Aussie Rules thread

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Thought I'd start one as their is a tennis, rugby and soccer thread running.

First round of the the 2005 Australian Football League season and high drama in game one when St Kilda's (Warnies team) star player "Nick Reiwoldt" (a David Beckham kindred spirit) broke his collarbone (out for 6 weeks), complained about roughing up from 2 Brisbane Lion players (Chris Scott & Mal Michael) and openly wept during three quater time (sook of year).
St Kilda's excuse for a coach Grant Thomas who with an abundance of talent still only has a 38% win record (in aussie rules draws are rare thus he has a 62% loss record. Is staring down the gun hole of another long unproductive season from the AFL's most unproductive team...SOS WARNIE quit cricket go home and run the Saints.
Collingwood will obviously hit the wall on Monday when my beloved Bulldogs screach their tyres on a few Magpie carcases whith something that would be akin to a 6-0 soccer result.
Carlton have just been beaten by the Kangaroos

[Paoli]

My Blues lost, after a win in the Wizard Cup...Disappointing..Fevola and Whitnall peaked a few weeks to early it would seem, whilst in defence Rocca was killing us and Nathan Thompson didn't play all that well but was too good for Adrian DeLuca and David Teague. Andrew Walker and Luke Livingston are badly injured, which is terrible news for us Blues. A positive was King Kouta....31 touches, and although his disposal wasn't great, We can work on that...Eddie Betts provided us a taste of perhaps some "Krakouer Magic" for the season to come..

Riewoldt is a huge loss, but I believe the roughing up from Michael and Scott is completely and utterly fair game...He should've been off the field...

The Dogs??? Poorest club in the AFL, being kept afloat by the competitive balance fund and this year they need to have a decent year, at least 8-10 wins...I believe they recruited poorly, Williams is a project player but I would've gone Tambling over Ryan Griffen....Stand a chance on Monday, can't wait to see Darcy give young David Fanning an AFL lesson. The pies are without Josh Fraser and Guy Richards....Will they have regretted offloading big Steve McKee???

The Dees and Bombers are now playing for the Broadbridge Memorial Cup, after an emotional first half hour I believe that the Dees should win. Neitz is a huge boost up forward and Russell Robertson makes up his lack of height in skill and flair. For the Bombers, Captain Courageous Hird will have another inspirational year but Lloyd out for the first six rounds will do some damage...A young fella needs to step up...who??? My money is on Jason Laycock.

Tomorrow, there are three games. Expect the Swans, led by Barry Hall and Stuey Maxfield to give the Hawkers an old fashioned touch up. Young Thurgood will cop a physical battering and at 76kg, thats probably what he needs....Play him in 5-6 games this year, but let him bulk up between 8-12 kg over the off season. Vandenberg will have to lead by example and he hopes Crawf and Sammy Mitchell will help him out. A huge year for Nick Holland who incidentally isn't playing. John Barker and 'Spida' Everitt are gonna have to do a fair bit up forward, but seeing as it is at the SCG, Mark Williams will have a little to do.

Geelong will account for Richmond it would seem, although I am looking forward to seeing No.1 Draft Pick Deledio, Tambling and co...Kane Johnson starts out as captain, Terry Wallace starts out as coach...Down back I reckon big Richo will give Tom Harley a run for his money, whilst Scarlett will be too good for Troy Simmonds at Full Forward...Is he such a great investment at $1.5 mil over 5 years?? I think not. Big Brad Ottens is on show, most likely against Ray Hall but he may play out of the goalsquare for a little bit. Missing Cameron Mooney and young Nathan Ablett, but Kent Kingsley should be boosted by Ottens' arrival down at Geelong. Gary Ablett jnr will be on show again and after two very good years, Ablett can prove his worth for the Cats in the way of a Best and Fairest...He is one of the best talents in the league.

Port and Freo are going to kick off any minute now in Perth, and this is probably the most evenly contested match of the round. Port, the reigning Premiers will be hurting having lost another quality midfielder in Josh Carr (to Freo) but the return of Francou and Primus should hold them in good stead. Another loss is Damien Hardwick, who set up the Grand Final win in my opinion by roughing up some Lions players. Byron Pickett, Norm Smith medallist (awarded to the best player in the Grand Final) is on a five week suspension. The Dockers need a big year this year, with the likes of Pavlich and Polak needing to slip in where the Dockers see fit. I say Pavlich will play a Hird like role, going wherever the team needs him and everyone is calling for Polak to play in the forward line but is a much better backman in my opinion. Expect another lovely performance from Peter Bell, and Hasleby to show off All-Australian form. Another who needs a strong showing, most probably with Polak on Tredrea, Ports Centre Half Forward, will be Luke McPharlin, a quality defender who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. I say Freo, because they are indomitable at home...

