After watching the Round 1 games so far......

[Skills]

Some may say the standard of Collingwoods game on Saturday wasn't great, but there is a big upside next week. Both Scott Burns & Ben Johnson return. Johnson should free up Pendelbury who spent alot of time in the backline and Burns will add more grunt in the midfield. Thomas looks like he has taken another step. Backline has question marks without Clement - May be the difference b/t finishing in the top and bottom 4 of the 8. Very good signs for Pies.

Hawks looked great, despite Melbourne not putting up a show in round 1. Lots of players to return including Hodge, Brown, Crawford, Lewis & Williams. Will push hard in the top four.

I dont expect too many surprises with Geelong; All eyes are on the Saints & Port;

Thats probably what the eight will consist of for most of 2008; WCE may have enough in the tank to make the eight, even with the loss of Judd & Cousins.

The remaining two positions are up for grabs; I cant see too many challenges for a flag from this point onwards, including Swans, Crows, Bris, Freo; Forget the rest.

 

[Streak]

On what I saw, Freo will not make the 8. They are gone already. Simply no pace, and a midfield that can't even capitalise on the dominance of Sandilands. They look suspect at the back (always have IMO) and they have a forward line that can't stretch a rubber band let alone an AFL level defense. Pavlich is the only player they have.

We will seriously trouble them when we play them at Subi. I'll be taking whatever odds I can get, because we will have too much pace, fitness and height for them. The only thing that would concern me is if we play them in the wet.

 

[IanG]

On what I saw, Freo will not make the 8. They are gone already. Simply no pace, and a midfield that can't even capitalise on the dominance of Sandilands. They look suspect at the back (always have IMO) and they have a forward line that can't stretch a rubber band let alone an AFL level defense. Pavlich is the only player they have.

We will seriously trouble them when we play them at Subi. I'll be taking whatever odds I can get, because we will have too much pace, fitness and height for them. The only thing that would concern me is if we play them in the wet.

They'll be bringing in their youth now, so don't expect the lack of pace to continue with players like Rhys Palmer to come in.

 

[johnson2richo2003]

Round 1 didnt throw up to many surprises although i dare say some might have underestimated the Pies.Id add the Pies as threat to Geelong,s mantle along with Stkilda.
Brisbane look sharp although their reliance on Brown could see them come undone should Brown go down.
Good first up win by Knighter but im still not convinced with the Bombers.Their Midfield is below ours.Losing Lucas is a massive blow.
North hmmmmmm who knows with them as every other year.
West Coast look ok but will struggle outside WA.
Freo.Well lets just say more of the same from this mob.
Doggies:Great win for Jonno.Pity they dont have 22 Milestone games.
Crows:A bit like West Coast.
Sydney:Nothing will change.Beat the teams they expect to and hope to out flood those who are better.
Melb:When you have 18 down hill skiers in your side you are going to struggle.
Haw:Hard to gauge however very impressive if you take in account who was missing.

 

[Redford]

Too much uncontested posession and when there is a contest the umpires, as usual, pay a free kick that isnt there. The umpiring in the Sydney v St.Kilda game and the Bulldogs v Adelaide game was garbage.

Carlton will be better when Ratten wakes up to himself and gets O'Halpin and Thornton back into full-time defensive roles and Hampson and Kreuzer return to the ruck.

With a bunch pf players to come back into that side, Hawthorn are looking ominous.

Really like Collingwood's game style on the MCG. Some good kids coming through in that squad e.g. Goldsack, Thomas, Brown, Clarke etc.

Some good kids coming through at other clubs too e.g. Bird, Tippet and co.

 

[hellenictiger]

We cant make too many assumptions just yet but there werent many huge suprises. Geelong are still the team to beat.

 

[Streak]

They'll be bringing in their youth now, so don't expect the lack of pace to continue with players like Rhys Palmer to come in.

True, but I saw Palmer play on the weekend, and he looks to be a bit out of form at the moment. I think he is at least a few weeks away.

Not so Masten, who played very well.

Looks like the Eagles have scooped the Dockers again :hihi

 

[geoffryprettyboy]

I'm trying to find the discussions on how Buddy ripped them apart. Does anyone know where this reports lies?

I reckon everytime Buddy has a pearler, Wallace's heartbeat increases by 30 bpm.

 

[the claw]

On what I saw, Freo will not make the 8. They are gone already. Simply no pace, and a midfield that can't even capitalise on the dominance of Sandilands. They look suspect at the back (always have IMO) and they have a forward line that can't stretch a rubber band let alone an AFL level defense. Pavlich is the only player they have.

We will seriously trouble them when we play them at Subi. I'll be taking whatever odds I can get, because we will have too much pace, fitness and height for them. The only thing that would concern me is if we play them in the wet.

freo have 2 very promising young kpf waiting for a proper go in campbell and murphy. murphy should be playing ff campbell chf and pavlich a free reign in the forward half.

they have an excellent fb in mcpharlin a very promising chb in johnson and david mundy as a third tall option.
they have both warnock and sandilands as ruckmen. imo they are very strong in the big man department. its everywhere else they are in trouble.

 

[chislop]

If only you could find that sort of enthusiasm for some of the Tiges eh Claw? I think there's one or two in the team that warrant some lyrical waxing.

 

[the claw]

If only you could find that sort of enthusiasm for some of the Tiges eh Claw? I think there's one or two in the team that warrant some lyrical waxing.

thursfield aside name them. if i could i would swap our talls for theirs no hesitation.