It was a year of disappointment for Adelaide Crows fans, a rollercoaster ride up in Brisbane, treading water for the Carlton Blues and a below-average return for the Magpies from Collingwood.
Adelaide
It was a disappointing year for all Crows fans – a major injury to their main man Taylor Walker didn’t help.
Both Lewis Johnston and Brad Crouch showed a lot of promise.
Patrick Dangerfield had another highlight filled season, polling 22 votes and finishing fourth in the Brownlow medal.
Rating: 4.5. Compared to last season where they narrowly missed a spot in the grand final, they finished 11th.
2014 Prediction: I am expecting a much better season, although I won’t be surprised if they stay around the same position on the ladder. With the likely addition of Eddie Betts, the Crows should improve.
2014 Ladder Position: 8-10
Next Premiership chance: 3-4 years
Look out for: Brad Crouch
Expect more brilliance from: Patrick Dangerfield
Brisbane
An up and down season included a huge after the siren upset win over the Cats in Round 13 at the Gabba. Pearce Hanley had another standout year and recently signed a five-year deal.
Michael Voss was surprisingly sacked in odd circumstances. Sam Mayes showed a lot and looks like a good player for the future.
Rating: Only just missed the finals thanks to a one-point loss to Geelong in Round 23, although I was disappointed with the decision that Brisbane made to sack Voss, so a generous 6.
2014 Prediction: Justin Leppitsch seems like a smart coach who can direct the Lions up the ladder.
Although the Lions only just missed the finals this year, a lot of young players want out and it will be interesting to see what they do in the trade period.
2014 Ladder Position: 9-13
Next Premiership chance: 5-6 years
Look out for: Sam Mayes
Expect more brilliance from: Daniel Rich
Carlton
Only just scraped into the finals thanks to the Essendon supplement saga and a string of important wins. Beat Richmond emphatically in the second elimination final at the MCG in front of 95,000 people.
Their dream run finished when they lost to Sydney at the SCG the following week.
Rating: Their ladder position suggests that they improved from their 2012 campaign, but they did not improve much under Mick Malthouse. 6.5.
2014 Prediction: With the addition of Dale Thomas to their midfield, Carlton should improve. I expect Malthouse to bring in a few more players.
2014 Ladder Position: 5-8
Next Premiership chance: 2-3 years
Look out for: Troy Menzel
Expect more brilliance from: Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson
Collingwood
The Pies were another team that had an up and down season, with it ending in the worst possible way – a loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG. Dane Swan and Scott Pendelbury continued to shine and Marley had a good first season.
Rating: By Collingwood’s standards it was an average year, as they finished sixth and lost to seventh in their elimination final. 6.5.
2014 Prediction: I wouldn’t be surprised if they move down the ladder.
With the loss of Dale Thomas and the expected departure of Heath Shaw, the 2014 season could be a bit of a struggle.
2014 Ladder Position: 6-9
Next Premiership chance: 3-4 years
Look out for: Marley Williams
Expect more brilliance from: Dane Swan, Scott Pendelbury
Garth Jones
Roar Rookie
Michael Voss wasn't surprisingly sacked, he surprisingly didn't get his contract renewed after it expired.
watergate
Guest
The hypocrisy of McGuire and FIGJAM Buckley is palpable, as they continue to deride premiership winning players who were at one time feted as club champions, only to be subsequently scapegoated for Buckley's own incompetence as a coach and McGuire's arrogant mismanagement. Times have changed since 2010 without doubt, as many skilful players having either retired or been forced to leave the club. Interestingly there has been little mention of high profile recruitment failures under Buckley's watch; including his encouragement of hapless Clarke to re-join the team, 'goal kicking forward' Lynch's abject failure yielding .5 majors per match or the revolving door involvement of Russell. With Harry O now also likely to quit the club and Swan's poorly disguised dissatisfaction a negative factor, the need to add skill to the Pies list, as opposed to a simple willingness to accept the failed Buckley dogma is clearly of paramount importance.
A Mans Not A Camel
Guest
It's not unexpected to see the replies saying the pies will miss the finals, as week in week out through the season this year all I ever saw was negativity in relation to the pies on this site. That's not unsurprising, as anyone who is not a pies fan generally can never say anything positive about them, however it has turned me off this site as it's frustrating trying to have decent conversations with people when per-conceived negativity is so prevalent. Dale Thomas is no loss, he barely played this year at all, and the previous year too. Heath Shaw is a loss, but with White coming over to the pies (hopefully), Reid can go back permanently and cover, after all he is one of the games best down back. Add in Adam's to the midfield from GWS, the emergence of the youth utilized throughout 2014, Buckley's game plan becoming set finally with the players, I think 2014 will mark a good year for the pies and a turn around in consistency, which was the big 2013 flaw. Watch for Brodie Grundy becoming one of the games best ruckmen and all Australian, and set standards for ruckmen outside of the ruck duals, Kyle Martin to take the step up to senior footy successfully, Marley Williams to become all Australian on the half back line (if his form continues to rise), and Buckley to be recognized as the brilliant tactician he is. Everyone likes to bag out Buckley due to the last two seasons for the pies, but no-one likes to recognize the fact that since his 3rd game as senior coach, his list has been gimped by injuries to star players, especially in the engine room. After 2 seasons, the spate of injuries is finally subsiding meaning next year will be the year I will judge Buckley on, not the last two. Feel free to go on a pie bagging rage, I won't read it or respond as this is my last post on the roar site. I don't have the time or patience to read any more bigoted comments about my team or it's supporters.
watergate
Guest
Collingwood to finish 10th during season 2014, at which time McGuire will face the option of jettisoning the dud coach that he forced onto a premiership winning group; or alternatively being shown the door himself.
edwardkelly
Guest
Watched Collingwood play and beat Geelong and the Swans and was convinced they would be in the GF but they fell away and had a very disappointing year; what happened?
Peter
Guest
I agree.. Max you have been pretty good
Peter
Guest
with a minute to go.. thompson took a mark in the goal square.. would have put crows 11 pts up.. umpire gave 50 metre penalty which resulted in goal for hawthorn.. Geishan said umpires quessed wrong similar to essendon game.. & another later is seasonn think it was carlton or freo.. geishan had to come out & appologise for umpires
Peter
Guest
Not sure where umpires came from, but geishan said worst umpires get interstate teams
Peter
Guest
I always thought Hawthorn would win it.. & top 4 teams were only challengers..
Max Willis
Roar Pro
Winning the flag from 5th? I don't think so, although the crows have done it before. They were simply not good enough this year
Max Willis
Roar Pro
Thanks Matt!
Max Willis
Roar Pro
I don't seem to remember the Crows being robbed of any games, can you tell me which games were 'affected' so i can look them up.
Max Willis
Roar Pro
Thanks Sean, yes i forget to mention either of those two. Both players would be good additions to collingwood. Thankyou!
Matt Tomlinson
Roar Rookie
Great work Max. I think that you have predict quite expertly!
Stan McCan
Guest
I bet they were Victorian umpires in those games Peter. Crows would have probably even won the flag from fifth given a fair go right Peter?
Sean Mortell
Roar Guru
Well done max! Only thing I disagree is the Collingwood prediction, Jessie White and/or Sam Reid will make a huge difference at Collingwood! Very well done though, excellent stuff!
Peter
Guest
I'm surprised you didn't take into account the 3 wins stolen from the Crows by wrong umpiring decisions at end of the games as admitted by umpires coach.. could have seen Crows finish as high as 5th. I know all teams get poor decisions, but those 3 occasions in those 3 games were blatantly game costing.