Season 2008: Who can stop Geelong

Season 2008 is well underway now and most people are asking who can stop Geelong from their second premiership in as many years. They are certainly looking strong (and they still have a few top players to come in too), but there is still a long way between April and the Grand Final. Who do you think is going to be the one to stake their claim this season?

You can vote on the poll or leave a comment.

AFL Grand Final

It's Grand Final time again! Should be a great match. Let's have a look at the different factors that could affect the results.

The Weather: With a few morning showers predicted it may be a slightly wet Grand Final. Geelong have looked teriffic in wet weather this year and I think if it's raining I would put my house on them!

The Brownlow Hangover: Jimmy Bartel is a key ingredient towards the Cats winning their first flag in 44 years. However, winning the Brownlow medal comes with a lot of responsibilities that may have hurt his Grand Final preparation. It remains to be seen whether the win will affect his performance.

The Preliminary Finals: While Geelong had to battle for their win over Collingwood, Port Power had a very easy (and that is an understatement) win against the Roos. Which win is a better preparation for the Grand Final? Only time will tell but I think Geelong's is better as they had a tight win and probably got rid of a few nerves last week.

Final Thoughts: Port Adelaide seem very cocky and appear to feel like they deserve the victory. The Cats fans are really excited that their team may finally break a terrible Grand Final drought. Geelong's meltdowns in Grand Finals is legendary, while Port Adelaide have won the only Grand Final they got to. I'm tipping the Cats in a close and very hard fought encounter. I'm also tipping that a few players may be suspended for the first few matches next year. Expect some fireworks tomorrow!

Brownlow Medal Wrap

Congratulations to Jimmy Bartel for winning the Brownlow Medal in 2007. He certainly had a terrific year and fully deserves the honor of winning the Brownlow. Here is the top ten from last night:

1. James Bartel- 29 votes
2. Simon Black, Brent Harvey, Daniel Kerr- 22 votes
5. Sam Mitchell- 21 votes
6. Gary Ablett, Dane Swan, Adam Goodes- 20 votes
9. Scott Thompson- 18 votes
10. Jonathan Brown- 17 votes

While Bartel, Ablett and Corey had the most votes of any three players from one club in a single year ever, Geelong still fell short of the most votes to a club in a single year. This is still held by Essendon in 2000 when they lost only one game and racked up 116 votes. The Cats had 110 last night.

Preliminary Final Tips

Two big games this weekend as 4 teams will be desperate to get to the Grand Final.

Geelong v Collingwood: The Cats have had a terrific year and beat the Pies the last time these teams met. However, the Pies are coming off two big victories over last years Grand Finalists and should be really pumped for this one, especially considering Nathan Buckley has announced his retirement. I'm still picking the Cats to run over the top of the Pies, but I think it will be a competitive game for three quarters.

Port Adelaide v Kangaroos: The Power have had a nice rest while the Kangaroos had a fairly tough game against the Hawks last week. The Power has been the surprise packet of the year in my opinion and keep on winning when I don't pick them. The Kangas have also surprised me with their real team spirit and the ability to win close games. I'm tipping the Power because of the home ground advantage and the week off should give them the legs needed to overrun the Kangas.

Looking forward to two big matches this week. Can you believe the season is almost over?

All-Australian Team and Chris Judd Trade

Firstly, here is the All-Australian team with a record 9 players from Geelong. Congratulations to all those picked.
Backs: Scarlett, Glass, Milburn
Half-Backs: McLeod, Egan, C.Brown
Centres: K.Cornes, Bartel, C.Cornes
Half-Forwards: S.Johnson, J.Brown, Harvey
Forwards: B.Johnson, Pavlich, Mooney
Rucks: Cox, Kerr, G.Ablett
Interchange: Lade, Fletcher, Corey, Ling

Chris Judd: While Carlton are still the best placed team to pick up Chris Judd, Essendon have stated they are willing to go all out to get this Brownlow and Norm Smith medalist. Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd said the Bombers are willing to trade first round draft picks Ryder and Gumbleton, and possibly their number 6 draft pick, to snare Judd.

I think that there is going to be some battle to pick up Judd!

