TooSerious
For those who take it way too seriously
So, Patrick Keane was tweeting away today (@AFL_PKeane - follow along, its a great read!), posted a lot of stuff about the upcoming 2012 seasons fixture as follows:
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2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture set to be released at end of next week, Fri 28/10.
2012 NAB Cup will begin the weekend Feb 17/18 for first 9 teams with remaining 9 teams to begin weekend Feb 24/25. NAB Cup GF on Sat 17/3.
2012 Premiership Season will see 22 rounds across 23 wks. Rd22 to be played Aug 31-Sept 2.
2012 Finals Series Dates are - Week 1 - Sept 7/8/9; Week 2 - Sept 14/15; Week 3 - Sept 21/22 and Grand Final - Sept 29.
2012 Premiership Season will see 22 GAMES for each club across 23 wks. One week off for each team. Final round to be played Aug 31-Sept 2.
Rounds 11-12-13 in mid-year will see 6 matches in each of those rounds, compared to normal 9 matches, with 6 clubs havng a bye in each round
As 18-team competition now has 10 Vic-based and 8 non-Vic clubs, that means that ALL clubs will now travel interstate a minimum of 5 times.
All going along swimmingly really, until the second to last post and BAM - hits us with a 3-round multi bye!
But these are the sissy little multibyes of this year, no, we have SIX teams missing in each bye in 2012, unlike the sissy 3 teams that were missing in 2011.
Wowsers, I dunno if there will be any real way to avoid copping donuts with that many teams out, but I reckon if you can navigate it (or at least not be hurting from other injury when it rolls around), youll go a long way to securing success for the year. Heck, might even be worth moving the trading cycle back a week just to ensure that you have 2 trades a week to cash in over that period!
Anyways, let us know your thoughts!
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2012 Toyota AFL Premiership Season fixture set to be released at end of next week, Fri 28/10.
2012 NAB Cup will begin the weekend Feb 17/18 for first 9 teams with remaining 9 teams to begin weekend Feb 24/25. NAB Cup GF on Sat 17/3.
2012 Premiership Season will see 22 rounds across 23 wks. Rd22 to be played Aug 31-Sept 2.
2012 Finals Series Dates are - Week 1 - Sept 7/8/9; Week 2 - Sept 14/15; Week 3 - Sept 21/22 and Grand Final - Sept 29.
2012 Premiership Season will see 22 GAMES for each club across 23 wks. One week off for each team. Final round to be played Aug 31-Sept 2.
Rounds 11-12-13 in mid-year will see 6 matches in each of those rounds, compared to normal 9 matches, with 6 clubs havng a bye in each round
As 18-team competition now has 10 Vic-based and 8 non-Vic clubs, that means that ALL clubs will now travel interstate a minimum of 5 times.
All going along swimmingly really, until the second to last post and BAM - hits us with a 3-round multi bye!
But these are the sissy little multibyes of this year, no, we have SIX teams missing in each bye in 2012, unlike the sissy 3 teams that were missing in 2011.
Wowsers, I dunno if there will be any real way to avoid copping donuts with that many teams out, but I reckon if you can navigate it (or at least not be hurting from other injury when it rolls around), youll go a long way to securing success for the year. Heck, might even be worth moving the trading cycle back a week just to ensure that you have 2 trades a week to cash in over that period!
Anyways, let us know your thoughts!
It was back to EPL action this week after an international break that saw Australia cruise through their match against Oman, Rooney getting sent off in an all too familiar show of petulance and Scotland taking it easy on World Champs Spain to let them win 3-1.
Sir Alex decided it better to leave Rooney on the bench in the match of the weekend against Liverpool as his red card and subsequent three match suspension for the Euro Championships had made it a "hard week for him". Another way of saying he doesnt trust him not to get sent off again. United also started with Nani, Valencia and Hernandez on the bench. Liverpool dropped Carroll to the bench. Gerrard scored the first from a free kick after Adam was "brought down" in a game that they had enough chances that they arguably should have won. United can never be written off though and after bringing on the trio of Hernandez, Nani and Rooney the writing was on the wall. Hernandez getting the equaliser. Going into the match, United had conceded more shots on their goal than any other team in the EPL.
