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Showdown! Port Adelaide take on their crosstown rival the Adelaide Crows. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:40pm AEST (7:10pm…
Two of the league's in-form teams duke it out at the MCG, as the Geelong Cats take on the Essendon Bombers. Join The Roar…
It's a heavyweight clash in Perth, as the West Coast Eagles take on the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium. Join The Roar for live…
Match result: Greater Western Sydney have humiliated Essendon by 72 points at Giants Stadium. Despite going into the game almost even money, the Bombers…
Match result: Hawthorn have continued their excellent record against the Crows, winning by 32 points at Adelaide Oval in their opening game of the…
Match result: Port Adelaide have tuned up for the season with a solid 21-point win against North Melbourne at Alberton Oval. It was very…
It's the AFL Grand Final. The West Coast Eagles meet the Collingwood Magpies in the season decider. Join The Roar for live scores and…
The first thing to be said about Saturday's grand final is that we're all very lucky to be following footy at a time when…
England have won through to the semi-finals of the World Cup with a 2-0 win over a disappointing Sweden. Click here to re-live The…
Match result: England have won through to the semi-finals of the World Cup with a 2-0 win over a disappointing Sweden. It was a…
France have won a pulsating, high scoring, Round of 16 clash 4-3 at Kazan Arena, eliminating Lionel Messi's Argentina from the World Cup. Click…
Match result: France have won a pulsating, high scoring, round of 16 clash 4-3 at Kazan Arena, knocking Lionel Messi's Argentina out of the…
Belgium have romped to a 5-2 win over Tunisia in the highest scoring match of this World Cup to date. Braces to both Hazard…
Match result: Belgium have romped to a 5-2 win over Tunisia in the highest scoring match of this World Cup to date. Braces to…
Brazil have left it very late to pinch a 2-0 win over a determined Costa Rica. After 90 minutes of deep and dogged defending…
Match result: Brazil have left it very late to pinch a 2-0 win over a determined Costa Rica. After 90 minutes of deep and…
France have secured their passage through to the knockout phase of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Peru. In what was generally…
Match result: France have secured their passage through to the knockout phase of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Peru. In what…
Uruguay have held off Saudi Arabia to win their second game of the FIFA World Cup and guarantee their progress to the next round.…
Match result: Uruguay have held off Saudi Arabia to win their second game of the FIFA World Cup and guarantee their progress to the…
It’s about time the ladder randomiser got a gig on foxsports. Clearly more relevant evidence goes into its predictions than the likes of Matthew Lloyd, David King and Leigh Montagna.
The new kings of the AFL jungle: 2021 AFL ladder prediction
They dominated the 2000 season more than any team has dominated a single season, but I don’t think many would agree that makes them the best team of the modern era.
The main opposition in 2000 were fairly unremarkable Melbourne and Carlton teams. The fact that Brisbane rebounded in 2001 to beat the Bombers – as well as an incipient Port powerhouse – right off the bat makes that arguably more impressive. That Brisbane went on to win the next two flags should really end that debate.
Personally I’d suggest Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn in their respective eras are the strongest modern teams, in whichever order you like. Richmond are on the brink of joining or even surpassing them. Essendon of 2000 would be in the next tier after that, along with a few others.
Essendon's class of 2000 are the best AFL team of the modern era
Fun article. Lots of food for thought.
I doubt Stephenson leaving will have any impact on De Goey’s output; they both had their career best year together in 2018, and their diminished output since then had nothing to do with each other. My guess is that neither Collingwood nor De Goey will improve much on their 2020 seasons.
West Coast have a great team, but don’t seem to be getting the most out of themselves. I think that extended winning run at home in 2020 papered over a few cracks. I can’t at all agree that ‘the Eagles at time looked like the best team in the league’; no idea what times those were.
Still, I take the point that a fit Elliot Yeo makes a big difference.
On best recruit of the 2021 season, I’ll put my money on Jeremy Cameron for that title, maybe with a small side bet on Zac Williams. Daniher should be a good addition for the Lions but I don’t think they play in a way that suits a big scoring key forward.
