By subrasub
December 28th 2009 @ 12:22am
Loading ...Related coverage
Who will be the big improvers in 2010?
The article by Michael DiFabrizio on the strong sense of anticipation for the beginning of the new AFL decade raises an interesting topic – who will be the big improvers in 2010 and how will the ladder shape up?
With a record number of players moving in trade week, and all the drafts being finished and final lists submitted by all the teams, who looks like giving the competition a shake?
Geelong, despite having lost Tom Harley, Shane Mumford and Chris Egan, will almost certainly cement at least a top four position, along with St Kilda. If they continue on with their terrific 2009 form, they should top the league.
The rest of the top four positions will be fought out by Collingwood, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide.
The Pies have recruited two of the most recognised names in this year’s draft in Luke Ball and Darren Jolly, and whilst a top class ruckman and hard-nosed midfielder were not what Collinwood desperately needed, Jolly will allow Josh Fraser to play forward more, along with John Anthony, Travis Cloke, a fit Sean Rusling, Leon Davis, Alan Didak and Paul Medhurst in what would could be the most potent attack in the league.
With the added depth in attack, it will allow Leon Neon and Didak to play in the midfield more, and Luke Ball’s experience and leadership will be a great asset in midfield as skipper Nick Maxwell is not always going to be in amongst the packs.
Hawthorn, with the additions of former Port Adelaide superstar Shaun Burgoyne and ridiculously underrated defender Josh Gibson, will have more flair, adding to an already talented squad. If their best 22 stay healthy for all or the majority of the season, the Hawks are as good a chance to win the flag as anyone, particularly with a squad still young. Their best is yet to come, which is a scary proposition.
Western Bulldogs are a darkhorse, and with the acquisition of Barry Hall, who is still very fit, healthy and showed some terrific form for Sydney last year, particularly against the Bulldogs when he bagged six and mauled Brian Lake in one of his most dominant matches for a while, combined with the lightning speed and precision delivery he will receive, may give the Dogs their first flag since 1954.
Adelaide, who were very impressive last season, have not made any major additions to a list that contains a young, robust midfield led by the likes of Nathan Van Berlo, Bernie Vince, David Mckay, Chris Knights and Patrick Dangerfield, with a sprinkle of invaluable experience in Andrew McLeod, Tyson Edwards, Simon Goodwin and Scott Thompson – a midfield that would rival any in the comp.
The old cliche of a blend of youth and experience applies here, and that has been the ingredient that has been the cornerstone of many successful teams in the past. Add to that a very solid and competent defence, and you’ve got a pretty decent team.
That leaves Brisbane, Essendon, Carlton, Sydney and perhaps West Coast to battle for a top eight spot. Some are saying Brisbane are now a shoe in for a top four position with Brendon Fevola heading north, along with a host of experienced players in premiership winning pair Amon Buchanon and Brent Staker, and with seasoned players in Xavier Clarke and Andrew Raines.
Essendon look shaky, and need to distance themselves from the kamikaze style that Matthew Knights has instilled at Windy Hill, which was horribly exposed by an in form Crows team in last year’s elimination final where the final margin was 96 points. Mark Williams, a premiership forward from Hawthorn, will go some way in covering the loss of long time key forwards Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas, but nobody has been nurtured to fill their void.
The addition of former Brisbane spearhead Daniel Bradshaw should complement what already looks a very impressive Sydney attack with the young and exciting Jesse White, dual Brownlow winner Adam Goodes, Ryan O’Keefe, strong through the hips small forward Jared Moore and Patrick Vezspremi, which should trouble many defences.
A new breed of midfielders, led by veterans Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton and an impressive group of young midfield talent groomed under premiership players in the last couple years such as Craig Bird, Kieran Jack, Brett Meredith, Nick Smith and Matt O’Dwyer should mix very well with young former Hawthorn players Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn.
The most impressive aspect of this Sydney team is the running and rebounding defenders assembled in Martin Mattner, Tadhg Kenelly, Ryce Shaw and Nick Malceski. It’s Paul Roos’ last year in charge, and if he chooses to try different tactics and divert from his disciplined, tough contested footy and let the Swans loose, then anything is possible.
West Coast, with an impressive midfield led by Daniel Kerr, Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, have the potential to burn any team on their day.
Richmond and North Melbourne are beginning a new era and are chance to either play finals or win the wooden-spoon under their new coaches.
Some may vehemently disagree, but Carlton, while remaining competitive, won’t be playing finals, with Fevola leaving a gaping hole.
