The road to season 2015

Scotty_WCE said:

Fair call mate, obviously you know more about the Demons than me! We'll see next season if they can limit the number of big scores they concede.

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They made significant ground on that this year but at times where way too defensive needed to attack more, from memory there was 8 games where we led in the last quarter only to be beat if we could somehow turn that around suddenly you push for the 8, can't see it happening next year but can always hope I guess, as I said the midfield is the main area that needs attention if you have a great midfield suddenly the back line doesn't matter as much because the balls not going in there every 10 seconds, melbourne will have massive coin to spend for a free agent and I really hope they can snag someone like dangerfield but to do that we need to improve a fair bit next year

Day 43 (144 days to go)

I'm really sorry North fans (wait. Are there even any on here?!), I'm going to push your season preview back to Thursday night (was at the Sheffield Shield last night). Sorry again, it will be up on Thursday!

Day 44 (143 days to go)

Headlines you won't see in 2015: Carlton

Merry Mick and Mark Stevens make up after win in record-breaker

Murphy Furphy! Captain says "I'm not joining Pies"

Why didn't they Waite and see? Jarrad kicks 12 against his old club

Potential Milestones in 2015: Carlton

Andrew Carrazzo: 200 games (22 needed)
Marc Murphy: 200 games (15 needed)
Andrew Walker: 200 games (21 needed)
Michael Jamison: 150 games (19 needed)
Andrejs Everett: 100 games (4 needed)
Robert Warnock: 100 games (14 needed)

Day 45 (142 days to go)

Headlines you won't see in 2015: Collingwood

Swan shock: star retires to become full-time tattooist

Great Scott! Pendlebury racks up 54 disposals and kicks 6 on Anzac Day

Fed-up Eddies demands fair go for his players: "They travel too much"

Potential Milestones in 2015: Collingwood

Dane Swan: 250 games (14 needed)
Scott Pendlebury: 200 games (8 needed)
Alan Toovey: 150 games (19 needed)
Nathan Brown: 100 games (7 needed)
Ben Reid: 100 games (1 needed)

1500 wins (15 needed)

What's Dayle Garlett been up to since leaving the Hawks?

Quite a lot!

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/da...d-meth-addiction/story-fndv7pj3-1227114293096

That really is a sad story, I hope that he can get his life back on track.

Lazlow said:

What's Dayle Garlett been up to since leaving the Hawks?

Quite a lot!

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/da...d-meth-addiction/story-fndv7pj3-1227114293096

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As a fellow Swans supporter, how would you feel about Garlett returning to the Swannies?

Day 46 (141 days to go)

Headlines you won't see in 2015: Essendon

Selfless act: Watson declares he'll return Brownlow in return for no ASADA sanctions

Fletcher signs new 5-year, $5 million contract

He's back! Sheedy re-takes the reins at Bombers after Hird ban

Potential Milestones in 2015: Essendon

Dustin Fletcher: 400 games (7 needed)
Jobe Watson: 200 games (12 needed)
Jason Winderlich: 150 games (22 needed)
Dyson Heppell: 100 games (16 needed)
Ben Howlett: 100 games (3 needed)
Jake Melksham: 100 games (4 needed)
David Myers: 100 games (17 needed)

1000 losses (9 needed)

Scotty_WCE said:

As a fellow Swans supporter, how would you feel about Garlett returning to the Swannies?

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Not against it, but would have to come with a bevy of stipulations.

Firstly, rehab. Get off the gear. Secondly, counseling, all season long. Thirdly, have him do community work with the club. Maybe provide some perspective on how fortunate he is to have the opportunities available to him that some kids can only dream of.

Regardless of how good his pre-season might be, or his form is, I'd have him play a mandatory number of games in the reserves. Show he can keep his head, meet the requirements and play a consistent level of football.

Finally, zero tolerance. No player is bigger than any club, and if he slips up just once, then he's not worth exerting any energy on.

Garlett has zero chance of ever being picked up no club would take the risk, who has the time to babysit him doesn't matter if you have all the talent in the world drugs will destroy your life

Sweet jumpin' catfish!!!!!!!!!!!! I reckon $199 is amazing value. 26 DVD's, over 51 hours of footy!! Merry Christmas....

