.

They’ve been cleverly blooding kids over the last few years so they will be game ready.

3. They snatched one last year, and we’ve been saying it for two years but are they still a lock for top 4?

TB: Simple answer is yes I think they are, 3^rd in my ladder. Whilst there are some very good young emerging teams, these teams are still young and emerging and not top four material. The test is simple; are Geelong capable of beating Carlton, Freo, West Coast, Collingwod and Hawthorn this year? Yes to all. Can Essendon, Sydney, North, St Kilda, Richmond or Melbourne beat Geelong this year? Not so certain are you. Maybe on a good day one of these teams might knock Geelong off (Sydney did just that at Simmonds Stadium last year) but it was an anomaly.

TL: Write them off at your own peril! There is still way too much class in this Geelong outfit for them to slip outside the top 4. They will swallow up teams at Kardinia Park, so that gets them a few early points on the board. Hard to see them fading out too fast.

JD: No lock for top 4. But should make it.

X-Factor?

TB: Big Tommahawk! Tom Hawkins could be an outstanding power forward for Geelong for a long time, it begins this year.

TL: Stevie J (still!)

JD: Steven Motlop

Predicted Finish?

TB: 3^rd

TL: 3^rd

JD: 5^th


GOLD COAST

1. Are finals still out of reach this year?

TB: You would have to be a very brave individual to back the GC into making finals this year. Very brave or very stupid. They still have a bunch of kids running around supporting the games’ best player. So it’s kinda of like G. Ablett versus whoever they are playing, except when they play GWS; then it’s Gary versus Callan Ward. He’ll win that one. If they steal a few wins at best they could finish maybe 15^th or 14^th, absolute best. No finals yet. BTW Can we just let Jager O’Mera play! Kids a gun!

TL: If the Suns make the finals I will book flights to Coolangatta, ride a unicycle to Cavill Avenue, take my clothes off and do the moonwalk all the way to the beach. There… you all have it in writing! (No, the Suns won’t be a part of September).

JD: Yep. They’re still 2-3 years off mixing it with the big boys. There’s Ablett, Brennan, Swallow then daylight. More games into the kids and more hours hitting the iron, and a few of Tommy Blackburne’s 1MRs is still the key for the next 2 years.

2. Which players can take the next big step?

TB: I think he’ll get a bit more help this year, Jared Brenan had a pretty handy pre-season and NAB cup. If he’s stalking the midfield with his one hand grip he could be a very good foil for Gaz, and a tricky match up for opposition mids. The kids like Swallow and Caddy should get better too. McKenzie can play as well, and we all know that the more games they get the better they’ll be.

Bock looks really sharp in the pre-season and could be the man up forward this year, having someone to kick the goals for Gary will be a great help.

Of course because Gary is a champion he will carry the team most of the time and be super consistent, but the load won’t be as heavy this year.

TL: Last year we saw plenty from the likes of big Zac Smith, Superboot Trent McKenzie, Charlie Dixon and David Swallow. There were glimpses of brilliance from Brandon Matera, Liam Patrick and Harley Bennell. We all know these kids have bright futures ahead of them; that’s why they were all taken with concessional picks and all ended up at the 2011 start-up franchise. For the Suns this year, these kids  just need to continue their development and gain more experience.

What I would like to see in 2012 is senior players Jared Brennan and Campbell Brown step-up and show some initiative and lead their younger team mates. These two need to perform more consistently and show to the rest of the football world why they are being paid too much money for deflecting to the Suns.

JD: Essendon tried moving heaven and earth for Caddy who has massive wraps. Bennall looks to have matured, and could surely start tearing some games apart. ‘The Lamp Post’ Zac Smith will only get better, which is a scary thought and Bock, Brown, Hunt, should gel more this year and hopefully play more games.

3. Can Gaz continue to put the team on his shoulders for another 24 or will he get more help?

TB: Swallow, I am expecting big things from this kid. 2011 saw him make a great start with not much help from senior guns. He was taken Number 1 because he wins hard ball and has great endurance, a solid body and uses fairly well. He had Judd like stats in his first year, but not much was said about him in amongst the hype of Dyson Heppel and (sportsbag own) Luke Shuey. A player I would really like to see step up is Zac Smith. He was fantastic last year and probably benefited greatly from being the house mate of Gary Ablett, has a great presence around the ground and up forward, moves superbly for a ruckman and really looks like he wants to be great- you can see it in his fist pumps!

Also watch for Karmichael to become a midfield regular and put the hurt on opposition teams.

TL: Firstly, yes, he can shoulder this team for another season (or two perhaps?) He is THAT good! Recently I was ‘researching’ the Brownlow odds and found myself thinking that ‘it’s not impossible to think that little Gaz could manage his second Charlie, is it?’ He fared pretty well in the votes last year, and that was with little-to-no help from any of his team mates.

Help will come in the form of Nathan Bock. He is clearly the next best on their list. Forget the NAB Cup experiment up forward. He is a centre half back – arguably the best in the comp. With the addition of Matty Warnock and Stephen May showing some preseason form, Bock has the foundation to put together a solid defensive unit to help Gaz and Co up the ground.

If Ablett could bandy a hard-edged team of young midfielders to protect him in the guts (I’m thinking the fearless David Swallow, Maverick Weller and perhaps even the new –and-improved KHunt), and a forward structure that keeps up their end of the bargain by putting competitive scores on the board (this too, makes the mids look good), the Suns may actually start resembling a competitive football side.

JD: I’m glad that people haven’t underestimated Gaz’s form last year. Some say it was easy to get 40 touches when there’s no one else on the team to take the rock off you. But he did it with very no little help, the pressure and responsibility of captaincy, the pressure of being THAT guy for a new franchise, the pressure of being the highest paid player in the league. 

He’ll get more help this year from Rischitelli, Swallow and Bennall in the midfield, while Warnock will help Bock, Brown and co plug some holes in that leaky defence. Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon showed signs last year, they simply ran out of legs. And if top 3 pick Sam Day can get some games, they’ll be scary in a few seasons.

4. Do they actually have a game plan?

TB: I swear they didn’t last year, it was all about just giving the kids time and letting them build confidence by taking the game on, and learning some AFL football defensive structures. This year I am sure they will have a game plan, I can’t tell you what that is mind you. It’s probably something like: “Kick it long and give it to gaz whenever you can, infact just get out of Gary’s way and let him do the work. When we don’t have it just find a man, stick to him and psyche him out by telling him how good Gaz is playing. Yeah that’ll work.”

TL: At times it was hard to visualise the Suns structure last year, especially when they spent a good portion of the season chasing opposition tail around the park. But when they weren’t paddling hard to keep their necks above water, it was exciting to see young footballers attack the corridor.

At times they looked lightning as they rebounded off defensive 50 and burst straight through the guts on the quickest route to goal. I can’t wait to see more of that from them this year.

JD: They didn’t last year. Kick to Gaz and let him juke around 18 blokes. More brilliance from Gaz, more hunger, players running out more games and probably more beltings.

X-Factor?

TB: Jared Brennan. The guy has always been mercurial and a gifted player but lacks consistency. If he has some this year could be a real force.

TL: Harley Bennell

JD: Josh Caddy

Predicted Finish?

TB: 17^th

TL: 17^th

JD: 16^th

GWS

1. What’s a pass mark for the young side?

TB: 1 or 2 wins and to come close in another two games will be enough for the Giants this year. It’s going to be exceptionally tough for them, an even younger outfit than the Suns they will be battling for a few years. 16 debutants are to be unveiled on Saturday against Sydney, that’s a record, let’s hope it’s not a record losing margin.

TL: Given what we saw form the Gold Coast last year, it’s safe to say we will see a maiden Giants’ victory in 2012.

Not that much should be read into preseason form, but they have already shown tremendous competitiveness in their NAB Cup matches.

There will be a day where they are on, and a lowly ranked team will be marginally below their best – a la Suns v Port last year. But don’t expect any Showdown/Derby heroics like we witnessed in last years’ “Q Clash”. There will be no question who rules the roost in NSW this year.

JD: One win will be the pass mark I’d say. Would be a shame to go through the gruelling season without a win. Good attendences at home games is also key. They’re starting from scratch and believe me, people in NSW hate that they’re taking on NRL.

 
2. Do they have the right pieces to build around?

TB: The recruiters were very clever and GWS and their soul concern was the future. Picking the 11 out of 14 of the country’s top youngsters last year means that they will undoubtedly have some very talented players in their squad 4 years from now. Imagine having the top 11 players from a draft in your side, all maturing at roughly the same time. Patton, Cogniglio, Tyson, Miles, Clifton, Cameron, Tomlinson, Greene, Smith. All guns, thrown Scully, Ward, Davis and Palmer who have proved they can be great at AFL and it is clear GWS will be a force. There is time to tinker with the list and they could yet grab a big scalp from one of the established clubs to enhance their list further (maybe T. Cloke). When they come they will be good, very very good. Let’s just hope they are tough enough to endure the tough times.

TL: I like the approach they have taken with drafting. Their model was to take all the best talent out of draft. They took a good mix of key positions and versatile midfielders, who will develop together and will no doubt be the envy of their opposition for years to come.

Then they went and poached great, young talent. Players like Scully, Ward and Davis. All with minimal experience, but in their brief careers have shown they are not out of place in the big time.

Then, unlike the Suns who approached a host of mid-20somethings to fill the holes in the blue print, Sheeds brought in some older, wiser heads. He threw a lifeline to a group of blokes who’d seen the end, prolonging the careers of Cornes, MacDonald, Brogan and Power to help coach their young brigade. Whilst these guys may not play every game together, they will be invaluable for Sheeds,  being the voice of the coach out on the field.

