Just speaking to a SD league player. He is very well aware about how well Perth have recruited. Say’s they should be starting favourite - though hard to discount a one loss 2025 SF.
For Mine
SF
EP
Perth
Claremont
Peel
Then very difficult to tell
SD
WC (less injury more concessions)
EF (you would expect to slide - financial woes aging list)
WP (to go about the same - new Coach)
Subi (New Coach and list clean out - still getting use to no more paper bags)
Ok,here’s my 2 Bob’s worth -
South Fremantle
East Perth
Perth
Claremont
Swan Districts
East Fremantle
West Perth
Peel
Subiaco
West Coast
Now then,I’ll reassess that in about 6 weeks,but open to discussion here about these predictions.
EP. Pretty much unchanged after missing last year’s flag by less than a kick.
Peel. Freo have a healthy list, so expect FART to be up there again.
CL. Always there abouts.
SF. Have lost a few, but if they pick up Rioli and Pickett should still be a force.
Perth. Some handy pick ups and should build momentum on the back of last year. Top 2 wouldn’t surprise.
EF. A fair bit of player movement off-season, but still have a solid core group.
Subi. New coach and some handy recruits. Missing a quality ruckman which will hurt.
WP. A big turnover won’t help team stability.
SD. Can’t see huge improvement based on the current list.
WCE. Should struggle as the AFL team rebuilds.
I would have been super bullish about our chances this year if Zac Derksen had of returned and Joe Chaplin not changed his mind. Charlie Dean seems like the key recruit that adds depth to our backline and unlocks others like Johnston and Glass-McCasker to potentially play forward.
I had a look at training last night. I couldn’t identify Archer Gardiner and he’s a bit of an unknown quantity. Indi Kirk was there I’ll wait and see before passing judgement but one that caught my eye was Freddy Brayshaw. I think he could be a surprise packet. Got some real speed and dash about him and his ball use looked good. Only 19.
The new ruckman Harding was there but I think he’ll have to bide his time behind Edwards and Jaques early on. Ruck coach Mark Seaby was there. Maybe we can play two ruckmen now with 5 interchange but with an abundance of tall kpp we’ve probably got adequate back up.
Best nick I’ve seen Nyika John in in pre season in a long time. Maybe this is his year. For me losing Derksen and Regan Clarke are big losses. Brodie McLean is progressing well from his ACL and might be a chance to play late in the season. Charlie Constable, Blake Schlensog and Brendan Parfitt were absent from training last night but I’m told Parfitt is back from the NT.
EP, Same team a year on will be the ones the beat.
C, Usual quality performance from them - probably wont quite get there again
Dockers,
SF lost far too much key material to have a real impact for mine. Should make finals
EF Hard to know where they are at tbh but will have enough to push for finals
P Improved list but dont convince when it comes to the crunch
Subi I expect might end higher
WP raffle the bottom three.
SD
WCE
Perth for me…should be top dogs this year, replacing the other dogs
EP will play in another GF
SF will slide a smidgeon, but could easily be top dogs again
WP will surprise- some good recruits/returnees
Peel will be strong if Freo stay fit
Cl obviously with their riches will be top 5 or on the cusp
EF will slide, more so due to playing inconsistent youth, not an aging list TFAF.
SD always will sneak a few to escape the spoon.
WCE Snr getting injuries already, not boding well for Jnr
Subi might get the spoon…but so could the 3 sides above them if injuries kick in.
The Bulldogs,who’ve really only lost Schloithe and Strom from last years dominant premiership winning side,and possibly a loaded up Peel,are the only roadblocks I can foresee stopping us from winning that elusive premiership flag.
SF
EP
Perth
Swans
Peel
Claremont
EF
WCE
Subi
WP
I think 8 teams could push for finals so the top 5 could very easily look completely different to mine
6.Wp
7.$ubi
8.EF
9.SD
10.Wce
Total guess:
EP
SF
P
Cl
Peel
EF
SD
WP
S
WC
East Fremantle losing 2 players,including Milan Murdock is not at all helpful.
BUT,..A Club like East Fremantle may have some good uns coming through from Colts,so for now,I’ll resist altering my Ladder Predictions.
But losing Murdock in particular,will really Hurt!
Naagh mate, very difficult to replace your F&B for 3 consecutive seasons…yeah one player doesn’t make your team…but geez the fella is EF engine room compass…difficult to replace them. Good opportunity for youngsters in Carrello, McManus, Grylls and Pauline to fast track their development…going to be a long year…but nothing like a bit of short term pain for hopefully long term gain.
Well,let’s just see how you go,….
Your Coach is Sports Drive soon.
Not sure how soon,but keep your ears open.
Wonder if the coach even knows where his team will be playing this year. I can see east Freo finishing close to the bottom this year. Too many hits to the club. Too much uncertainty.
EP
Peel
SF
Perth
Claremont
Subiaco
West Coast
WP
EF
Swans
That would be my Top 4,if Peel get players like Luke Ryan,who’s apparently on the outer,and Mason Cox qualified they’re a big finals worry.
Claremont
EP
Subi
Perth
SF
EF
Swans
WP
Chunder
West Coast
Frothy, you’re dreaming surely. Third would be good though.
Not sure SF will drop that far if at all.
Lost a few good ‘ins,but can’t see them dropping down the Ladder.