David Edwards
NormReport Time - AFL
September 16th 2006 07:06
As the finals have heated up, we can now look at the AFL squads who did not make the cut, and see how they performed in the 2006 season. So roll up your footy socks and throw some grass to the wind, as we review the teams of the AFL 2006 season
Carlton Blues (finished 16th, 3 wins – 18 losses, 1 draw, 1791 PF – 2415 PA) As another season finishes, we see that whilst some things change, at least one thing will stay the same. The Blues have never looked like the side that dominated the competition for such a long time in the game’s history, and it still seems that they have a hard road ahead of them to get back to same glory. With only three wins and a draw this year, ironically earned from their two oldest rivals Melbourne and Essendon, they were looking the same as they have been for the past four years, in a bad state. But it is not all bad news, and in fact in some games this season they should flashes of brilliance. With a talented group of youngsters just ready to explode, plus with the goal kicking ability of Fevola and the leadership of Kouta, they could be looking at a higher place up the ladder next year. Just don’t be expecting a zero to hero transformation.
2006 Season: 2/10 Potential: 3/10 Overall: 3/10
Essendon Bombers (finished 15th, 3 W – 18 L, 1 draw, 2021 PF – 2469 PA). What can really be said about the Bombers. They are in the middle of rebuilding their side, with quite a few members in their 2000 Premiership side either retiring or on the verge of it, plus being having quite a few star players on the injury list all year, it was essentially up to the youngsters to keep the side alive. Something that they failed miserably at, and as a result finished their lowest ladder position since 1971. In my opinion the only thing that could be salvaged from their horror run of a season is how the change it for 2007, and maybe begin thinking that it could be the end of an era and the changing of the guard.
2006 Season: 1/10 Potential: 2/10 Overall: 2/10
Kangaroos (finished 14th, 7 W – 15 L, 1754 PF – 2167 PA) Whilst the Bombers and Blues kind of had a reason for being so far down the ladder, why the Kangaroos are so low is probably one of the biggest surprises this season. Finishing 5th last season before being bundled out in the first round, there was talk that this could be the year they finally make a move. But it was not the case. The worst part of their season is that they did not go through a major injury upsets, or even that they were unlucky most games. They got beaten this season, pure and simple, and this is something they must face up against in 2007. Whether it be a brand new recruitment drive come trade week, or maybe even a new captain at the helm, but they have to come up with something and quick to combat such a horrible season.
2006 Season: 2/10 Potential: 3/10 Overall: 3/10
Brisbane Lions (finished 13th, 7 W – 15L, 1844 PF – 2239 PA). The Lions are but a mere shadow of how they looked at the start of the century, winning three consecutive premierships in 01, 02 and 03, they now hold the same form as when they first joined the league. But how the Lions performed this year proves that any off-field drama ultimately affects the team. With the entire Akermanis/ Matthews saga acted out this year, their was no time or energy left to get their season’s plan back on track. But now with Akermanis looking like to go to the Bulldogs next season, the Lions can look at how to rebuild their side once again to their league topping performances. But that is all looking to be a bit further down the track…
2006 Season: 4/10 Potential: 4/10 Overall: 4/10
Port Adelaide Power (finished 12th, 8 W – 14 L, 1911 PF – 2151 PA)
Like the Lions, the Power are looking nothing like their former selves. But they have made a major leap in the rebuilding phase. With clever trades and wise draft picks they have definitely placed their right foot forward to get back to their premiership standard. Players like Motlop, and 2006 AFL Rising Star Winner Danyle Pearce have really showed what the Power can be capable of in a few short years, and expect a re-emergence into the top 8 very soon.