Any team could suffer a drop off in form, but I think it’s less likely for Port than most. They have a great mix of youth and experience, and strengths across the ground.
I’d love to see the Dockers make the eight. I’m not sure I fully believe it for 2021, but a lot of their best players are still pretty early in their AFL development, which is a good sign for their long term prospects.
Five predictions for the 2021 AFL season
Pierias’ goal wasn’t called back by VAR. It was ruled offside on the field.
A-League and W-League: The positives on the pitch are starting to outweigh the problems off it
I’m in the minority who thought Rufer’s card was probably justified. It looked like he rolled back with his leg raised and studs up to kick his opponent. You’d normally go forward in the way momentum carries you, but Rufer went the other way. It doesn’t seem reflexive and natural to me.
Adam Peacock wrote an article on Foxsports that rubbished the idea that anyone could deliberately kick another player with his eyes closed, but Rufer knew where Genreau was. I doubt Rufer had time to think about much of anything at all, but his instant reaction – the same as any player – is to try to stop your opponent getting away and he did that in the wrong way.
That said, I don’t think it’s cut and dried enough to warrant a red card. And I’m tired of VAR getting over-used, so in principle at least I guess I agree with Mike’s position.
I’m very surprised Delovski admitted to Dome that it was the wrong decision. It wouldn’t surprise me if Dome was overstating what was actually said.
The A-League needs more coaches like Carl Robinson
Josh taking a break from The Roar in 2021 probably means I’ll be taking a break from The Roar in 2021. Definitely my favourite writer on this site.
I’m looking forward having you back already, Josh.
2020 AFL draft: Club-by-club review, my take on every team
Good article.
Witherden needs to develop some more weapons. Right now it’s hard to identify anything substantial he brings to Brisbane’s team, or even anything he could bring to any team.
The changes to the kick-in rule took away his most obvious strength; his ability to precisely control the trajectory and direction of his kicking from a static position. It’s just not that big a deal anymore when full-backs can run 10 metres into either pocket before returning the ball into play.
So I would suggest his career is best served going to the club that’s prepared to be patient with him, and invest in him.
Witherden's dilemma
Every result in the finals for every team, bar st kildas narrow win over Western.
H&A form has been a very poor predictor of finals form this year, at least in that sense
Lambert's last-quarter strikes put Tigers into the decider
I must say I’m genuinely excited for this game. I find myself counting the hours.
Both teams have had extraordinary seasons, and can be immensely proud of their achievements. Normally I’d be a little sad about either team’s year coming to an end, but frankly I’m fed up with the Tigers. So go Port.
Preliminary final forecast: Port Adelaide vs Richmond
I think that might have been true for Port a couple of months ago, but right now I just don’t see the evidence for it.
There seem to be many more people calling them underrated than those who don’t rate them.
Preliminary final forecast: Port Adelaide vs Richmond
I agree, and it makes it a very different game to Brisbane-Richmond. The Lions’ gameplan that night was specifically about shutting down the Tigers’ attacking options. I don’t think Port will be prepared to sacrifice their own offence for that purpose.
Preliminary final forecast: Port Adelaide vs Richmond
I think we can probably stop talking about Port being underrated. I don’t know who Marnie is referring to when she says there are plenty of critics out there, but they don’t seem to be very prominent.
They’re effectively joint favourite for the flag at most bookies. They’re narrow favourites to knock off the reigning premiers tonight, and from my quick scan they have a solid majority of the tips in the media. That all seems fair to me. If anything I think their performance against the Cats has been slightly overrated, although that’s just a personal opinion.
Port completely dominated the Tigers last time, but it didn’t really show on the scoreboard. They’ll need to be ruthless tonight, and make the most of their chances, because Richmond are so adept at scoring from turnovers.
Really, I can’t settle on a tip for this game. I think Port have the ability to dominate clearances and score heavily from them. But then I also think the Tigers have the ability to hold out and do enough damage on the counterattack.
Preliminary final forecast: Port Adelaide vs Richmond
Yes, similar to the Cats. Didn’t get to play finals at their home ground.