Rooney throughout his career has scored his goals in bursts of form. With his fathers arrest and the possibility of missing the Euro finals weighing on his mind, is it possible that hes going to go off the boil for a few games?<img src="../wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" align="BOTTOM" /><!--more-->
Man City v Villa
Man City went top of the table after trouncing Villa 4-1. Villa put on a decent show until Balotelli opened the scoring with a cracking overhead kick. The boy is on form and with Aguero out injured(possibly back next wk), the Tevez debacle and Dzeko throwing his toys out of the pram in Munich - hes stepped up to the plate with four goals in his last four games.
A rare goal from Kompany as well as one each for Johnson and Milner completed their scoring. Warnock scored Villas goal.
Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea are now sitting...
Sir Alex decided it better to leave Rooney on the bench in the match of the weekend against Liverpool as his red card and subsequent three match suspension for the Euro Championships had made it a "hard week for him". Another way of saying he doesnt trust him not to get sent off again. United also started with Nani, Valencia and Hernandez on the bench. Liverpool dropped Carroll to the bench. Gerrard scored the first from a free kick after Adam was "brought down" in a game that they had enough chances that they arguably should have won. United can never be written off though and after bringing on the trio of Hernandez, Nani and Rooney the writing was on the wall. Hernandez getting the equaliser. Going into the match, United had conceded more shots on their goal than any other team in the EPL.
Rooney throughout his career has scored his goals in bursts of form. With his fathers arrest and the possibility of missing the Euro finals weighing on his mind, is it possible that hes going to go off the boil for a few games?<img src="../wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" align="BOTTOM" /><!--more-->
Man City v Villa
Man City went top of the table after trouncing Villa 4-1. Villa put on a decent show until Balotelli opened the scoring with a cracking overhead kick. The boy is on form and with Aguero out injured(possibly back next wk), the Tevez debacle and Dzeko throwing his toys out of the pram in Munich - hes stepped up to the plate with four goals in his last four games.
A rare goal from Kompany as well as one each for Johnson and Milner completed their scoring. Warnock scored Villas goal.
Chelsea v Everton
Chelsea are now sitting...
Lets take a look at all the Ins and outs.
What do you think, who do you reckon won trade week this year? (GWS dont count cause they could magic up players for picks)
Crows did very well for themselves, provided Crouch hits the mark on his potential, but I reckon the Gold Coast has them beat. Omaeger looks like hes going to be an utter ripper. That said, for coming out "in front", I reckon the Pies did very well, essentially trading pick 25 in a compromised draft, for pick 65, to secure Yagmoor, Clarke and Elliot (Who for mine, was a top 25 pick anyways!)
Adelaide
IN: Crouch (17yo), Lewis Johnston, Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Luke Brown, Pick 27, Pick 41, Pick 46, Pick 64, Pick 68
OUT: Jack Gunston, Ivan Maric, Pick 10, Rd 1 Comp (Davis), Pick 53, Pick 71
Brisbane
IN: Jordan Lisle, Ben Hudson, Dayne Zorko, Pick 12, Pick 47, Pick 69
OUT: Luke Power, Mitch Clark, Pick 29, Pick 34, Pick 52, Pick 70
Carlton
IN:
OUT:
Collingwood
IN: Peter Yagmoor, Marty Clarke, Jamie Elliot, Pick 50, Pick 67
OUT: Pick 25, Pick 47
Essendon
IN: Pick 31
OUT: Josh Jenkins, Pick 41
Fremantle
IN: Pick 20, Pick 29, Pick 58, Pick 71
OUT: Rd 1 Comp (Palmer), Pick 38, Pick 56
Geelong
IN: Pick 32, Pick 34
OUT: , Pick 26
Gold Coast
IN: OMeara (17yo), Matthew Warnock, Rd 1 comp pick (N. Bock), Pick 24, Pick 31, Pick 50
OUT: Pick 4, Mid rd 1 Comp (Ablett), Rd 2 Comp pick (N. Krakouer), Pick 27, Pick 31, Pick 32, Pick 68
GWS
IN: Luke Power, Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Sam Reid, Pick 4, Pick 10, Pick 14, Mid rd 1 Comp (Ablett), Rd 1 Comp (Davis), Rd 1 Comp (Palmer), Pick 15, Pick 25, Pick 56
OUT: Pick 25, Pick 31, Pick 49, Pick 67
Hawthorn
IN: Jack Gunston, Jarrad Boumann, Pick 33, Pick 38, Pick 53
OUT: Jordan Lisle, Brent...
