Crystal Ball 2018: Predictions for next season

[Dr. Gonzo 24,300]

On 11/27/2017 at 10:11 AM, Dr. Gonzo said:

Goodwin sticks it up the doubters and haters

By midseason everyone realises losing Watts was neither here nor there

Premiership or GTFO

2 down 1 to go

[spirit of norm smith 16,589]

On 4/9/2018 at 6:43 PM, spirit of norm smith said:

Two points in first 3 games. Needs to lift.  He needs to be one of the improvers to build up with our best 19-22 spots.  I’ll keep the faith. 

Yes it was James Harmes. He lifted alright. Now a crucial player in our midfield.  Big heart. 

[Ethan Tremblay 30,967]

On 11/25/2017 at 4:27 PM, Wrecker45 said:

Dees - finish 5th (should have finished higher but umpires crucified us)

Lotto numbers?

[monoccular 17,574]

On 11/25/2017 at 6:27 PM, Wrecker45 said:

Brayshaw - doesn't miss a game and all of them are in the seniors

Weed - doesn't play a senior game. 2019 is make or break.

Spargo - Best first year player

Oliver - back to back b&f's with a much improved kick to handball ratio to hold out Viney

Dees - finish 5th (should have finished higher but umpires crucified us)

Pretty close to the mark, Wrecker

On 11/25/2017 at 9:21 PM, buck_nekkid said:

MRP is a confusing mess.

Gill remains a dill.

demons 5th.

rule of the week ruins otherwise reasonable games.

Jesse Hogan absolute breakout year.

Lever proves he is worth every cent. AA.

Spot on injuries aside.

On 11/27/2017 at 8:11 AM, Petraccattack said:

Bayley Fritsch, Harrison Petty and Charlie Spargo will all be cemented in the team by round 15 and playing important roles.

⅔ not too bad

On 12/1/2017 at 11:56 AM, juzzk1d said:

Charlie Spargo will feature as a regular in our best 22, and come close to winning the rising star.

tick 

[old55 23,691]

On 8/30/2018 at 6:01 PM, ding said:

Come at me

 

I've got you well covered at this stage.

[ding 5,126]

24 minutes ago, Fifty-5 said:

I've got you well covered at this stage.

Flag?

I hope you win.

[DV8 2,271]

On 8/30/2018 at 6:01 PM, ding said:

I didnt get them all, correct, but my confidence is high that i go back-to-back in this prestigious award......

I even predicted our elimination final opponent. Ding will be hard to beat from here unless we go on to win several finals.

Come at me

 

Nice one ding.

Love your work.

[Skuit 10,031]

On 11/26/2017 at 9:59 PM, Skuit said:

My crystal ball is a super-unimaginative more-of-the-same but better. We will play the same way but better (I think in a way that could potentially rock the competition - ultimate daring run-and-carry with crazy pressure and no concessions). Some lesser-known players might break-through and thrive in that mix - Balic, Baker, J. Smith, Hannan and Fritsch (and maybe Spargo).

The players who were on an definite upward personal arc last season will continue that trend - inc. Oliver, ANB, Hunt & Maynard. Maybe Frost with a renewed role/impetus.

The rock-solid players will remain rock-solid - Jetta, Hibberd, an imported Lever, and Jones (the latter truly freed up to play a significant complementary role - maybe off half back?). That's a core defensive-line to be especially excited about, (without mention of its attacking addendums) and one I predict will be talked about on par with recent 'revolutionary' examples in WC et al.

And the concerns or disappointments will remain so: high-level hopefuls who perhaps under-performed this year may continue to do so through a combination of factors - a la Salem, Brayshaw, and Weids. And the stragglers in Kent, Stretch and JKH won't suddenly improve. I'm hoping we no longer have to care. Salem or Brayshaw coming on however would be a massive boon.

Petracca and Hogan not quite yet ready for that 'break-out' season but will continue with their development.

My predicted surprise packet this year is an unfashionable James Harmes. The St.Kilda game was a hint of what he is capable of when unleashed and up and about as a cocky HHF.

My wildcards as to possible improvement: Jack Viney and Max Gawn staying fit and delivering what they are actually capable of on a weekly basis.

Between third and fifth on the ladder. Injuries and slips to still haunt but be much less of a factor.

No great revelations but things coming together in a revalatory way.

