Traditional Rivalry emerging again

[Don]

Who is emerging as the best of the big 4 rivals ?

Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton, or Essendon.

Can all 4 make the 8 next year ?

I think they are all so close that its hard to separate them.

My gut feel however is Essendon will rise to become the strongest of the 4 with Carlton overtaking the other two.

But Richmond are improving strongly, and Collingwood has already a good base on which to build a superteam.

I am looking forward to going to the MCG in the next few year and catching many fantastic games with this group of 4 traditional rivals.

[vasco]

tough call. i reckon collingwood will still be the strongest team out of those lot going into next year, though.

[willo8]

Carlton are 2 years off being a really good team in my mind, Richmond are on the verge and essendon have shown signs but are a long way off. Collingwood for mine will top the four next year. But they do love to disappoint.

[Perry]

Originally Posted by willo8

Carlton are 2 years off being a really good team in my mind, Richmond are on the verge and essendon have shown signs but are a long way off. Collingwood for mine will top the four next year. But they do love to disappoint.

They certainly do! 1 premiership in 50 years -I am used to disapointment.

[jas929406]

I would say Essendon and Carlton could be top of the 4 that was mentioned next year.Carlton have got a good middy starting to gell and with another year under their belt with Juddy(100% fitness) in it they could be in the top 4 finnish next year.
Essendon are a great running team and with another year with the new game plan and coach the Dons could do bigger things next year...look out for the dons.

Does Richmond have any young back-up players coming through(VFL ect),if they do then the Tigers could be the dark horse.If Richmond can start the season with a full strenght team next season and stay injury free than they can shock a few Tiger knockers.

Collingwood are up and down and are very unpredictable but they look as if they are heading down more than up this year ,after a promising start to the season with a big win over the Cats they could drop out of the 8 if they go down to the Hawks and find it hard to play finals football....