Me Want

Essendon players have had there names put on the register of findings and infraction notices are imminent, how james hird still has his job is mind boggling, this all wouldn't be happening if they didn't have enough evidence

Day 47 (140 days to go)

North Melbourne 2015 Season Preview

North Melbourne were perhaps the biggest surprises in 2014: I for one certainly didn't expect them to make a preliminary final. But they are in a good position, and well primed for another top 6 berth in 2015.

On paper, perhaps they aren't the strongest team in the competition, but we all know it's not what's on the paper that counts. Case in point is Big Bad Ben Brown, whose hairstyle and guernsey number combined to make him a fan favourite. And yet they have a number of solid contributors who they can depend on to get the job done.

Scott Thompson is one of the best defenders in the AFL, and he showed this when he kept Buddy Franklin goalless early in the 2014 season. He is the leader down back, and support comes from Grima, McMahon, Atley, McDonald and Wright. The Roos have no concerns at all down back.

What about the engine room? Captain Swallow is courageous, hard-working and ticks all the boxes. Ben Cunnington is seriously underrated: not sure how many would have picked him to win the North B&F! At his best Daniel Wells is a gun, and adds some vital pace. Boomer Harvey just keeps on getting better: his 2014 was outstanding, and he could play for another couple of seasons. Dal Santo has been a great pickup as he enters his twilight years. They are supplied by ruckman Todd Goldstein, who also probably is somewhat underrated by the average fan.

In the forward line, I've already mentioned Brown, but it gets more colourful when you add Black into the mix (yes, I know, that was terrible). But in all seriousness, if he can take his game to the next level, the Roos have two players to build their future forward line around. Drew Petrie is very consistent and one of the most valuable players for the Roos, and another vital player is small forward Lindsay Thomas, whose goal sense is incredible.

What does all this mean? A top 5 finish for mine. They've got just the right balance between youth and experience, and 2015 could be the last season before they require a mini rebuild, but things are looking bright for next season.

Predictions:

B&F: Daniel Wells
Most Brownlow votes: Daniel Wells (15)
Most goals: Aaron Black (42)
Most improved: Luke McDonald
Position: 5th

Tomorrow: Port Adelaide

Matty76 said:

Sweet jumpin' catfish!!!!!!!!!!!! I reckon $199 is amazing value. 26 DVD's, over 51 hours of footy!! Merry Christmas....

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Already got the 1992 and 2006 Victory Packs, plus the 1994 Grand Final.

Don't need anything else

Didn't notice Gold Coast had delisted Greg Broughton, to redraft him as a rookie.

Bit stiff for a guy that played 17 & 20 games in his two years at the club.

A little bit of Hawk Talk to begin with (there can never be too much Hawk Talk, so bear with me folks!):

Danny Frawley has joined Hawthorn as a part time backline/key position coach. He performed a similar role at the Hawks in 2008-09 before becoming the Coaches Association CEO.

Also, a correction to something I wrote last week about James Hird's appeal. For some reason I thought the decision would be made on Monday.....however a decision is expected to be made "before Christmas" by the three members. This has got so much longer to play out though..... If Hird wins his appeal, ASADA would need to re-start its investigation. If Hird loses his appeal, he can even appeal THIS decision! Crumbs!

34 past and present essendon players have been issued infraction notices, now surely hird must be sacked it is the biggest joke if he isn't, I feel sorry for the players BUT the way hird and essendon have dragged this out thinking they are bigger than ASADA I would be dissapointed if the bans are anything under 12 months

Day 48 (139 days to go)

Port Adelaide 2015 Season Preview

Port are perhaps the most hyped team going into the 2015 season, and for good reason too. They started and ended the season with bangs, and the form they showed in the 2014 finals series was quite breathtaking: they are on track to be a real force in 2015.

In my opinion the main reason Port's future appears to be so bright is because of their youth. Kane Cornes is their only player aged over 30, and most of their best 22 is no older than 26. If they do go deep into the 2015 finals series, their experience from this year should make up for a lack of older players.

So let's look at their lines. In defence Alipate Carlile marshals the troops, but they have some seriously good players coming through. The likes of Pittard, Hombsch, Impey, Trengove and Broadbent have very bright futures, and if they can improve collectively in 2015 by limiting the number of 80+ scores conceded, they will be a step closer to premiership glory.