Go Dees!

 

I'd like it on the record that I nominated James Harmes as this year's surprise packet. Oh wait, it was already on the record.  

[Ethan Tremblay 30,967]

On 12/8/2017 at 7:08 AM, radar said:

Invited to my nephew's wedding on 8 September. 

We will play first final for 12 years on 8 September 

The wedding still on? 

[radar 1,865]

Ya, drove to Canberra - watched footy on big screen ?

rather watch a win away than witness a loss 

[P-man 13,366]

Congrats to @Skuit who is the 2018 Crystal Ball winner. Your Crystal Ball trophy shall be mailed to you. Keeping it old school.

On quality and quantity, a worthy winner. A mix of safe and daring predictions which turned out correct. Most notable predictions:

- Frost continuing on an upward trend with a renewed role/impetus

- ladder prediction of between 3rd and 5th

And finally and most impressively...

- James Harmes to be the surprise packet of the season.

Harmes capped off an outstanding year by finishing 3rd in the Bluey. Surprise packet indeed. 

Correct (or close enough) predictions have been bolded in the below.

Thanks for participating one and all. Bring on 2019 ?

On 11/27/2017 at 7:59 AM, Skuit said:

My crystal ball is a super-unimaginative more-of-the-same but better. We will play the same way but better (I think in a way that could potentially rock the competition - ultimate daring run-and-carry with crazy pressure and no concessions).  Some lesser-known players might break-through and thrive in that mix - Balic, Baker, J. Smith, Hannan and Fritsch (and maybe Spargo).

The players who were on an definite upward personal arc last season will continue that trend - inc. Oliver, ANB, Hunt & Maynard. Maybe Frost with a renewed role/impetus.

The rock-solid players will remain rock-solid - Jetta, Hibberd, an imported Lever, and Jones (the latter truly freed up to play a significant complementary role - maybe off half back?). That's a core defensive-line to be especially excited about, (without mention of its attacking addendums) and one I predict will be talked about on par with recent 'revolutionary' examples in WC et al.

And the concerns or disappointments will remain so: high-level hopefuls who perhaps under-performed this year may continue to do so through a combination of factors - a la Salem, Brayshaw, and Weids. And the stragglers in Kent, Stretch and JKH won't suddenly improve. I'm hoping we no longer have to care. Salem or Brayshaw coming on however would be a massive boon.

Petracca and Hogan not quite yet ready for that 'break-out' season but will continue with their development.

My predicted surprise packet this year is an unfashionable James Harmes. The St.Kilda game was a hint of what he is capable of when unleashed and up and about as a cocky HHF.

My wildcards as to possible improvement: Jack Viney and Max Gawn staying fit and delivering what they are actually capable of on a weekly basis.

Between third and fifth on the ladder. Injuries and slips to still haunt but be much less of a factor.

No great revelations but things coming together in a revalatory way.

Go Dees!

 

[Skuit 10,031]

This one goes out to PJ. 

 

[ding 5,126]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

This one goes out to PJ. 

 

As last years winner of this prestigious award, let me be (one of) the first to congratulate you on your success.

Welcome to the inner circle.

 

 

*secretly dirty and feeling robbed

[Skuit 10,031]

1 hour ago, ding said:

As last years winner of this prestigious award, let me be (one of) the first to congratulate you on your success.

Welcome to the inner circle.

 

 

*secretly dirty and feeling robbed

How much did the crystal ball fetch on ebay ding? 

[ding 5,126]

9 minutes ago, Skuit said:

How much did the crystal ball fetch on ebay ding? 

Might have to reduce the price as ive not had any interest....

[P-man 13,366]

41 minutes ago, Skuit said:

How much did the crystal ball fetch on ebay ding? 

 

31 minutes ago, ding said:

Might have to reduce the price as ive not had any interest....

You are both making me rethink the red carpet special I had planned for next year.

[ding 5,126]

2 hours ago, P-man said:

 

You are both making me rethink the red carpet special I had planned for next year.

As past winners, we get life membership yeah? And free entry? And free..... stuff?

[P-man 13,366]

15 minutes ago, ding said:

As past winners, we get life membership yeah? And free entry? And free..... stuff?

Oh yeah mate. Allows you to submit a free entry every year.

And other stuff.

This has opened up a world you never knew about. Or needed.