What do you think, who do you reckon won trade week this year? (GWS dont count cause they could magic up players for picks)
Crows did very well for themselves, provided Crouch hits the mark on his potential, but I reckon the Gold Coast has them beat. Omaeger looks like hes going to be an utter ripper. That said, for coming out "in front", I reckon the Pies did very well, essentially trading pick 25 in a compromised draft, for pick 65, to secure Yagmoor, Clarke and Elliot (Who for mine, was a top 25 pick anyways!)
Adelaide
IN: Crouch (17yo), Lewis Johnston, Tom Lynch, Josh Jenkins, Luke Brown, Pick 27, Pick 41, Pick 46, Pick 64, Pick 68
OUT: Jack Gunston, Ivan Maric, Pick 10, Rd 1 Comp (Davis), Pick 53, Pick 71
Brisbane
IN: Jordan Lisle, Ben Hudson, Dayne Zorko, Pick 12, Pick 47, Pick 69
OUT: Luke Power, Mitch Clark, Pick 29, Pick 34, Pick 52, Pick 70
Carlton
IN:
OUT:
Collingwood
IN: Peter Yagmoor, Marty Clarke, Jamie Elliot, Pick 50, Pick 67
OUT: Pick 25, Pick 47
Essendon
IN: Pick 31
OUT: Josh Jenkins, Pick 41
Fremantle
IN: Pick 20, Pick 29, Pick 58, Pick 71
OUT: Rd 1 Comp (Palmer), Pick 38, Pick 56
Geelong
IN: Pick 32, Pick 34
OUT: , Pick 26
Gold Coast
IN: OMeara (17yo), Matthew Warnock, Rd 1 comp pick (N. Bock), Pick 24, Pick 31, Pick 50
OUT: Pick 4, Mid rd 1 Comp (Ablett), Rd 2 Comp pick (N. Krakouer), Pick 27, Pick 31, Pick 32, Pick 68
GWS
IN: Luke Power, Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Sam Reid, Pick 4, Pick 10, Pick 14, Mid rd 1 Comp (Ablett), Rd 1 Comp (Davis), Rd 1 Comp (Palmer), Pick 15, Pick 25, Pick 56
OUT: Pick 25, Pick 31, Pick 49, Pick 67
Hawthorn
IN: Jack Gunston, Jarrad Boumann, Pick 33, Pick 38, Pick 53
OUT: Jordan Lisle, Brent...
Im not gonna write much this week, as Im having a really busy week, but it was fantastic to have hoops back in the frame in this country again wasnt it. I am loving the hype of this season. Just a pity One hasnt got it together and put the games on live yet! On that - everyone should <a href="http://anzballaz.com/how-you-can-help-get-nbl-live/" target="_blank">head over HERE[/url] and sign a petition ANZ Ballaz have going to get NBL live this season... there are already more than 750 names, but we need much more I would imagine. They also have details of places you can call to agitate the network, so head on over and have a look and get involved.
Im super excited this week, as I got me ticket to the Wildcats Tigers game tomorrow night - Big shout out to Jet for helping us out there! See you at the game mate. I have never been to Challenge stadium before, as Im relatively new to WA. Cant wait... two of the best teams in the league up against each other, with my fave player running around! Cant wait to see Patty Mills out there in the flesh - hopefully he turns it on!
For that reason, I have to be honest that I am very happy the NBA Lockout lasted this long, but now it would be good for them to come to an agreement and get the season going. For those that are unaware, they have officially canned the first two weeks of the regular season. Which throws our fantasy season out a bit... we had set up the size of our leagues based on the amount of weeks in the regular season, but Im thinking we can just play around with the finals format so that we have the same length fantasy regular season as we would have anyway. But that all depends on how much of the season ends up being cancelled of course. Hopefully not much more... please.