JD: Patton, Coniglio, Tyson, Buntine, Adams, Tomlinson and Greene look the real deal. Patton, by all account, is J Brown ‘Mark 2’, a big, thumping presence that will bust packs open and kick goals. I can’t wait to see him in action. With so many high draft picks, they are built for the future. 5 years away and we’ll start seeing some real slug fests with the Suns.

3. Who’ll be the big star?

TL: There are so many exciting names that were taken from the draft. Guys like Coniglio, Paton,  Buntine, Tyson, Hoskin-Elliot, Hayes, Tomlinson, Sumner… the list goes on. Don’t worry, we’ll get used to hearing these names very soon.

But in 2012 I think the big bloke recruited from Sturt – Jonathan Giles – will raise a few eyebrows. The 24 year old ruckman spent 4 years on Port Adelaide’s list before heading back to the SANFL where he was last year awarded with Team of the Year honours. He is a mature-age recruit who captained the Giants in the Sydney League last year, and I expect him to provide the Giants with plenty in 2012.

JD: Dom Tyson. The kid is a freak. Now I’m biased because I coached him at basketball for a couple of seasons (and pretty much taught him everything he knows…), but even back then you knew he’d be a special sportsman. Having almost never played basketball he made opposition kids look stupid, whilst seemingly seeing everything in slow motion, 2 seconds ahead of everyone else. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. His decision making, silky skills, fitness and leadership will make him a star.

4. Scully, Ward, Palmer, Davis – worth the price?

TB: I rate Ward as the better of the players at this stage, Scully has had a tough run in the media and might be feeling the pressure a little. Davis is solid but will find it tough against the big guys like Cloke, Franklin, Riewoldt, Petrie and Brown. Palmer is a good player who had a tough injury affected year in 2011, he may well bust out and be there on field leader. I am still backing Ward though, I like his hard style and feel like he has the attributes to thrive in the role of leader.

TL: No player is worth $2 million a season, sorry Tom! On face value none of these guys are actually worth their lofty price tags. But given the circumstances (and the Giants’ beefy chequebook) we can understand how this came to be.

The Scully Saga was well publicised last year, and whether or not he was worth the fuss will only be proven when the season gets underway. But Ward and Davis were massive coups. Ward has the fearless, hard-edge approach, he sticks his nose over it and wins his fair share of the pill. And Davis can be a potential 10 year defender; strong and fast he gives nothing to opposition forwards.

As for Palmer, I think this was a terrible mistake. GWS have done Freo a massive favour and he certainly isn’t worth the compensation pick the Dockers received for him. Rhys hasn’t hit a target by foot since winning the NAB Rising Star in 2008. His decision making is ordinary and I don’t see how he will get a game even with GWS’ young list. Now I know Rhys will be reading this, so Rhys, I don’t think you’re a horrible person (just a horrible footballer)!

JD: Scully, no. Palmer, no. Ward and Davis, yes.

They went the opposite way to the Suns did. Suns got half a dozen players in their mid 20s, but the Giants got plenty of kids, a couple in the early 20s and a handful in the 30s. Love that they’ve got these experienced guys with the bigger bodies to protect the kids. Geez Brogan, Setanta and Cornes will relish that.

I’ve never rated Palmer, but that’s because he unforgivably beat Cyril Rioli in the Rising Star. Very underachieving and injury prone. Davis, by all accounts, has the right stuff, but the kid’s only played a handful of games. Scully’s creaky knees will give way in a few years at which stage he and his dad will swim in pool of money – Scrooge McDuck style.

I like the look of Ward.  He’s uncompromising, tough and puts his giant head over the footy . He needs to lead from the front.

5. Karmichael Hunt started slow, but showed improvement; can we expect the same from big Israel?

TB: Hopefully some big hits! Fair hits of course.

Folau seems to be more physically suited to AFL compared with Hunt, and has shown some promising signs in the infancy of his AFL career. He can jump and hanging onto a ball doesn’t seem to be his problem. Positioning and the pace of the game may get to him so let’s not ask too much of Izzy straight away. Although we do want to see him lay some blokes out when goes for the ball. GWS will need a physical presence, expect Izzy to enforce it.

TL: Izzy is a different case to KHunt. Being a key position player, he will be relied upon more by his younger team mates. Don’t be surprised to see the big fella can run, jump, mark (very well) and use the ball well. He is a super gifted athlete, and just from watching him go around in the NRL he will have no troubles getting used to the basics of AFL.

Where he will take time is game sense. He will be needed up forward at times, centre half forward more specifically, and knowing when to push off an opponent, how to double back and give a second lead, how to zone off and create space for another leading option, all these skills come in time.

It would be great if Sheeds throws Izzy in the ruck every now and then. Following the ball with the midfielders will give him a better appreciation of the speed of the game and allow him the freedom to roam around and show the flair he has so often displayed in his League days.

JD: Israel is still very much a work in progress. Playing key position as opposed to ball chasing like Karmichael, will make it a lot harder. Unless he’s roaming around on the ball, he’ll find it extremely to adapt to the pace of the game, the spacing and that whole kicking thing. This will come in time, but let’s be honest, he’s there for his star power first and foremost – to get bums on seats and spread the word about our beautiful game. The whole playing thing comes in second.

I think he’ll really struggle. He looks like Keith Richards with a glass of milk when he’s kicking the footy, but God help anyone that gets buried by him while holding the footy.

6. Do the Giants have any plan…at all? Or will they just let the kids loose every week and hope for the best?

TL: Let the kids play! They are young and they should be free to exert their flair with all eyes on them this year. But they don’t want to play too loose. The floodgates will open at times this year, and they will no doubt be on the end of some brutal beltings, but they need to maintain a focus on defence. As the old adage goes… Attack wins you games, Defence wins you premierships!

They can still learn from the top sides and try to implement the same structures. Under the Malthouse regime, Collingwood had 18 roles on the field. Every player knew what those roles were, so it didn’t matter who filled them, just so long as the players played to their role. The GWS can certainly try to implement something similar.

But it will be hard to maintain that level of discipline with such a young and inexperienced list. That’s where the older heads come to the fore.

However, I feel the most important piece of their 2012 puzzle will be Mark Williams. He will act, not as assistant coach, but as Coach’s Taranslator. He will have the unenviable task of deciphering what Sheeds is actually saying and relaying it to the troops in plain English!

JD: There will be plenty of errors and plenty of sore bodies each game, but they have a reasonable list considering the circumstances. Luke Power, Ward, Brogan, Scully, Palmer and McDonald will look to control the midfield whiIe Cornes and Davis will marshal the troops down back. The loss of Patton for the first half of the season is a big loss up forward, while Big Izzy will struggle early on. I think they might sneak a game or two when a team plays down to their level and make those same errors. Look at the Hawthorn preseason game.

Second rule - Get out of the way when sitting under a high ball with J Brown behind you.

X-Factor?

TB: Tom Scully. We’ve heard that he could be a superstar, we’ve heard and not seen. If he shows us he can then the GWS will have a nice little midfield bubbling away already.

TL: Izzy Folaou

JD: Stevie Coniglio

Predicted Finish?

TB: 18^th

TL: 18^th

JD: 18^th

The boys continue their season preview today, with Collingwood, Essendon and Fremantle.

Tell your friends. Stand on your soapbox and tell us what you think.

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COLLINGWOOD

1. How big is the loss of Malthouse?

TB: 3 time premiership coach and before he retired the most experienced coach in the game. I’d say ahhhh MASSIVE! Buckley will be a good coach because he is a perfectionist, but nothing will prepare him for the rigours of being in charge like…being in charge! It’ll cost them 1 or 2 games, for our sake let’s hope one of them is the GF (or any final that knocks them out)!

TL: Part of me wants to say not big. Part of me thinks it’s huge. Malthouse took over a rabble in 2000. Inheriting a group of battlers infected by Tony Shaw’s school of rock ape coaching.

Malthouse somehow managed to transform the fledgling club into a powerhouse that saw it miss the finals only 4 times in his 12-year reign. He blooded youngsters and gave them confidence when other coaches relied on their experienced players; he developed a game plan that revolved around the use of the boundary when other teams were still looking for a way through the corridor; and strangely, as an ‘elder’ figure in the game, he seemed to form genuine, tight relationships with his playing groups, despite the increasing generation gap as the years went on.

Ultimately, Malthouse delivered what all long-suffering Magpie fans had been waiting 20 years for…  premiership success in 2010. But what he has really done is lay the foundations for what could potentially be a dynasty of sorts.

The list includes lots of strong bodies, contested ball winners, silky smooth ball users, a tight knit defensive team and some of the competitions’ premier big men up forward. The list is so young, yet full of experience. There is so much room for improvement in this current Collingwood squad and most of that is due to the 12 years of careful planning and hard work that Michael Malthouse put into this club.

So whilst the loss of Malthouse is immense, Nathan Buckley and his team of assistants have been left with the most enviable list in the league (no pressure).

JD:  Massive, just massive. The big question isn’t as much how big a loss Malthouse is, but rather how much pressure is there on Buckley to perform. Malthouse built this team from scratch after heartbreak in 2002 and 2003 and turned it into a potential dynasty. Nothing short of a premiership is enough for the Pies and their uncompromising army of supporters. Bucks has always been Eddie’s favourite – and Collingwood’s favourite son – but he knows he’ll have to win the GF to justify giving a legend of the game like Malthouse the nudge.

2. Will pressure on Buckley be too great for the first year coach?

TB: Eddie will no doubt have a live feed from every angle of Buck’s house streamed into his office so he can pretend to ‘keep an eye” on Nathan, really he is fulfilling his fantasies. This won’t worry Nath too much he’s endured Eddie’s close attention his whole career. More worrying for Buckley is the expectations of Magpie fans, who fairly, expect nothing less than another GF appearance. Two GF’s in the last two years, Bucks had better get this team there again, or what was the point of him coming in for Mick when all involved at AFL level are there to win a Grand Final?

