I can't believe Sydney let go of those guys. Schneider was one of their best players (though according to reports he hasn't been able to reproduce his form from a couple of seasons ago. Good luck with him, Aztec.

And Cousins is officially gone. I can't believe the AFL has a "non-testing period" for drugs. It just invites recreational use during the off-season. Take a harsher stance. Same goes for every other code. Become more like the NFL - if your actions in any way bring disrepute to the game, you're gone. Though they'd also have to change the definition of what brings the game into disrepute. In Australia, if you have a night out and stay at a strangers house until 6am, for some reason you have "brought the game into disrepute". Heck, I've done that myself a few times and I'm not a big party animal.

But I digress. The Saints are looking good for next year, as I said - Good luck.....

Nah I disagree on the off season testing. In the US it might be ok, because there are cities all over the place where drug testing agencies would work from so they have easy access to people all over the country. If an aboriginal player goes back to hsi home town of gundamarry (made up) up above broome in WA, I can't see how drug testers are going to go looking for that one play when its a long way from the perth offices they are in.... and it would be almost criminal to make the guy come to perth for a 5 min drug test, just to turn around and go home....

Anyhow thats my opinion lol

^Well Cousins has been given a 12 month ban, effective from today and will have to lodge an application to the AFL should he decide to make a comeback for the 2009 season. I believe he needed a year away anyway, to sort out his life and to complete rehabitation. Here's hoping he can do that and make a comeback, as talent such as his should not be wasted.

I find it funny how we the public seem to black mark people. Now, if Ben had of died from a drug overdose last month.... everyone would be grieving for someone who was sick and the unfortunate loss of life. However, since he is somewhat healthy (as such) he generally gets slated....

Anyhow I also hope he can get his life together and get back to play in 2009 (for collingwood) lol

^Bah, we have his best mate Gardiner, so he`ll obviously want to play for us in 2009.

To the shock of all, the mighty G-train has nominated for the draft this saturday with it looking like he would prefer to return to St.Kilda according to the club. Here's hoping that's true as he is currently on holiday in Europe and hasn`t released a statement indicating his future plans. St.kilda also announced a relocation to Frankston, where a 10 million redevelopment of a VFL oval will begin immediately to provide us with the most advanced training and rehabilitation facilities in the AFL.

HAHAHA, Frankston, I have such disturbing memories of Frankston, HAHAHAHA. By the way if St Kilda is that desperate for those players they are in a lot of trouble!
Rehabilitation facilities would be a good idea for our drug dependent AFL players, to dry out too, so all you junky AFL players join St kilder and get rehab in Frankston. LMAO

Desperate for "those" players? I assume you mean Gardiner and Cousins, both former All-Australians and a Brownlow medalist, why would we possibly want them. Gardiner has not been in any trouble since he moved to Victoria to join the Saints and although he was injured all year, is now completly fit and ready to go. Cousins, if he gets cleaned up, will be of interest to a majority of AFL sides, so obviously St.Kilda will have a look at him in 09, if he gets himself right.

In regards to the relocation to Frankston, the new precinct has been modelled off the Premier leagues sides facilities of Chelsea and Aston Villa. It will be superior to the Lexus Center. Also your immature and pathetic crack at those addicted to drugs and St.Kilda was crude and served no point. Rehabilitation facilities at a football club refer to the rehabilitation of players bodies and minds before and after matches.

Sorry you are right I was too crude, it's just that Franston is a drug problem area thats all.

^No worries.

While it does have a bad reputation, it has been considerably cleaned up in recent years and although it still has some issues it's not that bad. I personally have spent little time there, I live much closer to the city, however I have seen significant improvement's occurring in the area over the past few years when passing through. St.kilda's new facility will include significant community access and involvement so that will also be another step in the right direction.

In other news, Gehrig has made it clear that he only wants to play for St.Kilda, which has lead the other 15 clubs to announce they will not draft him tommorrow. It will be interesting to see if they change their minds and if St.Kilda even bother to draft him.

