[fgfblog]

Alright i know this is way too early but there has been a lot of confirmed Gains and Losses to and from all clubs. Perth looks like they have just about done and dusted their recruiting for 2012 and most clubs have confirmed some pretty significant losses. No doubt a few clubs are going hard to sign a few recruits before the new season gets under way. So here goes.

1. Claremont - hard to go past them for early flag favourtism depsite losing some very good and experienced players from their premiership side. They won the reserves GF and came runner up in the colts GF so plenty of depth there.
2. Perth - i think if our recruiting dept were swabbed right now there would be traces of elephant juice in their system. All the stars have aligned re - new recruits, ex AFL players returning, young players drafted locally and our best young players overlooked in the drafts. I am expecting big things, top 3 finish and a GF is what i am expecting, health permitting.
3. EF - Jamie McNamara is a big loss but not irreplaceable. Have picked up a ruckman/forward and cleared out a few AFL players that were probably holding them back. Good coach in his second year, expect improvement.
4. WP - Very consistent club year in year out and expect them to up there again challenging for a top four spot. Minimal losses and a couple of handy gains.
5. SD - went for SD here but couldn't have gone with 2 or 3 others and i think there will be a top 5 this year. This club could go either way, they could implode but i think they still have enough quality on their list to probably make the 4 (or 5). Will they get over wasting 2 months trying to lure Davis and Elari away from Perth? I reckon that has cost them a couple of good recruits they might have got.
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6. Peel - lost a very good player last year from SA - Rhys Healey but i think they are a young list on the way up.
7. SF - new coach will be good for Souths who will clean the club out. Can never underestimate SF (though i am tipping them to slide here). They have lost a lot of talent and experience so it will be a rebuilding year or two down at the concrete colosseum.
8. EP - suffered two significant losses in the draft in Lee and Blee. Not sure if Paul Johnson will have a significant impact in the WAFL but who knows? I think Micale still rates as their biggest asset, they had a nightmare season last year the Royals, a year to forget with the Micale family tragedy and big name recruits failing to fire a shot.
9. Subiaco - well who would have thought? Subi have had a golden run the last 30 years, particularly the last 8 years playing in 6 GF's and winning 4 flags. They have suffered massive losses from last years GF side and it will take them time to rebuild. I am sure their supporters won't like it but they have been spoilt over the last 30 years.

[Flefebleaft]

DD if Peel finish above South, I'll run the naked mile through the streets of Freo wearing a Peel scarf whilst waving a Peel flag & singing their team song...

[Thomas12400]

DD if Peel finish above South, I'll run the naked mile through the streets of Freo wearing a Peel scarf whilst waving a Peel flag & singing their team song...

I'd like to see that!!!!!

[ringsarcle]

Alright i know this is way too early but there has been a lot of confirmed Gains and Losses to and from all clubs. Perth looks like they have just about done and dusted their recruiting for 2012 and most clubs have confirmed some pretty significant losses. No doubt a few clubs are going hard to sign a few recruits before the new season gets under way. So here goes.

1. Claremont - hard to go past them for early flag favourtism depsite losing some very good and experienced players from their premiership side. They won the reserves GF and came runner up in the colts GF so plenty of depth there.
2. Perth - i think if our recruiting dept were swabbed right now there would be traces of elephant juice in their system. All the stars have aligned re - new recruits, ex AFL players returning, young players drafted locally and our best young players overlooked in the drafts. I am expecting big things, top 3 finish and a GF is what i am expecting, health permitting.

I'd like to see that!!!!!!!!!!

[Sukadrukanga]

You're dreaming if Perth are going to make the top two. You should really invest in a water filter, I heard that Lathlain clear makes you see things.

1. C
2 WP
3. EF
4. EP

5. Subi
6. SF
7. Sd
8. Perth
9. Peel

[chuecafresss]

Alright i know this is way too early but there has been a lot of confirmed Gains and Losses to and from all clubs.

From all but one.

And unfortunately I think the Royals will finish in the bottom third of the table.

[bQXHsKzS]

You're dreaming if Perth are going to make the top two. You should really invest in a water filter, I heard that Lathlain clear makes you see things.

1. C
2 WP
3. EF
4. EP

5. Subi
6. SF
7. Sd
8. Perth
9. Peel

And when are you going to get the players capable of making the four?

[Slchtjgb]

DD if Peel finish above South, I'll run the naked mile through the streets of Freo wearing a Peel scarf whilst waving a Peel flag & singing their team song...

Yeh Yeh Yeh Thunderstruck!!!.............

[no02rSx2]

You're dreaming if Perth are going to make the top two. You should really invest in a water filter, I heard that Lathlain clear makes you see things.