2006 Season: 5/10 Potential: 7/10 Overall: 6/10
Hawthorn Hawks (finished 11th, 9 W – 13 L, 1834 PF – 2140 PA) Like Port Adelaide, Hawthorn have been really well in the team rebuilding phase. With the club going for a ‘youth’ policy over the last two seasons, they have established themselves as the side to look for very soon. Last year we only saw flashes of brilliance, whilst in 2006 they were able to prove most weeks what they could be capable of. Starting strong, and finishing very strong on a four game winning streak, it was just a shame they went through a mid season slump or else we could have seen them in their first finals campaign since 2001. Watch for the Hawks, because they are ready to fly high really soon.
2006 Season: 6/10 Potential: 8/10 Overall: 7/10
Geelong Cats (finished 10th, 10 W – 11 L, 1 draw, 1982 PF – 2002 PA) Going from Hawthorn to Geelong is like going from chalk to cheese. The Hawks were able to surprise most of the competition is how well they performed, whilst the Cats were toted at premiership favourites at the start of the competition missing out of the finals entirely. Why the Cats went so bad is really a mystery. They had a solid squad list that did not suffer too many injuries, they had the potential to really shake up the competition, and many times they did show signs of brilliant football which if they could string together for a few games would have made their season finish a lot differently. But this is how the cards were laid out, and all that can be said is that the Cats weren’t able to keep up with the pressure of being the ‘side to beat’. Not being able to string more than two wins together all season, they were average at best, and at some time played woeful football. I for one think that their must be a change at the head of the side, and maybe the Cats need to reconsider coach Thompson’s position if they ever want to lead the league.
2006 Season: 5/10 Potential: 6/10 Overall: 5/10
Richmond Tigers (finished 9th, 11 W – 11 L, 1934 PF – 2245 PA) There is not much that can be said about the Tigers year. True they have done a lot better ever since removing Frawley and instating Wallace as their coach, but truth be told they seemed to not to cause much attention. Their side, whilst still rebuilding is really strong at the moment, and Wallace was able to perform coaching miracles against sides more powerful, such as Adelaide in Round 8 and Collingwood in Round 13, for the win, but they also let their guard down at time at lost extremely badly against sides like Hawthorn in Round 12. The Tigers are good, but not great, and most importantly don’t seem to have that x-factor to is important for all sides vying for a premiership. Like last year and this year, next year we won’t pay much attention to how the Tigers are travelling.
2006 Season: 6/10 Potential 6/10 Overall 6/10
St. Kilda Saints (finished 6th, 14 W – 8 L, 2074 PF – 1752 PA Lost to Melbourne in Elimination Final) Once more the Saints have proven that once again they are the bridesmaids of the AFL, but look far off from being the bride. For the last few seasons, they have been great. With a squad list that most sides are envious of, and the ability to play as a team match by only a handful of other sides, in all honesty they should be dominating the competition. But in 2006, once more like last year, they did suffer a major injury toll. Key players fell left and right each and every round, and it looked like at some stages a few players were kept together with tape and bawling string. But they are solid squad and able to preserve into a decent state for the finals. But once more in the finals, they stumbled against Melbourne. It looks like the mantra for most Saints fans ‘maybe next year’ is still there, but with yet another coach taking the reigns next season, it just might be the year that they are right.
2006 Season: 7/10 Potential: 8/10 Overall: 8/10
Collingwood Magpies (finished 5th, 14 W – 8 L, 2345 PF – 1965 PA; Lost to Western Bulldogs in Elimination Final) The Magpies had a great season this year. Playing solid football, constantly nipping at the heels of the league leaders, and after their horror run in 2005 they were looking like potential grand finalists again. First of all they quelled any criticism of their Arizona trip off season and their purchase of a high altitude room, as due to their injury run last year this season it did not even register on the radar. Second of all they proved that they could played decent team football, and their sides was not just made up of great individual footballers, and finally they proved to the competition that another premiership for the side is not far away. Many thought that their finals campaign would last longer than one game, but the one rule this season is never wipe off the Bulldogs. But even with their shock exit, they are in great position to really take on the 2007 season with gusto.