Anyway, onto the fantasy NBL. We had an awesome start, with our league ranked 6th overall out of 355 leagues. UnderAchievers has started brilliantly with his team ranked 9th overall, after smashing out a whopping 472 points... and,...
Im super excited this week, as I got me ticket to the Wildcats Tigers game tomorrow night - Big shout out to Jet for helping us out there! See you at the game mate. I have never been to Challenge stadium before, as Im relatively new to WA. Cant wait... two of the best teams in the league up against each other, with my fave player running around! Cant wait to see Patty Mills out there in the flesh - hopefully he turns it on!
For that reason, I have to be honest that I am very happy the NBA Lockout lasted this long, but now it would be good for them to come to an agreement and get the season going. For those that are unaware, they have officially canned the first two weeks of the regular season. Which throws our fantasy season out a bit... we had set up the size of our leagues based on the amount of weeks in the regular season, but Im thinking we can just play around with the finals format so that we have the same length fantasy regular season as we would have anyway. But that all depends on how much of the season ends up being cancelled of course. Hopefully not much more... please.
Anyway, onto the fantasy NBL. We had an awesome start, with our league ranked 6th overall out of 355 leagues. UnderAchievers has started brilliantly with his team ranked 9th overall, after smashing out a whopping 472 points... and,...
Trade week is upon us, and its been talked up as being a huge one.
That said though, so was last year, and the year before that- and generally peters out into a not-much instead of the predicted roar.
I would love to see some big moves, just wont get my hopes up.
That said though, well be keeping track of everything that happens here, and on the Twitter- so follow along and check back!
Mini draft
Gold Coast Suns formally select J OMeara as pick one in mini-draft.
Adelaide Crows formally select B Crouch as pick two in mini-draft.
Official Trades
Trade p/work lodged - Richmond exchange 2010 End rd1 Comp pick (N Bock) to Suns for 2010 Rd2 Comp pick (N Krakouer),On-Traded rd1 pick (26).
Again, the Sun consolidate their picks towards the top of the ladder.
Trade p/work lodged - Essendon exchange Josh Jenkins and rd2 pick (41) to the Adelaide Crows for its On-Traded rd2 pick (31).
Jenkins to move up 10 spots in the draft, I dunno, I have a feeling that this one will bite us in a few years if JD doesnt come on as expected.
Trade p/work lodged - St Kilda exchange Tommy Walsh to Sydney for On-Traded rd2 pick (35) and On-Traded rd4 pick (68).
Not a bad result for a rookie pick who hasnt played a game. Reckon both sides will be happy enough with this one.
Trade p/work lodged - Adelaide exchange On-Traded rd1 (24) to the Suns for its Priority Selection (27), On-Traded rd 2 (31) and rd4 (68).
The suns again focus their picks up, 24 for 27 and 31 is an easy win for the Crows here.
Trade p/work lodged. Geelong exchange rd 1 (26) to the Suns for its rd 2 (32) and its on-traded rd 2 (34).
I reckon Geelong have done well here, falling 6 spots back to pick up #34 should benefit them, while the GC probably need more quality and less quantity in their picks.
Trade p/work lodged - 3-Way Trade
Lions Recieve Dayne Zorko (Qld Zone) and On-Traded rd2...
That said though, so was last year, and the year before that- and generally peters out into a not-much instead of the predicted roar.
I would love to see some big moves, just wont get my hopes up.
That said though, well be keeping track of everything that happens here, and on the Twitter- so follow along and check back!
Mini draft
Gold Coast Suns formally select J OMeara as pick one in mini-draft.
Adelaide Crows formally select B Crouch as pick two in mini-draft.
Official Trades
Trade p/work lodged - Richmond exchange 2010 End rd1 Comp pick (N Bock) to Suns for 2010 Rd2 Comp pick (N Krakouer),On-Traded rd1 pick (26).
Again, the Sun consolidate their picks towards the top of the ladder.