1. C
2 WP
3. EF
4. EP

5. Subi
6. SF
7. Sd
8. Perth
9. Peel

Maybe you are on elephant juice blackandblue? Where are your replacements for Lee and Blee? I suggest you have a look at the Gains and Losses and do the math! Here is the link for you. Perth finished 3 games ahead of your mob in 2011.

http://forum.wafl.com.au/threads/351...5726#post35726

[Chiquita]

I agree with macs. I think our boys EP will be in for a long haul.I could be wrong but its not like big names got us anywhere last year so maybe its a blessing in disguise.

I hope Perth can do well. If any supporter base deserves a bit of success its them. I just hope for their sakes the players dont get too ahead of themselves given the hype already. But they have some great pick-ups already and it wouldnt suprise me to see maybe a few more. Could be some better Saturday arvo's at Lathlain in 2012 me thinks.

[Pyuvjzwf]

Claremont- Plenty of depth to cover their losses, Webb in the same situation from when Watters took over from German.
EF- Still have a good list, having less Afl listed players will probably help.
WP- Always around the mark have also added a few recruits.
Perth- Havn't lost much from last season and added plenty, i expect them to move up the ladder rather than down.
SF- Although they have lost a few players still have plenty of experience and should be there abouts, interesting to see how someone who hasn't coached before goes.
Swans- Big fall from grace after winning the Flag, can't help thinking Harding could be the problem i think Swans need to perform in the first 6 games for him to keep his job.
Peel- Picked up a few recruits , but who really knows with them.
Subi- Lost plenty of player and very good players at that, should be a season of rebuilding.
EP- Same a s Subi.

Although anything can change with more recruiting.

[WelcomeMe]

Yep a tad to early especially with recruiting not finalised at most clubs but will give it a go.

Claremont-the only thing that will cost them top spot is complacency..won the flag..monkey off the back..expectations may not be as high..loss of hunger etc.....plus a rookie coach.Wont drop out of the four but a lower finish in it wouldnt surprise.
Still have a quality list with some big outs.

Swans-reckon last season was just one of those seasons and may have been because of reasons listed with Claremont above,i to reckon the coach may have played a part and 2012 will certaiinly confirm this one way or the other.Still have a very good squad and if firing on all cylinders i expect a top 2 finish.

Perth-have recruited well enough to win at least 4 or 5 games more than 2011 the only question marks i see right now is an experienced key defender(lack of) and a forward line also lacking an experienced key forward.

West Perth-only because they are always thereabouts,have a fairly good squad

East Freo-have a squad capable of winning 10 or so games for the year and will be putting pressure on the 3rd and 4th placed teams.

South Freo-Ditto as above with East Freo.Also depends how Haselby goes first year up and if there is any truth in the rumblings at the Port,players not happy etc etc...as most quote on here "where theres smoke theres fire".

East Perth-probably 7 or 8 wins for the year,cant see them at this stage worrying the top 4.

Subi-have lost a lot and recruiting between now and the next month or so will depend where they finish.

Peel-They lose some,gain some but always look the same.Best they can hope for is..nuisance value at Rushton with the odd shock win away from home.Certainly are a jeckyl and hyde team(at home as compared to playing away from home).

[alicewong]

I think the Tigers have secured Medhurst and Morton for 2012 which would go a long way to covering their losses. Medhurst in on their list and think i read on Big Footy Morton has signed for 2 years.

30plus i have a question for you. What is it going to take for you to change your username? A grand final appearance or a flag?

[teridbruse]

I think the Tigers have secured Medhurst and Morton for 2012 which would go a long way to covering their losses. Medhurst in on their list and think i read on Big Footy Morton has signed for 2 years.

30plus i have a question for you. What is it going to take for you to change your username? A grand final appearance or a flag?

Definately a flag because that is the only time a "drought" is broken and that is what my username refers to.

[endulundaSauh]

Definately a flag because that is the only time a "drought" is broken and that is what my username refers to.

Well lets hope we can cut to the chase, none of this make the four and win one final, then a GF (have to lose one first crap) and flag after that 3 year plan bullshit. You never know what's going to happen from one year to the next regarding players retiring, injuries etc.... and we already know we will lose McInness and Tunbridge in 2013. I say go for broke, no rule out there to say you can't make the four for the first time in 14 years or whatever it is and win a flag. I reckon there's a few sides that have fallen by the way side and the only sure thing for next year is Claremont so a GF appearance is a very real prospect IMO. I hope the players and the coaching staff believe that.

Edit: Remember 1975 we finished 6th (same as 2011) and came from 3rd place in the top four the following year to win the 1976 premiership.