2006 Season: 8/10 Potential: 8/10 Overall: 8/10
Remember to read the weekend wrap on Monday to catch up on all the finals action, and on Monday We’ll look at the sides bundled out of finals contention this weekend, as well as keep you up to date on all the news and issues that occur in sport around our great nation, and the world.
Until next time, sports minds.
Carlton Blues (finished 16th, 3 wins – 18 losses, 1 draw, 1791 PF – 2415 PA) As another season finishes, we see that whilst some things change, at least one thing will stay the same. The Blues have never looked like the side that dominated the competition for such a long time in the game’s history, and it still seems that they have a hard road ahead of them to get back to same glory. With only three wins and a draw this year, ironically earned from their two oldest rivals Melbourne and Essendon, they were looking the same as they have been for the past four years, in a bad state. But it is not all bad news, and in fact in some games this season they should flashes of brilliance. With a talented group of youngsters just ready to explode, plus with the goal kicking ability of Fevola and the leadership of Kouta, they could be looking at a higher place up the ladder next year. Just don’t be expecting a zero to hero transformation.
Essendon Bombers (finished 15th, 3 W – 18 L, 1 draw, 2021 PF – 2469 PA). What can really be said about the Bombers. They are in the middle of rebuilding their side, with quite a few members in their 2000 Premiership side either retiring or on the verge of it, plus being having quite a few star players on the injury list all year, it was essentially up to the youngsters to keep the side alive. Something that they failed miserably at, and as a result finished their lowest ladder position since 1971. In my opinion the only thing that could be salvaged from their horror run of a season is how the change it for 2007, and maybe begin thinking that it could be the end of an era and the changing of the guard.
Kangaroos (finished 14th, 7 W – 15 L, 1754 PF – 2167 PA) Whilst the Bombers and Blues kind of had a reason for being so far down the ladder, why the Kangaroos are so low is probably one of the biggest surprises this season. Finishing 5th last season before being bundled out in the first round, there was talk that this could be the year they finally make a move. But it was not the case. The worst part of their season is that they did not go through a major injury upsets, or even that they were unlucky most games. They got beaten this season, pure and simple, and this is something they must face up against in 2007. Whether it be a brand new recruitment drive come trade week, or maybe even a new captain at the helm, but they have to come up with something and quick to combat such a horrible season.
2006 Season: 2/10 Potential: 3/10 Overall: 3/10
Brisbane Lions (finished 13th, 7 W – 15L, 1844 PF – 2239 PA). The Lions are but a mere shadow of how they looked at the start of the century, winning three consecutive premierships in 01, 02 and 03, they now hold the same form as when they first joined the league. But how the Lions performed this year proves that any off-field drama ultimately affects the team. With the entire Akermanis/ Matthews saga acted out this year, their was no time or energy left to get their season’s plan back on track. But now with Akermanis looking like to go to the Bulldogs next season, the Lions can look at how to rebuild their side once again to their league topping performances. But that is all looking to be a bit further down the track…
2006 Season: 4/10 Potential: 4/10 Overall: 4/10
Port Adelaide Power (finished 12th, 8 W – 14 L, 1911 PF – 2151 PA)
Like the Lions, the Power are looking nothing like their former selves. But they have made a major leap in the rebuilding phase. With clever trades and wise draft picks they have definitely placed their right foot forward to get back to their premiership standard. Players like Motlop, and 2006 AFL Rising Star Winner Danyle Pearce have really showed what the Power can be capable of in a few short years, and expect a re-emergence into the top 8 very soon.
2006 Season: 5/10 Potential: 7/10 Overall: 6/10
Hawthorn Hawks (finished 11th, 9 W – 13 L, 1834 PF – 2140 PA) Like Port Adelaide, Hawthorn have been really well in the team rebuilding phase. With the club going for a ‘youth’ policy over the last two seasons, they have established themselves as the side to look for very soon. Last year we only saw flashes of brilliance, whilst in 2006 they were able to prove most weeks what they could be capable of. Starting strong, and finishing very strong on a four game winning streak, it was just a shame they went through a mid season slump or else we could have seen them in their first finals campaign since 2001. Watch for the Hawks, because they are ready to fly high really soon.
