So the AFL season is underway. Richmond currently leading Carlton heading into the 4th quarter. Carlton are actually playing well, not like the bottom of the table favourites they are. Alex Rance has just gone down seriously injured now for Richmond and it looks bad, knee could be fucked and that would be a serious blow to them if it turns out to be a season ender. Could be a career ender too for the best full back of the last few years if it is very bad.
Richmond are favourites to win out this year. I can see why, but their miserable collapse to Collingwood has to be factored in. They can be beaten, and beaten well. Collingwood next in line and then West Coast. I think Collingwood might make amends for a close loss last year. I’d actually fancy West Coast other than history says repeats are hard enough to get (Hawthorn and Brisbane aside). There have been 6 different teams in the last 3 finals, and that doesnt include Melbourne, Essendon GWS or Geelong who have been pushing hard in finals in recent years. West Coast have improved over the off season, Gaff is back, Kennedy should be at full health and a few new players have put their hands up too. A year into Rioli and Ryan was massive too.
Geelongs window is small now, and they have little time left with a star studded midfield. If they dont make it with this bunch, they need to reset. All eyes will be on Melbourne who were big favourites for a lot of people to finally win through, but collapsed in spectacular fashion in Perth in the semi final last year. They have a quality young side, but not sure they have the mental strength. Maybe that hammering was what they needed for a kick up the hole, we’ll see.
My top 8 for this year is Richmond, West Coast, Collingwood, Melbourne, Adelaide, GWS, Geelong and Essendon. Hawthorn and Sydney a chance, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Bulldogs following them and then a rabble of teams below in Brisbane, St Kilda, Fremantle, Carlton and Gold Coast
A few Irish lads making inroads this year too. Conor Nash and Conor Glass at Hawthorn got good time pre season. O Riordan got time with Sydney. McKenna is a mainstay at Essendon, Similar to Tuohy who was named as a leadership group member in Geelong. O’Connor still on the fringes in Geelong and should see game time. Darragh Joyce is pushing for a starting spot at full back for St Kilda and had a great pre season, keeping some mainstay opponents quiet. Pearce Hanley has gone to ground in shit Gold Coast side, but a main player there. Red Og Murphy, Madden, Tohill, Keane, Okunbar, Brown all rookies and unlikely to feature, but with some poor teams, they could get a shot later on.
Richmond have now opened up Carlton and are smashing them in the 4th. Normal service has resumed.
