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Joined May 2015
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With the Bulldogs and Giants set to go head-to-head this round, it's worth asking who is more likely to win a premiership in the…
After just five rounds many believe the top four is already set with Fremantle, Hawthorn, Sydney and Port Adelaide firm favourites to occupy the…
Fair point. Unless you are a Freo and West Coast supporter like Don (I still don’t get how you can support both teams).
Purple Daze: Figuring out Freo's confusing 2015 season
If Freo don’t finish first they’re done. Their best chance is to get Sydney in the QF (who are cooked themselves), win that, and then freshen up for one last assault on a PF & GF.
If they slip to second I just can’t see them beating the Hawks. They will have to back that up against most likely Richmond or North (both of whom have beaten them this year) and then a rested Eagles in the PF. I just can’t see them going all the way if they have to take that route.
I guess all Freo supporters will be barracking for the Crows this week.
Purple Daze: Figuring out Freo's confusing 2015 season
Did you really just put Goldstein and Sam “knees” Mitchell in the same category? Goldy is a fair player.. while the latter is a dirty little sniper. Although they both may have received fines, they are not comparable.
Nathan Fyfe ruled out until AFL finals
If North or the Dogs get Richmond in the first week, it will be at the MCG, regardless of who’s “home” game it is. The only way a Final will be played at Etihad is if it’s North or the Dogs get Adelaide. Even if its a North v Dogs game I would still bank on the game being at the G given the two Qualifying Finals will be at Subi and the AFL will want to fixture as many games as possible at the G in the first week of finals.
2015 AFL season: Round 22 preview
Great article Josh.
What do you make of the North v Freo game? I feel it’s a real 50/50. It will be interesting to see how Freo respond from last week’s derby. Its almost become a must win game for them now. Hopefully North are ‘on’ this week though and can take it right up to them. Our first half’s, in particular second quarters, have been dreadful this year. We’ll need to produce a four quarter effort (which seems to allude us) to have any chance of taking home the 4 points.
AFL Round 21 preview: Sorting out the seconds and the fourths
You missed my point jax. I wasn’t comparing Fyfe’s season to Abletts 2014 in the perspective of winning the Brownlow but rather making the observation that the AFL hasn’t had such a clear cut best player on the ground since Ablett first went to the Gold Coast. He was head and shoulders above the rest of and it was clear for everyone to see. Fyfe’s start to the season has been all the more impressive. I make the point given the author of the article was debating whether other Freo players would have been stealing votes off him in the early rounds, which just isn’t the case.
As to winning the actual Brownlow I agree. Its not guaranteed (although I think he will still win it). I was just making the point that, make no mistake, in the first 10 rounds Fyfe will be polling 3 votes in nearly every game.
Does Fyfe really have the Brownlow in the bag?
Agreed Don. Fyfe was clearly the dominant player in the first 10 or so rounds. The rest of the Freo boys will be vying for the 1 and 2 votes, not the 3 votes. We haven’t had such a dominant individual and someone putting up clear cut BOG performances since G Ablett Jnr went to Gold Coast.
Does Fyfe really have the Brownlow in the bag?
If not North than it has to be Freo. Would be a perfect way for Pav and McPharlin to go out and if any coach deserves a premiership it has to be Ross. Not to mention it would rub the Eagles fans up too which is always a bonus.
Which AFL club’s bandwagon will you jump on in September?
Why do you feel such a need to reduce the number of Vic teams in the competition?
My 10-year, 10-point plan to save the AFL
Brian, I wouldn’t have thought so.
If the Dockers win this week it locks up a top 2 spot. He can than rest players for the North game in Melbourne and the Port game in Adelaide. Even if they lose both they only have to beat Melbourne at home to guarantee top spot as well. I think he would be more worried about getting his players right for the finals than trying to position the Hawks.
In any case even if they Hawks did finish third I would back them to beat the Eagles at Subi, get the week off and progress to the GF. Makes no real difference to the Dockers.
Best in the west prepare for AFL duel
“Don’t believe everything you read”?? Yet the basis of your comment is on something you read…
Claims of AFL conspiracy should concern us all
Why is the Port Adelaide and Crows rivalry any more significant than the West Coast and Fremantle rivalry? And seems you’ve thrown out a random stat there has been more Western Derby’s than Showdowns so what’s the significance of that?
West Coast and Sydney: The best modern AFL rivalry
Your comment is worthy of a standing ovation. By far the best I have read on this site.
