Preview of our Competition in 2010

By mattys123

I thought with the NAB Cup less then a month away, and the real season just over 2 months away, it would be time to update anyone who wants to know on what our competition has been up to and what they may bring against us in 2010.

In brackets is the amount of times we play each time, including stadiums if we only play an interstate team once.

ENJOY.

Western Bulldogs (Twice –Both At Docklands, PLEASE EXPLAIN)

Despite some very impressive young players, such as Higgins and Ward, they do have an aging list, and have added to that with the recruitment of Barry Hall. Hall just doesn’t worry us, as he is one player Presti can just jump and restrict straight away. The Dog’s problem might be that their list getting to an age where some might be “over the hill”, with Johnson, Eagleton, Hall, Akermanis, Hudson, Murphy and even Gilbee probably having played their best career football. They also have pre season injury concerns with the likes of Minson, Morris and Murphy all slated to miss the NAB Cup opener, as well as most of their “older” players listed above. My favourite to slip out of the top 4, although splitting the 2 games may be all we can expect.

Melbourne (Twice)

Melbourne have been all about youth and tanking to get that youth over the past few seasons, and it has payed off well for them, with 3 absolute gun young players in Watts, Trengrove and Scully. Melbourne’s problem is experience, as their “older” players just don’t seem to be able to perform on a consistent basis, as shown by some encouraging performances last year, then some absolute shockers at times. Their backline is relatively strong, but still young, with the likes of Frawley, Grimes, Morton, Garland and Martin all looking to build a relationship down back. Their midfield may struggle this year, especially with the loss of McLean, their top midfielder IMO, who left for the Scum in the trade period. But it is in the forward line where Melbourne will win or lose most of its games in 2010, with livewires such as Wonaeamerri and Jurrah capable of anything on their day, but on other days virtually non existent. I believe they will climb off the bottom of the ladder, but only just, and the Dees should provide us with 2 very valuable wins in 2010.

StKilda (Twice)

The Saints had the perfect season last year, and will rely on pretty much the same “gang” to perform again in 2010. Andrew Lovett should be delisted soon, and their only other recruit of note was the Sean Rusling like when it comes to luck Jesse Smith from North. StKilda also lost Luke Ball over the pre season, which no matter what they say, will hurt their midfield rotation against the better teams. Riewoldt’s knee also has to be a concern, as it appeared to flair up towards the end of the year, and some reports have it in the early stages of a “Josh Fraser” like persistent injury, one that may never “go away”. Our problem against StKilda has been 2 fold, mainly struggling to stop Riewoldt and Hayes working in tandem, and also just plain struggling to put a score on the board. StKilda’s midfield has gotten weaker, while ours has improved, and with Reid or Brown taking Riewoldt this year, we may be able to beat the Aint’s, especially on the MCG.

Hawthorn (Twice)

Ah, the Dawks, what do we say about their off season, one word would be “aggressive”, another could be “suicidal” if their post season trades backfire on them. Losing Dawson has already hurt them, and they virtually admitted this by tearing everything down to get Gibson. Their midfield is also boosted by Sean Burgoyne’s recruitment, although his injury and off field behaviour has to be of some concern. Like always, and especially like 2008, they will be pinning their hopes on a gameplan that restricts movement inside their defensive 50, as their defense is their weakest point still. As for the Pies against them, this is where Luke Ball, Steele Sidebottom and Beams kick in, against Mitchell and Sewell who have killed us in clearances in the past. Similar to StKilda, we have one forward problem here too, in Franklin, who Reid or Brown will have to restrict for us to even split our series against them. Depending on injuries, one of our real contenders this year.

Essendon (Twice)

PAYBACK TIME, APRIL 25TH, 2010. Is there much more to say, it will be the most anticipated ANZAC day matchup since the Buckley/Hird days, but I believe the game itself will be a “fizzer”, as we should destroy them.
With the loss of some very experienced players in Lucas, Llyod and McPhee, 2010 will be a “rebuilding” year of sorts for Essendon, although I can’t see them bottoming out at all. They have some very good youngsters, especially in defense with Pears and Hurley, although it has been nice to watch the “Hurley Show” off season. Their midfield is quick, yet apart from Watson (appointed Captain) they lack real ball winning players, and this will hurt them against the better sides, and especially against us. Their forward line has some promise, with Neagle and Gumbleton if he can ever get on the park, but it still has a way to go before any concrete signs are seen. Should also provide us with 2 valuable wins in 2010.