Finals Tips and Drug Scandal Latest

As we head into the first week of the finals lets look at my tips, after the latest drug scandal update:

DRUG SCANDAL: The Court has granted a permanent injunction over the naming of the players (or the club) named by Channel Seven News. So sorry everyone, I can't name them here!

Port Adelaide v West Coast: The winner will get a home preliminary final while the loser must play a semi final to get through. This shapes up as a terrific match with both teams finding good form at certain times throughout the year. The Power have surprised me this year as they keep winning games when I don't pick them, while the Eagles have lost a lot of players to injury throughout the year. So who will win? I'm tipping the Eagles in an upset as I think they have the greater finals experience and their key players will really step up tonight. Expect a tight match, though!

Hawthorn v Adelaide: The loser is out in this must win game for both sides. The Hawks looked awful last weekend, but I have suspicions that they didn't want to take on Geelong in the first final and intentionally lost. Adelaide were looking good last week with a good victory over the pies. I'm sticking with the home team, the Hawks by a few goals as I think the Crows forward line is one of the worst in the competition and will be their undoing in the finals.

Collingwood v Sydney: These two teams last met in Round 21 when the Pies had a fairly comfortable victory over the Swans, who will be out for revenge in this elimination final. Despite the wealth of finals experience at the Swans, I'm tipping against them. The Swans just haven't impressed me this year and haven't beaten many top sides so far. Pies by 25.

Geelong v Kangaroos: These two sides also met recently and the Cats were just too good. Geelong do have a terrible finals records, but this year they have looked unbeatable at their best and I would be very surprised if they lose this game. I'm picking the Cats by twelve goals in a belting for the Roos.

Drug Scandal Latest and Brownlow Picks

It's finals time again (hard to believe isn't it!) Here are my views for the round and for the upcoming finals series. But first...

Drug Scandal Latest: Channel Seven has officially dropped the case trying to beat the injunction banning them from naming the AFL players who tested positive to drugs. The Player's Association has told the media that players will start talking to Channel Seven again, which is good news for the Brownlow Medal. Speaking of the Brownlow...

My Brownlow Picks:
1. Chad Cornes- he's had another terrific year and should poll well.
2. Jimmy Bartel- missing the last 2 weeks has seen him drop from my favourite to 2nd but I wouldn't be surprised if he wins it.
3. Gary Ablett- the favourite with the bookies but I think there are too many good players that will steal votes off him.

Finals: Geelong appeared to be coasting last win in their easy win over Brisbane and I think they'll be hard to beat in the finals. My second pick would be the Eagles, especially if they can overcome the Power this week at the hostile AAMI Stadium.

And finally, congratulations to Joel Selwood who won the NAB Rising Star Award this year. Did anyone else really have a chance this year? Selwood has really fit in well at the Cats and will be an instrumental part of their finals hopes.

Latest on Drug Scandal and Round 22 Tips

Here is the latest that I have heard on the drug scandal:
1. Several AFL players have indicated that they may boycott the Brownlow Medal as Channel 7 is hosting it. This includes Brendan Fevola and Nathan Brown on the Footy Show last night.
2. The injunction on not naming the players continues until the judge makes his final decision.
3. AFLPA (Player's Association) has invited all players to continue the boycott of Channel Seven.
4. Victorian Premier John Brumby backs the boycott on Channel Seven and said that the AFL drug policy was a good one.
5. Mick Malthouse says the real problem isn't the leaked information but the number of AFL players actually on drugs.
6. NRL great Andrew Johns admits having both a drug and alcohol problem on the NRL Footy Show.

This boycott could have devastating and lasting effects for Channel Seven who still insist on trying to get the injunction overruled. Who will tune in to the Brownlow Medal if no players show up?

TIPS:
The Coleman Medal: Matthew Pavlich is two goals behind Jonathan Brown going into the last round. I think Pavlich will get the Coleman Medal as Brown will probably be very well held by the tight Geelong defence and probably won't be able to kick many goals.

Collingwood v Adelaide: Collingwood could move into 4th with a win, but will not drop below 6th with a loss. Adelaide are desperately trying to win to cement a finals spot and not have a nervous wait to see if the Saints beat Richmond. I'm tipping Collingwood after their terrific performance last week.

