This Year's AFL Premiers

[gav]

Yes, las time we met, Collingwood were the winners by 1 point. The final scores yesterday showed that we (Melbourne) were the improved side. This time we drew. lol

Next time we meet, you could anticipate a win.

Yep, the Dees are definitely improving! You can expect a 1 point victory when you place the Pies next :

I'm lost for words when it comes to my team (West Coast). Last week we were goal for goal the entire match against Geelong, and we were still in the game with 5 minutes to go. I hadn't seen that type of intensity (from West Coast) for years. One week later, we get smashed by Richmond. F***ing RICHMOND!!! I'm just glad I was at work so I didn't go to the game...

 

[newbie trader]

Yep, the Dees are definitely improving! You can expect a 1 point victory when you place the Pies next :

I'm lost for words when it comes to my team (West Coast). Last week we were goal for goal the entire match against Geelong, and we were still in the game with 5 minutes to go. I hadn't seen that type of intensity (from West Coast) for years. One week later, we get smashed by Richmond. F***ing RICHMOND!!! I'm just glad I was at work so I didn't go to the game...

You've got to admit Jack Riewoldt has been pretty exciting.

 

[gav]

Not as exciting as Naitanui! (although I may be a tad bias )

 

[YELNATS]

I'm lost for words when it comes to my team (West Coast). Last week we were goal for goal the entire match against Geelong, and we were still in the game with 5 minutes to go. I hadn't seen that type of intensity (from West Coast) for years. One week later, we get smashed by Richmond. F***ing RICHMOND!!! I'm just glad I was at work so I didn't go to the game...

Lions at home, Lambs away.

 

[YELNATS]

Like 'extra time'? Yes. But I actually thing the final could be played best of three type of thing. It's a bit silly playing 22 games and then the best overall team possibly loses...

Best of 3 games? LOL.

How could that be, the players are practically in wheelchairs and slings after a GF match. This is AFL, the fastest physical contact footy there is, not world series baseball.

 

[Pivotonian]

Like 'extra time'? Yes. But I actually thing the final could be played best of three type of thing. It's a bit silly playing 22 games and then the best overall team possibly loses...

Spoken like a true analyst!

The best team for the whole of 2008 was Geelong, yet Hawthorn won the flag. The best team for most of 2009 was St Kilda, yet Geelong won the flag.

Many would say that is part of the romanticism of our game, and I agree, but it is also unfair in a lot of ways. A lot can go wrong in a single game of football, not least injuries either before or during a game that can definitely influence the result.

The EPL system is clearly much fairer, but it doesn't build to such a magnificent climax every year.

 

[newbie trader]

Spoken like a true analyst!

The best team for the whole of 2008 was Geelong, yet Hawthorn won the flag. The best team for most of 2009 was St Kilda, yet Geelong won the flag.

Many would say that is part of the romanticism of our game, and I agree, but it is also unfair in a lot of ways. A lot can go wrong in a single game of football, not least injuries either before or during a game that can definitely influence the result.

The EPL system is clearly much fairer, but it doesn't build to such a magnificent climax every year.

What does one have to achieve to be considered the 'best overall team'?

 

[nulla nulla]

What does one have to achieve to be considered the 'best overall team'?

Winning the premiership is usualy a good indicator.

 

[Pivotonian]

What does one have to achieve to be considered the 'best overall team'?

Easiest way to measure it, I would have thought, is whoever wins the most games over the year.

In 2008, Geelong went 21-1 in the regular season, including a win in its only game against eventual premier Hawthorn, and finished 3 games and plenty of percentage clear on top.

In 2009, St Kilda went 20-2 in the regular season, including a win in its only game against eventual premier Geelong, and finished 2 games and plenty of percentage clear on top.

In both cases, they clearly performed better over a longer period of the season than any other side (including the one that won the GF), so it seems to be that is a pretty good argument to say they were the "best overall team" for the year.

And to pre-empt a couple of obvious arguments:

- You could say that the team that performs best under pressure (ie. in the GF) should be considered the best team, and that is a fair point - I guess it partly depends on your definition of "best". However I keep coming back to the fact that the GF is only one game, and a lot can happen in one game that can affect the result

- True, the draw is not equal, but I would argue that is mainly a factor at in the middle of the table where sides have to play teams better than they are. I don't think you could mount a serious argument that either Geelong in 2008 or St Kilda in 2009 finished on top due to an "favourable draw"

Adelaide of 1997-8 is also a prime candidate for a premier who was not necessarily the best side of the year.

Now, to be clear, I like the fact we have a Grand Final and am not in any way advocating a change to an EPL style system, but I think we need to acknowledge that it doesn't always reward the year's best team.

 

[springhill]

Easiest way to measure it, I would have thought, is whoever wins the most games over the year.

There is already an award for this, the The McClelland Trophy.

 

[Dunger]

Easiest way to measure it, I would have thought, is whoever wins the most games over the year.

In 2008, Geelong went 21-1 in the regular season, including a win in its only game against eventual premier Hawthorn, and finished 3 games and plenty of percentage clear on top.

In 2009, St Kilda went 20-2 in the regular season, including a win in its only game against eventual premier Geelong, and finished 2 games and plenty of percentage clear on top.

In both cases, they clearly performed better over a longer period of the season than any other side (including the one that won the GF), so it seems to be that is a pretty good argument to say they were the "best overall team" for the year.

