Posted:
#1
Hi guys,
Using this little thread to post my thoughts for round 1. Looking forward to what should be a cracking season. The top 4 spots should be really open this year, the first kind of a somewhat unpredictable outcome thats hard to determine in some years.
Fremantle v Collingwood(AH)
On paper and at home, you would think that we might be looking at a PK with Fremantle's form from last season being stellar and the pies looking clueless in their finals performance last year, but still strong generally in front of a home crowd.
Still, Fremantle has been edged as a favourite with bookmakers giving anywhere between 7-9 points to Collingwood.
At first, I really liked the juice on Collingwood at Etihad. They have beaten Fremantle 4 of the last 5 times, however the surge of Ross Lyon's influence over Fremantle is but a fraction of those performances.
In the media, Lyon has stated how he wished his team had 3 more weeks to prepare for the season, as he felt that they were somewhat behind other teams. I don't buy it, I agree with Shane Crawford's statement on The Footy Show last night, that Lyon is a sly old fox and that his team will be more then ready and it's but a small way of trying to catch his opponent off guard.
What further solidifies this point, to me, is that Fremantle spent a fair bit of dosh in the off-season and hired somewhat "spies", so to speak, to:
1. Find out what his first four opponents have been up to, both preparation wise and possible tactics
2. Ascertain training state
3. Research Hawthorns successful training and fitness regime
The Grand Final loss, Lyon's 3rd, visually still peeves him off, and I think he has had a burning desire, ever since that last day in September, to correct the small problems in Fremantle's offensive structure.
Collingwood, in 2010, looked like we were going to see them peak and reach another dynasty level. The trading of both Shaw in defence, and all-round utility Daisy, will be interesting to see how well the mid-field and defence communicate. I know Bucks will want to start the year strongly, but I think he will have his hands full.
Fremantle appear to be at full strength and this match will have been circled by Lyon as a must win. I'll go with a team that should be looking to continue their strong form from last season against a Pies side that will probably continue an inconsistent year.
I'll be playing Fremantle for 2 units on the line at (-7.5)
Goodluck!
Using this little thread to post my thoughts for round 1. Looking forward to what should be a cracking season. The top 4 spots should be really open this year, the first kind of a somewhat unpredictable outcome thats hard to determine in some years.
Fremantle v Collingwood(AH)
On paper and at home, you would think that we might be looking at a PK with Fremantle's form from last season being stellar and the pies looking clueless in their finals performance last year, but still strong generally in front of a home crowd.
Still, Fremantle has been edged as a favourite with bookmakers giving anywhere between 7-9 points to Collingwood.
At first, I really liked the juice on Collingwood at Etihad. They have beaten Fremantle 4 of the last 5 times, however the surge of Ross Lyon's influence over Fremantle is but a fraction of those performances.
In the media, Lyon has stated how he wished his team had 3 more weeks to prepare for the season, as he felt that they were somewhat behind other teams. I don't buy it, I agree with Shane Crawford's statement on The Footy Show last night, that Lyon is a sly old fox and that his team will be more then ready and it's but a small way of trying to catch his opponent off guard.
What further solidifies this point, to me, is that Fremantle spent a fair bit of dosh in the off-season and hired somewhat "spies", so to speak, to:
1. Find out what his first four opponents have been up to, both preparation wise and possible tactics
2. Ascertain training state
3. Research Hawthorns successful training and fitness regime
The Grand Final loss, Lyon's 3rd, visually still peeves him off, and I think he has had a burning desire, ever since that last day in September, to correct the small problems in Fremantle's offensive structure.
Collingwood, in 2010, looked like we were going to see them peak and reach another dynasty level. The trading of both Shaw in defence, and all-round utility Daisy, will be interesting to see how well the mid-field and defence communicate. I know Bucks will want to start the year strongly, but I think he will have his hands full.
Fremantle appear to be at full strength and this match will have been circled by Lyon as a must win. I'll go with a team that should be looking to continue their strong form from last season against a Pies side that will probably continue an inconsistent year.
I'll be playing Fremantle for 2 units on the line at (-7.5)
Goodluck!
0
Nice write-ups.
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