The Roar’s AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 17
I think the top 2 will be very difficult with the run you have coming up. It’s Freos and Hawks to loose.
That being the case if they both win the QF it all but sets up a 2013 reply. I can’t imagine a team beating Freo in Perth or the Hawks at the G in a Prelim. I guess your mob would have the most realistic chance against Freo negating the home ground advantage.
Wake up! West Coast are real contenders
I’m not convinced.
If they do finish top 4 (which is almost certain now) I think the words that will resonate with them is ‘straight sets’ not ‘contender’.
Wake up! West Coast are real contenders
You mean its lucky both teams didn’t play 4 quarters that day? Because if Freo has played 4 quarters you would have lost by over 100 points.
Your AFL team's run home (Part II)
Its amazing the blinded optimism people can have for their own team. How you could rate Essendon’s ‘spine’ top 3 in the competition is laughable. You have two good key defenders (although I think there are number of better full backs than Hooker), Watson in the middle who is way past his prime and two developing forwards who are yet to prove themselves at the AFL level (and I doubt Carlisle will).
And having a good ‘spine’ is only part of the equation. The actual good teams in the comp and premiership contenders are those with great depth, and that is something Essendon severely lack.
Rating the AFL recruits: Adelaide to Fremantle (Part 1)
Couldn’t help yourself but to make yet another WC reference?
The best since Carey: Gary Ablett Jr in perspective
Are you going to provide any context? What relevance does this have to anything being discussed here?
ROSE and RYAN: Reassessing The Roar's pre-season top 50 players
I think Barker is doing an excellent job, but if they go down the untried path I think Dew seems the one most ready to take the reins as a senior coach. That said I still think the best fit would be John Worsfold though. He has been through the full player cycle twice and knows what it takes to build a premiership list. He would be my first choice if I was a blues fan.
Where's this Carlton been?
Thanks Cam. I’m interested to know, where do you rate Dustin Martin? Would you have him in your top 10?
He has always had the freakish skills and goal scoring knowhow, but I fell he’s finally bringing the consistency with it this year. There’s no denying when he’s on he is pretty much unstoppable and one of the best in the game, but inconsistency was something that has always plagued him in previous years.
ROSE and RYAN: Reassessing The Roar's pre-season top 50 players
Stefan Martins an interesting one. I think he definitely does get forgotten when talking about the best ruckman in the game. He has certainly been a revelation for the lions and his form for pretty much 12 months has been superb. I still think though when you compare him to Goldstein, Mumford, Sandy and Nic Nat he’s slightly behind. He’s probably been on par, if not slightly ahead of Sam Jacobs and Ivan Maric this year though, which is no mean feat.
ROSE and RYAN: Reassessing The Roar's pre-season top 50 players
If this was based on a ‘schoolyard’ style pick as the original concept was this would be my top 10 right now.
1) Fyfe – clearly the best player in the league. Enough said.
2) Ablett – it would be unjust to write Ablett off. Let see how he performs when he returns, but for now he still commands a top 2 spot.
3) Pendlebury – the silkiest and most composed player in the league. My favourite player to watch (outside of my team).
4) Franklin – Freakish skills that are once in a generation for someone his size. Does things others cant.
5) Selwood – despite having a quitter year he is still an inspiration leader. If you’re going to war, you want this guy next to you. Top 5 pick everytime for mine.
6) Dangerfield – the only player in the league (and maybe Parker) that measures up to Fyfe’s repertoire. Wins the ball on the inside, can burst from packs, kicks goals and is a strong overhead mark. The complete package, but not quite as good as Fyfe
7) Martin – much like Franklin has freakish skills that not many others poses. His ability to push forward and score goals puts him ahead of a host of other mids. You would almost also pick just for his ‘don’t argue’.
8) Gray – the ultimate mid/forward in the comp. Can play as a genuine forward flanker scoring goals and can then push into the middle and dominate. Silky skills and a solidified top 10 player in the league.
9) Hodge – another inspirational leader who can drag his team over the line. Can play as the general down back/behind the ball or can push up into the midfield when required. Like Selwood, this is a guy you want by your side when going to battle.
10) Goldstein – the dominant ruckman in the league this year. Has taken every aspect of his game to another level. Battles single handily all day in the ruck and then provides so much around the ground. He tackles, gets clearances and takes the relieving mark when required.
ROSE and RYAN: Reassessing The Roar's pre-season top 50 players
So by your reckoning, no one can win it this year?
Purple Daze: Figuring out Freo's confusing 2015 season