Who’s gone too early? And who has made a complete false start? For my mind, Fremantle, Sydney and Collingwood are the pace setters, the Usain Bolt’s of the field.
Can Fremantle sustain their early form and stay in the top four?
While they will more than likely play finals, to maintain the momentum will be a huge challenge, especially considering how young the Dockers are. If they keep winning and knock off the Lions at home, though, even the doubters like me will be forced to become believers.
Sydney are still the biggest surprise packet of 2010.
But the big test will be football’s toughest road trip against reigning premier Geelong. It seems a win and they’re a real premiership contender, a dismal loss, and they slip back with the pack chasing the top teams.
While it’s going to be hard for any side to knock Collingwood out of the top four race, the Magpies’ depth is probably now the strongest in the league.
Not too many pundits would have predicted that Sidebottom, Beams, Wellingham and Dawes would push O’Bree, Lockyer, Brown and Anthony out of this Magpies line-up.
Throw in Ball and Jolly, who have just started to hit their straps, and it’s hard to see Collingwood losing more than they’ll win in the run home, especially the way they relish the big games in front of big crowds at the MCG.
But have the Magpies truly found a power forward in Dawes?
Geelong and St Kilda represent the genuine status of champion runner, Haile Gebrselassie.
The Cats, especially in recent years, are proven to go the distance no matter what position they find themselves in early in the season. While the Cats aren’t necessarily purring, the machine just keeps ticking along.
Brad Ottens is a massive loss, and the injuries to Rooke and Corey seem far worse than the club is letting on. But the return of Travis Varcoe from injury last week provided a huge boost, injecting some serious speed back into the Cats’ midfield.
The Saints, meanwhile, are limping somewhat without superstar Nick Riewoldt. Finding an avenue to goal has become increasingly difficult, and the game plan has resorted to stopping the opposition scoring rather than kicking a winning score themselves.
Regardless, the Saints understand the principle of a marathon and will do anything to find a way into the top four.
The Western Bulldogs represent the marathon status of the great Thomas Longboat.
After being suffocated last week by the Saints, I actually don’t think the Dogs’ best is that far away, and tonight they’ll be let off the leash completely in the wide-open spaces of the MCG.
My tip is that the Dogs will maul the Demons. And despite the Dogs indifferent start, I still have them as my premiership favourite.
West Coast, Adelaide and Richmond have all made false starts this season and are completely out of the race; while Carlton, Essendon, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide are all off and running, but are yet show enough signs their form can be trusted all the way to the finish.
It’s hard to gauge a form line that provides a glimpse towards September, especially when you consider if the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, Geelong and Brisbane all win and Sydney, Collingwood, St Kilda and Fremantle all lose this weekend, the entire top 8 will be on 20 points and 5 wins.
How’s that for an even competition?
benfica
Guest
bulldogs will maul the demons lol thats all they have been doing this season is beating the bottom teams
Stephen
Guest
Savvas: One of only two wooden spoons for Collingwood since 1892!
Richard
Roar Guru
Lol! I hope you have an especially unbearable winter this year; smug non-Pie supporter.
Marsh
Guest
Lol! I hope the Pies bomb. Smug Pies supporters make Victoria unbearable in winter.
Redb
Roar Guru
Gotta agree with Richard, Doh!. Pies are definitely Top 4 material at this stage. Their next two games are very important, Fremantle and Geelong.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
The last time Collingwood shot to the front on the back of a fast running style was in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Gerard Healy was so impressed that he claimed they were going to be the Hawthorn of the 90's!!! They ended up with a Wooden Spoon. :))))
James
Guest
I don't think it is.
Richard
Roar Guru
Rubbish!
Richard
Roar Guru
No-one at Collingwood are calling themselves the Flagpies. Years of experience have taught the 'Pies not to count your chickens before they hatch and deliver you a yoke filled holy grail. However, they have signalled their intention to win the Flag and that is very appropriate. You have to keep your eye on the goal in life. Success is about achievement, not mere participation, and to win you have to aim high and strive to win. The 'Pies are following that creed and quite right too. No Flagpies, however in truth I have been impressed with the 'Pies so far this year, more than in past years. They seem to be able to vary their game style. Against the Doggies they played a fantastic, long kicking, contested possession type of game, much like the Doggies themselves, and the match was highly entertaining. Against the Saints they played a close checking, highly structured defensive game, much like the Saints game style. The 'Pies would have won that match if only they had kicked straight. So far their discipline and endeavour has been terrific. No-one's a certainty for the Flag, this year or any other, but there is much to like about the endeavour of my 'Pies so far this year. So much so that I dare to hope. Keep on keeping on boys. Go 'Pies!
James
Guest
The way I see it, these are the teams in the contention for the four: Geelong, Saints, Bulldogs, Collingwood, Brisbane, Sydney, Freo. Each one has some big question mark next to them which makes it so open: - Geelong - are they are team on the decline? Already some issues with Ablett coming up. - Bulldogs - too old? can they sustain it for 22 rounds? - Saints - no Nick. - Collingwood - too inconsistent with not enough individual talent. - Brisbane - still work to do. - Freo - can they sustain it? - Sydney - ditto above.
Marsh
Guest
Amazing that we are talking bout Freo and Swans as potential top four getters. Who would have thought?
Redb
Roar Guru
Most open season for awhile. Four teams on top on 5 and 1 win/loss, the next three teams on 4 and 2, meaning only one game separates the top 7 sides and that excludes early premiership favourites the Western Bulldogs! Sydney and Collingwood have the best form. Sydney look the part and as long as they don't get wiped out by 10 goals its no shame to get beaten at the Cattery which Geelong play very well. If they win, Sydney are right up there, but some key injuries might just make it difficult I suspect. Collingwood are already calling themselves the Flagpies ;-) Nuff said. Some great clashes again this round, Melb v Bulldogs, Syd v Geel, Bris v Freo, Ess v Port and Carl v St Kilda. Throw in West Coast v Hawthorn for a smash up derby with a difference. Even the Collingwood v North game has some interest to see how far North have come. Go Dons!
Stephen
Guest
Fremantle won't make top four-this is their first tilt at success for a long while. It will be Geelong, Bulldogs, Pies and Sydney (in no particular order). St Kilda top 8 without Riewoldt for much of the season.