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EAGLES GROUNDED
It’s taken a while, but Carlton’s promised revival under Denis Pagan has finally happened. Congratulations to these evil people and their corrupt enablers.
It’s The Corellas, Stupid!
Those poor unfortunate residents of Sydney’s chic inner suburbs like Glebe - so much to put up with. Now the birds are waking them!
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Dawn-of-a-new-earache-as-innercity-corellas-rise-to-top-of-pecking-order/2005/03/11/1110417691862.html?oneclick=trueFirst time we returned to Melbourne after going to Canada, I took my kids to the “G” to see an Essendon-Collingwood game.
After quarter, I asked my 6 year old son what he thought about it. He asked in return ” why are they all shouting ‘carna maggots’”
Posted by Jack from Montreal on 2005 03 12 at 10:57 PM • permalinkYou neglected to mention that Carlton finished 10th on the ladder in season 2004, one place ahead of Collingwood. Carlton, of course gave Collingwood a kicking when both teams met, including a stunning come from behind victory in round 5, reminiscent of the 1970 Grand Final (sorry, I couldn’t help myself there).
In Season 2005, Carlton play The Kangaroos, Essendon (without Lloyd) and in Round 3 look into the dead eyes of the Pies.
The Blues are entitled to consider themselves favourites in all three matches. One must not get too carried away with a pre-season competition win. The Blues will struggle at times throughout the season and lack of depth in defence is already a problem.
However there will be no struggling against Collingwood; only fluent, running football and a 10 goal win.
The Fevolution is upon us. And you will be first against the wall.
Posted by Peter Hoysted on 2005 03 13 at 06:20 PM • permalinkIndeed, the Fevolution is upon us.
It’s a fact that each year, about half of the competition takes the Wizard cup seriously, and to the rest it’s just a practice game to test new tactics and players.
However, there was no doubting that both the Eagles and Carlton seriously wanted this cup. Both played their best available squads and went hammer and tongs at the business. For the Eagles, it was to demonstrate that no mere bottom eight side could stop them, and for the Blues it was to tell the world, and more importantly their supporters and potential sponsors, that they were a force again (the $250k prize money was a real incentive too).
This game has provieded invaluable experience to what is now the youngest side in the competition. To perform under pressure; absorb the worst of an opponent; and then counter it bodes well for their future. The only thing that might hold us back from a top eight finish is Bret Thornton’s medial ligament.
OTOH the Eagles’ odds have shrunk to be third favourites for the premiership - after losing - and not without reason. If the monstrous Quenten Lynch can one-grab those marks he will be unstoppable in the goal-square, and although they were matched on Saturday night, the Eagles’ on-ballers would be harder to stop on the wide flanks of the MCG. The biggest chink in their armour is their ability to travel, if they can bring their form on a plane the way great Eagle sides did in 1992 & 1994, they’ll go all the way.
I agree wholeheartedly, Craig. The Eagles deserve their prominent place in the AFL premiership market. Also, I think that the early season betting does not reflect what I anticipate will be a drop off in form from Brisbane and a Premiership hangover in Port Adelaide.
On paper the Eagles have the best midfield - one which will contribute almost half of their goals and an attack which boasts plenty of height and skill. 60 goal a season small forward Matera hasn’t played a game yet and will contribute his 2 or 3 goals a game in the season proper.
The return of Gardiner from serious injury will only bolster their chances. Fit and in form, he’s the best big man in the competition; either as a marking forward or providing plenty of ball to that talented mid-field.
I think the Eagles’ biggest weakness is their backline, especially their tall defenders. Hunter is not up to it in my opinion and Glass, while an honest type, can be exposed by a fast leading forward.
The travel issue is really a hangover from the past, when the Eagles’ list was emerging and gathering experience. Nevertheless 12 games at Fortress Subiaco will give them enough wins to make the finals. From there they could easily take the title.
I’d back ‘em at $6.50 but my AFL punting money has already been invested on Fevola to win the Coleman Medal.
Posted by Peter Hoysted on 2005 03 13 at 11:22 PM • permalink
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Ya think? Everyone knows winning the Wizard Cup is the kiss of death for the rest of the season…