The 2017 AFL season looks full of surprises, much like last year when the Western Bulldogs out of nowhere took out the premiership.
After 2016, I believed GWS and Western Bulldogs were primed to dominate for the next three years or so considering lists, player contracts, and relative ages. Their windows remain open.
But suddenly there are multiple teams ready to challenge for their slice of glory – especially the Adelaide Crows and West Coast Eagles.
The Crows have answered critics including myself that their midfield which was their apparent weakness much stronger and deeper than first thought. You have guys like Charlie Cameron, Rory Atkins and Wayne Milera that overnight have transformed into B-graders from being far below that level last year.
Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson and the Crouch brothers needed this for the Crows to succeed as their forward line and defence are arguably top three. If they continue to get improvement out of lesser likes it will make their front liners better players better and a very scary proposition as shown in Round 1.
The Eagles much like the Crows have a top three attack on paper but were quite solid in both midfield and defence around the top 8 for both categories making them a solid outfit.
With the acquisition of Sam Mitchell for virtually a bag of crisps, guys like Andrew Gaff, Chris Masten and Luke Shuey are only going to get better through his tales of success and tools to go about getting there.
You can’t underestimate how much the whole squad will learn from Mitchell. Suddenly their midfield is top four on paper and their defence has depth with young players such as Tom Barrass and Jackson Nelson keeping Will Scofield out. They have multiple options and a tussle for spots which is a healthy position to be in. They will certainly be there when the whips are cracking.
Teams like Essendon, Geelong, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, St Kilda and even my beloved Tigers seemingly have the tools to win the lot if they play to their strengths, keep players on the park, and bring the intensity and effort.
It certainly makes for an exciting competition and hence there are eight teams on 2-0. The quality is very evenly spread this year, even more so than last year, so makes it a nightmare for tipsters but good viewing for the neutral.
Sadly I think the Swannies, Hawks and Dockers that have been up for so long are showing signs of slowing up but I guess when you’re up for so long there is only one way to go.
It takes time to blood kids and get games into them but each team has the same problem at different stages. It gives supporters like myself a diehard Tiger a chance to see my team potentially challenge for the cup against all odds. It keeps the competition fresh and on its toes which can only be beneficial to the AFL for fans and for the game.
Aransan
Guest
Thanks Daniel.
Daniel Plater
Roar Rookie
I agree Ian but Hanneberry is flat at the moment and the 2nd highest earner Tippett has not lived up to the bill. He plays half a dozen good games a year but he will never lift a team when they are down. Went missing in GF last year aswell seems to do that in big games. With a full list in good form Sydney are a good side but their better players are getting older such as Buddy, Grundy and McVeigh etc. I'm just saying they are beginning to potentially start trending downward.
Daniel Plater
Roar Rookie
Hey Aransan I fully agree with everything you say I really rate Collingwood I think they are one tall key defender away from being a serious threat. I still think Geelong are over reliant on dangerwood who seem to always bail Geelong out of trouble. I think the future is bright for your beloved Essendon after all that ASADA crap. You have a solid side on paper.
Daniel Plater
Roar Rookie
Hey George I agree with the age of Sydney's current players but I think that Sydney's better players such as Buddy,Grundy and Kennedy are pushing 30 and players such as Hanneberry and Tippett just not doing enough this year well tippett really for last 12 months I think he is overrated and overpaid for what he produces or lack there of. As for Richmond the jury is still out I agree but they are certainly trending up getting those games into kids last year has worked wonders. If that's true about Prestia that is very worrying for the long term. I'm just hoping Dusty stays there's to much speculation around that at the moment.