I think St Kilda should concentrate on young players.... If they draft him back, there is no guarantee that you will be premiers next year... and then you are going to be left by him and Robert Harvey.... I think its time to start concentrating on the kids a bit more... aside from the superstars you got in the draft a few years back.

^True, however from reports so far this draft has rather slim-pickings so recycled players are expected to play a significant role. St.Kilda only really have two worthwhile picks, 9 and 42, so we can use our later picks to get him if we want, which I expect St.Kilda to do. They will use those two on quality youngsters. He is still a proven full-forward and will accept a massive pay-cut from last year, so he would be a bargain for pick 72 or 90+ which are our other two picks.

I suppose that is true.

Collingwood only have 2 picks, aside from the pick for father son we already have used... So.... can't say this draft interests me much lol

Well with our first round pick (number 9) we got Ben McEvoy, a tall forward/ruckman. Fraser Gehrig came out of retirement at No. 57, while James Polkinghorne (42) and Eljay Connors (70) were the other picks. A pretty good result, we obtained the second best ruckman in the draft, a key forward and much loved former player and two other youngsters who have quite decent credentials. I`m satisified and just hoping the Gehrig didn`t let himself go after retiring.

Well its almost that time again. I can say I am really looking forward to seeing my boys in action this year

And if any of you are interested in joining my fantasy league, let me know... as I am waiting for a reasonable number of people before do we a player draft

^I`m feeling the same, I still believe our premiership window is open and with our newly bolstered list and improved medical and fitness staff we should be right up there, and this time hopefully with no injuries.

Luke Ball has just announced tha he will step down from the captaincy this year to focus on getting through a season injury free, here's hoping it finally happens.

Subby, I`ll join your league I went looking for the email you sent me and after searching through my mailbox it wasn`t there, so please either send me another email or just pm on UM.

Well collingwood couldn't win a premiership whilst bucks was still there, so if we won this year there would be a sad feeling to it... but I hope they can get one for the other players. Burns (who has been a champion since his first season), Rocca and Wakelin to name the ones to come to mind.

That decision by Ball is a smart one. A few years back Scott Burns stood down from vice captain for the exact same reasons and his own game came back even better then before.

Ill send you the link.

^Thanks, I now have the link and it works fine, looking forward to the competition.

Well Harvey really deserve's that elusive premiership and I wouldn`t be suprised if he played again next year if we miss out this year especially if we get close. It would allow him to hit 400 games if he played in the 09 season, he just keeps on keeping on. I would feel sorry for Buck's if Collingwood did manage to take the premiership this year, but as you said your side does have quite a few senior guys who deserve to go out on top.

*Slinks in*

Is it to soon to say Go the Power.

Seriously though I hope to see Port do much better this year. They did have a good season lastyear and if they can continue and perhaps get over the finals jitters we might do some real work.

I truly hope we come out with a team able to perform and not to shell shocked by lastyears Grand Final, at the same time I hope they learnt something from that final. Namely that while the hard work to get to the Final is incredibly important, on that big day it counts for absolutely zip. There was a time when they could be forgiven for new club nerves but since their grandfinal that is no longer appropriate. Now they need to step up and show that they are as good (better) then the other teams.

Anyhow good luck to you all and may the best non-Victorian team win

^Bah the mighty Saints will of course triumph this year.

I was quite impressed watching our youngsters and a few regulars easily dispose of Richmond, but as we all know the pre-season doesn`t really count for all that much when it comes to predicting form for the regular season. I just hope Ross Lyon keeps playing the kids in our next NAB cup match as they will struggle to get many games during the year, unless our injury curse returns.

Also what is everyone's thoughts on the AFL attempting to have two more clubs up and running by 2012. Another in Queensland and one in West Sydney. I simply dont see how it is actually possible in such a short period of time.