The last game of tomorrow is the Adelaide Crows at home to the West Coast Eagles. Many pundits are tipping the Eagles to win the premiership this year. They have a horrible record in Adelaide, yet one of he best midfields in the league. Chris Judd, the Brownlow Medallist (a prestigious award given to the best and fairest player at the end of each year as voted by the umpires), will be at his usual best with Ben Cousins to provide support in his usual brilliant manner. West Coast also have the silky Andrew Embley and Daniel Kerr at their disposal, and Chad Fletcher as well....Their key positions are a worry though, with Glass, Lynch, Seaby, McDougall and Hansen owning those...Not household names, all young players who have shown a little bit of promise. For the Crows, it is a rebuilding stage. They're gonna need big years from Andrew McLeod and Mark Ricciuto to go near the finals. This is a huge year for McLeod, who needs to be back at his best for his sake and the teams sake. At $51, he is a punt worth taking on the Brownlow...Mark Stevens is going to assume a big role at Full Forward with Ian Perrie, in his last year unless something great happens....In the backline, Ben Hart will have another workman like year one would suspect, being reliable out of Full Back. Simon Goodwin and Ken McGregor abley support him....The Eagles in a thriller...

So, thats my round one wrap...Hope i enlightened non supporters into this great game.

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Paoli

I didnt know this was going to open such an out pouring of emotion
although with your "Italian" heritage name I suspected "Carlton" would be involved somewhere.
Do you think "Nick Riewoldts" sobbing has blown "St Kilda's" chances of the flag , runner-up, or even the 8 this year!
I know your mob the "Fevola" inspired Blues flogged us "Doggies" in the wizard cup. But I think with our new "marquis" ruck rover "Adam Cooney" we might be the next best thing in the league. And also unlike the supposed "Melbourne Champions" (the Saints) not cry.
Long live the dogs
from
a proud
member

acker woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof wwoooofff and long live libba

[AussieCricketLover]

One word boys PORT

[acker]

Did I just witness the "Red White & Blue" 2005 AFL Premieship team obliterate "Collingwood"

WOOOOOOOOOOOF

WOOOOOOOOOOOF

WOOOOOOOOOOOF


WOOOOOOOOOOOF

WOOOOOOOOOOOF
WOOOOOOOOOOOF
WOOOOOOOOOOOF
WOOOOOOOOOOOF

Western Bulldogs forever........................................... .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................

[acker]

I've indulged, even more than my easter egg feast.

Watched the replay of Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood opening game.

Includuding the 7 goal to NIL : Last quater Bulldog extavaganza:

On a "puritanical" observance , I noticed that the (No. 2 Robert Murphy) of the Bulldogs was allowed to drift forward of the centre on numerous occasions after three quater/time.
Bad move pies, you had enough problems without allowing Rob space... You kept Nathan Buckley , 1 season to many....

Suffer

[AussieCricketLover]

You sayin that bucks is a has been?

I personally believe he should take a long time off, let his body recuperate and then come back
a little bit like the Wayne Carey situation, cept I believe that Bucks would come back better.
Anyway, as for the dogs... see how you go against a top eight side mate.

[Paoli]

Look the Saints can cover for Riewoldt...Koschitzke is better than most Centre Half Backs and will have to step up.....As for the Doggies, a round one fluke....

BDW Acker, You'd get to all of one game each year??? Or do u occasionally fly in to see the Sons of the West play???

[AussieCricketLover]

Reiwoldt should make himself available this week lol, friggen girl

[Teatime FatCat]

Right then, haven't a clue what most of the above means, and I probably need a translator - but it's safe to say tht it is at best - "spirited debate".

We occasionally get Aussie Rules over here on Sky, and despite a complete lack of understanding of the rules, I love it! I think it's a great game and I want to know more. Is there a website which give an idiots (poms) guide to the basics? That'd help alot. Also, give a pom a break here, who's the most hated team (and why) and what's the biggest rivalry?

Finally - what the hell is a 'sook'?