2016 Season Discussion

bruschi wrote: »

So, new season just around the corner. Be good to get back up and running and move on from the whole Essendon saga, but it will hang over the whole season regardless. The Anzac game too will bring it back into the spotlight when that comes around.

So, anyone have any favorites to win it out this year? Will Freo finally bag a flag? Will the Eagles keep their form from last year? Can anyone stop the Hawks again?

To answer my own questions

No
Yes
Yes!

That was some performance from the bulldogs Freo game. Brilliant and brutal, depending on which side you analyse. I missed the hawks game today, but sounded like a cracker. Dangerfield showing why he is one of the best.

Mackman wrote: »

ugh, that wasn't pretty So much for Lyon's promise of changing things after finals last year. Same crap dealt up with the same players.

Geez the Cats look good, Dangerfield still hasn't peaked! Great showings by the Swans and Bulldogs. I would love for Freo to play that attacking style football. Looks so good to watch.

that really is Freos issue. They had sorted their defence last year, a mean tough hard to break down side. But if you dont score yourself, you wont win. The aim is to score more than your opposition, but Lyons philosophy seems to be to concede less than your opposition. He needed an expansion on his game and bring an attacking element once he had the defensive side sorted. But it seems the other teams have moved on and figured them out whilst he has stayed with old tactics.

Mackman wrote: »

His inability to change is his biggest downfall. His response to last week will be to drop Weller (who did pretty well for a 19yr old) and bring in DeBoer (experience). When he should be dropping guys like DeBoer, Mzungu, Mayne, Clancee Pearce, even Ballantyne and bringing in some young blood to give the old guys a kick up the arse.

Bad news about Ellis for the Eagles, but the way you guys covered injuries last year, I'm sure ye can cover it. (bastards)

Absolutely. It was his downfall at St Kilda and it seems he still hasnt learned from it. Which is worrying considering the big contract extension he just got.

Yeah Ellis will be a loss, but considering that Jetta and or Masten could be back this week, with Wellingham, Sheed and Brown due back later, the strength in depth looks better the longer the season goes on.

Mackman wrote: »

In fairness, Sheridan, Sutcliffe, Walters, Alex Pearce, Neale and Tanerner (hopefully Weller) have all been brought into the best 22 under Ross. So he's not against playing kids anymore, he just won't make a dramatic change to shake things up.

He can't stand the idea of loosing a few games to blood the young guys. He just wants to win as many games as possible all the time.

yeah true. I suppose I meant more along the lines of the actual gameplay tactics rather than personnel, which as you say has improved at Freo. I expect this weeks game against the Suns to be utterly dire and low scoring. It will be all hands to the pump, defend for their lives, and pick off a few scores to beat them.

Hawthorn were super this morning. Just completely outplayed the eagles. Their movement and work rate was fantastic and the eagles had no answer at all.

And after Geelong beat them last week, they then go and lose to Gws! 2 weeks in and already plenty of ups and downs and talking points!

rightyabe wrote: »

Eagles v dockers next week. Hopefully the Eagles will smash them. Can't stand that smug Ross Lyon buck.

I'd expect Freo to be massively up for this one. They can't be as bad as they are showing and nothing like a Derby to exceed expectations. The eagles should win it based on form, but that goes out the window once they both hit the field

We're the Eagles, we're flying high....

Good win, but I suppose with the form of both sides, nothing unexpected. Freo got it back to within a goal in the final quarter (with some thanks to an unbelievable non call by the boundary umpire!) But the Eagles responded very well and finished out the game very strongly. Darling has been playing well so far and I think his improvement will be needed if they are to mount a proper premiership challenge. Jetta looked good too and kicked a couple of nice goals.

Gold Coast still winning and doing well. I didnt see the Hawks/Dogs but it sounded like a cracker of a game. Bulldogs really are up there after that. I thought they might drop off similar to Port Adelaide last year, but so far they look as good as they performed last year. Richmond off to their usual slow start and it doesnt get any easier going to Subiaco to play the Eagles on Friday.

Horrible hit in the "Q clash". May took Martin out with an awful high and blatant hit. Looking at 6 weeks I'd say for a hit like that.

Good win for the lions tho. Hanley was superb and got the man of the match award.

Eagles were fairly poor at the weekend. Their intensity on the pressure wasnt nearly good enough and there was far too many unforced turnovers and really poor skill errors, missing simple handballs and kick passes or dropping marks. Priddis was way below his best and that wont help them improve. Brad Shepard was one of few to come out with any real sort of dignity from it. Once Geelong broke through the pressure line, they had a free run at goal with plenty of runners keeping pace and attacking.

The Eagles reputation for being flat track bullies is enhanced after that. Although the only thing is, they have lost their 3 away games to Sydney, Hawthorn and Geelong, so its not the worst of things to be honest. If they lose further away games to lesser teams, then it will be a far bigger concern.

I'm almost feeling sorry for Freo nowadays. Almost...:p

Season may as well be over for the Eagles now. NicNat with an ACL injury ending the season for him. Massive loss. His influence is huge, only have to look at his winner against GWS last week to see what he is capable of.

The top 8 is pretty much sorted for the last while anyway, so its just places and order being played out now. I still expect Sydney to win out, and either Hawthorn or Geelong to be in the GF with them. GWS have the potential, but I think their inexperience may count against them.

Strange rumours with Hayden Ballantyne asking to go to West Coast. I'm very conflicted! Cant stand him, but I suppose I can see he is a decent player. One of those players that just winds up opposition I suppose.

Well first finals week down, and probably the biggest shock was the Bulldogs going and winning in Subiaco. Fantastic performance from them considering they just about fell into the finals yet the Eagles had 3 good wins. They were destroyed by the doggies though.

GWS over the Swans was another underdog win, but the Giants have had the Swans number a few times they have played so was less surprised by it. I had fancied the Swans to win it out, but they'll have to go through Geelong to do it, so would be tough.

Crows did well to take down the Roos easily, and I reckon the Swans will finish them off tomorrow.

And lastly, a fantastic game between the Hawks and Cats. What finals footy is about. When it happened, I felt that was the end of Hawthorn, but now that their path is through GWS, I would not rule them out at all.

So, it's Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs.

I would have a soft spot for Sydney, followed them a bit and saw a few of their games and was glad to see them win a couple of their latter flags (not the Leo Barry one however...).

But I sincerely hope the doggies win this one. It would be absolutely fantastic if they did and arguably the toughest ever route to win a flag with the teams they have faced and being the underdog in every one away from home (yes, I will count the Hawthorn MCG away from home!). They have played super finals footy and are fully deserving of their place. I still think the Swans will win, I fancied them from day 1, but it would be one of the best sporting results this year if the sons of the west can win.

Fantastic won for the Western Bulldogs and absolutely delighted for them. Fully deserved. Great intensity to the game. Really enjoyable final.