And to pre-empt a couple of obvious arguments:

- You could say that the team that performs best under pressure (ie. in the GF) should be considered the best team, and that is a fair point - I guess it partly depends on your definition of "best". However I keep coming back to the fact that the GF is only one game, and a lot can happen in one game that can affect the result

- True, the draw is not equal, but I would argue that is mainly a factor at in the middle of the table where sides have to play teams better than they are. I don't think you could mount a serious argument that either Geelong in 2008 or St Kilda in 2009 finished on top due to an "favourable draw"

Adelaide of 1997-8 is also a prime candidate for a premier who was not necessarily the best side of the year.

Now, to be clear, I like the fact we have a Grand Final and am not in any way advocating a change to an EPL style system, but I think we need to acknowledge that it doesn't always reward the year's best team.

I think you're missing the point. The teams train play each year to win the GF. As in the point of playing AFL is to make the GF and win it.

The home and away season is to decide who's good enough to play in the finals. So having a 20-2 record means nothing once the finals starts. As we've seen, anything can happen in finals series and the better team wins on the day.

If you can't handle the pressure of being in the finals for whatever reason then you aren't the best.

Adelaide weren't the best team 2 years in a row but they still managed to win 2 Grand Finals? I would have to strongly disagree that they weren't the best team. They were the best team 2 years in a row, especially since they backed up the first Premiership with another.

On your hypothesis one could say they are a better person than you but they should have more than one life to prove it if they stuff it up at some point.

 

[nomore4s]

The other thing to take into consideration would be how teams would change their approach to the home & away season.

Geelong probably wouldn't have been so conservative in resting so many players at various stages of the year last season if the had to finish on top to win the flag.

 

[newbie trader]

Also if you're not in at least the top 4 at the back end of the season what's the point of playing if the flag goes to no.1 after 22 rounds?

 

[newbie trader]

Lions game on Saturday night was pathetic. No spirit no nothing. Any other Brisbane Lions supporters here?

 

[newbie trader]

Anyone watch the Geelong v St Kilda match? I missed it but saw Geelong were on 43 at half time but only ended up on 46? What happend?

 

[GumbyLearner]

September beckons PUSSIES!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq2nFmrQdqI

 

[GumbyLearner]

St.Kilda are ready. Are Geelong?


Don't mention Riewoldt that would just be an ugly decimation of the opposition!

GO SAINTS!!!!!!

 

[Duckman#72]

Anyone watch the Geelong v St Kilda match? I missed it but saw Geelong were on 43 at half time but only ended up on 46? What happend?

Fantastic defensive performance by St Kilda. Hats off. However I wouldn't be too worried if I were a Geelong supporter. It was a game that was influenced by the weather conditions. Rain is always a leveller - however when the underdog's best asset is defence and it's weaklink is scoring - it amplifies it 5 fold.

If the Grand Final is played in cold wet conditions then St Kilda can take some comfort. It was a game that totally suited the Saints. Saints controlled the game and their midfield and small forwards better acclimatised to the conditions. Riewoldt wouldn't have had a huge impact last night and neither would have Hawkin or Mooney. Tall marking forwards like J-Pod should have stayed in the tracksuits.

But Geelong did miss Kelly and Chapman.

Great win to St Kilda but considering Ottens as well as the abovementioned - Geelong have far more up their sleeve than the Saints on a clear spring day in September.

Duckman

 

[JTLP]

Fantastic defensive performance by St Kilda. Hats off. However I wouldn't be too worried if I were a Geelong supporter. It was a game that was influenced by the weather conditions. Rain is always a leveller - however when the underdog's best asset is defence and it's weaklink is scoring - it amplifies it 5 fold.

If the Grand Final is played in cold wet conditions then St Kilda can take some comfort. It was a game that totally suited the Saints. Saints controlled the game and their midfield and small forwards better acclimatised to the conditions. Riewoldt wouldn't have had a huge impact last night and neither would have Hawkin or Mooney. Tall marking forwards like J-Pod should have stayed in the tracksuits.

But Geelong did miss Kelly and Chapman.

Great win to St Kilda but considering Ottens as well as the abovementioned - Geelong have far more up their sleeve than the Saints on a clear spring day in September.

Duckman

Defensive games can be ok but on the whole the Saints, along with perennial flooders Sydney, make for very boring football. A goalless second half for a team isn't exciting; it's boring football for their supporters and basically ruins the game when you see both sides basically in 1/3 of the ground. I would much rather watch team's such as the Hawks and Bombers, who play a running, attacking & exciting brand of football, over flooders any day. Even if the score was a blowout.

But back to the original point...I am with you. Geelong are always dangerous and are big game player's...shown last season and I dare say they will prove it again this season and without a doubt show why they are the team of the decade...if not last 2 (I rate them higher then the 3-peat Lions).

I despise the Saints...too many weasel player's and morons.

 

[nomore4s]

St.Kilda are ready. Are Geelong?

Don't mention Riewoldt that would just be an ugly decimation of the opposition!

GO SAINTS!!!!!!

lol, it don't matter unless you win in the last week in Sept. I believe the Saints won last years match as well. You're kidding yourself if you think Geelong won't be ready come Sept.

Also keep in mind the Saints are only really missing Riewoldt whereas Geelong had Corey, Chapman, Kelly, Ottens, Hawkins & Rooke out. With the exception of Hawkins all those other players probably would have had some sort of impact on the game last night.