He will deal with the pressure throughout the season quite well, but I’d love to see (would pay to see) the Pies down by 5 goals coming into the last quarter of a qualifying final and Bucks unleashing all the pressure he’s had to deal with over the season in the quarter time huddle! Nathan Buckley verbally abusing he team and demanding something ANYTHING from them. Football gold. 

Let’s not forget that Buckley has now had to endure 3 GF losses as a player and coach. He will be very hungry for success, starving in fact!

TL: The pressure on Buckley will be HUGE! In-house the club knows this team has what it takes to deliver more silverware. The Prez already has Buckley posters up on his bedroom wall, but word is if Bucks brings home the bacon this year Eddie will arrange Maddame Tussaud to sculpt a naked Buckley waxy to sit at the foot of the bed he shares with his poor wife. The media will no doubt be waiting for him to fail, as they too are aware there are very few teams this year that can derail the Collingwood juggernaut. The Magpie Army will expect nothing short of Grand Final success (I, myself, can’t wait to get my Premiership 2010-2011 tattoo corrected later on this year).

But Nathan Buckley eats pressure for breakfast. We all know he won’t be affected by outsiders waiting on his downfall. He has a strong system established by his predecessors, a team of assistants that clearly grasp and embrace the modern game and list that already knows what it takes to be the best.

You can bet Buckley won’t be satisfied with letting this self-efficient machine roll on without adding his own, personalised touch on the game-plan. What that is remains to be seen, but if Nathan Buckley instils a bit of Nathan Buckley in this already formidable Collingwood unit… WATCH OUT!

JD:  The weight of expectation may be too much for Buck’s broad shoulders, but he’s a fierce competitor, as are most of the Pies list, so they’ll fight for him to the death. I liken the passion of Pies supporters to that of New Yorkers – tough, uncompromising and unforgiving, they’ll back him all the way, but in the back of their minds you’ve got to remember this is a first year coach taking over perhaps one of the best list in the last 10 years, following a coach adored by many. As I’ve mentioned previously, this list is built to win, and ready to win. Nothing short of a premiership will satisfy.

3. Will Cloke, Pendlebury, Thomas, Swan all be wearing the black and white in 2013?

TB: Pendles, yes. Thomas, yes.

Cloke is a tricky one, he can do some odd things and has recently changed management, why? I am suspicious, he could be after the big pay check, and he just strikes me as the guy who is most likely of the four to go. It’s still a 65% chance he’ll stay but…….he is a Cloke.

Swan is also an interesting case. Why did he leave the leadership group? I am suspicious of this also; call me a sus guy if you like. Swanny is influential on the field in that side and just don’t see him being ousted by his team. Smells of a man trying to make a clean get away. Also his sleeves would see him fit right in up on the Gold Coast.

TL: Haha, don’t be silly…

JD:  There’s about as much chance of all four staying on as there is me getting a replica Swanny tat across my delicate torso. While they’ll all pledge allegiance, the rich prospects and opportunity up north will be too great. Four superstars all coming out of contract around the same time isn’t ideal timing for the Eddie and the Pies and one of them will surely be lured with Ablett-type riches.

X-Factor?

TB: Marty Clarke. Someone has to replace the run of Davis of half back, this makes Clarkes return very important.

TL: Dale Thomas

JD:  Chris Dawes. If he can raise his giant knuckles off the ground and play 20 games WATCH OUT.

Predicted Finish?

TB: 2^nd

TL: 1^st

JD: 2^nd

 

ESSENDON

1. Is Hurley the answer to Bomber fans’ prayers?

TB: With the messiah James Hird as his coach and mentor, he very well could be. A deadest gun, Hurley could be the next Matty Lloyd, just not as douche and with less grass throwing. The only threat to Hurley is his team mate Dyson Heppel stealing his thunder - gee that kid is good! Bloody good first year B&F! He also has a mop that gives him some character. Heppel will be the answer to Bomber fans for me because I just like him more (I‘m no bomber fan either, imagine what they think of him).

TL: Hurley is going to be a great player. He has frighteningly good dukes and covers the ground well for a big bloke. He is versatile enough to play both up forward or down back. I think all Essendon people would prefer to see Hurley clunking the prune and going back to take his set shots, but the problem for Hird and his assistants is – who will be Hurley’s partner in crime inside 50?

If you look at all the best teams in the comp, a common trend is to have two power forwards who work together (Cloke & Dawes, Buddy & Rough, JPod & Tommahawk) to give opposition defences matchup problems.

Essendon and Hurley are one, big power forward short of troubling opposition backlines. Crameri fights hard and is strong overhead, but he is not the solution. Ryder is serviceable, but Hird needs him as a mobile ruckman who can also play defensively and pinch-hit up forward. Gumbleton is about as reliable as a used car salesman and Reimers is… well, Reimers is a dickhead (pardon the French).

So for all the upside in Michael Hurley, there seems to be too much responsibility on his young shoulders at this point in time.

JD: He’s THE great hope up forward – or should that be down back? Even the coach doesn’t know! Once they find Hurley’s happy place and the hulk of a man gets his body right, he’ll be ominous. But while he’s been outstanding in patches, he’s never really been able to string enough games together to really hurt teams consistently (except for every time he plays Hawthorn). This he needs to improve.

As Tunz has mentioned, the lack of two ‘twin towers’ will hurt the Bombers, among other teams, because Gumbleton is not the answer, nor is Ryder (permanently). He needs help, and fast.

2. After Watson, Hurley and Heppell, who’s the next gun?

TB: Reimers! Ha! Just kidding. Seriously it has to be David Zaharakis. He had a great year last year and looks to be on the way up again this year. He’s doing the outside work to make sure the bombers benefit from the inside greatness of Watson. Stanton, Dempsey and Hocking are all pretty solid too. Zaharakis has the potential to become more than just a solid player that’s why he’s their next best.

TL: David Zaharakis is a good player (he did, after all, win their B&F last year). Heath Hocking tries hard. Paddy Ryder is invaluable to this team. And Brent Stanton can find the footy. But amazingly for the Bombers, 36 year old Dustin Fletcher is still one of the clubs’ best and most important players. A man entering into his 20^th AFL season still takes on the bulk of the responsibility for a team that has teetered on the outskirts of the leagues’ best for too long now. The Bombers haven’t really been competitive since they lost to the Lions in the 2001 GF, and sadly for Essendon fans, Fletcher was one of the main men back then. Which shows they have really struggled to bring in big guns for over a decade now.

JD:  You have to love Heppell – brilliant first year for the young gun. Heath Hocking is playing the wrong sport, Dustin Fletcher’s ‘Go Go Gadget’ arms are on their last legs, Stanton will always be a hard worker but won’t win games for you. It has to be Melksham or Zaharakis. If only Zaha was as good at football as he is handsome. He’s getting there though. Melksham looks the goods, but needs some more games under the belt. Worrying that a lot of their kids haven’t come on as well as they’ve hoped. Hold on Dons fans, it’ll be another long year.

3. Has Hird ‘The Messiah’ got the Bombers into top 8 contention?

TB: You have to say yes after they played finals last year and with a young list they should improve.  However, this year provides a much greater challenge for the Bombers and whilst they are in contention they are no certainties to make finals again under Hird. Rejuvenated dogs, hungry North Melbourne and sharp Richmond are lurking- watch out Hirdy. I feel that they will fall just short of the 8 this year, just.

TL: Nope. By sheer weight of numbers, the Bombers will be squeezed out by better teams in 2012. They somehow managed to scrape in last year, but expected improvements from teams that were thereabouts last year will see Hird’s task seem that little bit harder this year. They lack that little bit of extra muscle up forward and they desperately need to add more class to their midfield and I just can’t seem to find a spot in the 8 for the boys from Windy Hill – although I’d love to be proven wrong, as we all know how exciting a red and black bandwagon can be come September!

JD: No. Hirdy has them in the right direction, but being a favourite son doesn’t guarantee your status as the messiah for long (see Vossy). Too many teams ahead of them at this stage. Pears and Hooker need to improve down back this season because it will surely be Fletcher’s last, Hurley needs to play a full season, more improvement from Dempsey, Jetta and Crameri, and for god sake, can someone give Gumbleton the number of a chiropractor?

X-Factor?

TB: Hurley. If he takes a big step this year and kicks 50+ defences will be pooping themselves.

TL: Kyle Hardingham

JD: Jake Melksham. He’s got a pin-head but puts it over the footy.

Predicted Finish?

TB: 9th

TL: 9^th

JD: 13th

FREMANTLE

1. Is Ross Lyon in the hottest seat in Australian sport?

TB: His seat will be hot and a bit sweaty from time to time when the air-con plays up in the coach’s box at Patterson Stadium. Otherwise he’ll be pretty cool. He is in charge of another great list and will instil in them the discipline they need to succeed.  It may get a touch warm when they play the Saints, his ex-supporters will be filthy if his Dockers side beat them and he can expect a few half eaten pies flung his way. Lyon handled more heat last year after that school girl took down St Kilda on her own.

TL: It was definitely the curve-ball from last years’ end of season merry-go-round, but I would like to think that after Fremantle finally take on St Kilda at Etihad in round 4 the fuss will blow over and we can focus on what Lyon can actually do with his talented list.

He has been likened to a modern-day Judas, but if you consider his family situation and the money Fremantle was offering (and the fact he seems to have jumped off a sinking ship) there is a lot of common sense in his decision to go west.

What I would like to see is Lyon shift from his defensive mentality and embrace some more attacking football with the flair and creativity he has at his disposal this year. With young talent like Stephen Hill, Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow, Anthony Morabito and Tendai Mzungu mixed with proven guns Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and David Mundy, Lyon has a list that he can mould and form into a formidable outfit.