Go the Dockers

I think it's a great idea to have more interstate clubs. The AFL seem to be rushing into things, but I have no objections as long as the competition becomes more unvictorian

Believe it or not, I'm for that idea too.... Though coming from a collingwood supporter knowing my team hasn't a chance in hell of folding, ts maybe not such a big deal lol

I'm surprised they havent looked into a New Zealand team yet, given that its not a long flight...well..aside from getting there from perth lol

OK I'm asking for it i guess. I don't understand the rules or how the game is played. It is the only game where they give you points for being close enough! Why not just put some more posts around the field and everytime the ball goes over the line it means someone scored! Seems pretty silly to me but hey each to their own, i can respect that.

...How is that different from rugby, and saying.. "hey, we aren't good enough to run the ball over the line over there so we will kick it between two posts and at least get a couple of points"

I don't see much of a difference really

^nice . I personally enjoy watching both sports, although AFL for me is far more entertaining and is the sport I grew up playing and supporting.

Anyway The might Saint's won the NAB cup which is a nice $380,000 bonus, with a crappy trophy. It was a great series for our youngster's and draftee's, with our more senior players and superstars easing themselves in and showing fine form. Here's hoping it continue's into the proper season.

Yeah, thanks saints for taking the cursed trophy

I agree Subby.

The NAB cup is a waste of time and doesn't mean anything. The winner of the NAB rarely does overly well in the Premier league. I think the best thing to do would be to scrap it all together and just go back to the old preseason of a few scratch matches against other clubs or even SANFL/VFL level clubs.

This way it prevents or at least limits the injuries that all clubs fear will happen if they play their superstars in the NAB

I disagree.

Whilst I agree it doesn't mean anything, I take it as an opportunity to sit back and watch some of the new players at my club. And as far as the injuries go.... I think from memory all of the knee reco's from the preseason happened in the practise matches, and not the NAB, so I wouldn't think injuries would be a difference at all.

Well with a number of our key player's still missing we were able to hold on against Sydney and start the season with an ugly but gritty win. Geary and Jones, two youngsters played superbly with Jones's mark and kick to schenider essentialy winning the game for us. Hopefully the G-train, Goddard, Blake and McGuire get bak into the side soon.

Yes, we the magpaies too have started off strongly with a 26 point win over freo. 2 New players, Wood and Brown... add a new dimension to our team. I thinnk Wood is the player collingwood has been looking for... someone who is probably going to be our number 1 ruckman soon enough, allowing Fraser to play more of a roaming roll. Brown kept pavlich to 1 goal..... I don't care who you are, you have to be happy with that.

..Somehow we have to fit Burns, Johnson and Holland into that team lol

all I can say is, you won't be so lucky next time.

Lucky?

Was it also luck last year when we did the same thing

You guys need to find a backline..... Last year we had no didak, Rocca Kicked 5, Davis 4. This year Rocca got six.... Didak 3, davis 2....

All the argument is over pavlich's game, and the old legs of freo.. but I think its easier... freo's backline just isn't up to it at the minute.

*cough* MCG *cough*




only time will tell my friend

Um.... hate to tell you this, but Fremantle need to win away as well

still sobbing over your loss yesterday aye

Nah, still one more win then freo

Typical kangaroos match, but who's got the ball?

Well done to Collingwood on probably the biggest upset of the season. Not just in winning (they always had a chance), but by absolutely smashing the Cats by 86 points. Didn't see that one coming

That leaves Hawthorn as the sole unbeaten team left in the competition. Though they play third-placed Western Bulldogs next week, which could see them drop the game.

Sydney's also getting some semblance of form returning, with back-to-back wins. The best aspect is their accuracy in front of goal. Their past few losses have been only small margins and their kicking has been woeful. Quality accuracy this week and last week helped put them on the front foot. However, they are clearly missing the impact of Barry Hall, who is still suspended/injured (though he's suspended for seven weeks, he'd be out with a broken wrist for at least as long anyway). It'll be good when he gets back, Sydney will be much more potent in attack.