As for the rest, who knows.
Little is guaranteed in 2010, except for the fact we will witness a 16 team competition for the last time.
Get Australia's best AFL opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(16)
Marshall said | December 28th 2009 @ 1:36am | Report comment
Very hard to pick the top four. Cats Saints Crows Pies Lions Dogs Hawks could all make it
Michael C said | December 28th 2009 @ 6:00am | Report comment
from teams in the bottom 8, Hawthorn, Port, Eagles, Swans, North, Freo, Rich and Melb.
Freo, one wonders about, Melb and North are looking good for 2011-2013,
Rich, one wonders about – but hey, they’ve got rid of Oakley-Nichols, so, back J.O-N to be best ‘recruit’ for the AFL season 2010.
Hawthorn should be back fighting out for the top 4,
Port – should be a rebuilding year – sans any Burgoyne.
Swans with a couple of exciting young indigenous kids running around the forward line crumbing off Bradshaw……still don’t see ‘em being a serious contender – but, they should be playing more attractive footy….but, Kennelly is back.
Eagles – could be the bolter from outside the bottom 8, expect to see Eagles battling for a spot 5-8.
Westcoast929406 said | January 1st 2010 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
MC,
We can see you know your footy – If you are a betting man put a few hard earned on the Eagles to make the 8. They are very quietly going about their business of getting back to where they belong – In the top 8.
After a successful 2009 financially the club is slowly climbing out of the self imposed mess of the past few years.
Redb said | January 1st 2010 @ 10:50pm | Report comment
West Coast were starting to improve towards the end of the 09 season. However, unless they can find some gun midfielders to help out an ageing and injury prone Kerr it is going to be another tough season this year.
Redb
Westcoast929406 said | January 3rd 2010 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Kerr was not there for the second half of the season- The Eagles improvement came without him.
However Kerr is a targeted player and cops a battering in each game, which tends to negate him – He is not the same impact player as before.
Redb said | December 28th 2009 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
Essendon with minimal injuries, the first time in 4-5 years will see us slide right under the radar at this rate.
K.B. said | December 28th 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
Are you planning some undetectable tanking exercises for 2010….
Redb said | December 28th 2009 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
no we leave that to Carlton slime.
Donovan said | December 30th 2009 @ 9:32pm | Report comment
I have my concerns about St Kilda. With the increasing likely hood of Lovett never playing a game for his new club and Ball walking for free, they have added virtually nothing to their list and only getting older. Still slow as a wet week and still in dire need of that game-breaking small forward. Unless Peake proves to have been an under-achiever during his time at the Dockers and Smith can finally getting his hamstring in working order, I’d say the Saints have few new surprises. All it will take is an injury to Hayes and Riewoldt and then the Saints can say goodbye to their clearances around the packs and their fire-power up forward, as you don’t immediately replace an on-baller with a kid and Kosi isn’t good enough to be the primary focal point up forward.
But, prove me wrong!
Mister Football said | January 1st 2010 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Good point.
St KIlda had a good year last year after about five years of promising so much – but I always got the impression that everything clicked with mixture of quality players and discards – I can’t see them replicating it this year.
On the article in general:
1. You really can’t say that WB is a top four certainty then call them a “dark horse”.
2. Every season produces the bolter – and that’s the toughest thing to pick at this stage.
jimbo said | December 30th 2009 @ 10:21pm | Report comment
I think Barry Hall and the Bulldogs will be the big improvers.
He’s been working on the left hook during the offseason and his right cross gets em on the chin every time.
Go big bad Bazza go!
Beast-A-Tron said | January 1st 2010 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
I got the impression you didn’t like football, something change your mind?? So you go for the bulldogs or do you barrack for another team?
Mister Football said | January 1st 2010 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
I think he was trying to be funny.
jimbo said | January 2nd 2010 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
But not quite as amusing as you Mister Football.
Come back, all is forgiven and the next AFL World CUp is a cert to be hosted in Australia.
Mister Football said | January 2nd 2010 @ 3:43pm | Report comment
I just noticed on another thread that someone called pimbo has asked me a question.
subrasub said | January 2nd 2010 @ 5:05pm | Report comment
Mister football i think u need to open your eyes, never mentioned anything about the doggies being a top 4 certainty. I said they would fight it out against a few teams to earn the double chance and when i mentioned ‘darkhorse’ i meant darkhorse for the title. I dont know what you had in mind but you seem confused with these terms.