JD:  Not in Australian sport, but a hot seat none the less. His stealth move to the Dockers caught everyone by surprise and there will be no loved lost between him and the Saints. The Dockers are more athletic, fitter and possibly more skilful than the Saints, so it will be interesting to see whether Lyon takes his slow grinding game plan out West. This team needs to run and use Patterson Stadium’s wide spaces, while utilising the Dockers’ speed. Lyon’s a smart man, he’ll make it work. But Mark Harvey did a great job with this team. Lyon won’t have a lay period to settle in.

2. After a season ruined by injuries, do the Dockers have the talent to contend in 2012?

TB: Yes sir! They have a very talented side, led by the brilliance of Pav and Sandilands. Their mids are quick, exciting and tough, Fyfe, Hill, Barlow, Mzungu form a nice balance; throw in Broughton who is a classy player too. Down back McPharlin is solid and Kepler Bradley can play at either end when necessary. They recruited Dawson from St Kilda to sure up defence too. They definitely have the talent, they now have an A grade coach who has proven success. They will do a West Coast of last year. I like this outfit, even if their new song is worse than the old one we are going to hear it plenty this year.

TL: Absolutely, see above.

JD:  Yep. Pav, Hill, Broughton, Sandi, Barlow, Fyfe, McPharlin and Mundy.There is some talent in the ranks, but the Dockers never been blessed with getting their best 22 on the park. Throw in the return of the Goodes-clone Morabito and ball magnet Barlow from injury, as well as an improving Mzungu and Zac Clarke and you have a team with plenty of potential. They showed in 2010 that after years of being the laughing stock, they are ready to contend and the disappointment and missed opportunity of 2011 will be firmly in their minds. Teams won’t want to play them in the finals with a healthy list.

3. Can ‘The Nasaly One’ Pavlich maintain his elite status & can ‘The Giraffe’ Sandilands stay on the park long enough or does he have a case of the ‘Yao Mings’?

TB: Pav will always be elite; he is a genetically gifted athlete at 100kgs and 192cm tall. He runs all day and can take a grab. Good luck stopping him opposition midfields and defences. Particularly now that he can smell success.

What is turf toe? A disease that only affects people over the height of 6ft 11? Whatever it is it’s killing the dominance the Sandilands once had in the ruck. The guy can’t get out there because he keeps scraping his size 17’s on the turf and stuffing his toe (well that’s what I imagine happens, without actually knowing). Let’s hope that his foot shrinking surgery was a success and he plays most games. Seriously though, If he does play majority of the time and in finals, Freo will be great this year. Clarke looks like a nice back up too.

TL: If these two key figures play close to 22 games this season, expect to see the Purple Haze up and about come finals time.

Sandilands provides so much for their talented young midfield. He can feed his midfielders like no other ruckman in the league. When he’s out on the park Freo have the ball in their hands more often than when he’s not. He needs to stay fit, and if that means Ross Lyon rests him to keep him fresh, then so be it.

Pavlich however, just needs to keep doing what he does. He is an accumulator when he’s in the guts, and he impacts the scoreboard often when thrown forward. With a raft of young midfielders coming on nicely, they may just afford Pav the luxury of spending more time closer to goals this year. This would be equally beneficial to struggling forwards John Anthony and Chris Mayne – having a senior champ directing traffic close to goals.

No doubt about it, the big man and the Pav are critical to Freo’s success this year, but it seems there is a strong talent pool rising through the ranks out in the west. With a healthy list, I’m expecting to see a vast improvement from the Dockers this season.

JD:  Sandilands’ feet are made of rice crackers. Few have dominated their position as much as he has over the last 5 years. Let’s hope he doesn’t follow Yao into a premature retirement.

As for Pav, time and time again he’s displayed some unbelievable form. But the weight of carrying this team for so many years must be catching up. He’s lucky that the Dockers now have the cattle to do the rest of the heavy lifting, so Pavman can stay forward and kick goals, because Jack Anthony (cough) isn’t the answer.

X-Factor?

TB: I am going with Fyfe, it’s tough because Freo have so many that could be great this year, but when he is on he will bust the game open and deliver to the key men up forward. Lots of inside 50’s for Fyfe, and that will mean goals, goals win games.

TL: Nat Fyfe

JD:  Michael Barlow. So important for the Dockers that he can regain his 2010 form.

Predicted Finish?

TB: 4th

TL: 7^th

JD: 6^th

Your Sportsbag AFL experts Tommy Blackburne, Terence Lattanzio and Chris Soderstrom disect the upcoming 2012 AFL Season with their first installment of The Sportsbag Roundtable - AFL Season Preview.

They’ll be sharing their thoughts on 3 teams each day, so stay tuned and tell us what you think.

ADELAIDE

1. Is this team on the up or heading south?

Tommy Blackburne: A pre-season flag might be the only joy Adelaide has this year. They looked decent Adelaide, wasteful with the ball, but hey they won!  Vince was impressive, maybe his year, and if Walker does SOMETHING Adelaide can claim a few scalps, but wont make the eight.  They are treading water for the moment, next year will be better.

Terence Lattanzio:  The team can only be on the up after a couple of seasons of mediocrity. Their midfield looks like it will finally have some depth. Patty Dangerfield, Rory Sloane and David Mackay are set to continue their development, Sam Kerridge looks like a ready made player, together with older heads in Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince and Nathan Van Berlo, the Crows may finally have an engine room with the grunt to compete with some of the league’s heavyweights.

‘The Porpoise’ is almost like a new recruit after having only played 5 minutes of footy in 2011. Hopefully he can get up inside the forward 50 and sort out the two big blokes in Walker and Tippet (and perhaps make sure they won’t be treading on each others’ toes). Throw in last year’s mature recruit Ian Callinan (who was very impressive in the NAB Cup) they have no excuses for failing to hit the scoreboard.

Their defence may be their downfall this year. By losing Phil Davis to GWS just a year after losing Nathan Bock to the Suns, Ben Rutten stands alone as their main man down back. Stiffy Johncock will surely provide some dash, but it’s pretty clear there are some big holes in the Crows’ back end. Youngster Daniel Talia will take some time (and a few protein shakes) to come on and they probably lack one more big gorilla down back to handle to top-end teams’ tag-team, big bloke combos. However, in the age of the rolling zone and the forward press, the Crows’ midfield will need to be pushing back to provide their underwhelming defence a much needed chop-out.

All in all, there is a lot of upside to the Adelaide list this year, so look for them to improve on season 2011.

Chris Soderstrom: The Crows’ 2012 NAB Cup form was promising and suggest they’re on the up, but I don’t think anyone should read too much into preseason form – remember Carlton in 2005 and 2007… Even in the NAB Cup final, ‘Woosha’ took off Dean Cox around half time suggesting the Eagles had bigger things in mind. There has definitely been some promising signs across the ground for the Crows. In the midfield young gun Patrick Dangerfield looks to be coming good and should be able to give Scott Thompson some help, while up forward ‘the twin towers’ (Tippett and Walker) look to be dangerous.

2. Is Brenton Sanderson the answer to rejuvenate this stale side?

TB: Yes. They needed a change in Adelaide. As good as Neil Craig was, science based football can get dry and it did. Everything is possible under a new coach with a new plan, and we like boys that come from Geelong. ‘Sando’ looks solid and like so many of the younger brigade of coaches wants to do it his way, he’s big enough to enforce the law down there too! I like his chances of success.

TL: Sanderson immediately identified the Crows’ stoppage work as their Achilles-heel of late. When he arrived at the club late last year it was rumoured that Sanderson finished 2^nd overall in a club-wide strength test, highlighting the need for the players to hit the strong room and fill out their jumpers in order to be a lot stronger over the contested ball.

He did however, inherit a very disciplined system, so a lot of credit is due to the legacy Neil Craig left at the end of his tenure. Sanderson may not deliver the Crows the ultimate success anytime soon, but as long as he instils a hunger for contested footy and rectifies their knack for throwing in the towel when the going got tough last year, Sanderson may well be heralded as the coach who brings the pride of South Australia back to finals footy.

CS: The early signs are good for Sanderson and his game plan. It’s hard to criticize a game plan that’s yet to record a loss! From watching the NAB Cup, the Crows seemed to have more urgency than last season, playing on at every opportunity. Sanderson - an ex-Cat assistant coach - looks to have brought a bit of the reigning premiers’ formula over as well. They looked very ‘Geelong-esque’ in their attacking of the corridor at every opportunity and ran in numbers. If they can bring
that style into the season proper with the same effect, things are looking up for the first-time senior coach and the Crows.

3. Will their trading prove to be a positive or negative and can guys like Bernie Vince and Taylor Walker stand up?

TB: Vince looks like he is ready to be a consistent performer in the Adelaide Midfield. Walker doesn’t look so convincing, the Crows need a big gun forward and should be that man, but his attitude stinks. Show some mongrel and some grit Taylor, then we’ll be convinced.

Crows were busy in trade week, but may’ve got rid of too much young talent. Tony Armstrong to Sydney, Ivan Maric to the Tigers were big losses and the replacements weren’t enough. Phil Davis is a big loss too and the pick is something but will delay success and a surge up the ladder. Negative verdict.

TL: Vince is a great young midfielder - fit, strong and a bona-fide ball-magnet. But Adelaide will probably be hoping to see development from guys like Dangerfield, Sloane, Mackay, Jaench and Petrenko. Relying too much on one or two midfielders to get the job done won’t work for the Crows, but if Sanderson can get a core group of youngsters to come through the ranks together he will have a midfield unit that can play together for years to come.

As for Wacky Walker, he and Kurt Tippet need to catch up for coffee and plan out how they are NOT going to get in each other’s way inside-50 this season. Adelaide have the firepower up inside their forward to cause opposition real headaches, but that will all depend on whether or not their tall timber can get their act together and function at close proximity.