2006 Season: 6/10 Potential: 8/10 Overall: 7/10
Geelong Cats (finished 10th, 10 W – 11 L, 1 draw, 1982 PF – 2002 PA) Going from Hawthorn to Geelong is like going from chalk to cheese. The Hawks were able to surprise most of the competition is how well they performed, whilst the Cats were toted at premiership favourites at the start of the competition missing out of the finals entirely. Why the Cats went so bad is really a mystery. They had a solid squad list that did not suffer too many injuries, they had the potential to really shake up the competition, and many times they did show signs of brilliant football which if they could string together for a few games would have made their season finish a lot differently. But this is how the cards were laid out, and all that can be said is that the Cats weren’t able to keep up with the pressure of being the ‘side to beat’. Not being able to string more than two wins together all season, they were average at best, and at some time played woeful football. I for one think that their must be a change at the head of the side, and maybe the Cats need to reconsider coach Thompson’s position if they ever want to lead the league.
2006 Season: 5/10 Potential: 6/10 Overall: 5/10
Richmond Tigers (finished 9th, 11 W – 11 L, 1934 PF – 2245 PA) There is not much that can be said about the Tigers year. True they have done a lot better ever since removing Frawley and instating Wallace as their coach, but truth be told they seemed to not to cause much attention. Their side, whilst still rebuilding is really strong at the moment, and Wallace was able to perform coaching miracles against sides more powerful, such as Adelaide in Round 8 and Collingwood in Round 13, for the win, but they also let their guard down at time at lost extremely badly against sides like Hawthorn in Round 12. The Tigers are good, but not great, and most importantly don’t seem to have that x-factor to is important for all sides vying for a premiership. Like last year and this year, next year we won’t pay much attention to how the Tigers are travelling.
2006 Season: 6/10 Potential 6/10 Overall 6/10
St. Kilda Saints (finished 6th, 14 W – 8 L, 2074 PF – 1752 PA Lost to Melbourne in Elimination Final) Once more the Saints have proven that once again they are the bridesmaids of the AFL, but look far off from being the bride. For the last few seasons, they have been great. With a squad list that most sides are envious of, and the ability to play as a team match by only a handful of other sides, in all honesty they should be dominating the competition. But in 2006, once more like last year, they did suffer a major injury toll. Key players fell left and right each and every round, and it looked like at some stages a few players were kept together with tape and bawling string. But they are solid squad and able to preserve into a decent state for the finals. But once more in the finals, they stumbled against Melbourne. It looks like the mantra for most Saints fans ‘maybe next year’ is still there, but with yet another coach taking the reigns next season, it just might be the year that they are right.
2006 Season: 7/10 Potential: 8/10 Overall: 8/10
Collingwood Magpies (finished 5th, 14 W – 8 L, 2345 PF – 1965 PA; Lost to Western Bulldogs in Elimination Final) The Magpies had a great season this year. Playing solid football, constantly nipping at the heels of the league leaders, and after their horror run in 2005 they were looking like potential grand finalists again. First of all they quelled any criticism of their Arizona trip off season and their purchase of a high altitude room, as due to their injury run last year this season it did not even register on the radar. Second of all they proved that they could played decent team football, and their sides was not just made up of great individual footballers, and finally they proved to the competition that another premiership for the side is not far away. Many thought that their finals campaign would last longer than one game, but the one rule this season is never wipe off the Bulldogs. But even with their shock exit, they are in great position to really take on the 2007 season with gusto.
2006 Season: 8/10 Potential: 8/10 Overall: 8/10
Remember to read the weekend wrap on Monday to catch up on all the finals action, and on Monday We’ll look at the sides bundled out of finals contention this weekend, as well as keep you up to date on all the news and issues that occur in sport around our great nation, and the world.
Until next time, sports minds.
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