But wow, I'm still reeling at the Pies-Cats result

With fear of being a one-poster thread, I'd like to still bring up my thoughts on this week's games. First, Hawthorn's unbeaten run is at an end. The closeness of the competition up the top end of the Ladder shows that any number of teams can win the comp this year, and the Bulldog's game shows that.

Carlton put up a brave showing against the Cats, but quite honestly, I wouldn't want to have been them this week. Geelong were on a mission to bring back respect after losing their first game in 18 months last week against Collingwood ("smashed" would be a better word than "lost"). And Geelong didn't disappoint, strangling Carlton into submission before running away with it comfortably.

Speaking of Collingwood, their win over the West Coast Eagles just shows how far the mighty have fallen. It's somewhat sad to see the Eagles so poor this season considering their previous years, but losing so many good players just has taken its toll on the club.

Meanwhile, Sydney seem to be back to their rampaging best, trouncing Richmond by 82 points. Scary to think that in two weeks, Big Bad Barry's going to be back on hand to provide that extra thrust from centre-half forward (unfortunately for St Kilda, Hall will be returning for your match). Their win today also gave them a massive boost to their percentages, giving them the highest of all the teams in the League.

And finally St Kilda's form seems to bely their position on the ladder. I don't know why they aren't in the 8, but they should be. Brisbane don't deserve their place and I would posit (at a guess) that they've had an easier run in the beginning of the year. I know it's early, but I don't think the Top-8 will be wildly different to what it already is. Brisbane will fal out, St Kilda will move up. None of the other teams outside the 8 have the potency or quality to match it. The rest of the year is going to simply decide which position the top-8 sides finish.

In my humble opinion, of course.

I think it shows just how good those few players west coast lost were. North lost carey and was still around the finals, geelong lost ablett and has never hit bottom... West Coast still have 80% of a premiership side... (unless they sacked more then i thought lol).... Just shows you how some players can carry a team....

^I'll say, Subby. Thrashed by Geelong by 135 points. Though form's a little crazy this year. Collingwood thrashed Geelong by 86 only a few weeks ago, though you'd put that down to an aberration (not that Collingwood wouldn't beat them, but the severity of the win).

In the meantime Collingwood have the week off to face Sydney the following week (also with a week off) - good luck for that game, subby. It should be a good one. Collingwood are going better than their standing suggests (tough games in the past), and the Swans, while obviously going well, may not be as high as they appear (they face Top4/Top-8 teams in the next five weeks, so their opponents have mostly been lower-ranked opponents).

Naturaly my tip is Sydney (nothing to do with bias *shifty eyes*). Good luck,

You can keep your luck, we won't need it

Though in all seriousness I wouldn't be surprised if we lost. It would be funny, because the media would jump all over it and say we are underperforming.... When from last years team at years end we are missing now : Rocca, Buckley, Rusling, Clement.... Thats 4 people from your spine gone.... Kinda hard to back it up after losing them, let alone two of them being amazing players....

I expect us to go a bit backwards this year, but not much further then we are now, but in the next 2 or 3 seasons we will be a pretty big force.

Sydney's also missing Adam Goodes this week though (suspension) but have Spida Everet back from injury. Otherwise, it's a pretty strong line-up. If I remember rightly though, you've sorta been our bogey side recently (you've won the last three matches against us). And traditionally, Sydney doesn't play well immediately after the mid-year break. It'll be tough.

And the bogey-run continues. Congratulations Collingwood - beaten Sydney in the last 5 games straight. Though when any team kicks so inaccurately (Sydney kicked 6.14), they're always going to have problems.

edit and in the aftermath, lies a 1-match ban for Barry Hall for attempting to strike Wakelin. Good thing the strike missed its target or it would have been another seven week ban (probably closer to 12, actually with carryover points and bad disciplinary record). Not that it would have mattered:

FULL-FORWARD Barry Hall has been dropped 'indefinitely' by the Swans, after accepting a one-match suspension for attempting to strike Shane Wakelin on Monday.

