interesting reading about the problems within the AFL ranks about the disparity between the top teams and their counterparts at the other end of the ladder, the thrashings are becoming more consistent, I wonder if its time to create a 1st and 2nd division, with the AFL's expansion in mind this may become reality together with the free agent rules, loyalty vs money vs the players will to play in a successful teams will create the super league?

Looking at the top sides, compared to the bottom sides in relation to bulk, those in the bottom are mostly kids in real terms. Yesterday with Pt Adelaide was a prime example. Young lads, playing seasoned men. One or two of the bottom teams have a good spread, but devastated by injury. The rest....well it's a little ugly.
There are a number of the Vic based teams are living from week to week, no chance of getting to the top four in the current set up.
Watching one of the footy shows this morning, and Jude Bolton agreed that the top sides have lean season hardened sprinters across the centre line. Even Jude has dropped Kg's to stay in the mix. This takes a few seasons to develop. Unless your side has the purchase power of the top sides in relation to training set ups and staff. Then is all a bit too tough, and your side is just the whipping boys for the more financial teams.
Some of the shakers and movers for the top Vic sides make it their life ambition to hound, denigrate, and generally make sure the lower sides never get the chance with a constant media spread of bad news. One such was up to his old tricks mid week about the Greater Western Sydney side. Same clown drove a media hate campaign in regards to Brisbane when Leigh had them screaming at the top, by squealing whinging and sooking about any concessions Brisbane had over his sorry lot at the time.

pweedas said...

Cassa said...

Interesting theory Malthouse put out there , so just how did the Eagles go from bottom of the ladder , to being in the finals , and so far beating 2 of the top four teams??

Hmmmm,. good question.
Are they still doing regular drug screening checks or has the heat died down now so they're not seen as necessary?

Love that old chestnut when its run out, but that's about all it is, a rough one from the past. Nowadays its a little different re testing, and for each Eagle on the list, its right in your face... regardless.
Financial clout to get the best training crew for use of, and training facilities has done it. Some luck on the injury front, and a not so tough run home when others a feeling the pinch. They might fade this year, hard to managed young guns in the first few years, but heartwarming to see the improvement.
Really pisses the like of R Walls off, when his mob just can no long "buy" Grand Finals with player purchase..

im no footy fan.

I have zero interest in Aussie rules and wish that the whole thing would collapse completeley thereby making thousands of players available to play rugby and giving us a hope of beating the All Blacks consistently.

Cassa said...

Interesting theory Malthouse put out there , so just how did the Eagles go from bottom of the ladder , to being in the finals , and so far beating 2 of the top four teams??
Doesn't this outcome mean that it is possible for bottom (,so called 2nd rate )teams to do exactly the same . There were may Eagles players who many thought were gone , but have been resurected .
If they can do it , why not others?,
There goes the theory Mick

They simply found a better chemist

I think AFL has set the benchmark for management for football codes in this country, which is astonishing when you consider there is no real international competition. The fan loyalty is very similar to British football fans in its intensity. Perhaps that is where league and rugby go wrong. You only have to look at the crowd attendances to appreciate the difference.

pweedas said...

Cassa said...

Interesting theory Malthouse put out there , so just how did the Eagles go from bottom of the ladder , to being in the finals , and so far beating 2 of the top four teams??

Hmmmm,. good question.
Are they still doing regular drug screening checks or has the heat died down now so they're not seen as necessary?

After what has happend with Benny and his JETS , I hardly think it is worth commenting about drug use here , but hey I;m sure they will.



Here's a list of eagles players ages
Natanui-21
shue-21
masten -22
darling -19
eibert-21
gaff-19
hurn-23(old man)
kennedy-23, (old man)
lycet-18
mcginnety-21
schofield-21
scot selwood-21
smith-21
swift-21


Simply ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,age + fitness +smart training , might have something to do with the way they have played recently

Simondo said...

Enjoy it while you can

62mac said...

As a massive League fan what I'd be concerned about is the huge money some of the AFL clubs are paying for x NRL stars.AFL is huge and there must be some fantastic talent kicking around so why would you spend/waist money on the unknown

After this weekend,it clear the cap is not working

The big problem though.... the AFL don't want stocky ,thick legged, thick necked, unfit, too heavy, punch drunk 1 dimensional Queenslanders.

If you look at Melbourne FC the problem is obvious there.

Connolly and Schwab completed f***ed the Dockers, now they have done the same to Melbourne.
They should have gone, not Bailey.

Also, the AFL are trying to spread too little talent among too many clubs, especially in Melbourne.
Its about time they merged some of the clubs and brought the comp back to 16 (or even 14).
Next years 18 teams is just too many, also with 14 clubs they could play each other twice and even out the comp.
The Eagles draw this year was a dream, just because they finished last.