CS: The Crows didn’t get any experienced players suggesting they’re a list in the full swing of development. All the players are young emerging players. They picked up some big-bodied players, like Johnston and Lynch, who should provide some depth in the key position stocks as they mature.

After watching the NAB Cup Final I think both Vince and Walker have turned the corner. They shone in the win. Walker looked dangerous up forward taking grabs and kicking goals, and more importantly combining well with the Kurt Tippett in the forward line. While Vince came back from a week to forget winning the Michael Tuck medal. He was a genuine star in the match. After Gunston’s defection last year, Crows fans will no doubt be hoping Walker fill that role of the lead-up forward.

Predicted finish?

TB: 14th

TL: 8th

CS: 9th

X-Factor?

TB: Patrick Dangerfield - The kid is about to explode, more time in the midfield this year, leader on field. This is his year. B&F for the Crows will win them games.

TL: Patrick Dangerfield

CS: Patrick Dangerfield

BRISBANE

1. Can the Lions make the eight? Or are they the 3rd worst team in the competition?

TB: Brisbane cannot make the eight. No chance no way. And they are the 3^rd or 4^th worst team in the comp.  Port and the two expansion teams maybe behind them, but no one else is.

TL: Simple answer, NO. The Lions seem to have a few great young prospects in Polkinghorne, Redden and of course future captain, Tom Rockliff. There is an admirable support cast in Jed Adcock, Josh Drummond, Big Red Merret and Joel Patfull,  but they have zero depth and are probably still reeling from Vossy’s hair-brain trading scheme a few years back.  They have brought in ex-Dog Ben Hudson to help out Big Lewie, and Daniel Rich and Todd Banfield are coming on nicely, but their best players are still Jono Brown and Simon Black, which speaks volumes about this side.

They will expect to beat up on league newcomers GWS, and will back themselves to finish ahead of cross-town rivals, the Suns, but it will take a few surprise wins at the former ‘House of Pain’ to have any chance of finishing outside of the bottom 4.

CS: I’m not expecting too much from the Lions this year. They’re not a top eight team at this stage and are very much in the developing phase. It will be interesting to see the development of some of their exciting youngsters in the midfield, like Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden. In a few years these guys will be dominating – more than they already are! The Lions finished 15th last year ahead of Port Adelaide and Gold Coast. They shouldn’t get the wooden spoon this year – Port Adelaide is my tip – but they may be overtaken by the team down the road who are likely to take strides in their second season.

2. If J Brown misses games, will they sink?

TB: Yep! Browny is an out and out superstar! His presence will always mean Brisbane has a better chance at winning games. The good news is that they can’t sink too much further.

TL: Yep. He is their pillar. He is the spiritual leader and general out on the field. The hard truth is if he isn’t out there, the Lions don’t stand a chance. Losing Mitch Clark doesn’t help either. He was brave last year as their sole big man. But he is gone and now Browny looks like he’ll miss the early part of the year again, so it puts a terrible amount of pressure on youngsters such as Aaron Cornelius, Bryce Retzlaff and newcomer Billy Longer, who will need to mature ahead of schedule to help fill Browny’s big hole.

CS: ‘Browny’ is such an important player for the Lions. There’s no doubt they will suffer from his latest injury setback, though maybe not as much as they did last year. They’ve had to play without him for some time already and should have a Plan B up their sleeve. It’s always great to see ‘Browny’ in full flight, so hopefully he can get out there again and we can see him back at his courageous best!

3. Last chance for Voss?

TB: The question is who are they going to get to replace him? Malthouse? Nah, he won’t live up in Brisbane. He’s a glamour boy has to be at the helm of a big club, with a big supporter base. Voss hasn’t been very good but I can’t see him getting the Tijuana (flick) just yet. He is a club legend after all and Brisbane is short on legends, they wouldn’t want to burn him.

TL: Brisbane’s favourite son isn’t quite the conqueror in the coach’s box as he was out on the field. He certainly did cock-up when he brought in a whole host of pre-used rejects at the end of the 2008 season, but somehow managed to conduct his own performance review last year, which – surprise, surprise – sees him safe at the helm for another term.

‘Last chance’ is a bit harsh, seeing as Voss has had to deal with injuries to key players in recent years. But this will be his 4^th season at the helm and given his underwhelming results of late and the fickle nature of AFL coaching tenure, he will need to surprise everyone in season 2012 to get the naysayers off his back.

CS: I think ‘Vossy’ will keep his job no matter where the Lions finish. They’re in a developing phase, everyone knows it and isn’t expecting much from the team. They love him up there too. I think the decision from the Lions to recruit a number of senior players when Vossy first stepped into the senior coach position – while trading out Bradshaw – was a bad move that really came back to bite.

Predicted Finish?

TB: 16th

TL: 16th

CS: 16th

X-Factor?

TB: Daniel ‘Big Sauce’ Merrett - Lost him early last year and he is genuine stopper down back. Will help immensely having him back this year.

TL: Matt Leuenberger

CS: Tom Rockliff

CARLTON

1. Contender or pretender?

TB: They’re pretending  if they think they can win it this year. Hawks and the West Coast have overtaken them as Premiership contenders. Bad luck Blues but this ain’t your year.

TL: It is hard for me, a proud Collingwood supporter, to admit it, but I think Carlton may finally be a legitimate threat this year. They will need a whole heap of things to go their way, and they absolutely must make top 4 this year, but they seem to have the mix to challenge for silverware.

Judd has had the desired effect at Carlton  since leaving the West Coast pill-poppers, but it’s now time for him to delegate some responsibility to the capable hands of Murphy, Gibbs, Kruezer and Co.

Down back Jamieson seems to have house-keeping in order. Lachie Henderson can expect to start receiving ACTUAL cheers as opposed to the Bronx kind he’s unfairly been used to lately. Yarran needs to be consistent and provide dash and flair to feed the forwards off half back and with Laidler and Duigan mopping up around the edges they have a defensive unit that can (if they play as a team within the team) be both a dour and a resilient wall as well as a springboard for attack.

Their engine room seems to have depth with a support cast of Carrazzo, Simpson, Scotland and Gibbs providing relief for the big guns in Judd and Murphy. Mitch Robinson will no doubt get under the skin of opposition coaches, players and fans and I expect him to win his fair share of in-and-under ball too.

If Warnock can stay out on the park and shoulder the bulk of ruck work, expect to see Kreuzer and Hampson spending more time as tall forwards (that said, Kreuzer can play just about anywhere forward of centre, high or low). Jarrad Waite is a great swingman, giving chop outs down back and up forward. And if they give the young lump of a man, Levi Casboult a bit of game time this year, their big man stocks look promising. Then there’s Betts and Garlett buzzing at their feet…

With Ratten having finally won that crucial final last year, and with the bitter taste of a narrow semi final loss to the Eagles still lingering, Carlton look primed to translate their knowledge and disappointment into hunger and determination this year. Definitely contenders.

CS: The Blues have openly declared that they expect to finish in the top four this year. And given the amount of talent they have, Carlton should really be a legitamate premiership contender. The recruitment of older players like Nick Duigan and Sam Rowe also suggests the Blues feel they are set for an immediate challenge. However, with inexperience at the pointy end of the season - only one finals win in 10 years – underwhelming pre-season form and a mounting injury toll,
the Blues may be in for a long season.

2. Can Russell, Thornton, Henderson, Curnow, Lucas step up to the plate?

TB: Curnow will, he’s solid, a good foil for the class of Murphy, Judd and Gibbs.

Thornton probably won’t, could be his last year. Henderson has looked better each year he should take another step to becoming a very good player. Lucas and Russell? Anything could happen, if Carlton want top four they’ll have to be good.

TL: Henderson was a first round draft pick when taken by Brisbane and famously used as kitchen knives in the deal that saw Brendan Fevola exiled to Brisbane. He c ops his fair share of ‘stick’ from Blues fans, but the truth is he is developing and is still only 22 years old. He is a big body and is one of few in the Carlton line-up with the ability to wrestle with the stronger bodied forwards from opposition sides who will look to pump entries into Carlton’s defensive 50. He will be valuable for the Blues this season and if he can string some good games together it may just give him the confidence to see him become a permanent in the Blues’ back 6.

Lucas is the other one I like from this group. He too, was a first round draftee and has shown plenty in this year’s NAB cup, racking up plenty of the ball. He is creative with the footy and will be another cog in the Carlton midfield machine.

CS: They will need to step up to the plate in 2012, given the injury toll that has mounted for the Blues in the preseason and if they’re to have a chance of going deep into the finals.

3. Gibbs or Murphy?

TB: Both are guns for different reasons why do we have to split them?

TL: Murphy just does more, more consistently. He is a genuine star and don’t be surprised if we see a changing of the guard from Judd down to Murphy as the Blues’ number 1 in 2012.

Gibbs is a smooth operator and on his day can be as damaging as any, but Murphy is just so consistent that it is hard to look past him when comparing the two number 1 draft picks.

And from an opposition point of view, I’d be sending my negating taggers to Judd and Murphy before Gibbs.

CS: Both No. 1 draft picks, Murphy and Gibbs have had big wraps on them for some time. Murphy has shown in recent seasons he’s a star of the game claiming the Blues’ B&F award in 2011. Gibbs, on the other hand, is still finding his place in the side. He needs to have a greater impact on the game and should be pushed more through the midfield in 2011. He has over 100 games to his name and is really experienced enough step it up a gear.

4. Do they have to finish top 4 this year?

TB: For the fans they do, but they won’t. Upsetting if you are a Blues fan – here’s a tissue.  If they find a way to beat Freo and West Coast away then top four could be theirs. That’s a big IF.

TL: Simple answer, yes. History will prove it is too hard to win a flag from outside the top 4. And that is exactly what they have set out (publicly) to do. Only Adelaide in 1997 have managed to pull off that feat (admittedly at a time when the finals operated under a 1 V 8, 2 v 7, etc system).

