Murray MiddletonThe Final Eight
May 29th 2008 10:15
The results from round nine shed new light on the premiership race. Geelong, undefeated in its previous twelve matches, lost to Collingwood by 86 points. The all-conquering Hawks trailed bottom-of-the-ladder Melbourne for most of the day before securing a hard fought victory. The Western Bulldogs, the third undefeated team at the start of the round, lost to the Kangaroos when Brad Johnson missed a shot after the final siren. The fight for the 2008 premiership promises to be one of the closest in years. The results of round nine also suggested that the final eight is almost settled.
Aside from the three Victorian clubs at the top of the ladder, Adelaide have been the next impressive this season. Last weekend's shock loss to West Coast was probably a once-off. The Crows are a well-coached side who will win the majority of their home matches. The future for the club looks bright with young tall forwards Tippett and Sellar. The worst case scenario for the Crows is that they drop into the bottom half of the eight. Of the sides outside the top four, Collingwood appears to be the main contender. Malthouse repeatedly gets his team up for the big matches. They have a chorus of small, clever players that are capable of kicking crucial goals. Most importantly, the Pies continue to bring through young talent. There is every chance that Brown and Wellingham will be 200-game players.
Sydney's victory over Port Adelaide last weekend showed great team spirit. The Swans, like Adelaide, are a well-drilled side that comes to play every week. Sydney have struggled in Barry Hall's absence, but have remained in contention. Once Playfair and Schmidt are replaced by Hall and Davis the Swans will almost certainly make a late-season run. The Kangaroos, despite their seemingly inferior playing stocks, continue to play for the jumper. They win the games that they are supposed to win and sometimes they win the games they aren't supposed to win. It is difficult to see the Kangaroos missing out on September.
Brisbane has looked superb in their last two matches. This may owe something to the calibre of their opponents, but it should not be dismissed. Leigh Matthews has assembled a talented group of players that is definately on the way up again. Brown and Bradshaw are a formidable combination up forward. Roe and Drummond have returned in recent weeks to add height and agility in defence. Most importantly, Brisbane is a quick team. They wil be almost impossible to beat on hot days at the Gabba. Aside from Nigel Lappin, they are currently at full strength. Unless the Lions are struck by injuries they will gain a home final.
Of the teams outside the eight Port Adelaide is the most likely to challenge. However the Power have already lost six out of nine matches. They can only afford to lose four more matches for the season. It will be a tough ask. If anyone can orchestrate such a run it is Mark Williams. Carlton has shown improvement this season. Three of their wins have come against bottom teams. The Blues need to win at least eight matches this season. They are well on their way. Finals are not realistic. The one thing the Blues must do is secure the services of the man with the lowest I.Q in the competition. And finally, there is St. Kilda. According to their president they are rebuilding. According to their coach they are soft. According to John Ralph they have turned to stone. The Saints have a snowball's hope in hell.
Aside from the three Victorian clubs at the top of the ladder, Adelaide have been the next impressive this season. Last weekend's shock loss to West Coast was probably a once-off. The Crows are a well-coached side who will win the majority of their home matches. The future for the club looks bright with young tall forwards Tippett and Sellar. The worst case scenario for the Crows is that they drop into the bottom half of the eight. Of the sides outside the top four, Collingwood appears to be the main contender. Malthouse repeatedly gets his team up for the big matches. They have a chorus of small, clever players that are capable of kicking crucial goals. Most importantly, the Pies continue to bring through young talent. There is every chance that Brown and Wellingham will be 200-game players.
Sydney's victory over Port Adelaide last weekend showed great team spirit. The Swans, like Adelaide, are a well-drilled side that comes to play every week. Sydney have struggled in Barry Hall's absence, but have remained in contention. Once Playfair and Schmidt are replaced by Hall and Davis the Swans will almost certainly make a late-season run. The Kangaroos, despite their seemingly inferior playing stocks, continue to play for the jumper. They win the games that they are supposed to win and sometimes they win the games they aren't supposed to win. It is difficult to see the Kangaroos missing out on September.
Brisbane has looked superb in their last two matches. This may owe something to the calibre of their opponents, but it should not be dismissed. Leigh Matthews has assembled a talented group of players that is definately on the way up again. Brown and Bradshaw are a formidable combination up forward. Roe and Drummond have returned in recent weeks to add height and agility in defence. Most importantly, Brisbane is a quick team. They wil be almost impossible to beat on hot days at the Gabba. Aside from Nigel Lappin, they are currently at full strength. Unless the Lions are struck by injuries they will gain a home final.
Of the teams outside the eight Port Adelaide is the most likely to challenge. However the Power have already lost six out of nine matches. They can only afford to lose four more matches for the season. It will be a tough ask. If anyone can orchestrate such a run it is Mark Williams. Carlton has shown improvement this season. Three of their wins have come against bottom teams. The Blues need to win at least eight matches this season. They are well on their way. Finals are not realistic. The one thing the Blues must do is secure the services of the man with the lowest I.Q in the competition. And finally, there is St. Kilda. According to their president they are rebuilding. According to their coach they are soft. According to John Ralph they have turned to stone. The Saints have a snowball's hope in hell.
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