The club said Hall would be unavailable for selection for the immediate future, subject to assessment by the club psychologist....

.....Paul Roos says it is not clear when Hall will return to the side after the Swans' psychologist recommended the spearhead be ineligible for selection until further notice.

"Unfortunately Hally won't play this week and we're not sure how long it will be before he plays. At the moment he's like a player who's ineligible for selection," Roos said on Monday.

"He put it on the agenda that he was working on some personal issues during that seven or eight weeks [when suspended after round four]. Probably the unfortunate side of it is that he probably has not been able to overcome those issues," said Roos.

Source for further reading.

Looks like whatever his "personal issue" was that led to the original incident, hasn't gone away. I just hope he gets his head right, and can be back on the field in time for the finals. The Swans got a six-point break on all teams outside the top-4 but are really going to miss him over the next few weeks.

I think his personal issue is that he has a fist that likes peoples chins.....

Everyones making out like hes some sort of monster.... I mean guys, its not been out of the game THAT long....

^Hasn't been that way for quite some time though, Subby. Something's happened to him to make him lash out like he has. It's not his style (at least, it hasn't been since he cleared up his image after leaving St Kilda). Hall's got problems. Though it doesn't look like he's alone this year, with Freo's Dean Solomon just getting canned for 8 weeks after Striking the Cats' Cameron Ling. Longer suspension than Hall, so it must have been pretty bad.

That aside, there seems a real break in the Comp with the top 3 teams holding a massive lead over the rest of the pack (14 points separates 3rd from 4th). In contrast, only 8 points separates 4th from 9th. Sydney still hold a slight 2-point edge to stay in the Top 4, and an impressive Percentage may help (though their Draw against Nth Melbourne means that their percentages will likely mean very little as far as ladder positions go, unless Nth Melbourne end up finding some form again, which seems unlikely going on current form).

The next few weeks should prove interesting with Geelong playing both the Bulldogs and Hawthorn in consecutive games.

Collingwood are in top form, beating Sydney and Adelaide in consecutive weeks, and come up against the struggling Nth Melbourne, who got smashed by lowly Port Adelaide last week.

Sydney is in crisis, and didn't look anything like the team they were in the first half of the season against Hawthorn. Rare flashes showing what they are capable of, but very disjointed, particularly with hand-passes and goal accuracy (a problem last week also). Up against Carlton who are playing for their season, one win outside the top 8, it will be tough, though Sydney should be favourites (a Carlton loss will virtually knock them out of Finals contention). However, Sydney have a horrid run home to the finals, playing Adelaide, Collingwood, Geelong, and the Western Bulldogs (as well as Freo and Brisbane) over the coming weeks

Adelaide and Brisbane are starting to crack, the latter getting a belting by Essendon, though I have said since the start that Brisbane don't seem a worthy Top 8 side. They may find something.

And St Kilda's win over Carlton keeps them in the 8 (I'll bet AztecInca's happy about that one) still holding a 2-point lead over Nth Melbourne.

No one else seems to be in finals contention, with both Essendon and Richmond more than a full game outside the 8, and the rest no chance.

Any predictions for the make-up of the Top-8 yet? I predicted St Kilda to move up and Brisbane to move down a few weeks back, instead it was Nth Melbourne who went down. St Kilda have a relatively easy run home to the finals, and so pencil in Round 18 - Brisbane vs Nth Melbourne to possibly decide the Finals fate for these teams. Brisbane have an easier run to that round (West Coast, my how they've fallen), and Richmond, but face both Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs, then Carlton and Sydney, who've had the wool on them for the past many games). Nth Melbourne have a tough road in (Collingwood next week, followed by bottom placed Melbourne), but play the Bulldogs, Carlton, Geelong, and Port Adelaide to close it out. If things go according to plan (they don't always), whoever wins Brisbane vs Nth Melbourne may very well find themselves the ones in finals, while the loser is eliminated.

