Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

Our Say

 
 

Crackers' Call - Round 1

For those wanting to see a change at the top in the AFL this year - forget it!

In fact it will feel like 'Groundhog Day' when Geelong reaches its fourth grand final in a row and achieves greatness by winning its third flag in the past four seasons.

But Cats' fans should savour it while they can because this year will be their final year of glory.

In fact this year is shaping as one of triumph and heartbreak for Cats fans because I am tipping Gary Ablett will win the Norm Smith Medal and lead the Cats to another flag but then break down in tears straight afterwards and announce he will accepts the mega bucks to move to the new Gold Coast club and link up with his brother Nathan next season.

A lot of people are writing off the Cats this year saying they are too old but believe me they are still good enough and hungry enough to win another flag.

St Kilda might have missed its best chance after coming so close last year and the Saints' lack of pace is a concern, as those fleet-footed Bulldogs showed in the NAB Cup Grand Final win over the Saints.

The Dogs are the Cats' main dangers this year and what about their inspired decision to recruit 'Big, Bad, Bustling' Barry Hall?

Now he is just the magnificent Barry Hall and is only drinking pure Lourdes water blessed by the Pope which explains his conversion from bad boy to reformed superstar.

The only other realistic premiership contender is Collingwood and can they finally win the flag for my old mates - coach Mick Malthouse and president Eddie McGuire?

It's hard to believe it's been 20 years this year since I was there as ruck coach during the Magpies' famous drought-breaking 1990 premiership win and the 'Black and White Army' is getting impatient for more success.

As for the rest of the top eight this year I am tipping Brisbane, Hawthorn, Sydney and North Melbourne.

Now as a Kangaroos' life member and premiership player you could accuse me of bias but watch out for the Roos under new coach Brad Scott this year.

He would have fitted in perfectly in the rough and tumble days of the 1970's and 80's because he didn't mind the tough stuff as a player and expect the Roos to have that famous 'Shinboner Spirit' in abundance this year under one of the toughest players of the modern era.

But at the other end of the scale all I can say to Richmond and Melbourne fans is buy an overcoat right now if you haven’t got one because it's going to be a long winter.

Fair dinkum their lists are so bad that if you combined them they still wouldn't make the eight.

 
Comments
Posted by Diamond Jim at
22/03/2010 05:43 PM
Crackers, What did the Demons do to make you so bitter and twisted towards them? For bloke who played so much footy in the red and blue, you have not had a positive word about them since.
Posted by Big Frank at
23/03/2010 10:33 AM
Overcoat is purchased, my RFC membership considered a donation...long winter ahead agreed. Not sure about the Cats though, I think a Dogs/Saint GF in the making.

Our Say

 
 
Crackers' Call: NAB Cup fans miss out
Crackers' Call: NAB Cup fans miss out
AFL
02/12/2012 11:25:39 PM
One of the joys of life is sitting with a can of beer watching the NAB Cup but I haven't ...
 
 
Daw's flaws expose old prejudices
AFL
02/09/2012 12:36:14 AM
 
Crackers' Call: Panic at Demons?
AFL
02/05/2012 11:47:54 PM
 
Optus ruling to hit codes where it hurts
AFL
02/02/2012 02:41:18 AM
 
Crackers' Call: Fev chasing the dollars
AFL
01/29/2012 02:19:02 PM
 
 
 

Your Say