Carlton went close to progressing to the prelims last year, but securing top 4 and a guaranteed home semi final will go a long way to seeing the Blues taste success at the business end this year.

CS: Because the openly declared they expect to finish in the top four, anything less than a semi-final berth will be deemed a failure for the Blues.

Predicted Finish?

TB: 5th

TL: 5th

CS: 5th

X-Factor?

TB: Matty Kreuzer. Another player that’s had time to develop, and from all reports has been tearing it up. He could be very damaging up forward and as well as in the ruck and around the ground.

TL: (Not any more) Setanta’s little helpers – Betts, Garlett and Yarran.

CS: Marc Murphy

Do you agree?

(Courtesy of resident sports-lover, Terence Lattanzio)

We see it so often and we don’t even bat an eyelid.

Football players who spend four quarters of brutality throwing everything they have at their opponents to be in front at the final siren. Tennis players coming together after long, hard fought sets of which they had been plotting their opposition’s demise the entire time. Soccer players exchanging jerseys after an intense 90 minutes on the field. Even boxers who touch gloves before every round and hug it out after going 12 rounds of beating each other’s heads in.

It’s called SPORTSMANSHIP. And sadly, we have recently been exposed to some athletes who simply didn’t get the memo.

Luis Suarez and Tomas Berdych recently highlighted an issue that we, as sports lovers, sometimes take for granted.

Suarez’s refusal to shake Patrice Evra’s hand was the last of a string of controversies that started when Suarez’s Liverpool hosted Evra’s Manchester United, back in October 2011. A heated clash on the football pitch resulted in Suarez being banned for 8 matches for racially abusing Evra. It seemed ironic that Suarez’s return to the Liverpool’s line-up would be for the Old Trafford fixture, in a match that was always going to make headlines.

The incident at Anfield sparked a war-of-words between the two clubs, yet managers and representatives from respective teams stood by their players throughout the turbulent time. The issue generated public debate and, unfortunately had tabloids around the world talking about racism in sport once again. But as Patrice Evra stuck out his tentative olive-branch hand last weekend, in a gesture of goodwill, the Uruguayan’s decision to snub the Frenchman revealed a real lack of character, most unfamiliar in a sporting context.

Czech Republic and World Tennis’ number 7 in the world, Tomas Berdych was recently involved in a similar incident following his fourth round match against Spain’s Nicolas Almagro at this year’s Australian Tennis Open. A clutch rally was ended when Almagro rocketed a forehand directly at Berdych at the net, and immediately the Spaniard offered a hand of apology.

However, the big Czech refused to shake hands at the net after defeating Almagro in four sets, claiming “this is not the way how tennis is.” Berdych was subsequently booed off the court after his farcical display of sportsmanship.

Both incident’s highlight a worrying issue in world sport, however they are certainly not the first athletes who have misplaced their manners on game day. This unsightly act of disrespect can most famously be traced back to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The Olympics were given to Berlin prior to the Nazis coming into power. Hitler decided that the Olympics would be the perfect stage for Nazi Germany to demonstrate the ‘superiority’ of their Aryan race, and propaganda ran rife throughout the build up to Berlin.

At a time where Olympians were still amateur sportsmen, Nazi Germany allowed their athletes to train full time in the lead up to the summer Olympics, believing that their eventual dominance in the sporting arena would emphasise the logic behind their anti-Semitic policies.

However, the star of the 1936 Olympics was African American Jesse Owens, who won gold for the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4 x 100m.

Astonishingly, Adolph Hitler refused to place the gold medals around Owen’s neck at the podium, and went even further explaining “The Americans should be ashamed of themselves, letting Negroes win their medals for them. I shall not shake hands with this Negro. Do you really think that I will allow myself to be photographed shaking hands with a Negro?”

Now, I don’t want to draw comparisons between Suarez, Berdych and Nazi Germany. So think of that as a brief history of unsportsman-like behaviour in the highest order.

But how hard is it, really? It’s common goodwill. A simple shake of hands to acknowledge each other’s presence in the sporting arena. Two opposing sides are not mortal enemies. They generally do not wish each other harm or unwell.

So come on guys, your young, impressionable fans are watching, your pay cheques will be in the mail and the sun will certainly still rise in the morning, so… let’s shake on it.

TL.

In his rematch against Manchester United since returning from an eight-match suspension for allegedly racially abusing Red Devils’ defender Patrice Evra, Liverpool sharpshooter Luis Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand at the beginning of the game.

With the anticipation of the meet drawing intense scrutiny prior to the game, Suarez’s actions have caused widespread anger around the world.

The Sportsbag’s finest, Tom Blackburne and James Douglas, share their thoughts on this endless saga along with guest football expert, Dan Soderstrom.

Do you agree? Follow us on Facebook, then get on your soapbox and tell us!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sportsbag/223189637692740

1.   Should Suarez be sanctioned for refusing the handshake: Is sportsmanship dead?
 
Tom Blackburne: No and no, is the short answer.

Refusing to shake Evra’s hand is punishment enough for Suarez, who has further tarnished his dubious reputation, by not accepting a gesture of sportsmanship and reprieve from Evra. Whatever positive perceptions were left of Suarez has been eroded by one dip of his hand.

Once a bearable love to hate villain, is now perceived as a racist, petulant and ignorant footballer lacking in morals, despite his immense talent. A shame he ruined his career and alienated himself from the adoration of millions of fans.

Sportsmanship is not dead, and Patrice Evra is the example of why it isn’t. The victim of racist abuse extended his hand out to his mudslinger in a gesture of sportsmanship.  Gesture denied player faces wrath of world media. Sportsmanship 1, Luis Suarez Nil.

James Douglas: Nice of Suarez to prove he isn’t racist anymore by refusing to shake the hand of the player he was accused of being racist towards. He should be sanctioned for being a complete knuckle-head, but not for refusing the hand shake.
 
Dan Soderstrom: Absolutely not. You can’t get punished for not shaking someone’s hand. It’s simply a sign of Suarez’s poor character.

Remember when Wayne Bridge refused to shake Terry’s hand after he slept with his ex-wife? Sportsmanship is an interesting thing in the world game these days. A sport where the best teams are the one’s with the most money, leagues and teams that are afraid to sanction players because they can easily slip away and play somewhere else if they like (seen the video of Totti kicking Balotelli a few years ago? The bloke got 2 or 3 weeks), crowds making racist chants towards players and FIFA, the head body of the sport selling votes for World Cups to countries like Russia and Qatar.

There are instances of Sportsmanship in sport, but in football these days it’s quite rare.

2. Was Suarez’s apology enough?
 
TB: “I realise I got things wrong,” damn straight you did Luis! “I’ve not only let him down (Kenny Dalglish), but also the club and what it stands for and I’m sorry”.
“I made a mistake and I regret what happened.”

So is the above enough? Enough to erase what he has done? No.
Enough to erase the racist tag? Probably not.
Enough to win back the public? Don’t think so.
Enough to appease (for the time being) Liverpool FC and the FA? Yes.

Suarez was ‘urged’ (forced) to say sorry by new club owners Fenway Sports Group who are trying to limit damage done to their club. Suarez has a lot more to do if he wants to be known for his great football again, this will take time and spotless record from now on.

I too regret what happened and what you did to our club Luis. You’d better score a bucket load of goals and get us to fourth! Good football is the apology we need right now.

JD: Too little, too late and not enough. He’s been made a poster boy/scapegoat for racism in football and he’s got no one to blame but himself. A simple unifying gesture like a handshake wouldn’t have solved the problem but it would have gone a long way. Mediation to put out spotfires like this are’t the answer either. Suarez is one of many who need to be educated about racism and its implications.

Bottom line, this is an ugly side of sport that shouldn’t happen in the first place.

DS: Suarez’s apology was not enough. The bloke has remained adamant he is innocent of any wrongdoing even after the game when he tweeted that “things are not as they seem”.

Racism is a very serious issue and for those who it is directed towards it is extremely hurtful. After the mass disdain directed at him by the large majority of the football world after the handshake refusal, including his own club, he has finally apologised.

That said, his club and manager have backed him totally until the barrage of anger came down on them too following the match. Unfortunately for him his reputation may forever be in the gutter after the handball in the World Cup game against Ghana, the biting incident in the Dutch League and now his behaviour surrounding the racism scandal.

3. Has Liverpool’s history and image been damaged by this issue and what should they do with Suarez?

TB: As a Liverpool supporter and I believe I support the greatest club in English history: 18 League titles, 8 European cups, 7 FA cups and 7 League cups. Definitely the most impressive CV in English football. But no-one is talking about that right now, everyone is talking about average results and a racist striker who needs to pulled into line and told to focus on the back of the ol’ onion bag (scoring goals for those not down with the lingo). Our image has suffered because of Suarez’s action there is no doubt about this. But was it all Luis’ fault?
 
“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game….The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.” This was the comment form Ian Ayre Liverpool’s Managing Director, so yeah maybe it was all Luis’ fault.

Should the club have managed the whole situation better? I don’t want to say it, but I have to say yes.

John Terry who faces legal action for racist remarks against his countrymen Anton Ferdinand has not been put through the ringer nearly as much as Suarez (and his actions were worse and he too is no stranger to controversy), nor has Chelsea copped the backlash that Liverpool has. It pains me to say this but perhaps we should be swapping PR notes with pompous folks steering the PR ship down at Chelsea.

For now Liverpool must tow the FA line and keep Suarez out of trouble and make sure he’s on the score sheet (the former will be very difficult with a player that will do ANYTHING to win). They must not heed the advice of Sir Alex sell Suarez; they need to find a legitimate partner for him up forward to take the focus off him and the struggling Carroll. I heard Podolski is looking for a new home.
 
