Another AFL Coach Under Pressure in 2008?
The Tigers went into season 2007 with great expectation but nothing eventuated and the year ended with them being extremely disappointed yet again, finishing 16 on the ladder. The endured 5 close defeats at the start of the season by when they were belted by Geelong in Round 6 by 157 points there season was all but over. Is there any chance the Tigers can turn this around in 2008?
Let’s take a look who is coming and who is going at the Richmond Football Club this year.
ADDITIONS:
Exchange period – received: Jordan McMahon (Western Bulldogs), Mitch Morton (West Coast)
Rookie elevation: Angus Graham, Jake King
NAB AFL Draft: Trent Cotchin (Northern Knights), Dean Putt (Calder Cannons), Alex Rance (Swan Districts)
DELETIONS:
Retired: Darren Gaspar (veteran – outside list), Ray Hall, Kent Kingsley, Trent Knobel
Delisted: Patrick Bowden, Brent Hartigan, Andrew Krakouer, Carl Peterson, Tas Clingan (rookie), Cam Howat (rookie)
Injuries, Injuries, Injuries ?
Some could argue that injuries to key players in Mark Coghlan, Ray Hall, Trent Knobel contributed greatly to the Tigers terrible season but even If 
those players were involved in the games the Tigers would still have lost, maybe all that would have changed would have been how much they lost by. The 2 big names to miss a large chunk of the season, Nathan Brown and Troy Simmonds were probably more influential in the Tigers losses. If those 2 can play the entire year and the 2nd and 3rd year players can step up then we should see some improvement in 2008. The Tigers coaching team have indicated that their pre season training leading into the 2007 season may have contributed to the major injuries that the club sustained and they will no doubt be looking at changing that during this pre season. Read more
2007 Season Highlights Not to be Missed
Well as we get closer to the start of the 2008 AFL Season and only 52 days to go until Carlton take on Richmond at the MCG on a Thursday night. I thought I would get you all in the mood with a couple of highlight packages from the 2007 AFL Season.
Crank up the speakers on your PC and sit back and enjoy.
2008 AFL NAB Cup Fixture
For those of you here at AFL Football Blog that are interested in the 2008 NAB Cup I have posted the draw below. While I have posted my thoughts on the NAB Cup in a previous post there seems to be a few clubs that may still be taking the NAB Cup somewhat seriously, although I still think that it is the clubs that have got their eye on the cash rather than the upcoming season.
St Kilda look like playing anyone that is fit including veterans Robert Harvey and Fraser Gehrig. They say Harvey is in brilliant shape after an early pre season set back where he strained his calf at the first session. That will make them one of the favorites along with North Melbourne who will be fielding a strong side also. Clubs like Essendon, Collingwood, Geelong, Brisbane, Hawthorn and Carlton (winner of the last 2 NAB Cups) seem to going into the NAB Cup with the notion that because they can’t really control the amount of game time that certain players will be able to play then they just won’t play them and go for the younger kids instead. Collingwood a furious at this and are leading a charge to take their objections along with other clubs to the AFL. They have even sent emails to other clubs to gain support.
At least we will be able to see these youngsters in action early on. Take a look at the draw and see when and where your team is playing.
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AFL Pre Season Update - Stewart Dew
Well he was said to have been a gamble draft pick for Alastair Clarkson and the Hawthorn Football Club but it appears the weight seems to be coming off the ex Port Adelaide utility and we could even see him playing as soon as the NAB Cup. I have always thought that Dew could offer a great deal to the Hawks, not only in his leadership and experience but on the field as well. Provided he wants to be playing AFL Football, and from all reports he is “keen as mustard” as they say and it shows in his training and his commitment to dropping the kilos. He will slot in quite nicely as a pinch hitter up forward or in defense as a long kicking defender
Hawthorn Captain Sam Mitchell said “I’d be well and truly happy to run out next to him at the moment.” showing that he is just about ready to go which is a great sign for the Hawks and not such a great sign for opposition clubs. But the big area will be his experience that he will bring to the young side.