Trade p/work lodged - Essendon exchange Josh Jenkins and rd2 pick (41) to the Adelaide Crows for its On-Traded rd2 pick (31).
Jenkins to move up 10 spots in the draft, I dunno, I have a feeling that this one will bite us in a few years if JD doesnt come on as expected.
Trade p/work lodged - St Kilda exchange Tommy Walsh to Sydney for On-Traded rd2 pick (35) and On-Traded rd4 pick (68).
Not a bad result for a rookie pick who hasnt played a game. Reckon both sides will be happy enough with this one.
Trade p/work lodged - Adelaide exchange On-Traded rd1 (24) to the Suns for its Priority Selection (27), On-Traded rd 2 (31) and rd4 (68).
The suns again focus their picks up, 24 for 27 and 31 is an easy win for the Crows here.
Trade p/work lodged. Geelong exchange rd 1 (26) to the Suns for its rd 2 (32) and its on-traded rd 2 (34).
I reckon Geelong have done well here, falling 6 spots back to pick up #34 should benefit them, while the GC probably need more quality and less quantity in their picks.
Trade p/work lodged - 3-Way Trade
Lions Recieve Dayne Zorko (Qld Zone) and On-Traded rd2...
If youre not already, its time to get psyched about the NBL, as theres only one sleep to go before the new season gets underway.
Patty Mills has come home and Andrew Bogut confirmed today that he will follow in his footsteps very soon, which has brought out a lot of hype and publicity about the new season. Personally I havent been this excited about the NBL for about ten years, or probably more.
Hot off the heals of his <a href="http://www.nbl.com.au/tigers/news/article/2011/september/patty-mills-deadly-awards-sportsman-of-the-year/" target="_blank">Deadly award for Indigenous Sportsmen of the Year[/url], Mills will be suiting up for the first time in the NBL for the Melbourne Tigers on opening night against the Sydney Kings, who may just be sporting their own prized rookie - none other than Andrew Bogut, the first ever Aussie to be picked #1 in the NBA draft. Patty is easily my most favorite player at the moment, and Im sooo excited that hell be in the NBL for a bit. Melbourne come over to Perth (where I currently reside) to play the Wildcats in round 2, so I am eagerly awaiting that game and Ill be there with me bells on! (If Jet pulls through
) Im also selfishly hoping the NBA lockout lasts at least until after that game .
Sydney are the front runners for Boguts signature; however it is not official yet, and may not be until moments before tipoff! They have apparently sent him a play book to make sure he is up to speed if able to play on opening night; however it is now increasingly likely that he will not play in round 1.
But if it does eventuate this way - what a first up matchup it will be! I am a soccer fan as well, and I reckon Bogues v Mills is a far more attractive matchup than Emerton v Kewell in round 1 of the A-league happening on the same weekend. Sydney is an interesting team for him to sign with, as they already have the most dominant big man in the league in Julian Kazzough... Which makes it so intriguing to see how they play...
Patty Mills has come home and Andrew Bogut confirmed today that he will follow in his footsteps very soon, which has brought out a lot of hype and publicity about the new season. Personally I havent been this excited about the NBL for about ten years, or probably more.
Hot off the heals of his <a href="http://www.nbl.com.au/tigers/news/article/2011/september/patty-mills-deadly-awards-sportsman-of-the-year/" target="_blank">Deadly award for Indigenous Sportsmen of the Year[/url], Mills will be suiting up for the first time in the NBL for the Melbourne Tigers on opening night against the Sydney Kings, who may just be sporting their own prized rookie - none other than Andrew Bogut, the first ever Aussie to be picked #1 in the NBA draft. Patty is easily my most favorite player at the moment, and Im sooo excited that hell be in the NBL for a bit. Melbourne come over to Perth (where I currently reside) to play the Wildcats in round 2, so I am eagerly awaiting that game and Ill be there with me bells on! (If Jet pulls through
) Im also selfishly hoping the NBA lockout lasts at least until after that game .Sydney are the front runners for Boguts signature; however it is not official yet, and may not be until moments before tipoff! They have apparently sent him a play book to make sure he is up to speed if able to play on opening night; however it is now increasingly likely that he will not play in round 1.
