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Footy predictions for 2008


I notice that the Eagles have been given pretty generous odds of $2o to $1 to win the premiership, while the Freo Dockers are favoured by many to finally have a break through year being installed as third favourites at $11 behind Geelong and St Kilda.

My prediction? A Freo verses St Kilda Grand final. With the loss of King and Nathan Ablett, Geelong will still be strong but after the incredible celebration of last year (justified) I suspect they may drop off in intensity this year.

The Saints have got a decent coach, who seems to have worked out how they play best, and with 'no kneck thug' Gherig back at FF, and Dal Santo in the midfield, they look pretty good. They also have at least one sniper in the pack and no one on the team wants to see their captain cry again, so they have the motivation.

I do think Freo can do it this year, but as always, it depends on them. Hasleby was a big loss, and with him, I would be more confident. But I think many people forget we were without Michael Johnson for the first four games last year, Farmer for half the season and the tallest ruckman in the league for much of the last half of the season with groin issues.

We have the best centre half forward (better than Brown who is injury prone and not as flexible), three great ruckman, a excellent back line including the best back pocket player (Hayden) and the most underated back player (Grover). With the addition of Schammer who missed most of last year and has been in great form during the pre season, Black, who missed a lot of the year and Des Hedland looking like he might start to fulfill his potential, it is possible.

Some other predictions....

1. Wallace will get the lemon and sarse by round 20 and Richmond will win the most unwanted spoon in the AFL

2. Worsfold will continue to say nothing to the media, while being fawned over by channel 6peagle

3. North Melbourne will continue to suprise us, but will again fall short, you need money in this game to get that extra 5%

4. The AFL will declare that Eagles are on their last chance for the 23rd time

5. Brisbane and Hawthorn will challenge for the top four

6. If he can stay away from taxi aerials and horse chaff....Daniel Kerr will win the Brownlow

7. Farmer will have his best year ever, kicking 50 goals and prove to the footy world what every Freo fan knows, he is the ultimate team player. (To those who know he kicked more goals during one stellar year at Melbourne, this will be his best year as a team player)

8. Rhys Palmer will win the rising star award.

9. Pavlich will win the Coleman

8 comments:

  Anonymous

5:13 pm

re. Geelong: I don't think King and Ablett will matter. King only played a few games, and whilst i would have loved him to stay we will be fine. Ablett, again a shame, but Hawkins will be fine I would suggest.

re. Fremantle:.....um.....good luck with that. :-)

  Anonymous

8:36 am

Yeah, Roo's right about Geelong, I don't think they'll do it as easily as they did last year, but losing Steven King and Nathan Ablett won't cripple them as much as some people seem to think.

And Freo will be lucky to make 6th or 7th.

  Glenn Globber

10:59 am

I'm with you two. Geelong are hot despite losses not to mention that they've probably picked up some handy players as well.
Not sure why you mentioned Sandilands as a benefit for the club, he may be tall but the other day when I saw him in action he looked like a big wet paper bag flopping around the ocean looking for some dry land. My prediction is He'll get dropped some time early in the season.
With you on Wallace though, he's a goner.

  Mark Edwards

11:21 am

Well fellas.....I have put my views out there for public record....feel free to come back in about 8 months and sledge me all you want, or better still put your own views about your own teams on the line....so I can sledge you! :)

and on Sandilands, he has been described as 'amongst the top two damaging big men in the game'
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21542930-11088,00.html

I did not see the game against Port played in a dustbowl in the middle of the SA desert...so I refuse to believe it has any bearing on what will happen in the reason season.
BTW, another prediction, I think Port will convincingly beat Geelong this weekend.

  Glenn Globber

1:27 pm

Feel free to have a crack thanks for the template!

  Gareth Williams

7:13 pm

That article was written a year ago. I'd hardly put Sandilands in the top five (Cox, McIntosh, Lade, Ottens and Fraser would be my top five).
Who are the other two "great" ruckmen?
Warnock has barely played a game, a bit early to call him great.
I don't think Freo will be there. I'm not sure the Saints will be there either, but that's mainly 22 years of supporting them making me a pessimist.

  Anonymous

4:25 pm

What's a 'k-neck' Mark? is it something that Gehrig alone is missing or are we all lacking??!

  Mark Edwards

4:32 pm

how nice to get a comment from Karyn....even if it is to correct my spelling :)

a kneck is "The twisting of a rope or cable, as it is running out."

which sums up Frasers career nicely... :)

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