Carlton (Twice)

HAHAHAHA. Sorry, still laughing at their off/pre season. Could anything else go wrong off field for the Scum from Princes Park. Start with the Fevola mess, and end with the Kernahan blasting Judd as a leader, and you have all the enjoyment you needed off season.
On field hasn’t been much better, with the loss of a Coleman medallist, their forward line could be league leading for ineptness in 2010, with a reliance on players such as Kreuzer (where does he actually play) and Waite (CHB or CHF, make up your mind) they just seem like they are going to really struggle up forward. Their backline is quite weak also, with only Jamison showing any real signs as a young defender. Adding Brock Mclean will help a bit, but already Marc Murphy has been ruled out for at least another month, so everything is going “fine” at Scumland.
If ever we are to beat the Scum twice in one year, this is it.

North Melbourne (Once)

North have a very impressive young list, but I believe that the biggest off field “gain” of the season was Brad Scott. We all saw what Scott was capable of as midfield coach of the pies, and he is already talking up his sides chances of finals in 2010.
Their backline has been weakened by the lost of Gibson, but Watt still provides a “serviceable” FB, and with support from several young options, they could build a capable backline quickly.
Their midfield is their strength, both in experience (Harvey, Wells etc) and youth (Ziebell, Swallow, Anthony etc). Ziebell and Swallow would have brought smiles to any Nth supporters face last year, and only injuries will hold either one back in 2010.
Their forward line is still a major concern, with a reliance on Thomas, Edwards and Jones still a worry.
Will not be “easybeats”, but for the Pies to be successful this year, we have to be beating the Nth Melbourne’s of the AFL with relative ease.

Fremantle (Once –Interstate)

Fremantle, well, they are Fremantle, hard to beat at home, yet so easy to beat away it isn’t funny. I can’t see this changing in 2010.
Their list on paper seems to contain depth in almost every position, but it’s on closer examination that you see that once again what is written on “paper” isn’t truly representative of their overall ability.
They have to rely on their youth to improve them, because apart from a few consistent performers, most of their experienced players have been the problem with Freo for years.
They still have Pavlich, although he is not getting any younger, and the same can be said of Tarrant, Haselby, Hayden, Headland, Sandilands, Soloman and McPharlin.
Freo may well have a good year this year, with young players like Suban, Hill, Palmer, Mayne, Ibbotson and Ballantyne all looking like career footballers.
But ultimately their away form will let them down again.
But make no bones about it, Freo at Subi will be a tough game for the pies, one we will be relieved to gain a victory from, with a loss not exactly a surprise, despite our travelling record.

Geelong (Twice)

Despite the loss of Harley, the champs will still be a formidable opponent for any team, especially seeing as they get a gift of 7-8 wins a year from Kardinia Park.
Harry Taylor stepped up and filled Harleys shoes late in the season, and with improvement from Hawkins up forward, their amazing midfield will continue undaunted for at least one more season.
Their biggest area of concern may be the ruck, with Ottens obviously injury prone, and Blake not reaching any high levels of performance, the Pies may be take an advantage in this area. This is Darren Jolly’s “special” role, this is the game where his recruitment takes us from “competitive” to “dangerous”.
Still the “testing material” of the AFL, but I would expect a split in the series this year, or it may show that we are probably not premiership contenders just yet.

Brisbane (Once – GABBA)

Brisbane have had a big off season, changing more players on/off their list then anyone outside of Richmond, but most of these players are ordinary.
Obviously Fevola is the pickup of the news headlines, but the loss of Bradshaw will hurt them, as he had been a 70 goal a year goalkicker for them, as well as a reliever in defense. Fev only plays one way, and that’s his way, so it will be interesting to see how he fits in.
Their midfield is also going to be very strong, with Rich only going to improve, and still having Black and Power as the guns in there.
Their backline may be a concern, with the loss of MacDonald and Bradshaw, more responsibility falls onto Merrett’s shoulders, and while he was good in 09, he will face a big test in 2010 against the best teams.
It’s a pity we only play them up there, as they are one team I would consider us favourites to beat down here quite easy, despite all the flashy talk. Going to be tough to beat at home, but they were pretty ordinary on the road last year.
We will still go close to beating them, even up there, will just depend on who has injuries / form / suspensions on the night.