But if it does eventuate this way - what a first up matchup it will be! I am a soccer fan as well, and I reckon Bogues v Mills is a far more attractive matchup than Emerton v Kewell in round 1 of the A-league happening on the same weekend. Sydney is an interesting team for him to sign with, as they already have the most dominant big man in the league in Julian Kazzough... Which makes it so intriguing to see how they play...
Last seasons excellent run by Liverpool after King Kenny took interim charge had many predicting a big year for them this time round. With the new owners making plenty of money available there is every chance of Liverpool fighting for a Champions League spot (top 4) at the very least.
What of Liverpools new signings though - Downing, Enrique, Adam, Coates, Henderson, Bellamy, as well as Carroll and Suarez who were signed in January - are they the real deal, capable of pushing Liverpool on towards their first title since 1990?
Results have been decent enough, with away victories against Arsenal and Everton the pick of the bunch - on the surface anyway. The ridiculous red-card handed out to Jack Rodwell certainly helped Liverpool on the way to those 3pts. While Blackburn have shown that beating Arsenal isnt a particularly great achievement these days. Nonetheless, you can only beat whats in front of you.<!--more-->
Enrique -
We know what he can offer when joining the attack and has grabbed himself a couple of assists in the last two games. Defensively he hasnt looked brilliant but hes not the only one. Room for improvement.
Coates -
The centre-half excelled in the Copa America but has hardly had a sniff of the Liverpool first team. Dalglish can be cautious and quite over-protective with his players (as weve seen with Gerrards limited game-time since injury) and hes possibly just giving Coates the opportunity to acclimatise to England and the EPL before throwing him in the deep end.
Downing -
Hasnt looked particularly impressive so far and hasnt really linked well with Enrique down that left side. He is an excellent player though and will hopefully come onto a game soon.
Henderson -
Hasnt yet shown the form of last season which earned him a call-up to the England team. Dalglish bought him for his potential and in time Im hopeful that hell show how good he is. Liverpool have a plethora of midfielders and for this season he might...
What of Liverpools new signings though - Downing, Enrique, Adam, Coates, Henderson, Bellamy, as well as Carroll and Suarez who were signed in January - are they the real deal, capable of pushing Liverpool on towards their first title since 1990?
Results have been decent enough, with away victories against Arsenal and Everton the pick of the bunch - on the surface anyway. The ridiculous red-card handed out to Jack Rodwell certainly helped Liverpool on the way to those 3pts. While Blackburn have shown that beating Arsenal isnt a particularly great achievement these days. Nonetheless, you can only beat whats in front of you.<!--more-->
Enrique -
We know what he can offer when joining the attack and has grabbed himself a couple of assists in the last two games. Defensively he hasnt looked brilliant but hes not the only one. Room for improvement.
Coates -
The centre-half excelled in the Copa America but has hardly had a sniff of the Liverpool first team. Dalglish can be cautious and quite over-protective with his players (as weve seen with Gerrards limited game-time since injury) and hes possibly just giving Coates the opportunity to acclimatise to England and the EPL before throwing him in the deep end.
Downing -
Hasnt looked particularly impressive so far and hasnt really linked well with Enrique down that left side. He is an excellent player though and will hopefully come onto a game soon.
Henderson -
Hasnt yet shown the form of last season which earned him a call-up to the England team. Dalglish bought him for his potential and in time Im hopeful that hell show how good he is. Liverpool have a plethora of midfielders and for this season he might...
Well I thought it would be remiss of us not to give even the teams for a preview of the big game tomorrow.
I dont think anyone really knows whats going to happen, which preparation is the best, and who will win. I could see any result occurring from a blow out each way, to a tight game. Pretty much you have to bring your A game or lose.