JD: Journalist David Conn put it perfectly on Twitter, ”Suarez has been given aggrieved victim status by the way Liverpool have backed him. Reaping that legacy now.” He’s spot on.

You can only push loyal fans so far, and I’ve no doubt that many will be rightly aggrieved by his actions. It’s the same in any sport, you stick up for ‘your’ player until somewhere along the line there comes a point when something clicks and you realise he’s not worth fighting for. I think Suarez has crossed this bridge.

Man U coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, had some strong words after the match, labelling Luis a disgrace and added that he should never play for the club again. Tell us what you really think Sir Alex! Liverpool management initially backed him, but have since backtracked after the wave of criticism, and rightly so, even they’re fed up.

Yes he’s a gun, but how far do you go to back your star? Is winning games off Suarez’s boot more important than stamping out racism in sport and teaching children good sportsmanship? Maybe financially, but the team ‘brand’ will still be damaged. Liverpool is a strong club with a rich, proud culture and history, but time will tell.
 
I genuinely don’t think Suarez understands the magnitude of actions for world football – no, sport! Racism is a serious issue and players in the largest and most popular game in the world should lead by example.

DS: Liverpool’s image has definitely been tarnished by the affair. As I have already mentioned the lack of sportmanship and reasonable behaviour in football I doubt many other clubs would have acted differently.

Every manager backs his player when they are performing well on the field no matter what they’ve done. When the subject is something as volatile as racism clubs and leagues should always act morally and objectively. The treatment of the club, the manager and the Liverpool players has been absolutely atrocious. Funny that the only people backing Suarez are Liverpool supporters. It’s taken the public onslaught by journalists, commentators, players and coaches around the world for the club to finally give in and admit they are ‘disappointed’ with their star player.

Issues like this really show the class of the AFL and the NBA.

The old idea that ‘what’s said on the field during the heat of the moment should stay on the field’ is long gone. It’s time for the FA to continue taking positive steps towards dealing with racism. Lets hope the sport itself can follow suit.

Jeremy Lin. What a story!

One week ago, he was a unknown, a man given too few opportunities and treading water between basketball mediocrity and the scrapheap.

Then came a series of incidents which led to his rise to stardom. He first served up an entree of 25 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists against the New Jersey Nets – torching Deron Williams in the process – before being thrust into a starting point guard role against Utah Jazz – scoring 28 points, with 8 assists.

Then he clowned former #1 pick, John Wall, with 23 points and 10 assists against the Washington Wizards before casually dropping 38 points and 7 assists on Kobe and the Lakers.

People started taking note – who is this kid and boy can he ‘ball.

If this wasn’t mind-blowing enough, he then hit the game winner against Toronto days later which, if played in New York, would have pretty much stopped the Earth turning.

By averaging over 23 points and 7 assists, he has become the highest NBA scorer through five career starts in modern history. That’s more than MJ, LeBron, Kobe, Shaq and Bird.

He’s put the Knicks on his back on the way to six consecutive wins – and probably saved coach Mike D’Antoni’s job along the way. And all this without the Knicks’ two ‘real’ stars – Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

His ascent to basketball star is astounding. As Sports Illustrated put it this week, “Linsanity has gripped the nation” – just as Americans recover from a bout of Tebowmania.

But Jeremy Lin is not Tim Tebow. The comparisons are unfair. Tebow is successful because he is not terribly good at his position, Lin is actually good at point guard.

If Lin was throwing passes into the stands and bouncing balls off his foot every couple of possessions and the Knicks were still winning, then yes, he would be the NBA’s answer to Tebow. The only thing they have in common is that their favourite book is the Bible.

I’ll admit, I’ve been quietly intrigued since I read about the Golden State Warriors signing this ‘phenom from Bay City’ back in 2010. I sometimes glanced at the DNP – Coach’s Decision in the box score, but I never expected this. Did anyone?

The story gets better when we hear that Lin – an unsigned Harvard graduate – was days from away being cut by the Knicks, sleeps on teammate Landry Fields’ couch and has created what is possibly the nerdiest handshake in world sport with Stanford graduate, Fields.

We love an underdog story, and as with most sports, this one starts with opportunity.

With superstars Anthony and Stoudemire missing games, and with the Knicks’ laundry list of issues at point guard – Baron Davis too fat, Mike Bibby imitating Mini-Me, Toney Douglas too streaky and rookie Iman Shumpert not ready – this was Lin’s time to shine. And in doing so, he’s smashed the conventional wisdom that an Asian-American can not just play, but star in the NBA.

Lin’s rise to stardom has created an unprecedented level of interest and creativity from media and fans alike. An array of nicknames are now part of the sporting vernacular – Linsanity, Lincredible, Super Lintendo, Linvincible, The Harvard Hurricane and The Fortune Rookie to name a few. Even unofficial Knicks masot, Spike Lee, added some of his own – Sexual Hea-linandJeremy-so-horny.

While a sea of signs now occupy The Garden – ‘LIN-NING’, ‘BE MY VAL-IN-TINE’ – my personal favourite is ‘ALL I DO IS LIN’.

But like all fairytales, when will Jeremy come down from the clouds?

With the imminent return of stubborn scorers Stoudemire and Anthony, surely he can’t keep up this break-neck pace for long? Lin may take on a more facilitating role, but these two stars will need to make a seamless transition to sync with Lin’s successful and exciting style of play because otherwise unforgiving New York sports fans will stand on their soapboxes and vent.

In the meantime, ticket sales are through the roof, #17 jersey’s are flying off the shelves, endorsement deals are on their way and Madison Square Garden’s stock price is skyrocketing.

A true Lin-derella story.

JD

Does anyone really care about darts?

When someone says, “I follow the sport that is DARTS!” it would be perfectly natural for any garden variety sports fan to curl their face into a fierce look of curiosity. Much like the face one pulls when they get a whiff of a rancid fart in a public place.

Darts is reserved for dingy, dark pubs where there is a constant wafting of stale vomit and strong cleaning agents filling your nostrils. Hobo-esque, out of shape drunkards throw darts at the dart board as a sort of break from their unwavering ambition to get blind drunk.

When the casual pub goer heads to the board they do so with a great sense of uncertainty about how to actually play the game, how far away to stand (7 feet 9 and a quarter inches), and how do you hit the bulls-eye and triple 20 constantly?

It’s all just a bit of fun, darts is not a real sport, nor would people religiously follow any competition based around the game, right?

WRONG!

Darts is big. It’s massive. And people care!

All BDO (British Darts Organisation) events have been televised on the BBC in the UK for the past 33 years, with SKY Sports televising all World Professional Darts Corporation events since 1994. Now ESPN is jumping on board and will televise events for the 2012 professional calendar.

The World Darts Federation has 67 member countries and two member organisations, the competing BDO and PDC. Both run several world events offering serious cash for men’s and women’s competitions.

Over the past 10 years, the BDO World Darts Championship has had an average viewing audience of 2.5 million British fanatics cheering on their country’s many darts champions.

So why do so many (admittedly British louts) follow this sport with such passion and fervor?

Here is why I think darts has gone beyond a game reserved for social misfits in the back corner of a dingy pub and into a sport people really care about:

1. They have kept the professional game in the same place it gained prominence - the pub. All pro competitions are played in pubs in England fitted out to allow a viewing gallery and lots of drinking by said gallery.

2. It’s the game of the everyman, the ‘Average Joe’ or even Joe’s slightly off kilter cousin Larry who works as a labourer and spends majority of his cash on tattoos, beer, big TV’s and action movie DVDs, but geeez he’s a top bloke!

It’s the game of the pub larrikin and loud mouth. People like this guy and his antics in the pub and on the pro-darts tour. Importantly, they appreciate his skill with a dart (because it is bloody hard to hit those little double and triple sections all the time).

3. Nicknames – any darts player worth a damn has a great nickname! Exhibit A: 15 time PDC and BDO world darts champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. A fun and cheeky nickname for a portly, thin haired bloke the wrong side of 45. He certainly doesn’t embody the word power on first impressions, but on the darts scene he’s an all-conquering colossus who rarely loses.

Let’s run through some of the better nicknames that allow fans to really identify and connect with their beloved darts idols.

- Eric ‘The Crafty Cockney’ Bristow

- Simon ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Whitlock

- Jamie ‘Bravedart’ Harvey (yep, he’s Scottish)

- Wayne ‘Hawaii Five-O-One’ Mardle (he plays in Hawaiian shirts)

- Tina ‘The Golden Girl’ Gulliver

With their nicknames, these players have a greater persona than just another person standing at the line. They own their nickname and this creates theatre for the sport. It’s like mixing 8 parts darts with 2 parts WWE wrestling. People love to see this, and love getting around their favourite player.

Darts is a sport where fans can really admire – and aspire to be – their idols. Darts is a sport where followers can loosen up and enjoy a quality display of skill down at the local pub. It’s a fun and light blue-collar sport for the drinking masses. It’s simple enough for anyone to enjoy but can be over analysed enough for die-hard fans to really sink their teeth into.

Ok, so you’re thinking ‘some people care about darts, but why do I have to read this junk? I hate darts’

Maybe you do, but do you hate Australian sportsmen? Do you want to be patriotic and support a fellow everyday Aussie on his quest to become the world champ? I going to go ahead and assume you do.

Then get behind Simon ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Whitlock who is still on his journey to be crowned number 1 in the darts world.

This is a man with an astonishing mullet that has some serious business going on at the front too, and was knocked out of the world championship in a desperately close semi-final this week.

Simon has vowed to continue his quest for glory and I am imploring YOU to care so that ‘The Wizard of Oz’ has the full pride of the nation behind him next time he lines up at the world championships.

Plus we love beating the Poms at everything so let’s STICK IT UP EM!

Sincerely,

A converted darts follower.

TB

It’s back!