Ants32
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the vte of confidence, Daniel. Carn the Crows. :D
Ants32
Roar Rookie
Convinced, yet? :)
Ants32
Roar Rookie
Suns aren't looking so bad, now? :)
Wayne
Guest
Get rid of that log tippett - waste of salary cap space - kennedy is looking old and parker looks fat - too much cash - keiran jack (missed mark and missed shot) and a no hold decision against florent cost them the game - also - even if zak jones (who has gone backward this year did step off the line - he had no prior as he was instantly tackled after a play on call - so ball up at best)
Michael Huston
Guest
I don't think any Swans fans could complain really. Five consecutive seasons of finishing top four, including a premiership and three grand final appearances. That's an impressive feat, and it's the greatest period in our club's history (at least since the 1930's when South Melbourne were pretty formidable with Bob Pratt & co.) We were never going to be able to maintain that quality for so long. What really is most positive is that there's just an abundance of talent on our list, notwithstanding list-cloggers like Cunningham, Laidler and Towers. We have the greatest forward of the modern era in Buddy Franklin, who despite what the critics say, will still be one of the game's best players into his 30's. We have three midfielders who are all guns and will be in their prime for a few years to come - Kennedy, Parker and Hannebery. And then there's all our young talent. Aliir Aliir will go on to become one of the best defenders in the competition. Young guys like Mills, Hewett, Jones, Lloyd, Florent and Newman have shown they have what it takes to be solid footballers at least, all with speed and skill that our already-great midfield don't always have. The fact we've recently brought in guys like Florent, Hayward, Edwards etc. shows that Longmire is already looking towards introducing more outside pace to our side, something we've really lacked since 2012. Then there's a very young forward line surrounding Buddy, including Reid, Hayward, Rohan and Papley, combined with our mids, meaning for the next few years we will have constant forward firepower. It's just about getting them to work together in the one team. And don't forget Heeney, who, if given a clean run of injury-free footy, will become an absolute gun of the competition who you can build a premiership team around. Just the thought of Heeney potentially being our star mid - with support from the likes of Kennedy, Parker and Hannebery - is mouth-watering. 2017 is not our year (boo-hoo), but we have a ridiculously positive future ahead of us.
Jewel
Guest
Yep Sydney girl, completely agree. For mine the bright spot in a so far dismal season is the form of our young boys. With the exception of Foote, all the youngsters have really shown something and that something is a very bright future! Get McVeigh, Rampe, Heeney et al back and the Swans will be a threat again. This is a lesson in how to rebuild a team.
George
Guest
Any team missing 6 best 22 will struggle except probably Bulldogs. Except first quarter Swans played actually well. Not sure any team would succeed playing 9 players with less than 15 games. And all these youngsters showed great promise. Collingwood got back Varcoe and Greenwood and it looked to me like a big difference. With Elliot back soon, Collingwood will be no pushover. Very good midfield. Surprisingly their defence did not look as bad as I expected.
Rissole
Guest
Regardless of the results, I am really intrigued to watch our season pan out.
Sydneygirl
Guest
It's not the young ones letting Sydney down at present. It is senior players making bad decisions and lementary mistakes.
Cat
Roar Guru
What happens if they don't all come back, more are injured, are re-injured or form suffers? Not always going to have your best 22 on the paddock.
Ian
Guest
Waiting to see the Swans true form - when they have the return of half a dozen top players back in the side. The young blokes are getting a taste of what is to come so that should sand them in good stead in the future. But having about a third of your team out injured does not show them at their best.
Gyfox
Guest
Many commentators tipped the Crows to be near the top. I remain unconvinced. This weekend will tell us a lot about how good they & the Eagles really are.
Aransan
Guest
Collingwood are better than most people think and so is Buckley. I remain unconvinced about Geelong. As a Bombers supporter I am hoping we win about half our games but we could do a little better and make the eight -- our best 22 at the end of the season will look rather different from our best 22 now.
George
Guest
This year competition is extremely equal, except for terrible Fremantle and Suns. I would not write off Swans yet as they are missing 6 very good players and played 9 players with less than 15 games. That will set them up well for the future. On your beloved Richmond, it's great to dream about cup challenge but I don't see it. Next 4-5 rounds will be telling. It could still be favourite 9th. You recruited well but I am sure you noticed that Prestia is already not able to train. Not good start for 5 year contract.