“He’s helping out the young guys, telling them what to do and where to go, and the patterns they should be running and the things they should be doing. When you can get an extra leader like that at the age of 28 or 29, and a premiership player into the footy club, it’s a great thing for us.”
You can’t beat the experience of a premiership player and all is going along nicely for the Hawks it seems as they gear up for the 2008 AFL Season.
Read the Hawthorn 2008 Preview here.
What is with Melbourne Football Club ?
First they announce a leadership group that is widely regarded from all parts of the footballing community as a step in the wrong direction. You can read my thoughts in a previous post here. Now the new leadership group have suspended Nathan Carroll for what they have said to be “a lack of professionalism in preparation for the 2008 season”. It can’t be anything to do with what happened during his end of season trip in Germany for the Oktoberfest celebrations because no one else has been sanctioned and young gun Brock McLean and Jarrod Rivers where involved as well. One can only draw a conclusion that it has something to do with some other off field incident / incidents that we don’t know of yet?
Melbourne have indicated that Carroll has been completing what is probably his best pre season to date so I don’t think it is a weight / skinfolds issue and is looking in great shape.? He has not been suspended for any specific incident but the new leadership panel have come to the conclusion that he was not showing the level of professionalism required by the Melbourne Football Club. Maybe has been partying too hard or something, or his scruffy look doesn’t fit in? What ever the reason Carroll is suspended by the Club for 2 NAB Cup games. Not that anyone is taking the NAB Cup seriously anyway!
I guess it gives a youngster the opportunity to step up during the NAB Cup and show Dean Bailey that they can play. Carroll may find himself on the outer for a while who knows?
I reckon it is this just the new look leadership group trying to assert it’s authority. It will be interesting to see what happens for the rest of the year if another player doesn’t toe the line.
Have a look here at how I think Melbourne will go in 2008. And don’t forget to sign up for AFL Football Blog’s Weekly AFL Newsletter.
Can Port recover from 2007 Grand Final Nightmare?
In what was the greatest turnaround in the history of the Port Adelaide Football Club the Power finished 2nd in 2007 and climbed 10 spots from 2006 where it finished 12th. They won 11 of the last 12 games meaning they secured a home Preliminary Final and has history would have it a Grand Final berth. Where they were well and truly THUMPED by a rampant Geelong side. Let’s take a look now at who has left and arrived at Alberton this year:
ADDITIONS:
NAB AFL Draft: Mitchell Farmer (Calder Cannons), Matthew Lobbe (Eastern Ranges), Marlon Motlop (Wanderers), Matthew Westhoff (Central District)
DELETIONS:
Retired: Josh Mahoney, Darryl Wakelin
Exchange period – traded: Brad Symes (Adelaide)
Delisted: Ryan Willits (second list lodgement), Nathan Batsanis (rookie), Peter Hardy (rookie), Alex Lee (rookie)
Crash and Bash
Well Mark Williams has said that January’s training will be “Crash and Bash” training showing that the Power mean business in 2008, as they try to extract some revenge on other AFL Clubs after their extremely disappointing showing in the 2007 Grand Final.
The Port Adelaide side play a free flowing style of game which enables them to kick big scores, as indicated by the fact they were second only to Geelong in points scored per game. But at the other end of the scale and area for concern is their tackle count, maybe this style of play does not lend itself to high tackling rates (13th in tackles in 2007), but when you look at a side like Geelong as the bench mark they too play a free flowing game yet seem to be able to put the kind of pressure on that is required to enhance their style of play and it is an area that the Power need to improve on if they are to go one better in 2008. Read more
Back to Back Flags for the Geelong Football Club?
Well is there anyone who can challenge the might of the Geelong Football Club in Season 2008? I don’t think they can, maybe Collingwood, have a read here. Geelong was so dominant in 2007 that comparisons were being drawn to the great Essendon side of 2000 (and that was a brilliant side). I don’t think things will stop here for the Cats, let’s take a look at whom they have picked up and who they have let go.
