Season 08 Begins
February 18th 2008 09:22
Season 2008 has begun! Although anyone wishing to read into the first week of the NAB Cup as a crystal ball for what is to come this year would be foolish. Yet one thing is clear, we can expect as much off field drama this year as the one just been.
We learnt from the first week that some teams have changed their style of play and there are some promising youngsters this year. That and again Carlton love to impress in early February, yet this time around we could expect they might deliver good things when it matters.
There's only been one week of play and already the off field controversy has begun. The AFL are flirting with the idea of introducing two new licences by 2011. Whilst their intention to introduce more non-Victorian clubs into the league can't be questioned, the timing and the research of a such a scheme should be queried.
It was only two months ago that the AFL were pressuring the Kangaroos to re-locate to the Gold Coast, and now seemingly out of nowhere they have thrown in the notion of a new team in Sydney's western suburbs. An ambitious idea given how long it took for the Swans to grow into that market.
It appears the league is rushing into the exercise without giving careful consideration as to whether granting more licences would drain the talent pool or whether there is enough support from the footy public.
The saga will most likely drag on all year before a firm decision is made. It will be just one chapter in what should be another controversy filled season, just like 2007.
On the field it is tough to pick what will happen. While early signs promise a more attacking brand of play, pleasing for all the fans out there, it is difficult to say who will be the big movers and the big losers this season. In a few weeks I will make my final eight predictions and my tip for the Premiership.
There are three clubs this year that seem to be an enigma. St.Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle are the sides that will give tipsters the most headaches, at least at this time of year anyway. If the Saints don't make a move this year it should be quite clear that they have missed their window of opportunity. Whilst the weight of expectation should weigh heavily on a Fremantle side that dramitically underperformed last season.
Although expectation has a whole other meaning for Geelong. The Cats had a nearly flawless season last year, taking so much home that the club would have spent a bit of money in the off-season investing in bigger trophy cabinets. As good as last season was for sleep hollow, they need to focus on backing the effort up against teams that would have studied their style of play with a fine tooth comb. It promises to be a challenging season for the Cats defending their title.
Clubs like Collingwood and Port Adelaide should again be up there, and Hawthorn continues to improve. The West Coast Eagles should not be underestimated this season either.
Over the course of the season I will be posting blogs providing a commentary of opinion and analysis. Watch this space.
We learnt from the first week that some teams have changed their style of play and there are some promising youngsters this year. That and again Carlton love to impress in early February, yet this time around we could expect they might deliver good things when it matters.
There's only been one week of play and already the off field controversy has begun. The AFL are flirting with the idea of introducing two new licences by 2011. Whilst their intention to introduce more non-Victorian clubs into the league can't be questioned, the timing and the research of a such a scheme should be queried.
It was only two months ago that the AFL were pressuring the Kangaroos to re-locate to the Gold Coast, and now seemingly out of nowhere they have thrown in the notion of a new team in Sydney's western suburbs. An ambitious idea given how long it took for the Swans to grow into that market.
It appears the league is rushing into the exercise without giving careful consideration as to whether granting more licences would drain the talent pool or whether there is enough support from the footy public.
The saga will most likely drag on all year before a firm decision is made. It will be just one chapter in what should be another controversy filled season, just like 2007.
On the field it is tough to pick what will happen. While early signs promise a more attacking brand of play, pleasing for all the fans out there, it is difficult to say who will be the big movers and the big losers this season. In a few weeks I will make my final eight predictions and my tip for the Premiership.
There are three clubs this year that seem to be an enigma. St.Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle are the sides that will give tipsters the most headaches, at least at this time of year anyway. If the Saints don't make a move this year it should be quite clear that they have missed their window of opportunity. Whilst the weight of expectation should weigh heavily on a Fremantle side that dramitically underperformed last season.
Although expectation has a whole other meaning for Geelong. The Cats had a nearly flawless season last year, taking so much home that the club would have spent a bit of money in the off-season investing in bigger trophy cabinets. As good as last season was for sleep hollow, they need to focus on backing the effort up against teams that would have studied their style of play with a fine tooth comb. It promises to be a challenging season for the Cats defending their title.
Clubs like Collingwood and Port Adelaide should again be up there, and Hawthorn continues to improve. The West Coast Eagles should not be underestimated this season either.
Over the course of the season I will be posting blogs providing a commentary of opinion and analysis. Watch this space.
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