Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom gets a handball away in the Pies’ round four win over the Bulldogs. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Following an injury crisis at Richmond, which team has become the new flag favourite for 2019?
Collingwood, which seems to be the next hot favourite after a big win against the Tigers, is now fancied to take the premiership cup home at season’s end.
The inclusions of homeboy Dayne Beams and out-of-favour former Western Bulldogs premiership player Jordan Roughead among an army of returning injured stars to don the black-and-white like Jamie Elliot and Darcy Moore create a compelling case for the Magpies.
With coach Nathan Buckley at the helm and Scott Pendlebury his main man, the Pies are primed for a big season, their success in their hands alone.
Reigning premier West Coast must be a big part of the discussion as to who will take home the cup in 2019.
Concerns about premiership hangovers always surround the reigning champion, and the Eagles’ start to 2019 has been just “so-so” given a big loss to the young Brisbane Lions and a rare defeat at home on Good Friday to Port Adelaide.
But the return from suspension of elite runner Andrew Gaff and the continued improvement of Grand Final star Dom Sheed sees another elite midfielder added to this strong unit.
With their forward line rated up there with the best and a defence that is a force to be reckoned with, it would be no surprise if the Eagles were to soar again, West Coast certainly providing good value for punters with football betting online.
It is hard to go past Geelong right now, also, given the Cats start to 2019. Impressive wins over Collingwood, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hawthorn have the Cats sitting pretty at the top of the ladder early in the piece.
Their superstars such as Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood have taken a step back to allow supposed lesser lights such as Tim Kelly and Mitch Duncan to develop into a formidable midfield, with Patrick Dangerfield by their side.
Strong form from all these players suggest that the Cats are a very decent chance to fly under the radar and snag a premiership before Ablett retires, giving long-term coach Chris Scott his second flag as a coach.
After finishing fourth last year, Melbourne was hoping to go a few spots better and take home the cup in 2019. But a dreadful start, with losses to Port Adelaide (home), an 80-point thrashing at the hands of Geelong and a 40-point loss to St Kilda has seen their dreams very quickly snatched away.
Reality has struck the Demons hard, and with a long injury list featuring Steven May and Jake Lever out for considerable weeks, and now critical defender Neville Jetta, it will be hard for the Dees to bounce back with any conviction.
