does anyone think the melbourne sides really have a shaot at the premiership in '07 or '08?
957604
Doggies all the way!! Just look how good they were this year! And '07 is just going to get better due to all the injured players coming back. Luke Darcy, Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn are all experienced great players and they should be coming back in the first few rounds. Then there's Shaun Higgins who is going to be a legend. He's already made an impact on the Doggies after playing only four games. I think he would have played all of the remaining games in '06 and possibly even finals if he didn't get injured in round 13. I think the Doggies really do have a chance in '07 and '08!!!
173588
ok...this season has officially been their worst in wenger's ten year reign a t highbury.\nso i know what you're talking about.at the beginning they lost viera,and the squad's currently made up of MANY young,new talents[fabregas,flamini....].\nwho lack the experience of more established players-so that pretty much explains the form they've been in this season.\n\nBUT NOW-i personally feel that we have that old magic back that could only be arsenal.we THRASHED juve[who've been helluva strong this season by the way!!],and then there was that 3-0 with charlton...and what did we do to real??\nlehman has been UNBEATABLE in the goal.fabregas has been turning out VERY well in wenger's hands.and the 'old boys'-pires,henry,ljumberg-have been their phenomenal selves on the pitch.\nso as an arsenal fan,there's really nothing to do but BRAG,and  celebrate man-WE'RE TAKING THE CHAMPION'S LEAGUE TITLE THIS YEAR!!!!
729606
I never considered Newcastle a top 4 team. Not once in the past 25 years, even when they nearly won the title.
516413
Well the Grand final decides the premiership so the answer must be false.\n\nPlenty have won "pre-season" Grand Finals and lost the premiership.\nCarlton last year won the preseason Grand Final and the n finished bottom.\n\nMaybe you are referring to the 1980 pre-season Grand Final in the news recently where the umpire didn't hear the siren and North Melbourne kicked a goal.  Collingwood would have won if they heard the siren.
385570
Why are people saying that it was only formed 8 years ago ? Unless I'm very much mistaken the first season of the Premiership was the 1992/93 season which would be 13 years ago. \nIn answer to the question, only one player has played for most of the premiership years at a sustained world class level, week in , week out and that's Roy Keane. Thierry Henry may be a fantastic footballer but too often he goes missing in matches. For 38 games a season, 90 minutes a game, Roy Keane was the man
325138
sonny bill will help them win games but not the premiership.. on the other hand.. joey johns and the knight can go all the way.. the are the form team.. and with joey anything can happen.. i mean anything. look @ state of orgin last year and when joey didnt play 4 the knights....\nthe knights also have excellant service from dunny half, a red hot fullback. a decent forward pack lead by the ever green craig smith, simpson and josh perry. \njust look a the dragons.. they filled with internationals but the still cant win.. its all in the heart.. and the knights have that this year...\nlet 2006 be the year of the knights.. yet again
338314
No they are not. They are horrible due to a lack of structure (in terms of players and club). Their players are old and lacking the heart to fight for the club. They are a bunch of celebrities and egos.
592762
It is a curse of excessive success. The more you have success, one tents to retain the same players. However, these players are getting older. And footy is a game for blokes who are young and take hits without getting injure. BL players are getting old, getting out of form, and getting niggling injuries which is causing them to miss games. It is very difficult for them to run alongside young teams such as bulldogs right now. BL will reach bottom and they will rise again, but for that, one has to wait another 5-6 years.
949731
There is always a possibility of a come back at this time in the season.  The probability of that come back at the moment however looks quite remote.  As a Warriors fan I keep getting told that we're in a better position than Leeds were two seasons ago (and they survived relegation), but that doesn't mean a great deal when you look at the teams performances it isn't easy to see a win coming from anywhere.\nThis season there is a lack of both heart and grit on the pitch at sixways  (from the home side anyway), whatever the reason for this is it has to be rectified if there is any hope of survival in the premiership.
1124265
I've actually enjoyed the AFL this year. The only bad thing about it is because there is so much scoring, there's a lot of slow time or down time for extra points and kickoffs. They should do something to make this part of the game quicker or more exciting.
442531
Firstly i don't think Sydney are doing much wrong. They are playing by their game plan, basically have the same player list (only lost Ball and a few others) so it has to come down to a couple of things.\n\n1. The new rules that have be brought in, ie kicking out from behind straight away, etc, have encouraged a faster flowing game, and quite honestly Sydney cannot manage this. They haven't got the squad to match Eagles, Saints, Bulldogs, etc when its a free flowing game. The Swans only chance of winning is to slow it down and play the footy like they did last year. Tight, scrappy and crap to watch.\n\n2. i think other teams have caught onto their game plan. they have played their games differently against them. Opposition aren't trying to go toe-to-toe against the Swans rather sit out and the wings, get the ball and run it. it totally ruins their backline. \n\nThese are the reasons the swans will NOT win the flag in 2006.\n\np.s i am a brisbane lions support of way back
662054
yes, they played in the premiership a few seasons ago. their manager is glen hoddle, former england manager. however they are now in the championship as they were relagated from the premiership during their first season back up.
757316
Sure is. Hasn't happened much over the last couple of seasons so I guess Chelsea are a bit rusty.
1109264
The coach doesn't exactly play does he? You can have the best coach but if you're team's crap, they are crap.\n\nAlthough I won't rate Australia as crap, they are just not good enough now, to win the trophy.\n\nBe satisfied with every victory, or how far they progress.
873292
I think in 1994/1995 Newcastle were maybe 13 points clear or something in january and man Utd came back to win. Leeds had a few as well - 1969/70 they were miles ahead and in 1970/1971 yet they lost in the run up to Everton and Arsenal respectively. If you check the stats for those seasons I'm sure it's one of thsoe
636757
They probably will.  Law of Averages says at some stage they'll get up.\n\nTheir percentage isn't bad so it's not like they are getting flogged every week.\n\nThey play Hawthorn and Carlton again and would be a chance at home to some interstate teams.
739776
Yes, Good players keep on coming in Australian side - we have Nathan Bracken, Michael Hussey , Michael Clarke , Mitchell Johnson . There are some good  young  allrounders  too . Australian team also has a good rotational policy . So they will still be quite a good team even after Mcgrath and Warne retire .