Teams:
Collingwood:
Toovey, Reid, OBrien
Maxwell, Tarrant, Shaw
Blair, Swan, Thomas
Johnson, Brown, Didak
Sidebottom, Cloke, Ball
Jolly, Pendlebury, Krakouer
Davis, Dawes, Wellingham, Fasolo
(E) Goldsack, Wood, Sinclair
Geelong:
Hunt, Scarlett, Lonergan
Enright, Taylor, Wojcinski
Selwood, Bartel, Mackie
Johnson, Hawkins, Varcoe
West, Podsiadly, Chapman
Ottens, Ling, Corey
Kelly, Stokes, Duncan, Christensen
(E) Byrnes, Milburn, Guthrie
Id suggest the game will be played with both teams having loose men in defence, making centre breaks and quick entries crucial. The Pies have to lift from their performance v Hawthorn, but are capable of doing just that. Hawthorn played better against the Pies than the Cats. Its just hard getting a read on the form-line. Youd suggest in raw terms Geelong are primed.
One things for sure, the Cats have no excuses; they could not have asked for a better run. And the Pies, well they have learned first hand how difficult it is to go back-to-back. If they win, it would be as epic as Hawthorn 89, Adelaide 98 or Brisbane 02 - all very meritorious victories.
Im going, and Im hoping my team wins. For the neutrals, I hope you get a good game, but not at the expense of victory!
I dont think anyone really knows whats going to happen, which preparation is the best, and who will win. I could see any result occurring from a blow out each way, to a tight game. Pretty much you have to bring your A game or lose.
Teams:
Collingwood:
Toovey, Reid, OBrien
Maxwell, Tarrant, Shaw
Blair, Swan, Thomas
Johnson, Brown, Didak
Sidebottom, Cloke, Ball
Jolly, Pendlebury, Krakouer
Davis, Dawes, Wellingham, Fasolo
(E) Goldsack, Wood, Sinclair
Geelong:
Hunt, Scarlett, Lonergan
Enright, Taylor, Wojcinski
Selwood, Bartel, Mackie
Johnson, Hawkins, Varcoe
West, Podsiadly, Chapman
Ottens, Ling, Corey
Kelly, Stokes, Duncan, Christensen
(E) Byrnes, Milburn, Guthrie
Id suggest the game will be played with both teams having loose men in defence, making centre breaks and quick entries crucial. The Pies have to lift from their performance v Hawthorn, but are capable of doing just that. Hawthorn played better against the Pies than the Cats. Its just hard getting a read on the form-line. Youd suggest in raw terms Geelong are primed.
One things for sure, the Cats have no excuses; they could not have asked for a better run. And the Pies, well they have learned first hand how difficult it is to go back-to-back. If they win, it would be as epic as Hawthorn 89, Adelaide 98 or Brisbane 02 - all very meritorious victories.
Im going, and Im hoping my team wins. For the neutrals, I hope you get a good game, but not at the expense of victory!
The parties involved in the Lockout arent giving much away - understandably; however, I get the feeling they may be making progress. They seem to be meeting more regularly now, and just today, several sites are reporting that its been leaked that the owners are willing to back down on their demands for a "hard salary cap system".
Currently the NBA has a "soft" salary cap system in place, where (basically) it is possible to exceed the salary cap - with relatively small penalties for doing so. The "hard" system that the owners are trying to introduce would not allow teams to exceed the salary cap at all; so it seems to be the general view that the owners backing down on this factor (if they even are - nothing solid has been reported yet) would be a significant step in the right direction for an agreement to be made.
Anyway, whether we are close or still a long way off is hard to know, so we should push on full steam ahead in setting up our fantasy comp.
We now have 36 players interested! Which is perfect for 3 leagues of 12 - Premier league, Div1 and 2 - but Ive just realised that there is one guy that played last season that hasnt come fwd yet for this year and last years players should get 1st preference imo. Each league will be split into two conferences (Too & Serious). There are 22 weeks during the season, so everyone will play the teams in their own conference twice, and the other 6 teams only once. Then there will be 3 weeks (but actually 2 weeks per matchup) of finals with the winner of each conference getting a bye in the first game heading straight through to the Semi Final. -- Later, over the break, Ill outline who is in each league.
Now we just have to work out our scoring... Last year we had a pretty good system imo, but I think everyone agreed that it needed a small amount of tinkering. I personally think that we only need to change a couple of stats - increasing the points awarded for Blocks and Offensive Boards, and I think we...
