[Donners]

This has probably been one of the most remarkable AFL seasons ever. Just a brief summary:

- Mal Michael retired with a year to go on his Brisbane contract to supposedly take on overseas missionary work....then, once released by Brisbane, promptly signed with Essendon.

- Jon Hay retired due to issues with depression and bipolar disorder.

- Star Eagle Ben Cousins went to a US drug rehab clinic...despite never testing positive to drugs.

- Cousins returned and starred for West Coast, but still hasn't admitted what substance he took and has not been formally sanctioned by his club or the AFL.

- Another West Coast player, Daniel Kerr, was caught on tape talking about the effects of illicit drugs on him, but has not been punished.

- ANOTHER West Coast player was accused of taking EPO for daring to outrun Bulldog Jason Akermanis several years ago. A potential defamation case is pending after Channel 7 named him.

- Speaking of Channel 7, they bought medical records from a drug rehab clinic from a woman claiming to have found them in the gutter. They named the team and drugs, but despite hundreds of thousands hearing that, no media can republish it due to a supression order! The woman has now been charged with stealing the documents, and players are refusing to speak to Channel 7 reporters.

- Several other players were in court on a variety of offences.

- Players including Steve Johnson and Jeff Farmer were suspended by their clubs.

- Alan Didak was not punished at all, despite his links to an accused CBD murderer.

- Among the injuries suffered were a twisted bowel and bleeding on the brain.

- Adam Ramanaskas returned after a second bout of cancer.

- St Kilda and Hawthorn played one of the worst games of all time.

- Some of the biggest names in the game, including James Hird, Mark Ricciuto, Luke Darcy and Glenn Archer announced their retirements. Nathan Buckley, Chris Grant and Robert Harvey may also be considering finishing their careers.

- Four coaches were sacked, including premiership coach Denis Pagan and Kevin Sheedy after an incredible 27 years at Essendon. Essendon fans are threatening to topple the board to have Sheedy reinstated.

- Geelong, whose coach was tipped to be sacked last year, finished several games clear on top of the ladder and kicked the highest score in over a decade against Richmond.



And now, in round 22, we have a game between Carlton and Melbourne which neither side wants to win (and thus cost themselves a priority draft pick) and no less than six players suspended by Fremantle for starting end-of-season celebrations early! I think finals are starting next week, but I doubt there's room in the papers to actually mention that...

[Liverpool24]

not just who has retired its more like how many there has been a ton.

[Donners]

Indeed. Bizzell, Nathan Brown, Matthew Lappin, Darrell Wakelin, Knobel, Kingsley, Cook, Parker, Ray Hall, Chris Scott... I also missed one of the biggest names - Koutoufides.

[Scatter]

with my afl knowledge (or care factor) being at absolute zero aside from grand final days featuring the swans - my question is an obvious one: are the swannies realistic contenders this season?

[davidbowie]

Swans to win it all.

Don't need melbourne teams anymore, they just play **** footy.

[Donners]

I'm a Swans fan, and have my doubts.

The problem is, Sydney has never replaced Paul Williams and Stuart Maxfield as outside midfielders. Without Kennelly, who is injured at the moment and will probably miss the Elimination final (which will likely be Sydney v Hawthorn), Sydney has no runners able to break a game open. They're all tough, in-and-under players. Good for locking down a game, not good when you need quick goals.

Everitt was a shocking pick-up, and I refused to buy a membership as a result.

[Cesc15]

Because Everitt is such a bad player.......................?

[Donners]

Because:

- He will only be around for two seasons.

- He spends roughly 50% of the game on the bench

- He earns a large salary which takes up salary cap space.

- Darren Jolly was one of the best tap ruckmen last year, playing without support.

- He has a terrible attitude. In comments earlier this season, he said that he didn't help young players at Hawthorn because he might have to play against them in the future. Now he generously says he will try and help the young ruckmen at Sydney because he probably won't be going to another club at his age.

- The importance of ruckmen is overstated. Sydney belted Brisbane in the hitouts last week, yet look which side won the clearances to kick three quick goals at the end of the game?

- He doesn't have much effect on games anymore anway. His only good performances have been against weaker sides.


Think that about sums it up.

[Sned]

I miss footy

[Saha]

Can't really see the Swans getting to the Grand Final again, would be surprised if anyone other than Geelong won it this year.

Mind you I've not watched a terrible amount of AFL lately.