Other previewed clubs are: Western Bulldogs, Richmond Tigers, Geelong Cats, Fremantle Dockers, Carlton Blues, Essendon Bombers, St Kilda Saints, Melbourne Demons, Hawthorn Hawks, West Coast Eagles & Collingwood Magpies.

Brent Harvey is the new captain and he is one player who will give his best. However he needs others to lift

Which Kangaroos Squad will we see in 2009?

The kangas are so very hard to judge. When you expect them to perform they let you down yet when you least expect it they produce the extraordinary. Last season they beat the Hawks, the Dogs(twice), the Pies(twice) and pushed the Cats all the way. Pretty impressive right?? Then they not only lose but get smashed by the Dons, the Dockers and the Power at home when they were playing for a spot in the top 4. Surely they would have saved all that famous ‘Shinboner Spirit’ up for that particular game?

In 2007 I thought the Roos would finish last yet they played in the Prelim, last season I thought they would miss the finals but they were in it up to their teeth before they got the death wobbles.

This season I was taking the ‘right them off at your own peril stance‘ but the way they finished off last year seems to have carried over the summer into the early part of this season. The Blues exposed a lot of weaknesses in the NAB Cup, the good thing for the Kangas is that it was only the NAB Cup. I expect them to step up once the real stuff starts.

The Kangas will be amongst a bunch of teams fighting it out for aspot in the eight. There are three ways it could go;

1. Their experience and win at all costs attitude keeps them right in the mix again,
2. They are exposed through the midfield with their lack of pace and fall behind the up and coming teams or
3. A mixture of the two above where they have an inconsistent season and scrape into the finals.

They have lost a lot of experienced players over the last few seasons in Archer, Grant and Thompson and once Simpson and Harvey go there is not a great deal of talent coming through so I am tipping the third option. They will fight hard because they are a proud club but they are a fair way off the best two or three sides. Their backline again looks strong but it will be put through the ringer as their midfield remains the biggest weakness.

Likely Finish: 5th – 8th

Players To Watch

Michael Firritto: This bloke is one of my favourites, throws himself at every single contest and never shirks an issue. Even when the odds are stacked against him he never gives in and is a more then worthy recipient of the No#11 Guernsey.

Aaron Edwards has huge pptential to add something special to the Roos forward line and he must lift.

Gavin Urquhart: This kid can seriously play. Slipped into the team with all the guile of a wily veteran last season and should hopefully make a push towards the midfield. 200+ game player in the making.

Need To Improve

Hamish McIntosh: From All-Australian contention in ’07 to trade bait in ’08. If the big man can re-capture his form it will release Petrie and Hale. At their best they are the most dangerous ruck/forward set up in the league.

Daniel Wells: Has every skill and trick in the book but like so many other talented players lacks the hardness and savagery to take his game to the next level. If he can find a bit of mongrel and impact the scoreboard more often he might hold the key to solving the Kangaroos’ midfield deficiencies.

List Cloggers

Aaron Edwards: More trouble then he is worth. You would think a bloke who has had to struggle to get to the top level would appreciate and grasp the opportunity once he got there. Apparently not. Needs to fire or he is Gaaawn…

Andrew Swallow: Is a clone of Daniel Harris and one or the other should have been traded. Harris is of more value given his ability in tight. Only played the three games last year and if he re-produces that sort of effort he will be in different colours next year.

Your Views of the Kangaroos in 2009?

Can the Kangaroos get into the top 8? Can players like Wells, McIntosh etc shine and get the Roos into finals and take the pressure of the older players like Simpson, Harvey etc.

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