Murray MiddletonMiddleton's 2008 Ladder
March 18th 2008 12:32
Prior to every AFL season it should be compulsory for all so-called experts to make a prediction for the season ahead. These predictions will, doubtless, be used against the experts at a later point. None-the-less, without their predictions, the experts have no right to bemoan the form of clubs during the season. There is also the slim possibility that experts might be able to bask in the glory of a successful prediction.
At the beginning of 2007 it would have taken a brave person to predict a premiership for Geelong. They had finished tenth the previous season and had almost sacked their coach. It is rare to predict against the previous premier at the outset of a season. Winning two flags in a row would be a remarkable achievment for the Cats. Their list is in its prime and they should be in contention for the next three seasons.
Robert Walls, Rohan Connolly and Mike Sheehan have predicted the rise of St. Kilda in 2008. Over the past three seasons the Saints have steadily dropped down the ladder. It shows how much emphasis is placed on the pre-season. The Saints won the NAB Cup and secured four new players in trade week. They haven't proven anything yet, but seem destined to finish higher than in 2007 (ninth).
It will be interesting to see whether the surprise packets of 2007 - Port Adelaide, Collingwood and the Kangaroos - will be able to repeat their success. It will be equally as interesting to see whether sides such as Fremantle, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne can make amends for dreadful seasons. The Dockers lost the first three matches in 2007 which, effectively, ended their season. They must start well in 2008.
There is often one team who makes a surprise early season run. In some respects, Terry Wallace has never recovered from Richmond's early-season form in his first year. After nine rounds the Tigers had won seven games. It created unrealistic expectations among supporters and undermined the plan of building a team - which was the purpose of Wallace being given a five year contract.
Under Matthew Knights Essendon have placed an emphasis on fitness. Although they are unlikely to play finals in 2008, they are likely to hit the ground running before the youngsters run out of puff. Similarly, Carlton may initially benefit from the air of optimism surrounding the club. However their lack of depth will prove more troublesome as the season progresses. If Judd breaks down they will finish bottom.
The reason the bottom four teams usually herald from Victoria is because the interstate sides tend to win the majority of their home matches. For this reason alone, they will all be competitive again in 2008. Richmond, Carlton and Melbourne once more seem likely to have the pick of the young talent at the end of the season. There are, of course, certain variables that experts cannot consider, for instance: injuries, suspensions and internal politics. Although the task is difficult and likely to lead to ridicule, it is also great fun. Here are my predictions for 2008:
LADDER
Geelong
Hawthorn
West Coast
St. Kilda
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Adelaide
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Kangaroos
Brisbane
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne
Carlton
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Nick Dal Santo (St. Kilda)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
NORM SMITH: Gary Ablett (Geelong)
RISING STAR: Matthew Leuenberger (Brisbane)
May they all be correct!
-MM
At the beginning of 2007 it would have taken a brave person to predict a premiership for Geelong. They had finished tenth the previous season and had almost sacked their coach. It is rare to predict against the previous premier at the outset of a season. Winning two flags in a row would be a remarkable achievment for the Cats. Their list is in its prime and they should be in contention for the next three seasons.
Robert Walls, Rohan Connolly and Mike Sheehan have predicted the rise of St. Kilda in 2008. Over the past three seasons the Saints have steadily dropped down the ladder. It shows how much emphasis is placed on the pre-season. The Saints won the NAB Cup and secured four new players in trade week. They haven't proven anything yet, but seem destined to finish higher than in 2007 (ninth).
It will be interesting to see whether the surprise packets of 2007 - Port Adelaide, Collingwood and the Kangaroos - will be able to repeat their success. It will be equally as interesting to see whether sides such as Fremantle, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne can make amends for dreadful seasons. The Dockers lost the first three matches in 2007 which, effectively, ended their season. They must start well in 2008.
There is often one team who makes a surprise early season run. In some respects, Terry Wallace has never recovered from Richmond's early-season form in his first year. After nine rounds the Tigers had won seven games. It created unrealistic expectations among supporters and undermined the plan of building a team - which was the purpose of Wallace being given a five year contract.
Under Matthew Knights Essendon have placed an emphasis on fitness. Although they are unlikely to play finals in 2008, they are likely to hit the ground running before the youngsters run out of puff. Similarly, Carlton may initially benefit from the air of optimism surrounding the club. However their lack of depth will prove more troublesome as the season progresses. If Judd breaks down they will finish bottom.
The reason the bottom four teams usually herald from Victoria is because the interstate sides tend to win the majority of their home matches. For this reason alone, they will all be competitive again in 2008. Richmond, Carlton and Melbourne once more seem likely to have the pick of the young talent at the end of the season. There are, of course, certain variables that experts cannot consider, for instance: injuries, suspensions and internal politics. Although the task is difficult and likely to lead to ridicule, it is also great fun. Here are my predictions for 2008:
LADDER
Geelong
Hawthorn
West Coast
St. Kilda
Fremantle
Port Adelaide
Collingwood
Adelaide
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Kangaroos
Brisbane
Essendon
Richmond
Melbourne
Carlton
BROWNLOW MEDAL: Nick Dal Santo (St. Kilda)
COLEMAN MEDAL: Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
NORM SMITH: Gary Ablett (Geelong)
RISING STAR: Matthew Leuenberger (Brisbane)
May they all be correct!
-MM
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Comment by J Gastev
Great site Middleton.