Richmond v St Kilda: Richmond's speed last week was amazing as they ran right by the Bombers. The Saints were competitive against the Eagles but fell just short. I think too much is at stake for the Saints who should run out easy winners hear.

West Coast v Essendon: The Eagles were just too good in the end for the Saints while the Bombers were terrible last weekend. The Eagles should win this easily trying to build some momentum going into the finals.

Port Adelaide v Fremantle: Fremantle have finally seen the light and are actually disciplining five key players for drinking alcohol and missing recovery sessions. It is about time they started cracking down on the poor discipline, even though it means Port Adelaide should now win this game easily- although you just never know!

Brisbane v Geelong: Brisbane have a very outside chance of making the finals and are relying on both St Kilda and Adelaide to lose. And, they have to beat the Cats! Despite the little hiccup last weekend, I'm tipping the Cats in this one fairly easily.

Sydney v Hawthorn: Sydney need a win to build momentum going into the finals while the Hawks must win to stay in the top 4 and get a second chance. I'm going for the Hawks in this one as I think their speed and fast game plan will help them overcome Sydney, as it nearly did earlier this year. Hopefully Franklin will kick a little better this week!

Western Bulldogs v Kangaroos: The Bulldogs have looked awful lately and the Kangaroos form has dropped a little. Still I'm going the Roos fairly easily.

Melbourne v Carlton: What a cracker this will be (sarcasm intended)! The real question here is who wants to lose more. I think Carlton wants to lose more as they have the number one pick on the line while Melbourne will just get a slightly better pick. Both teams have injury depleted lists (apparently) and this could be a dour match. I'm tipping Melbourne as they have less on the line for the loss.

Drug Scandal Latest Update

I told you in the last post we would here more about this drug scandal and things have really heated up. Not only have two people been charged over leaking the medical documents but Collingwood have decided to boycott Channel Seven and not give any interviews on Friday night. Sydney have also decided not to answer any questions from Channel Seven. Even Drew Petrie has come out and said he supports the boycott. But...

Does Channel Seven Deserve It?

For: 1. They were going to break the AFL policy on not naming players the first time they test positive
2. The way in which Channel Seven got the information seems a little shady (is anybody buying the story about the info being 'found', especially now charges have been filed against both a man and woman with the theft?).
3. Channel Seven actually paid for the information and were going to report the names of the players.

Against: 1. They have followed the court's injunction and have not named the players
2. The AFL drug policy is just not good enough and the media should name and shame players on drugs

My Conclusion: I think that the boycott on Channel Seven is well deserved as I don't trust their explanation about how they got the information. It is going to mean we hear more commentary at the end of the game from Bruce and Dennis this Friday night!

Round 21 Review

What a week! The Cats finally lost and the Tigers won! Lets have a look at the round in review, starting with a new scandal.

The Drug Scandal: Apparently, the Seven Network have information on certain AFL players who tested positive to drugs. However, the courts have granted an injunction so Seven can't name these players. Apparently, a woman 'found' the documents in a street and sold the information to Seven as she though it would help the players. Something smells a little fishy to me about this explanation and I'm sure we will hear more about this in the coming weeks.

The Cats Finally Lose: Another last second goal saved Port Adelaide from defeat as they held on to 2nd place on the ladder with an exciting win against the Cats. However I don't think this shows Port as serious contenders for the title. The Cats had their key tagger, Ling, out as well two leading possession players, Bartel and Selwood. If anything, I think the fact that the Cats got so close without these players show just how good they are at the moment. I don't think any team will beat the Cats unless they have a bad day, which they are notorious for in the finals.

The Bombers: With the finals on the line, as well as James Hird and Kevin Sheedy's last game at the MCG, I expected the Bombers to get pumped up and beat the Tigers easily. However, the Tigers speed and youth was too much for the Bombers as they were left chasing all night. This was a very disappointing send off for two legends of the game. I'm sure Bomber supporters are hoping for some fast recruits in the draft this year!

The Finals: Adelaide only have to beat Collingwood and they are in the finals. If they lose then St Kilda will make the finals providing they beat the Tigers. Right now, my money is on the Saints but football is a funny game and anything could happen this weekend. Brisbane are praying both Adelaide and the Saints lose as they will make the finals provided they haver a big win.