2010 AFL Season Preview - Adelaide

By Allblack
I like Adelaide this year. They remind me of Port a few years ago when they finally broke through and won their premiership. They have been around the mark but unable to close in the finals but I think their time is close.

Their backline is reliable, the third best performed last year. Rutten is the general down back and gets his job done consistantly. They will miss Andy Otten last year who had a fantastic break through season. Bock will finally be building some confidence in his body and will be a better player for it. Mcleod is still one of the best distributors of the ball in AFL football. They have few more important players which is a worry with him being 33 and entering his last year or two. I think McKernan may see some time back there this year as well as Goodwin who will provide some good ball winning abaility around the half back line. I thought Symes was ok last year, I worry about Johncock and think his influence just seems to be waning. Stevens can play as a bit of a swingman but with the riches up forward will probably spend more time down back.

Their midfield is class. It is probably under rated but there are some real players there. Van Berlo continues to improve. Vince had his best year last year and looked fantastic. Edwards has lost another yard of pace but is still effective. Thompson is a really solid ball winner and influences games consistantly. I think Doughty is a little under rated but again finds his share of the ball and gets the job done. Losing Shirley will create an opportunity for Sloane who only played one game but I thought he showed a lot, tackled like a machine and showed a real hunger. We will see more of him this year.

Their forward lne really started to find its feet towards the end of last year. In no small part due to Tippett finally clicking how good he is. If he can reproduce that form consistantly then it could get scary. Porplyzia is such a strong forward it is hard to see him not following up lastyear with another 50 odd goals. Very handy player to have. Knights took to life as a forward well and is a great shot at goal. Expect he may even improve this year but 40 goals from the HF line is a pretty good outcome anyway. Dangerfield improved last year in his first real year of footy and he should spend some more time in the middle this year but he gives their forwardline and alternative target and a bit of a harder edge. He has Riccuitto about him. The wildcard for the forward line may be Hentschel who by all reports has had a good preseason and is a very good player if he gets his body right. Burton is a similar proposition and will be very handy if the body gets right. Walker is still young but showed a lot of promise last year.

Their ruck department is probably underrated. Maric was solid last year. Tippett can get around the bounces when he is freed up. Moran was ok last year when he got on the park and after that they have Griffin who will be ok and Sellar who is more of a mobile option.

The coach is probably missing finals success from his resume but he has kept the team at a pretty high level for his time in the job. Towards the end of last year he relaxed a little on the defensive side and showed a more attacking game plan. this is the key to their success. They already have a solid defence so if they can let the players off the leash a little and back in what looks like a very good forward line full of options then the sky is the limit.

Whilst I say all the above it is hard to predict too high a climb up the ladder. There are a couple of teams you would think are immune from the drop so I would at this stage put Adelaide in the mix to finish between 3 and 5. They are a genuine premiership threat this year though.

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Posted  3 February 10 in Important Articles