After months of tiresome rhetoric and grandstanding, common sense has prevailed and a new 66-game NBA season has arrived.

Like most fans, I had no interest in the finer details and the ‘he said/she said’ rubbish. All we wanted to know was why basketball games were getting cancelled, what happened to Steve Francis and why does Gilbert Arenas live-tweet blind dates?

The NBA loves theatre and like all good theatre the season kicked off with a bang on Christmas Day.

The strong showing on Christmas Day reminded us that Lingerie Football and World Professional Darts Championships simply cannot compete with the NBA.

Firstly on the lockout (or ‘nuclear winter’ as it was referred to by David Stern) – it’s beyond comprehension why it took until October this year for semi-serious negotiations to begin. They had ten years to plan for it!

This is a multi-billion dollar business and they gave themselves two months to nut out a deal. Absurd.

In the end, tam owners effectively fleeced players for $300m over the next 10 years.

But how can we feel sorry for anyone taking a pay cut from $4.5m to $4m? No one wants to take a pay cut in any normal job, but this is no normal job. Owners fundamentally couldn’t leave a bit of money on the table. They are ruined by greed.

Sure players missed out on playing games, but what about the fans throughout all this?

What about the stadium workers earning $20k per year?

Team employees?

Ticket sellers?

Food and drink vendors?

Valets?

Local bar and restaurant owners?

What about the sex industry…http://www.cnbc.com/id/45386959…?

And for God sake, what about the t-shirt cannon industry?

What about recently drafted players who just left college? They didn’t have any paychecks or formal training/conditioning throughout the lockout.

So were the issues fixed?

The key point I took from the lockout was it gave players more time to think about whom they wanted to play with and how they were going to make it happen.

The most ominous problem – small market teams being unable to compete with big spenders like New York, Dallas and LA – was not rectified.

Yes, it’s fun to peruse the box scores of Miami, New York and LA, but smaller teams simply cannot compete – read tempt a star player. The New Jersey Nets’, playing in the Knicks’ shadow, move to Brooklyn seemed the only option to break this trend.

Let’s not forget most fans love the stars playing in big market teams with big name players – read Miami. But small market teams are forever treading water. Such is the cyclical nature of the NBA.

The reality is as follows:

1. Small market teams do not have a large fan base
2. They don’t make much money
3. They can’t afford schmick facilities and extra training/coaching staff
4. They are not seen as an attractive/winning destination
5. They lose games because they don’t have the talent on and off court
6. They head to the draft to bolster for the future
7. They train and nurture these draftees and attempt to surround them with playing talent
8. If they still can’t win, the players wonder if better opportunities await elsewhere
9. The star player leaves
10. The small market team loses games
11. Begin again at #6

Chris Paul and LeBron James are perfect examples of this – and already there’s talk of Dwight Howard jumping a sinking ship – but their teams did everything possible to keep them happy. The Cavs were effectively left with nothing to show from the arguably the most talented player EVER.

Now there’s expectation from every star player around the league, who are all thinking “get me some players I can win with or I’ll join another team with my pals and dominate everyone”. There needs to be greater parity so small market teams can compete.

What happened to guys like Steve Nash (#savestevenash), Reggie Miller, Mitch Richmond, Gary Payton, Patrick Ewing – who for the majority of their careers gave everything night after night, through the good and bad times, season after season for THEIR struggling teams. Do they exist anymore?

And finally, what about the fans? Plenty of casual fans will be lost after this debacle, but the diehards will always remain.

Signed, a frustrated fan.

JD

It’s Christmas time, which means the English Premier League season if nearing the halfway mark. We asked our resident EPL expert, Jacob Lazzaro, to give us his take on the season thus far.

In his typical gun-slinging style, he highlights the brilliance of some and the struggles of others cracking under the burden of expectation.

Go hide under a table!

Manchester City

While City have been an all conquering, free scoring juggernaut to this point of the season, for some reason in the back of my head this little voice is telling me, ‘these guys can faulter’ it could just be my inner Spurs fan, but there is something that screams volatility about this side.

The ‘Carlos Tevez’ saga continues to rattle and roll on the length of the winter transfer window, and will no doubt bore football fans more than a Coldplay album.

Then comes the issue of egos. There was yet another training ground bust-up last week and some seriously talented players (Nasri, DeJong and Johnson) are still warming the bench.

With that being said, the depth in quality is unmatched. Vincent Kompany is having the season of his life, and with more options up front than Mancini can poke a stick at, it’s hard to see them being overthrown.

Silva, Yaya, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko, Balotelli…it is a little unfair.

Manchester United

Like a skid mark on a toilet bowl, The Red Devils just won’t go away. They started the season brightly, smashing Tottenham, Arsenal and Bolton. These wins were soon followed by draws at Stoke, Liverpool and a royal rodgering by crosstown neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford (1-6).

Their European campaign was a train wreck, crashing out at the group stage. This was promptly followed by an embarrassing home defeat to championship side Crystal Palace which saw the pressure mount on Sir Alex.

To add to his worries, injuries are starting to pile up. Losing Vidic for the rest of the season is a massive blow while Jones, Ferdinand, Fabio, Young, Anderson, Fletcher, Cleverly and Michael Owen (LOL jokes) will all miss the busy Christmas/New Year period.

The only thing this side has going for them is the ability to continually grind out results. Its upcoming game against Newcastle at St James Park on January 4^th  will be the true test of Sir Alex’s ability to challenge for the title.

Chelsea

Chelsea is a club re-building.

Successive managers allowed the squad to stagnate leaving Andreas Vilas Boas (AVB) with a mammoth task just to keep his job.

Ramires and Sturridge are having fantastic seasons, while Mata and Meireles seem to be settling in very nicely. Things will get very interesting come late January when Drogba leaves for the African Cup of Nations. Anelka is being shipped off to China for recycling, and Torres couldn’t score in a brothel if his life depended on it.

I wouldn’t mind betting Abramovic may loosen the purse strings a little in January for some investment in the front line. This however won’t be a significant investment. With UEFA Financial Fair Play soon to be introduced, all of a sudden the bottom line will begin to count.

Providing John Terry’s criminal investigation for racism doesn’t disrupt the dressing room, Chelsea will come home with a wet sail.

Tottenham

While everyone hates Spurs fans, it’s hard not to like the team.

Redknapp has the Spurs playing a fast, free flowing style of football which is both exciting to watch and producing results. Bale, Modric and Parker have been sensational, while Adebayor is the missing link that Tottenham has needed since the departure of Berbatov.

Looking ahead, things seem to be falling into place for Spurs. Sitting in third with a game in hand, they have a relatively easy Christmas period with games against Norwich, Swansea and West Brom.

Tottenham recently lost Lennon for two months with a hamstring tear, but Kranjcar will no doubt slot in as cover.

A 1-1 result against Chelsea shows that Tottenham still struggle to break down stubborn top-four defences. Thus, The real test will come later in February when they play Liverpool, Newcastle, Arsenal and Man United back-to-back.

Arsenal

It gives me great pleasure to see Arsene Wenger’s face each weekend. It’s the kind of look a man has when he finds his wife is having an affair…with another woman.

Rejection (Fabregas leaving for a sexy Spanish lady); Dismay (lack of options); and Disappointment (you would too if you spent £15million on Arshavin).

Could this season finally bring an end to Wenger’s ‘Utopian-style’ club management? Summer signings were panicked, and while Arteta and Santos have settled (the latter now on the long term injury list), the squad relies too heavily on individual brilliance of Vermaelen in defence and Van Persie. Gervinho and Chamakh combined don’t offer enough quality to partner Van Persie, let alone provide a viable attacking option for Wenger.

Ramsey returns from injury mid-Febuary which will give more options in the middle of the park and Walcott looks substantially less like a headless chock (he is prone to occasional relapses).

There are some signs of promise, with Frimpong showing he can hold his own on the big stage, and while we haven’t seen much of The Ox, from all reports he will be a vary handy acquisition.

Wenger’s only hope of salvaging some dignity from this season will be to finish above London rivals Chelsea or Tottenham. Even a Champions League spot might be too hard this year. Arsenal won’t challenge for silverware, but will do their best to spoil the party for someone else.

Liverpool

Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool. Where did it all go wrong?

Pull up a chair you dirty scows and I’ll take pleasure in telling you! EVERYWHERE!

Things were looking good for the club, King Kenny returns, they offloaded Torres for a packet, spunk the lot on some decent players (Carroll, Henderson, Suarez) then 2011/12 season starts and nothing happens.

Gerrard has only played 215 minutes this season while Lucas (injured) and Suarez (saying nasty things to Patrice) are now out for a while.

Just looking at the left overs, you can’t find one name that would get a start in any top four team. Adam, Downing, Henderson, Kuyt, Shelvey, Spearing and Carroll?

If I was coaching against that lot, I’d tell my keeper to bring a deck chair and some reading material, because it’d be a quiet afternoon.

Newcastle

After a promising start, Newcastle – as expected – have started to trail off. Their biggest concerns for the remainder of the season will be hanging onto players during the winter transfer season and hanging onto a European spot.

Extremely solid at the back, and playing entertaining football high up the pitch will see Newcastle push Liverpool and Arsenal all the way for to a European position.

The only thing that will ruin things for the Geordies is Mike Ashley. Things are going too smoothly for the club, so he’ll screw it for everyone by cashing in on some key players and refusing to re-invest. Props to Pardew though, he has assembled a very very competitive squad.

Stoke

And finally, Stoke. They won’t win anything but they will, most definitely, ruin it for a number of teams in the run home.

Manchester City and Arsenal will both play at the Britannia in the second half of the season, and both will struggle to grind out a result.

Pulis has a very robust and aggressive squad which this year has been topped up with experienced players (Crouch, Palacios, Woodgate) to complement hard working mainstays such as Etherington, Jones and Pennant.

Your thoughts?