ADDITIONS:
Father/son selection: Adam Donohue (Geelong Falcons)
Rookie elevation: Jason Davenport, Tom Lonergan
NAB AFL Draft: Dan McKenna (Gippsland Power), Dawson Simpson (Murray Bushrangers), Scott Simpson (Dandenong Stingrays), Harry Taylor (East Fremantle)
DELETIONS:
Exchange period – traded: Tim Callan (Western Bulldogs), Charlie Gardiner (St Kilda), Steven King (St Kilda), Henry Playfair (Sydney)
Delisted: Sam Hunt, Stephen Owen, Matthew Spencer, Todd Grima (rookie), Joel Reynolds (rookie)
Nathan Ablett Gone
Well as you can see from that the Cats certainly have not lost much and have gained some youngsters in which they can take 
their time in developing them. All the trades Callan, Gardiner, King and Playfair didn’t have any impact in 2007 and I don’t think they will be missed at all. We all know of the much publicized fact that Nathan Ablett has walked out and he will be one player that they will miss but I think he can be covered. Ablett’s head really wasn’t in it from the start, if he was fully focused it would be scary to think what he could have become. I just don’t think we will see him line up or the Cats again. It would be great to a player like the “Tomahawk” Tom Hawkins step up and take the reigns in the Cats forward line this year and inject some more enthusiasm in the side. Read more
Carlton Leadership Team Announced- Judd Captain ?
Well for all you Carlton fans the much anticipated leadership group has been announced here they are:
- Chris Judd
- Andrew Carrazzo
- Brendan Fevola
- Heath Scotland
- Kade Simpson
- Nick Stevens
You would have to think that Chris Judd would have to get the gig wouldn’t you? If I were a Carlton fan then that’s who I would want ! Can’t beat the services of a premiership captain. Fevola has made his feelings heard by backing Judd to become blue skipper. In the way that only Brendan can put it he said “I think Juddy will be captain,” and “He’s got all the qualities … he’s proven himself, he’s a premiership captain, Norm Smith Medalist, Brownlow Medalist, he brings a lot to our group.”
He also said that the players would have no issue with Judd being named captain. Why would you? It will be out of him and Nick Stevens one would think.
See what I think about Carlton’s chances in 2008 by reading this post.
Western Bulldogs add 2 to 2008 Leadership Group
In what is a great footballing story for any youngster that has not made the TAC Cup or other under age state league team and is battling away to get noticed by the AFL talent scouts, Matthew Boyd has been named in the 7 man leadership group at the Western Bulldogs. He and Dale Morris have been added to the existing 5 members from 2007 Brad Johnson, Scott West, Robert Murphy, Daniel Cross and Daniel Giansiracusa
Matthew Boyd is a great story, being drafted from Frankston where I remember playing with him and he was just a reserves player at the time and was struggling to get a game in the seniors under coach Robert Mace. Everyone at Frankston and Matthew himself were surprised at the drafting. He was first on the Rookie List and now finds himself as an integral part of the Doggies midfield. Boyd is a hard worker and one of those old fashioned footballers and not a natural athlete as we see so often being drafted these days.
Big things are expected from the Doggies is 2008 and all things are pointing to them playing a part in the 2008 finals series.
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50 Hours of Road Trauma Education for Steve Johnson
Well Geelong bad boy Steve Johnson has somehow escaped suspension by the Geelong Football Club. They have decided that Johnson, who was caught by police travelling 128km/h in a 50km/h zone, must undergo 50 hours of road trauma education.
Johnson can count his lucky stars that no one was injured and it was not more serious than it was, he said himself that “in a sense” he is still lucky to be at the club. MY WORD HE IS !, again I just wonder if this had been player number 30 on the Cats list what the penalty would have been? The leadership group at Geelong said they took into account his improvement in behaviour in 2007 (so he stays out of trouble for 12 months and he is in the good books again? Please!). There is no doubt that Johnson has issues and only it is only a matter of time before he is making headlines for some other off field incident.
There was a brilliant article by Trevor Grant on this incident in the Herald Sun, you can read it here if you are interested