And similar to the Cats, it didn’t seem to make much difference.
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Preliminary finals
I think Docklands was their home ground, wasn’t it? They were the designated home team that day.
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Preliminary finals
Brisbane lost to Melbourne at the Gabba in round 14 2002.
Neitz went bezerk that day.
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Preliminary finals
That’s an interesting question, actually. When was the last time a team went an entire season – finals included – undefeated at their home ground?
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Preliminary finals
Very even looking contests, and very hard to read much from the form.
Every remaining side has a 2-2 record this season against the other remaining side. But then five of the six finals so far were won by the team who lost the corresponding H&A matchup, so history doesn’t seem to mean much anyway.
There’s even quite a bit of uncertainty around what we’ve seen in the finals series, and what it really means.
Geelong’s pretty ordinary performance against Port contrasted sharply with their ruthlessness against Collingwood.
Richmond looked great for three of the four quarters against Brisbane, and comfortably disposed of the Saints. But possibly no one could live up to the lofty expectations held for them at the beginning of the finals series.
Port and Brisbane are both essentially playing their first preliminary finals as a team, and having to adjust to a 15 day break after a frenetic, short season. I honestly have no idea if it’s a good or bad thing. I guess it’s both a risk and an opportunity.
As a rule of thumb I back the home team when in doubt, but then I’d also back experience over youth. In both games those two clash directly, and in both games I’m going back and forth on who I think will win.
Right now I’m giving a slight edge to Port, just because I have this nagging feeling that the disrupted season might have taken a little more of a toll on Richmond than it appears. They didn’t cope very well when things got tough against Brisbane and maybe that’s a sign.
And I’m also giving an edge to Geelong. Maybe you can’t read too much into previous matchups, but the way Dangerfield, Selwood and Menegola sliced through the Lions in round 6 definitely lingers in the memory. I think Brisbane are capable of containing the Cats’ main weapons, but I think there are too many to be truly confident about it.
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Preliminary finals
I think this is old-school thinking from Josh Elliott, from an era before free agency when draft picks had to be the main way to build a list.
This line…
‘But the reality is that drafting provides better value over the long term than trades…’
…just isn’t right. You can add free agents every year without having to use any of your limited draft pick resources. Free agents don’t require any investment to get them up to AFL speed.
The Geelong Cats are at a crossroads – again
‘Conversely, The Hawks, once again, just escaped with a win against Port in their prelim. No one gave them a chance in the GF against Sydney. No one, except of course me.’
Speak for yourself. The greatest moment in my (very short) sports betting history was taking Hawthorn by 60+ to win that game.
The Geelong Cats are at a crossroads – again
Maybe it’s time for The Roar to stop allowing people to reply to this article.
Five talking points from the AFL semi-finals
Truthfully I’d be very disappointed if the Lions got this far only to fall one step short of a home Grand Final, something that wouldn’t be possible any other year.
But looking at it more broadly I think all footy fans have to be excited about any of the possible matchups we might get in the finale.
I’m glad Brisbane play second, and I can enjoy Friday’s game one way or the other.
Cream rises to the top for prelims
I remember last time Brisbane and Geelong played at the Gabba, Peter, you were adamant the Cats would win comfortably.
Fortunately the Lions got up that day by a point. Hopefully for Brisbane fans its the same result, but hopefully for my heart its a different margin.
In all seriousness though I’d be surprised if it was a blowout. The Lions appear to have made some big strides this season. Between Selwood, Dangerfield and Hawkins the Cats certainly have players capable of cracking the game open, but I think Brisbane have the capacity to blunt Geelong’s strengths as they did to Richmond.
Cream rises to the top for prelims
It’s remarkable how even the season appears at this late point between the top four. I’m pretty confident we’ll get three excellent games from here.
One interesting point: each of the remaining teams has a 2-2 record against the other remaining teams.
Cream rises to the top for prelims
This is an excellent exercise in flushing out the people who have strong opinions about articles they haven’t read properly.
The new kings of the AFL jungle: 2021 AFL ladder prediction