On SEN Drive this week, Adam Cooney and Sam Edmund went through nine pairs of clubs and predicted which of the two was closer to a premiership.
One of the more interesting discussions was surrounding Geelong and the Western Bulldogs with former Dog Cooney suggesting his old club were perhaps nearer to ultimate glory.
Cats or Dogs - who is closer to winning the flag?
Cooney: “Dogs are closer to winning a flag in my opinion.
“The Cats will always be around the mark but there’s just something about the Dogs, particularly on the weekend, it was back.
“I think Rhylee West will be a 200-game player. I think he’s a super talent. With the hardness of himself and Tommy Liberatore in there.
“I think the Dogs are not as far off as some people think of getting right back into contention.”
Magpies or Tigers?
Edmund: “I think Collingwood, just.
“I don’t think Richmond can win the flag this year now and I think Collingwood can, albeit they’ve got their own issues of course.
“Richmond have been smashed by injury, there’s motivational issues there for sure and you certainly can’t blame them for that - two flags in the last three years, players questioning whether they should be in the hub, I just don’t think their head’s quite in it and the injuries.
“I’ll go the Pies, just.”
Crows or Dockers?
Edmund: “(Crows list boss) Justin Reid said they are halfway through their rebuild already. I’d say they are only halfway towards bottoming out.”
Cooney: “Well they haven’t won a game yet and I think they’ve got some real issues with the way they are moving the footy.
“I’m hoping it’s not a directive from Matty Nicks about how slowly with low risk they do move the footy.
“I think Fremantle.”
Suns or Saints?
Edmund: “That is real tough. Guesswork, Saints.
“I can’t split them to be honest. I love the Suns kids, but I just think the Saints showed more last year so if I’m judging it on an even trajectory, which it doesn’t work that way, I’m going to go the Saints.”
Bombers or Hawks?
Cooney: “Hawthorn because Essendon are struggling to have one or two key forward options that are consistent.
“Joe Daniher is the key. Will he come back? Him as a key forward and a second forward is what they’re missing before they can even think about premierships.
“So I think the Hawks.”
Kangaroos or Blues?
Edmund: “I like Carlton’s spine, it is young.
“If Charlie Curnow can get back to fitness and time is very much on his side to do that. Harry McKay is still young. Patty Cripps is still young.
“The backline is relatively young as well. If (Caleb) Marchbank can stay on the park and we know that Jacob Weitering is having an amazing season.
“I like the spine, it is youthful, I think that tips in their favour slightly.”
Eagles of Giants?
Cooney: “GWS can certainly win it this year.
“With West Coast’s valuable win on the weekend, starting to turn the tide a little bit and get a nice run in the back-end in Perth.
“West Coast can win the flag this year and GWS, but I’ll say GWS are marginally in front.”
Power or Lions?
Edmund: “Brisbane can win it this year. Brisbane are the premiership favourites as it stands and just touched them (Port) up for good measure.
“They’ve done it over a longer period of time. They were good last year, they’ve proved it’s no fluke, and they are one of the teams to beat.”
Demons or Swans?
Cooney: “Both clubs not in the window at the moment.
“Sydney are developing their youngsters nicely. Melbourne overpaid for their back six and are a mile off.
“I’ll say Sydney but I don’t think either side will win it for a few years yet to come.”