Tigerandahalf wrote: » Any new team likely to make a push this year?
jackbhoy wrote: » Yay! Bloody off-season way too long. Heading to Whitten Oval on Saturday to see Tiges v Dogs. The one thing I really like about pre-season games is getting to visit all the old suburban grounds (with good crowds). Gives you a sense of what footy was like before everything was moved to 'G and Etihad. Would love to see a couple of suburban grounds upgraded and used for games with smaller crowds in H&A season. Doubt it'll ever happen though..
bruschi wrote: » yeah some of the grounds around Melbourne looked class back in the 80s. Its mad seeing old youtube footage of them, and what now remains in their place when you see them now on google maps. Waverly Park where Hawthorn now train has some great history, and is probably my pick of the old grounds gone by the wayside. Record crowds of 78,000, and now only holds 2,000 and is surrounded by apartments following the oval shape. https://www.google.com/maps/@-37.9255814,145.1880694,603m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en I dont know if there are any books on old AFL grounds, but I love reading the history of them. Spent ages before looking at youtube videos of old games and news clippings and wiki of the likes of Glenferrie Oval, Brunswick, Punt Road, Moorabbin, Junction oval and much more. Going through the above is really whetting my appetite now for the season! At least I had the NFL to keep me going over winter so took my attention away from a lack of AFL and GAA!
jackbhoy wrote: » Yeah, Waverly looked awesome back in day. Went out there while ago with Hawks supporting mate, pretty much been over run by housing now. When you watch the DVDs (or YouTube) of Sensational 70s, Electrifying 80s etc you get a real feel for atmosphere.
Mackman wrote: » For the flag, I reckon its still the same teams from the last couple of years, Hawks, Swans, Freo. Port and North are the two that could challenge this year. If Port can get through the season without key injuries they will go far again. They looked vulnerable when a couple of key players were injured for a few weeks last year. If North can become more consistent and learn how to win close games, they can beat anyone. But that is easier said than done with Brad Scott as coach. He needs to go for North to take the next step IMO. Fremantle, well they are all "training the house down'. :pac: . We don't have any key injuries coming into the season which is a good start, Pav, Sandilands and McPharlin are a year older, but are in ripping form apparently. McPharlin putting in personal bests in the clubs time trials. Who knows, we could bounce back from last years disappointing finals exit Swans, the trading ban will hurt them. I really don't know enough about them to comment really. I just know they won't dramatically fall down the ladder. Hawks, could a 3-peat be on the cards? haven't lost much, Sewell is all I think. And got Frawley in. Gold Coast and Brisbane could be the two that break into finals this year. Just my 2c. Looking forward to the season, been a long summer, I've even resorted to watching cricket :eek:
Tigerandahalf wrote: » North Melb seemed to be the coming team a couple of years ago. Think they turned over a few big teams last year but consistency was a problem. Any other teams that could emerge. Are the Gold Coast still overreliant on Ablett?
seipeal1 wrote: » Agree with most of your comments. However, if Brisbane make the 8 this year, I will gladly pour salt and pepper on my Crows baseball cap and eat it. No hope, at all, especially with Hanley out for so long.
bruschi wrote: » you'd have to say, after their end of season drop off when he was out injured would suggest so, and more than I ever thought. They went a long time before winning a game without him in their side.
Tigerandahalf wrote: » Just to add to the discussion here before the seasons starts... from watching AFL what things do you like/dislike about the sport. From a rules point of view I don't like the way players can block opponents from tackling their teammate. I'd imagine for a GAA player switching codes it must be difficult to get used to it. I love the way a player can get a leg up to mark a ball. You get spectacular catches.
Tigerandahalf wrote: » I see there is debate over the length of Afl games. Be interesting to see if any experimentation comes from that.
huddler wrote: » Haha. Yeah, I'm not too confident myself i've learned that there are always bizarre surprises on the ladder each year. It's easy to line them up in a way that looks most likely now - the bookies do that for is. But to have a stab at getting it right, you need to get a wee bit crazy. Essendon bottom is predicated on mass suspensions. Sue I have no idea how that'll go, but I like seeing them down there - so away we go. I reckon if you asked Doggies and WC fans a week ago who their two most important players for the year were, Liberatore and Mackenzie would have featured strongly. Doggies have lost Griffen, Cooney, Higgins and now Libber from their midfield. They'll struggle, and they're my second favourite team so I don't say that with glee. West Coast are inconsistent at best, losing Glass, Cox and Mackenzie, with rumours that Darling hasn't trained a minute of preseason...that's got to hurt. I see improvement in GWS, Brisbane and Melbourne definitely. I don't really have them high. Collingwood. Yeah, I think they'll miss again this year, but I'm possibly being harsh. Carlton, I've quite possibly overestimated us at 10th. Really can't tell with us any more. Just a bit of fun.
bruschi wrote: » I went onto twitter there a while ago and saw an update form the Hawthorn/St Kilda game as being 99-9. I thought it was surely a mistake, but no, St Kilda really are that sh1te, even in the NAB cup.
shanemkelly wrote: » You sure that wasn't a local Cricket update??
Loopylaa wrote: » Shane what about Mr Crowley, u gutted? Think freo will fail in top 4 quest without him
shanemkelly wrote: » Ha! Meh, he'll be fine :eek: (or 'fined' ) A touch of the "Ahmed Saad" about it though so we may not see him this year. Need to fast-track Alex Rance in!
shanemkelly wrote: » Need to fast-track Alex Rance in!
jackbhoy wrote: » Say what!? Keep your hands of Rancey!! :P