Currently the NBA has a "soft" salary cap system in place, where (basically) it is possible to exceed the salary cap - with relatively small penalties for doing so. The "hard" system that the owners are trying to introduce would not allow teams to exceed the salary cap at all; so it seems to be the general view that the owners backing down on this factor (if they even are - nothing solid has been reported yet) would be a significant step in the right direction for an agreement to be made.
Anyway, whether we are close or still a long way off is hard to know, so we should push on full steam ahead in setting up our fantasy comp.
We now have 36 players interested! Which is perfect for 3 leagues of 12 - Premier league, Div1 and 2 - but Ive just realised that there is one guy that played last season that hasnt come fwd yet for this year and last years players should get 1st preference imo. Each league will be split into two conferences (Too & Serious). There are 22 weeks during the season, so everyone will play the teams in their own conference twice, and the other 6 teams only once. Then there will be 3 weeks (but actually 2 weeks per matchup) of finals with the winner of each conference getting a bye in the first game heading straight through to the Semi Final. -- Later, over the break, Ill outline who is in each league.
Now we just have to work out our scoring... Last year we had a pretty good system imo, but I think everyone agreed that it needed a small amount of tinkering. I personally think that we only need to change a couple of stats - increasing the points awarded for Blocks and Offensive Boards, and I think we...
Ever since I stood on the Holte End, Villa Park as Ally McCoist scored a 20 yard screamer against Switzerland at Euro 96, Ive had a soft spot for the Villians. Theyre a big club with a large support, great history and a cracking stadium. Theyve got a new manager this year in Alex McLeish - who committed the ultimate betrayal by joining from city rivals Birmingham. This didnt go down too well with Villa supporters either as they greeted the news with demonstrations at the stadium. McLeish has three scores against his name, he managed Birmingham, he managed them to two relegations and hes perceived as a negative manager.
Theres no point arguing the first two as they are cold, hard facts and to be honest its quite hard to argue the third point when you consider how few goals his Brum team scored.
Villa are a different proposition though, and despite the loss of Young and Downing, the potential for goals is there. Whether McLeish maximises that potential remains to be seen.<!--more-->
He has brought Warnock back into the fold at left back after Houllier last year banished him to train with the kids. Warnock is well capable of assisting Villas attack and can realistically set up a few goals and possibly chip in with the odd one or two goals (he started his Liverpool career as a midfielder). Dunne and Collins the centre halfs will always offer a goal threat from set-pieces. New signing from Spurs, Alan Hutton finishes off the back four at right back.
Hutton hails from my part of the world, and as such, Ive kept a close eye on his career. Its fair to say that things didnt quite work out for him at Spurs. The manager that signed him (Ramos) got sacked, there were injury disruptions as well as fallings out with Harry Redknapp. None of this helped Hutton showcase the talents that he has shown previously, for instance, against the then world champions Italy in Glasgow. It was these kind of performances that had Ramos splashing out £9 million for him (its maybe...
Theres no point arguing the first two as they are cold, hard facts and to be honest its quite hard to argue the third point when you consider how few goals his Brum team scored.
Villa are a different proposition though, and despite the loss of Young and Downing, the potential for goals is there. Whether McLeish maximises that potential remains to be seen.<!--more-->
He has brought Warnock back into the fold at left back after Houllier last year banished him to train with the kids. Warnock is well capable of assisting Villas attack and can realistically set up a few goals and possibly chip in with the odd one or two goals (he started his Liverpool career as a midfielder). Dunne and Collins the centre halfs will always offer a goal threat from set-pieces. New signing from Spurs, Alan Hutton finishes off the back four at right back.
Hutton hails from my part of the world, and as such, Ive kept a close eye on his career. Its fair to say that things didnt quite work out for him at Spurs. The manager that signed him (Ramos) got sacked, there were injury disruptions as well as fallings out with Harry Redknapp. None of this helped Hutton showcase the talents that he has shown previously, for instance, against the then world champions Italy in Glasgow. It was these kind of performances that had Ramos splashing out £9 million for him (its maybe...
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