2017 ladder/season predictions.

[kilbluff1985]

meow i think the fact that back to back flags are rare although do happen and since they had success they could drop off mentally

it's just a bit unknown how they will handle it

[meow meow]

Yeah that is a legitimate reason. Hunger and effort is just as, if not more important than talent. We know what we will get from Picken and Morris, but Libba and Stringer might be a worry.

[fanTCfool]

There are quite a few sides that are better than the bulldogs on paper, a crazy amount of spirit and belief got it done this year.
Can it be re-invigorated after a 6 month lay-off and last for another whole season? That remains to be seen. If anyone can pull it off it is Bevo though.

[JBs-Hawks]

Can someone explain it to me?

Call me bias but I think you're all crazy for picking GWS to be minor premiers and premiers. The hype is huge but if you look at best 22's and depth how can you have them above us? Their first year academy players won't really do anything to make a difference in 2017, and they have traded away all their depth. They have huge reputations, but is Jacob Hopper really any better than fellow 2nd year player Josh Dunkley? Kelly better than Macrae? Williams vs JJ? Haynes vs Wood? Clay Smith is finally healthy and if you watched all 4 finals you'll have seen that he's as good as Toby or Devon in that role. Even a guy like Lids with his huge rep vs Liam Picken who just gets it done with little fanfare. That sums it up IMO, hype vs reality.

Id take

Hopper > Dunkley
Kelly > Macrae
Williams > JJ
Haynes = Wood
Toby > Clay > Devon
Lids > Picken

So yes they have you covered!

Probably thought the old Hawks had us covered too :P

Even if these were accurate, the margins would be minor. But we've got Bont and they don't so we'll slay them anyway. I recall you saying he was overrated so I'm comfortable with you underrating the above guys too.

And the Bulldogs went backwards big time this offseason.

Hamling was the only loss and it'll be offset by the return of Adams.

Also regain Bob and Crameri, and add Cloke.

Stevens is a minor loss, Hrovat had little chance of getting games even if he stayed. Our VFL team copped it a bit but the seniors will be strengthened if anything.

Surely iv never said the Bont is overrated ???

[PowerBug]

Meow, you added Cloke which is what I was referring to when I said you went backwards :P

[Holz]

Cant believe people have North finishing last.

think people were forgetting that we were pretty much the most injured team last year. But not from a 9-0 team when healthy to the spoon favorites.

GWS easy over dogs, dogs overpeformed.

[RaisyDaisy]

Yeah no way Norf finish last, but they'll be in the bottom 6

And yeah the Doggies entire finals campaign was something extremely special.  Not the sort of thing we'll likely see for a long time

[kilbluff1985]

Cant believe people have North finishing last.

think people were forgetting that we were pretty much the most injured team last year. But not from a 9-0 team when healthy to the spoon favorites.

yeah u not lost a few of ur best player either

[Holz]

Cant believe people have North finishing last.

think people were forgetting that we were pretty much the most injured team last year. But not from a 9-0 team when healthy to the spoon favorites.

yeah u not lost a few of ur best player either

yep thats true but we were a 9-0 team before all the injuries hit and did have softish draw but were a top 4 team.

I dont think you drop that far from a top 4 team even with the loss of Wells Boomer NDS.

I think 6-12 is what i would expect.

GWS minor and flag.

[RaisyDaisy]

I dont think you drop that far from a top 4 team even with the loss of Wells Boomer NDS.

I wouldn't be so sure

Just ask Freo

[Holz]

I dont think you drop that far from a top 4 team even with the loss of Wells Boomer NDS.

I wouldn't be so sure

Just ask Freo

Ok if we lose Goldy (fyfe) where stuffed.

[kilbluff1985]

holz can u give us a best 22 for North

[GoLions]

holz can u give us a best 22 for North

From the AFL site:

B: Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Marley Williams
HB: Shaun Atley, Scott Thompson, Luke McDonald
C: Jamie Macmillan, Jack Ziebell, Sam Gibson
HF: Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite, Mason Wood
F: Majak Daw, Ben Brown, Lindsay Thomas
R: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington
INT: Taylor Garner, Trent Dumont, Ben Jacobs, Nathan Hrovat
EMERG: Ryan Clarke, Ed Vickers-Willis, Kayne Turner

I'm not a North expert, but reckon that's not too far off. Think Hansen and Anderson should get a fair few games though, and Clarke/Turner possible starters over someone like Garner, or possibly Hrovat. Mitchell Hibberd also a chance.

[crowls]

Ladder:[/size]1. Sydney2. GWS3. Bulldogs4. Adelaide[/size]
5. [/size]St.Kilda[/size]6. Hawthorn7. West Coast[/size]8. Fremantle9. Melbourne[/size]
10. [/size]Essendon[/size]11. Port Adelaide12. Geelong[/size]
13. [/size]Carlton[/size]14. Collingwood[/size]15. North Melb16. Gold Coast17. Richmond[/size]18. BrisbaneGrand Final: GWS vs BulldogsPremiers: BulldogsBrownlow: BontempelliColeman: Tom Lynch (GC)


Tougher than it looks.
GWS, Sydney and Dogs to continue on.  Geelong to drop down as they miss reliable senior players and younger players fail to develop as needed.   Dogs to continue on.  Sydney and GWS minimal change,  interesting to see if GWS misses the depth it had.   Essendon to take half a season to come to grips with game and list changes. Might just miss finals.   Big jump expected from Freo with good draft and trade period for them.   Collingwood to continue to struggle.   


May have Port higher than I should.  Richmond to continue as a basket  case.[/size]

[GoLions]

Ladder:
Sydney
GWS
Bulldogs
Adelaide
St.Kilda
Hawthorn
West Coast
Fremantle
Melbourne
Essendon
Port Adelaide
Geelong
Carlton
Collingwood
North Melb
Gold Coast
Richmond
Brisbane

Grand Final: GWS vs Bulldogs
Premiers: Bulldogs
Brownlow: Bontempelli
Coleman: Tom Lynch (GC)

Tougher than it looks.
GWS, Sydney and Dogs to continue on.  Geelong to drop down as they miss reliable senior players and younger players fail to develop as needed.   Dogs to continue on.  Sydney and GWS minimal change,  interesting to see if GWS misses the depth it had.   Essendon to take half a season to come to grips with game and list changes. Might just miss finals.   Big jump expected from Freo with good draft and trade period for them.   Collingwood to continue to struggle.   
May have Port higher than I should.  Richmond to continue as a basket  case.

I dunno what you did man, but yeah, fixed your post for you :P