Better get this in before the NRL thread can get any more than the 3 pages up on us!

Fremantle will win the premiership.

Are you russ13 in disguise?

That would be hilarious if that happened.

God I hope that happens, going to University in Fremantle, the day after a Dockers premiership win

GOLD

My prediction for the ladder:

1. Hawthorn
2. Geelong
3. St. Kilda
4. Kangaroos
5. Bulldogs
6. Melbourne
7. Richmond
8. Sydney
9. Brisbane
10. Carlton
11. Essendon
12. Collingwood
13. Fremantle
14. West Coast
15. Adelaide
16. Port Adelaide

That look more like our personal feelings for the club/areas they represent.

1) Your club
2-7) Small Melbourne clubs
8-9) Northern State teams
10-12) Big Melbourne clubs
13-14) WA
15-16) SA

How will yob respond?

Yay Channel 7 is back

Having Hawthorn in the top 4 isn't a bad prediction.

In the history of a final 8 system in AFL, every single year a team has qualified for the top 4 after having missed the finals the year before.

1994: Geelong - 4th (1993 - 7th, missed the top 6)
1995: Richmond - 3rd (1994 - 9th) , Essendon - 4th (1994 - 10th)
1996: Sydney - 1st (1995 - 12th)
1997: St Kilda - 1st (1996 - 10th), Footscray - 3rd (1996 - 15th), Adelaide - 4th (1996 - 12th)
1998: Melbourne - 4th (1997 - 16th)
1999: Brisbane - 3rd (1998 - 16th)
2000: Melbourne - 3rd (1999 - 14th)
2001: Port - 3rd (2000 - 14th) , Richmond - 4th (2000 - 9th)
2002: Collingwood - 4th (2001 - 9th)
2003: Sydney - 4th (2002 - 11th)
2004: St Kilda - 3rd (2003 - 11th) , Geelong - 4th (2003 - 12th)
2005: Adelaide - 1st (2004 - 12th)

See? :p

One of the following teams is going to finish top 4 this season:

Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Essendon
Hawthorn
Collingwood
Carlton

Bulldogs, Freo and Brisbane all look capable on paper.



My early betting tip:

Kangaroos - Richmond grand final: paying $451
Melbourne - Richmond grand final: paying $391
Fremantle - Rcihmond grand final: paying $451

I think you're looking for the 'AFL 2007' thread!

I cannot wait until the AFL starts back up again. Being a Geelong fan I am really looking forward to us going that few steps further. Our PS training is further advanced than in previous years and we have a smaller injury list at this time of the year than in previous years!

All bodes well for a successful year, however you need an element of luck when it comes to injuries throughout the year. Last year we had a horrific run with injuries that cut us down and we lost our way during the middle part of the season. If we are able to have a great run with injuries and maintain good, winning form then we will be a force to be reckoned with.

I think the whole Top 8 will be given a shake up this year. I see Port struggling to make it, and teams such as Essendon, WB and Richmond will all bu pushing hard for a spot in the 8.

I don't think Adelaide will be as successful again this year. They had the perfect run with injuries in 2005 that helped them to a Preliminary Final, just can't see it happening 2 years in a row!

Haven't even thought about a ladder prediction at this stage. Will work on one over the next few days! Needless to say I HOPE Geelong will be Premiers!

That's what I said preseason '04. And preseason '05. I've given up now.






I agree that Adelaide won't do as well. Dogalogs on the up. I think that we (the mighty W.C. of E.) should be right around the mark, regardless of losing Brad Smith again. (Chad Fletcher should be back for round1, and he's not that big a loss anyway). Expect Adam Hunter and Doogster to spend more time up forward (and indeed on the park) than last year.

I thought Russ was pro-NRL and anti-AFL??

He is, but the attitude to competing sports was similar to russ13.

Who came 3rd in our very own NRL tipping comp?

I hope Crapdougall gets injured and doesn't play a game...poor excuse of an afl player...We have even started the anti-crapdougall fan club here in perth...

My tip is Geelong to win the Flag this year. They have been very similar to Sydney over recent years as can be seen:

Sydney 2002 - 11th / Geelong 2003 - 12th (thanks to yob)
Sydney 2003 - close Preliminary Final loss to Brisbane / Geelong 2004 - close Preliminary Final loss to Brisbane
Sydney 2004 – Semi Final loss / Geelong 2005 – Semi Final loss
Sydney 2005 – Premiers / Geelong 2006 - ???

The Cats were 5 seconds / a Steven King injury away from beating the Swans last year so if injuries are kind to them they should be there with the Saints or Eagles at the end.