We’re back! I am channelling my inner poltergeist I am pumped to bring you Myths of the 2015 AFL Ladder (Part 2).
After the positive reaction to Part 1 which you can read here, there had to be a Part 2 to talk about the fortunes of the teams who are not going to make the finals in 2015.
Please take into consideration that this post was written before Melbourne destroyed Gold Coast on the weekend!
Brisbane
Myth: They will stagnate in 2015.
Nope. Nada. Zip! Justin Leppitsch was a star for the Lions as a premiership player and what he has done for this club in his first 12 months was remarkable and he will continue to develop his team in 2015. Don’t underestimate the loss of Jono Brown both in a playing and leadership role yet Tom Rockcliff had the respect of the playing group to fill the big shoes of being captain.
The additions of Dayne Beams, Allen Christensen and Mitch Robinson were the biggest news during the trade period in 2014 and will add a big boost to the momentum the club finished with in 2014.
Do they have enough goal kickers to challenge for a sneaky spot in the eight? Not sure but they are looking a lot better than a number of the clubs below them. I rate them as a big improver this year.
Essendon
Myth: The drug saga will not propel the group into the finals like 2014.
I’m sorry to say Bombers fans that you can have September off like you did for the whole 2015 pre-season. The Bombers will not hit full stride as a team for at least four rounds into the season because most of the gun players haven’t played any pre-season games to get themselves cherry ripe for Round 1.
There is a massive difference between playing intraclub games and playing against opposition teams even during the NAB Challenge. The recruitment of Adam Cooney has a ‘whatareyathinking’ ring to it and Joe Daniher is still a year or two away from dominating opposition back men.
The slow start to the year and the improvement of teams like Brisbane and Gold Coast will hurt them in the long run. So far all they have been doing is dancing with their sister!
Adelaide
Myth: The Crows will be Port Adelaide’s Ugly Stepsister again
I reckon there is nothing better in AFL when the big power-forward is hitting his straps and dominating in front of goal. Fingers crossed that the new Adelaide captain Tex Walker will make this dream a reality.
A fully-fit Walker combining with a high calibre small forward in Eddie Betts will have any backline concerned that things might get out of control quickly. With a strong midfield providing ample supply and the backline headed up by Daniel Talia and Brent Reilly controlling their end of the field, new coach Phil Walsh has a lot to work with in 2015.
If everything clicks they could be the team that won’t be just knocking on the door of the top eight but opening it and kicking someone like Geelong or Gold Coast out.
Carlton
Myth: They can improve under Mick Malthouse with their current list.
As Vinnie Mac in the WWE used to say, the Blues have ‘no chance in hell’ of this happening. They have the shallowest midfield in the league and without Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy and Chris Judd firing they are basically cannon fodder.
Why I have got them this high on the ladder? I’m not sure but for some reason I feel the Blues are capable of beating the sides they should and getting smashed by the sides above them.
Their forward line is weak and the defenders are going to have to work their butts off for the scoreboard not to get ugly throughout 2015. And then the question needs to be asked if Malthouse can do anymore with this list than he already has?
If not, move him on. If he can, lock him in for another two years.
Collingwood
Myth: They are not that bad under Buckley
That is correct! They have been nothing short of putrid since Buckley took over. Their recruiting (Jesse White or Quentin Lynch ring a bell) from other clubs has failed and a number of their better players (Heath Shaw or Dale Thomas) have left due to a number of reasons which all lead back to the relationship they had with Buckley.
I will challenge you to tell me one player that has improved markedly under the tutelage of Buckley because I can’t think of one.
GWS
Myth: They are still three to four years away from playing finals.
Look at these names: Cameron, Griffen, Shaw, Mumford, Ward, Scully (joking on that one), Davis. That is a lot of quality for a team in only its fourth year of AFL football. The way they are developing under Leon Cameron will place them ahead of more than four teams by the end of 2015.
If it wasn’t for the Ablett factor at the Suns, I would be ballsy enough to say that this list would be better than Gold Coast and will play finals before them as well. Toby Greene and Adam Treloar are little rippers and Josh Kelly will be a superstar if he keeps heading in the right direction.
Throw in a fit Jon Patton and teams above the AFL’s whipping boy will need to start worrying about this sleeping giant (see what I did just there? Geez I’m good) taking their spotlight.
Melbourne
Myth: 2015 will be no different to 2014: poor supporters.
How can you say that? The additions to the group have been awesome in the NAB Cup and will make a difference to the way they play and how they impact the scoreboard from Round 1 (note: did you see how they smashed the Suns on the weekend? I did: four times!).
Jesse Hogan’s presence up forward will give Dawes a chopout and the young hardness shown by Angus Brayshaw in the VFL will put some of the older blokes on notice that their position in the 22 is not a certainty. All we ask is for the Demons to attack the scoreboard a lot more than they did in 2015 and play a sexier brand of football for their supporters.
We don’t care if they lose but just have a crack!
Western Bulldogs
Myth: No Libba, no Bulldogs!
Let me throw you one name that will revolutionise the Bulldogs in 2015 – Luke Beveridge. He was a terrier as a player at Melbourne, Footscray and St. Kilda, and was a vital cog in the premiership success of Collingwood and Hawthorn over the last five years.
Beveridge has a group of young, hungry pups who need someone to show them how to play tough accountable football and nurture their development at the same time. We all know how exciting Marcus Bontempelli is but the list is strong including their awesome yet down-to-earth captain Robert Murphy.
Like an number of other clubs in their position, if the Bulldogs can continue the development of their young players and win two to three more games than 2014, they are priming themselves for some pretty exciting times ahead.
West Coast
Myth: They only way is up!
Remember Yazz? They sang that tune in the 1990s and it had everyone bopping on dance floors across the country.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the only way will be down for Adam Simpson and his team in 2015. They have lost plenty in the off season and Mitch Brown went down in the first 10 minutes of Round 1.
It is impossible for any club to replace backs and expect to challenge for a spot in the eight.
Nic Naitanui needs to pull his finger out and be more than a highlight reel and can someone lift to take the forward pressure off Mark LeCras in kicking their goals this year? Anyone? I think it will be another year of mediocrity for the boys out west and if you live in Western Australia you might be better off following the boys in purple.
St Kilda
Myth: They are going to be better than Melbourne in 2015
There is one person and one person only for putting the Saints into the pathetic position there are in right now and his name is Ross Lyon. Lyon squeezed every bit out of a list that was ageing and refused to introduce new blood into the mix to support and eventually replace the like of Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard, Stephen Milne and Reiwoldt, and now look where they are at.
The thing is I really like what Alan Richardson is doing with this group and he should have his contract extended to give him time and resources to develop his young group of Saints.
Unfortunately there are teams above them that are a year or two in front of their list development and so the Saints will have to tough it out in the cellar again but eventually the hard work will pay off. They still have a big problem up forward if Reiwoldt goes down with injury, as the reliance on him is way too great. This needs to be rectified sooner than later.
Am I on the mark? Who do you think I have got right or wrong in this list?
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Last, year in the second showdown, Adelaide destroyed Port by 47 points with a staggering 20 marks inside 50 with Tex Walker the main star.
If the Lions are clever they can use this season as a passing of the guard season and send off some very talented players whilst also trying to be competitive.
There’s no disputing that Cam Guthrie will be important against Melbourne, given Patrick Dangerfield is set to miss due to injury.
The AFL need a more simple approach to high contact and one that makes players accountable, regardless of intent.
Collingwood led by a point with minutes to go, Kyle Langford had the chance to be the hero with a set shot, however, he missed, and we saw the first draw of the season.
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
