Brendan Fevola gets a hand pass away under pressure from Daniel Bradshaw during the AFL Women’s Round 11 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at the Gabba.The Slattery Media Group
Off-seasons are normally dull, uneventful things. Rarely do they involve actions that will have any dramatic effect on the ensuing season. Or at least that’s how they are supposed to play out.
Needless to say, this off-season has been different.
The Coleman Medallist found himself up for trade. A much sought-after midfielder from the minor premiers found himself in the draft. Recycled players were in vogue like never before.
Heck, there were even trades taking place during trade week. They weren’t all backlogged until the Friday for once.
The past few months have been a complete contrast to years past. The end result is that anticipation levels for the 2010 season are growing larger by the day.
A sizable batch of premiership contenders has already formed, and who’s to say there isn’t a dark horse or two hiding behind the pack?
At the top of the list, for obvious reasons, are last year’s grand finalists.
Sure, both Geelong and St Kilda have a slight air of vulnerability about them. Both sides first rose to prominence with their preliminary final appearances in 2004. They’ve been up for quite some time, and it’s natural to ponder when they’ll fall.
But this year the Cats were able to do what they did despite being decimated throughout the season with a wave of injuries. Even in that environment, they were still able to win 18 games in the home and away season and go on to claim the premiership.
As for the Saints, they’ll be hungrier than ever. And it’s not as if the likes of Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Brendan Goddard and Nick Riewoldt are close to hitting 30.
Add to that Ross Lyon’s annual influx of recycled players – which seems to unearth a gem or two every year – and another season at the top is a very real possibility.
Then there are the preliminary finalists from last year.
Historically, teams that fall one game short of the grand final don’t rebound well. That wasn’t the case this year, however, and if we’re using off-season recruitment as an indicator, we may yet see a repeat of that.
The Western Bulldogs caved in to the largest criticism of their list during trade week, by bringing in a key forward – Barry Hall. It’s a risk, sure. He’s well past 30 and his on-field attitude problems have been well-documented. But if it does pay off, it will be huge for the Doggies.
The other side to fall short, Collingwood, also made a splash during the off-season. Multiple splashes, actually. They plugged a glaring hole by bringing in ruckman Darren Jolly from Sydney. They also plugged a glaring hole by bringing in midfielder Luke Ball from St Kilda. The moves may take the Pies up a level.
Then there are the 2009 semi finalists, Adelaide and Brisbane.
The Crows have stuck by the youth that largely drove their improvement last year by returning to the draft table. The Lions, meanwhile, picked up Brendan Fevola, signed a bunch of recycled players and traded away a number of their own players.
Michael Voss is building his list his own way, and only time will tell if the large turnover of players was worth the risk.
Not to be forgotten, of course, are the 2008 premiers, Hawthorn. They, like Collingwood, set out to plug some holes, and they did that through the signings of defender Josh Gibson and midfielder Shaun Burgoyne.
Everything that could’ve gone wrong this year seemingly did for the Hawks, and a return to prominence next year would not be unexpected.
At the opposite end of the ladder, the “new coach factor” at Richmond and North Melbourne, and the expected improvement at Melbourne, makes the wooden spoon race pretty intriguing, too.
It’s still a few months away, but 2010 is looming as an exciting season all round.
bever fever
Guest
Oh BTW jimbo still waiting for you to tell me what the sporting capital of Australia is, you say its not Melbourne what with the AFL, NRL, Aleague, Basketball, Netball premiers all from their, the Melbourne cup carnival and Formula 1motor racing. Please enlighten us with considerable knowledge, i am dying to know what CITY you think it is.
Redb
Roar Guru
I think St Kilda will win also. My top 8 St Kilda Bulldogs Adelaide Geelong Brisbane Collingwood Essendon Hawthorn Dark horse: Richmond (just for hope :-) ) Redb
jimbo
Guest
Thanks for the advice bf :) Please pass it on to the West Australian and Federal police drug squads. http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s1880444.htm The AFL's drug detection program is run by the AFL, the results are vetted and published by the AFL. There is no indepenence or accountability on their part. Its another clever front to protect AFL drug users from the press.
bever fever
Guest
Jimbo just a word of advice, be very careful about what you are saying here, its not remotely funny or smart to accuse one of the most professionally run sports clubs in this country of selling drugs, legally its puts you out on a limb as well. I suggest you think more about what you say in the future, i am sure the roar would see it the same way.
jimbo
Guest
Another clean year for the AFL and not one player suspended for drug abuse in the last 5 years. http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,,25145387-5016212,00.html Well done Demetriou, your AFL run drug testing regime is working a treat. :) Obviously what Ben Cousins was taking was not considered illegal drugs by the AFL's drug testing authority.
M1tch
Roar Guru
lol..so i guess the Perth NRL side will have 1 player on their roster :D
Redb
Roar Guru
clearly 5 is delusional wishful thinking.
bever fever
Guest
I hope 10 is not right.
Punter
Guest
Yes KB, I thought that was quite funny too.
KB
Guest
John R, Bever accuses you of trolling ha, ha, is he serious....? :lol:
bever fever
Guest
Any one who frequents this site knows that you are totally fixated by this, you need to get past it. BTW your post is another attempted troll, you do realise this, dont you.
Marshall
Guest
LOL
Kurt
Guest
My predictions for 2010: 1. Buddy Franklin learns to kick straight, boots 185 in the home & away season then injures himself whilst modelling a new range of designer sunglasses on the brink of the finals. Hawks win GF by 10 goals anyway. 2. Fev meets nice Queensland girl whose family consider anyone who doesn't play rugby league to be a giant poof. In response Fev pulls his head in, realises world doesn't revolve around him and kicks 184, narrowly losing Coleman to Buddy. Brisbane make GF but lose to Hawks (see no. 1). 3. Crowds up again to record levels, Roy Masters claims that these are not real people but in fact holograms projected by devious AFL technology. 4. TV ratings up again to record levels. Craig Foster claims that AFL have corrupted TV ratings system due to their fear of the rise of soccer. 5. Essendon's minor improvement in 2009 revealed to be a sham - lose every game and finish with a percentage of 12.3. 6. Gary Ablett Jnr signs with NRL expansion team in Perth. Geelong slide to 12th on ladder. Locals riot in response, burning rejuvenated waterfront area to the ground. 7. Richmond improve significantly to finish ninth.....again. 8. Every North Melbourne win described as due to 'shinboner spirit'. North Melbourne losses strangely not described as due to absence of 'shinboner spirit'. 9. Collingwood dominate Melbourne media coverage, finish fourth. 10. Fremantle disappoint, but amazingly Mark Harvey keeps his job.
bever fever
Guest
Very big difference between commenting on matters than straight out trolling, do you know the difference.
Michael C
Guest
North Melbourne for sneaking into the bottom of the top 8, Bring it on!!!!
Mad Mex
Guest
So, with TV and radio 'ramming' it down your throat', you elect to enter into another stream of media and post meaningless drivel on a subject matter you willingly admit you know little about? Where I come from that's trolling and I didn't realise that the Roar had sunk to the levels of League Unlimited and BigFooty.
Marshall
Guest
Can't wait. There are a lot of contenders next year. I reckon the top 8 will be (in order): Saint Kilda Geelong Bulldogs Collingwood Brisbane Adelaide Hawthorn Essendon Saints to get revenge on Cats in the GF.
bever fever
Guest
Different teams John, but you would know that as you a very keep close eye on the Australian football scene for reasons that only you seem to know about.
Anthony
Guest
Just 3 months to go...can't wait!
Marshall
Guest
Daniel Rich, if he doesn't get the second year wobbles