Sydney (Once – ANZ Stadium)

Ah, good old Sydney, our favourite team to play, and 2010 should be no different. The loss of Barry Hall will leave Jesse White as their main point of attack up forward, while they will still rely on the usual suspects of Goodes and Bolton to carry that midfield. Changing Jolly for Seaby is a loss, no matter how they talk it up, and this will hit them hard about mid season, when the good ruckman usually excel and the average ones start to drop off.
Their backline is fairly weak, with only Craig Bolton the standout as a tall defender, so the likes of Pyke or Currie may be left to hold down CHB at a young age.
They do have some impressive young players, in Jack, White, Veszpremi and Bird, but overall they lack real depth in their young talent.
The inclusions of Kennedy (Hawthorn) and Bradshaw (Brisbane) may help their forward line a bit, and at times Bradshaw may play down back.
They will be competitive in Roos’ last season, but I can’t see them making the 8.
As always, should be a win for the pies at the Olympic Stadium.

West Coast (ONCE – Docklands)

After a strange off season for the Eagles, where they lost a few older players, they are still very reliant on their gun mids and strong backline to take them forward in 2010.
Obviously the “buzz” around WCE is Nic Natanui, who at times in 2009 looked like the next big thing, and at times looked like Martin Pyke from Sydney, that is a kid from another country.
They also have some very good young players in Masten, Swift, Ebert, Selwood, McGinty and Mitch Brown, but seem to lack real depth in terms of scoring options once again.
Can’t see WCE rising too far up the ladder in 2010, although the likes of Cox, Kerr, Kennedy, LeCras, Glass and Embley will still see them be very hard to beat at home.
We should beat them at the Docklands though, although would prefer to play them at the G.

Port Adelaide Power (ONCE – AAMI)

The team that believes we have a rivalry with them (in their dreams) looks to be one of the bottom 4 strugglers at the moment, especially when they lose one of their “goers” in Rodan pre season.
They still have 8-10 players from their flag team, with the likes of Cornes (bros), Tredrea, Brogan, Carr, Motlop, Ebert and Chaplin all their base of operations.
After that they fall away quickly though, with some of their younger players struggling to improve, although Danyle Pearce had his best 10-12 games late in 2009.
They have an extremely young list after about their oldest 15 players, and this will provide them with a major disadvantage once the dreaded injury curse hits, which it always does in some form.
Even though it’s over there, we should be able to dispose of Port, although by round 15 they are likely to have a new coach if the rumours are to be believed.

Richmond (ONCE)

Cleanout, Cleanout, Cleanout, they are the 3 (or one) words that describe the RFC post season. They got rid of all their dead wood, with Brown, Coughlan and the great Richardson leaving the club and the AFL for good.
They replaced these players primarily with youngsters, meaning they may finally be about to “bottom out”, although Hardwick is a tough bastard and will get the most out of the young group early.
They will rely on Simmonds, Cousins, Deledio, Newman and Foley for experience, but ultimately they have to have the youngest list in the league, which usually leads to a bottom 3 finish.
Just a pit we don’t play them twice (Again).

Adelaide (ONCE – MCG)

Already lost Otten, which will hurt their run, as shown in the final, they lack real depth in midfield rotation, and still rely on the older types of McLeod, Thompson and Edwards to drive them forward.
Obviously have some very good young talls, with Tippett and Walker leading the way in this area, although being thrashed by Leigh Brown on your home ground doesn’t go well for Walker’s future prospects against us especially.
Adelaide always seem a very tough option for us to beat at the MCG, although this game is late in the year (RD 21) so by then the real makeup of both teams will be known, and with Hawthorn the following week, we won’t be treating the Crows lightly.
They will still rely on Edwards, Burton, Thompson, McLeod, Stevens, Rutten and Bock, but will have to improve to reach the top 4, and that improvement may come from the likes of Tippett, Walker, Knights, Dangerfield, Davis, Vince and Mackay, although they may well need more then this to be a real contender any time soon. Will be a tough game against them, as I’m sure even by round 21 they will not have forgotten about the semi final loss.
May need to beat them late to seal a top 4 spot, so it could be a very important match, with our rucks maybe providing the difference here.

Looking at each team during this little preview, not too much surprises me, in that the “usual suspects” will still be up and around top 4, with maybe the Dogs the side to drop, with Hawthorn, Adelaide and Brisbane maybe climbing into top 4 contention.
Of the lower sides, we get a gift in Melbourne twice, but yet again we don’t get Port or the Tigers twice, who will definitely be 2 of the worst teams of 2010.

I hope that gives some Pies fans some insight into our competition for 2010, and hopefully we can improve more then some of them and force our way into real “premiership contention”, rather then just hanging around top 4 as we have the past few years.

[Comment on Nick's BB]