TOPIC:

Still early days but it’s shaping up as a tight tussle for the top 5. EP and Perth have had some early season injuries that have taken the wind out of their sails- can they recover? Still plenty of time. Swans and EF have both gotten off to better starts than previous years but there’s still question marks. Claremont have flown out of the blocks and look super impressive. Slow start, but tough draw, for WP. Peel have been competitive outside Rd 1 and will get stronger if Freo injuries ease up. West Coast look a bit off the pace. Subi and SF both going about winning games but not flying. 

Adjusted Ladder

1. Claremont
2. SF
3. Subiaco
4. Swans
5. WP

6. EF
7. Peel
8. Perth
9. EP
10. WCE

Agreed unless we get players back EP will making a visit to the woodworker.

Regrettably, I agree with KCEF. C lost a number of key players but have not batted an eye. SF are strong as expected. S not the powerhouse of previous years but enough elite talent to comfortably make finals. SD have recruited players who have immediately become top level WAFL players. I don't think they have an even spread, but the top talent is such that lesser players don't have to do more than play a role. EF somewhat similar. It remains to be seen how they go against better opposition but they have done what they have to do so far. WP seem highly competitive yet again. So it will be C, SF, S top 3, and SD, EF and WP trying to fill the last 2 places in the 5.

As everyone always notes, Peel and WC are dependant on AFL availability but Peel have better top up players. I have no idea why everyone rated EP in the first place. As to my team, a bitter disappointment so far. We have been cursed with injury, but that exposed a serious lack of depth. Our only hope of challenging for finals is to improve as we get players back, provided we are not too far adrift by that stage.

Yes I think you're pretty well on the money KCEF but I'll hold judgement until after the next month when Subi plays WCE next week but after that have SF away, Cl at home then SD away in consecutive games with a bye in the middle. That will give a clear indication of where the top 3 sit.

wrote:

Still early days but it’s shaping up as a tight tussle for the top 5. EP and Perth have had some early season injuries that have taken the wind out of their sails- can they recover? Still plenty of time. Swans and EF have both gotten off to better starts than previous years but there’s still question marks. Claremont have flown out of the blocks and look super impressive. Slow start, but tough draw, for WP. Peel have been competitive outside Rd 1 and will get stronger if Freo injuries ease up. West Coast look a bit off the pace. Subi and SF both going about winning games but not flying. 

Adjusted Ladder

1. Claremont
2. SF
3. Subiaco
4. Swans
5. WP

6. EF
7. Peel
8. Perth
9. EP
10. WCE

Hard to argue with that so far, that is pretty much the ladder right now. Injuries will play a big part as it has with my club in a big way in round one. McInness and Smith are 10 - 12 week injuries but we've got Corey Yeo and Elijah Taylor available in the next month or so.

DD, why do you say 10 weeks for Smith? The club website says 6 weeks, as at 14 April. We also have Fisher due back hopefully in 3 weeks, so that should be around 8 May.

wrote:

DD, why do you say 10 weeks for Smith? The club website says 6 weeks, as at 14 April. We also have Fisher due back hopefully in 3 weeks, so that should be around 8 May.9

I hope you are right Ted but I heard it was worse than first thought. Yeh forgot about Fisher. And the club said when they recruited Avery from Claremont, he will play the first 2 months in the colts then progress through the reserves and league if his form warrants. He got it 39 times on Saturday.

He's a backman though so hard to see him finding his way into our backline.

When I read Avery's draft profile, it said that he may be encouraged to move to midfield because he was at a height (about 190) where he was just too short to be looked at by an AFL club as a key back. However, he may be tall enough at WAFL level. Also, I am not sold on Zac Hill, and if Avery performs I think Hill will come under pressure.

Adjusted ladder.Had Perth to make finals but everything going wrong in 2021.
Claremont are looking good,likewise South's.West Perth and Subi who have a fit list..Sharks are on the way up and Swans are competitive.
1.Subiaco
2.Claremont
3.South Fremantle
4.Peel Thunder
5.West Perth
​​​​​,.,.....,..,,...................
6.East Fremantle
7.Swan Districts
8.Perth
9.East Perth
10.West Coast Eagles lolololol  

Nice to see Swans and East Freo sitting in the top 5 for a change.....
Both will probably slide down as the season gets toward the business end but you never know I guess....