Come to think of it, most of the teams playing for their Finals' lives have tough games, with every team from fourth-to-ninth playing two of the three Top-3 before the finals, who have all been outstanding. Sydney play Collingwood and Adelaide as well.

Hawks flogged the Swans! "Yay". Go the Hawks.

This years draft is awesome. Daniel Rich, Jack watts, Nick Nat will be top 3.

Hartlett, Hurley, Vickery, Robinson, Yarran, Zaharakis & Jack Ziebell from vic country are some possible 1st round .

atm I'd say Watts is the best, Nick Naitanui has been ok but not outstanding in his last few WA games, but he has been doing well at wafl level along with Rich. Naitanui is a freak of an athlete but.

Well whaddaya know - come Finals time and my original guesstimate was correct - back at the beginning of June (see first post I made on this page for details) I chose every team who would be in the Top 8 (I should have put a bet on it or something - what's the value bet these days for choosing all 8 teams who are in the finals 3 months before the finals begins?). Oh well *shrugs*

But in all seriousness, not a great deal has changed since that earlier prediction I made near the beginning of June. Geelong is still the benchmark - by a loooooooong way. Hawthorn and the Bulldogs are both surprise packets through their consistency over the entire season. St Kilda brought a stunning 108-point win in the final round to just pip the Crows for a Top 4 birth by percentages (probably the surprise of the finals - the beginning of the year was very lacklustre, and I'm surprised they managed 4th - but congratulations to them all the same). And for their efforts they get to have the great fortune of playing the Cats at Geelong's stadium in Week 1. Good luck

I'm not sure which has been the bigger disappointment - the Swans or Collingwood. For the Swans, after such a bright and brilliant start to the season, even winning (and winning well) when Barry Hall was suspended/injured, it probably pains them that they only managed 2 wins from their last 8 games. If they could have found one win - somewhere.... anywhere in those 8 weeks, they'd be 4th spot and have the double-chance. However, they can argue injuries have plagued them this year, but hopefully (for them) they have a near-full strength team against North Melbourne. On the other hand, Collingwood promised soooo much. Highlighting their season with an 86-point thrashing of the Minor Premiers, it's quite perplexing to see them finish in 8th place. I don't know their injury concerns, maybe Subby or one of the other Melbournians could shed light on this (we New South Welshman aren't really kept up to date with that sort of thing here) but whatever happened, they have only managed to scrape into the finals.

Finals Predictions:

Geelong vs St Kilda - Sorry Saints, but I can't see anyone beating the Cats. At least you have the double-chance. Cats to win

Hawthorn vs Bulldogs - Even money bet. Really, this one could go either way. Too close to call. For lack of a better reason, take the home-side

Adelaide vs Collingwood - Which Collingwood will turn up to play? the one that thrashed the Cats, or the ones that limped into the finals? On paper, the Pies should win, and win well, but they haven't been on the top of their game. I think they'll come good in the finals though. Collingwood to win a thriller

Sydney vs North Melbourne - Another each-way bet. These two teams played out a draw during the regular season, so expect this one to also go down to the wire. If the Swans can bring their form from the last Round, they should manage it. If not, they will struggle. But they will take some consolation - with St Kilda's win in the final round, they won't have to play Collingwood, who have been their bogey-side for the past two years, with the Pies winning the last 6 games in a row (or something along those lines). Tough to call - on paper, Sydney should win, with the home-ground advantage

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Any other thoughts leading into the finals????

Collingwood look better on paper? Are you deluded

Lets not forget collingwood are misssing Rocca, Thomas, Rusling, Didak, Shaw, Holland and probably Burns... 4 of those 5 would easily be in our top 10 players, In fact our players i would think are 1.Didak, 2. Shaw 3.Cloke 4. Swan. 5. Rocca..... And have just regained Presti after over a year off basically.

Collingwoods BEST team would beat adelaide... but with th amount of kids we are playing now, you just nver know.

Anyhow.... Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood and North