TOPIC:

I live in hope mikeh.
But we do have serious deficiencies.

Peel
Subi
CL
EF
SF

WP
P
SD
WCE
EP

Peel to win

Subi
SF
Clare
PFC
Peel

WP
EF
SD
WCE
EP

There is no reason why Subi or SF would drop off. Claremont back at home for pre-season and given there end to last year should naturally progress up the ladder. For PFC it is looking like now or never given the squad has improved slightly, it surely hasn't gone backwards, and hopefully there will be some natural progression. Peel who knows but probably better than those below.

WP have to drop off don't they? EF will improve but you generally don't go from a wodden spoon or two to finals. SD, WCE and EP will be useless/hopeless.

Perth were 7 and 11 last year, only 2 wins against top 5 sides - what would be the reason they will improve enough to win at least half their games ?

now that the draw is even it will give a better indication of all teams apart from Subi as it should fairly even and sides wont have to play Subi 3 times.

KCEF wrote: Peel
Subi
CL
EF
SF

WP
P
SD
WCE
EP

Peel to win

Freo Reserves will definitely be a threat although with qualification rules restricting them to 12 AFL listed guys and having to play at least 5 games in the WAFL with 3 of them after June 30 should ensure we won't see the farce of the 2016 GF repeated.

Not so sure, BC:

1. Nyhuis
2. Hughes
3. Duman
4. Ballantyne
5. Crowden
6. Giro
7. Bewley
8. Watson
9. Matera
10. Kersten
11. McCarthy
12. Carter
13. Dixon
14. North
15. Sturt
16. Shulz
17. Valente
18. Meek
19. Switkowski
20. Jones

Could qualify- could put together a handy 12 from that.

Plus the likes of Howlett, Merritt, Bell, Ugle ect

Yep...I agree completely KCEF. When I said farce I meant that 17 were included in the GF side that year after averaging only 9 aligned players per game in the back half of the season.

MO, I don't think it's so much a case of Perth improving a great deal as other teams dropping off. I think the standard of the WAFL will be significantly worse this year. There have been no really big name players signed yet and the introduction of a tenth team dilutes the talent pool. So Perth need only improve by winning 3 more games than last year and we make the finals. Whilst I have tipped us to stay 6th, it's not really a bold prediction to suggest we are capable of moving up 1-2 spots. For my part, I expect small improvement from Perth. Otherwise, I think only C, PT and EF will be better than last year. All others will drop off, but Subi in particular will remain several classes ahead of anyone else.

I agree that Perth's best footy will see them in the mix for a finals position but they didnt play Subi 3 times last year like Swans did and Swans beat them twice so i dont think the gap between Perth and Swans will be that great.
Aside from Subi it will be fairly even, most teams dont have great depth any more so any injuries to your top players and you are in trouble.
a true home and away competition will be great..

I agree with Ted. One thing PFC does have going for it is Earl. There are other good coaches out there but Earl is experienced, has had success wherever he goes and has this squad together under him for a while now. Now I know you can say what has he done with it, and fair enough, but one thing PFC hasn't had for a while is a coach who has held the locker room together and with him for long enough. Earl has done that and this year is the year it bears fruit.