Mid-season review part 1

I know what you're thinking, another dull review of the 18 AFL teams performance so far this season with no accountability for preseason predictions. But fear not! THIS review is based on my own predictions and evaluating them, as well as the performance of the teams. Self-indulgent? Perhaps. But it's my blog and I'll self-indulge if I feel like it.




Adelaide: I'll admit to somewhat underestimating the Crows who have been one of the most impressive teams this year, thumping the reigning premiers early in the season and carrying on from there. They have been boosted by improvement from midfielders Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield (as I predicted) and their forward line in now dangerous thanks to my "players to watch" Porplyzia and "Tex" Walker, although it looks like he's got himself suspended again, the clown. I'm standing by my claim that their back-line is still their weakness, evidenced by their performance against North and in the first quarter against Richmond.  Still, top four should be achievable, and my predictions were mostly correct, so everyone's winning.
Brisbane: If I'd written this review a few weeks ago my predictions would have been seen in a much better light.  A far cry from the side I predicted would hope not to lose to the expansion teams, the Lions have won three straight and are sitting just a game outside the top eight. My players to watch thing took a bit of a hit though, with Banfield and Leuenberger playing ten games between them due to poor form and injury. But I was correct in my prediction that if they kept Brown on the field they would be harder to beat. Although that's hardly Paul the Octopus stuff its all I can say that I got right about Brisbane who are definitely better than I thought. And if yesterday's pummelling of the Demons is any guide, not bad to watch either.
Carlton: I wasn't as bullish about the Blues as some, so it's with a certain degree of smugness that I write this review. They have been hampered by a number of injuries, although no more than some of their rivals have, and it has been shown that they still rely on too few to do too much. Unfortunately for Carlton, it seems their season reached its zenith in just the third round with their demolition of Collingwood, but from then on they've won just three games with captain Chris Judd appearing a shadow of his former self, and Waite and Murphy not playing at all. Carlton slide is no doubt upsetting for Blues fans, but is good for my preseason predictions.
Collingwood: It's always nice to be proved right about a club, and it's even better when it's your own. Despite a large injury list and having to use more players than any club other than expansion teams, the Magpies sit a game clear on top of the ladder, which is better than what I and many others predicted. Even better, my players to watch got back on track, with Marty Clarke barely missing a beat on his return from Ireland and the self-dubbed "Prince" being the second leading goal kicker at the club. I was also happily proved wrong on two counts: Collingwood does have some depth to cover injuries, and they can play a more attractive brand of football. So life's pretty good if you're a season-previewing Collingwood supporter.