The Power midfield is even more exciting. Cornes, and Boak have been proven players for a long time, but the future lies with Wines, Hartlett, Ebert and Polec. These guys are all guns. They could well be the best midfield in 2015, they have pace, skill and toughness and this is where their success in 2014 came from: the rapid improvement of their midfield.

Jay Schulz is the main target in an explosive forward line. Justin Westhoff at his best is hugely damaging, but the player from Port all eyes will be on in 2015 is Chad Wingard: he is a seriously cool player (hair flick one second, mark of the year the next). If he can return to his All Australian form, watch out! Brownlow smokie.

Can they live up to the hype in 2015, and win their second premiership? It certainly won't be a cakewalk, but if their guns all fire and with a bit of luck, they will definitely be challenging for a spot in the Grannie.

Predictions:

B&F: Brad Ebert
Most Brownlow votes: Chad Wingard (17)
Most goals: Jay Schulz (49)
Most improved: Jared Polec
Position: 2nd

Tomorrow: Richmond

I guess the only question hanging over Port is how will they perform at the MCG? They are 2-3 at the 'G over the last two seasons, although the three losses were very close and at the hands of Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn.

If you'd told me two years ago that they would virtually own Adelaide Oval I'd have laughed at you. They are the hottest footy ticket in town and even the neutral supporters admire what Port have turned the venue in to.

Port will always be in games because of their dare and fitness levels - they remind me a lot of Sydney under Roosy. Very even, often unheralded and rarely blown out of the water.

Matty76 said:

Sweet jumpin' catfish!!!!!!!!!!!! I reckon $199 is amazing value. 26 DVD's, over 51 hours of footy!! Merry Christmas....

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www.sportsdelivered.com.au have a special pre-order offer running until 3rd December. Enter 25YEARS in the voucher section before you checkout to receive $40 off

So here's how the Future Force sig list went

FFRS1 JARROD PICKETT - Pick #4 GWS
FFRS2 CLEM SMITH - Pick #60 Carlton
FFRS3 LACHLAN WELLER - Pick #13 Fremantle
FFRS4 JADEN McGRATH - Pick #73 Brisbane
FFRS5 BRADLEY WALSH - Undrafted
FFRS6 LIAM DUGGAN - Pick #11 West Coast
FFRS7 ISAAC HEENEY - Pick #18 Sydney
FFRS8 BILLY STRETCH - Pick #42 Melbourne
FFRS9 LIAM GRIFFITHS - Undrafted
FFRS10 NAKIA COCKATOO - Pick #10 Geelong
FFRS11 JACKSON NELSON - Pick #51 West Coast
FFRS12 ANGUS BRAYSHAW - Pick #3 Melbourne
FFRS13 RYAN LIM - Undrafted
FFRS14 PATRICK MCCARTIN - Pick #1 St Kilda
FFRS15 LIAM DAWSON - Pick #44 Brisbane
FFRS16 DANIEL CAPRION - Undrafted
FFRS17 JERMAINE MILLER-LEWIS - Undrafted
FFRS18 JAKE LEVER - Pick #14 Adelaide
FFRS19 MARC BOWER - Undrafted
FFRS20 Tom Lamb - Pick #32 West Coast
FFRS21 NICHOLAS COUGHLAN - Undrafted
FFRS22 MATTHEW AH SIU - Undrafted
FFRS23 HUGH GODDARD - Pick #21 St Kilda
FFRS24 MATTHEW HAMMELMANN - Undrafted
FFRS25 JESSE WATCHMAN - Undrafted
FFRS26 SAM DURDIN - Pick #16 North Melbourne
FFRS27 CHRISTIAN PETRACCA - Pick #2 Melbourne
FFRS28 SAM DEVAN - Undrafted
FFRS29 PETER WRIGHT - Pick #8 Gold Coast
FFRS30 SEAN McCLAREN - Undrafted
FFRS31 DUOM DAWAM - Undrafted

13 of 31 went undrafted, or 42% of the checklist

Clubs that missed out: Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Richmond, Footscray

Club with the most: Melbourne & West Coast with 3 players each


Of the four boxes I busted, I lucked onto 1 PC hit with a Tom Lamb red sig. But of the other 3 sigs, only one was drafted (Brayshaw red) while two weren't (Hammelmann red, Coughlan red). Onto the Pre-season and Rookie drafts!