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Early days I know but it's shaping up to be a very close run thing this year if the first 6 rounds are anything to go by.  We have 8 teams within 2 games of each other and all with reasonable percentages.  That suggests to me there's been no huge blowouts except for WCER.  On their day, any team in the top 8 can have an impact as shown by Perth yesterday.    This could turn out to be the best season for many years.

Sure hope it pans out that way BC. The only note of caution I would flag at this stage is that Swans defeat to Subiaco yesterday makes their record against the 4 highest performing teams of the last decade ( Subiaco, Claremont, South Fremantle and West Perth) 2 wins from the past 42 encounters. I reckon East Freos record against these teams would be similar to ours, East Perth and Perth marginally better.
The point I am trying to make here is that there is still a predictability about the results between the top 4 and the others which impacts on peoples interest in the WAFL. Perths unexpected win over South Fremantle was an indication that the gap is narrowing but we need more upsets like this to have a truly competitive season. I think it is still odds on that when the business end of the season comes it will be those 4 dominant teams that will be fighting it out for the flag with the rest of us scrapping for 5th. 

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Sure hope it pans out that way BC. The only note of caution I would flag at this stage is that Swans defeat to Subiaco yesterday makes their record against the 4 highest performing teams of the last decade ( Subiaco, Claremont, South Fremantle and West Perth) 2 wins from the past 42 encounters. I reckon East Freos record against these teams would be similar to ours, East Perth and Perth marginally better.
The point I am trying to make here is that there is still a predictability about the results between the top 4 and the others which impacts on peoples interest in the WAFL. Perths unexpected win over South Fremantle was an indication that the gap is narrowing but we need more upsets like this to have a truly competitive season. I think it is still odds on that when the business end of the season comes it will be those 4 dominant teams that will be fighting it out for the flag with the rest of us scrapping for 5th. 

Traditionally wet weather can bring about upsets.  I am not sure whether the results would have been the same if it had been fine weather.

Yeh beats the shit out of seeing Subiaco sitting on top two or three games clear on 200% with only one likely challenger smashing every opponent. You are slowly coming back to the pack without the millions flowing in.

And top 4 pretty much unlikely to change with 6 or 7 games to go. That scenario has been the routine year in year out for far too long absolutely killing the WAFL and the usual suspects like SF, C and WP making up the numbers in the top 4.

This is looking much more interesting with only EP and WC looking unlikely but EP are capable and need to be respected.

Certainly an interesting season, but for mine Claremont and Subiaco the stand outs by just a tad.

Hang on Bazza, you took Subi apart with ease for 3 qtrs then had a rest and still won in a canter. It's the usual 3 suspects so far Cl, Su & Souths. Perth showed what they can do with half a team, so if they can bring that consistently when they get those injured boys back they will certainly be in the mix.

For mine there has been no change from the previous 10 seasons or so SU, CL, SF & WP the Top 4 standouts yet again, whilst Peelmantle loaded with Dockers like 2016/17 are a threat.
It is all becoming rather tedious to be honest, same ol same old!

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Hang on Bazza, you took Subi apart with ease for 3 qtrs then had a rest and still won in a canter. It's the usual 3 suspects so far Cl, Su & Souths. Perth showed what they can do with half a team, so if they can bring that consistently when they get those injured boys back they will certainly be in the mix.

SS not so sure we can win enough games before we get our team on the park.
8 or 9 of your best 22 is hard to cover.

Interesting comment BH..South and Claremont are always up there because of there Rolls Royce zones..We all know $ubiaco had bin loads of cash,from the seating arrangement.
.West Perth have kept a core group of senior players for a long time.. But haven't recruited heavily in recent years.Or had standout juniors In there zones.Allways written off pre season the last couple of years.But produce enough wins to make finals every year.And also good at winning tight games of footy. .

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Interesting comment BH..South and Claremont are always up there because of there Rolls Royce zones..We all know $ubiaco had bin loads of cash,from the seating arrangement.
.West Perth have kept a core group of senior players for a long time.. But haven't recruited heavily in recent years.Or had standout juniors In there zones.Allways written off pre season the last couple of years.But produce enough wins to make finals every year.And also good at winning tight games of footy. .

WP have been consistently good for a long while now GTR but it is a bit of a furphy that they dont or havent recruited over the last decade or that their side is full of local zone boys.
In their current League/Reserves squad the likes of Manzone, Hamilton, Lloyd, O'Halloran & Schlaghecke all came from Interstate whilst Riddoch (SD), Yukich (SD), Potente (SD), Keitel (EP), Knott (CL), Delaporte (CL), Hobley (SU), French (SU), Jones (P) originally came from other WAFL clubs.
Add in recent retirees Lourey, Keunen, Simpson etc originally came from Vic.
But yes the core of their side has been driven by locals the likes of Black, Nelson, West, Pierce, Moulton, Gaudagnin etc.