[HagsPusia]

Swans- Big fall from grace after winning the Flag, can't help thinking Harding could be the problem i think Swans need to perform in the first 6 games for him to keep his job.

Got to agree with you Faz i think Harding split the player group last year and this was a big factor in their performance on field and if we don't see a substancial improvement in performance in the first couple of games he could be shown the door very quickly. I think if we are to improve this year we will need at least another ruckman and although we have recruited Hilderbrandt and with the return of Twommey we are in need of more depth in midfielders & of greater speed around the ground. Depth is also a question for Swans as this hurt us badly last year as the injury toll expanded during the season especially with our back six.

as for the rest of the comp Claremont are the standout how could be on the wane despite the depth they have as we have seen the affect a change of coach can have especially if that coach is the wrong fit for the club e.g Swans; Perth i think will be the big movers this year given the recruiting they have done pre-christmas although i expect the rest of the clubs now to make a move for in recruiting required players during the next month and a bit.

so far i only have claremont & perth in the top four or is it five we are having this year; anyway i think there won't be much between the rest of the clubs fighting for the last three spots

[wsbizwsa]

Its hard to go past Claremont in 2012 based on what we know and I hope for the long suffering Demons Supporters that Perth have a good season.

[shinesw]

Claremont : i'll go with my mob having a good year again, i think andrew ruck, jarryd morton, possibly josh hill, maybe medhurst - (demons den how do you find out this info long before me??) will be handy inclusions and the big number of strong reserves players should keep us near the top. Have no idea what webb will be like as a coach - but one thing is for sure if we start to slide i will be blaming the victorian bloke from subi

Perth: big call but i'm jumping on the bandwagon. Spanderman in the ruck with young, bevan and davis at his feet should make a huge difference. If they're up and winning the sort of crowd support that only 30 years of frustration can deliver will be worth an extra player for them. Will be fantastic for the wafl if this fairytale can happen (the fairytale will have to start in round two though and be shattered in the grand final)

Swans: won't have the injury crisis they had last season and will be hungry. Twomey is a very good "recruit" and Harding had nothing go right in terms of luck in his first year.

East Fremantle: will benefit from losing the hopeless eagles players they had.

South: still got an overall strong squad, but still lacking a good ruckman (i think)

West Perth: rely too heavily on their senior players

$ubiaco : Having afl like resources paid for by the other wafl clubs won't help them this year, or will it..

East Perth: hard to see where the improvement will come from but could surprise, are always a bit unpredictable the royals

Peel : just because their peel

[Hmntezmb]

Too early for ladder predictions for me. Might wait until the week before the season starts and we get through a few practice games. Though I never read anything into the results of those games, it does give us an idea on individuals.

Either way Claremont,West Perth and Perth could be up there. East Freo and Souths should be around the mark possibly. Im reluctant to write Subi off after everyone did last year. They made the Grand Final last year fair & square. Swans should improve and my club EP will struggle unless we get over injuries and get some system going. EP have a good core but thats not enough. Peel have gained a few and will improve slightly but who knows with them.

I genuinely think Perth will be the big movers, but they need to be mindful to stay focussed & not be distracted by expectations. The only thing that wins flags is 100% commitment... 99% wont get it done.

[tmobmobfil]

Claremont : i'll go with my mob having a good year again, i think andrew ruck, jarryd morton, possibly josh hill, maybe medhurst - (demons den how do you find out this info long before me??) will be handy inclusions and the big number of strong reserves players should keep us near the top. Have no idea what webb will be like as a coach - but one thing is for sure if we start to slide i will be blaming the victorian bloke from subi

Perth: big call but i'm jumping on the bandwagon. Spanderman in the ruck with young, bevan and davis at his feet should make a huge difference. If they're up and winning the sort of crowd support that only 30 years of frustration can deliver will be worth an extra player for them. Will be fantastic for the wafl if this fairytale can happen (the fairytale will have to start in round two though and be shattered in the grand final)

Swans: won't have the injury crisis they had last season and will be hungry. Twomey is a very good "recruit" and Harding had nothing go right in terms of luck in his first year.

East Fremantle: will benefit from losing the hopeless eagles players they had.

South: still got an overall strong squad, but still lacking a good ruckman (i think)

West Perth: rely too heavily on their senior players

$ubiaco : Having afl like resources paid for by the other wafl clubs won't help them this year, or will it..

East Perth: hard to see where the improvement will come from but could surprise, are always a bit unpredictable the royals

Peel : just because their peel

I predicted us finishing fourth based on this, though the chances of us stuffing up is greater than us making the finals.