The Soaring

Can we put the dour media reports of our club and it’s player to one side and let’s focus on the real deal, just three days away. Oh yes, we can.

Here’s some random predictions from The Soaring for the season ahead:

Shannon Hurn will be the Eagles 2007 Rising Star. Injuries and circumstances will give the Hitman more midfield and flanker opportunities in his second year and the lad from SA will take them.

Quinten Lynch will lead the Eagles goal kicking for the second consecutive year. He will also set a club record for glove tossing (beating his own record set in 06). I am predicting Adam Hunter will be right behind him though with a career best season in front of the sticks.

Andrew Embley will FINALLY gain All-Australian honours after his break through Norm Smith medal win (and after I predicted it last season).

Sam Butler is my emerging smoky to have a big impact this season. In a new look midfield, and with another pre-season behind him Sam is set to go to the next level in 07.

I don’t think we will see Ben Cousins take to the field in 2007. There are other things he needs to be concerned with. And popping the boots back on, after the loss of a pre-seasons condition, is not realistic in my opinion.

Dean Cox will play a rare 30-30 game this season. 30 possessions, 30 hitouts. Has it ever been done before? Coxy’s been close, with some high 20/20 games, but is yet to crack 30 possessions. Until this season.

Matt Priddis will amass over 400 possessions this season. But may be exploited defensively. Can we have Priddis and Fletcher in the same 22?

Mitchell Brown will play the most games of the rookies. He will play 8 games.

On the decline? Surveying the list, it’s young and so Daniel Chick stands out because of it. After the previous two stellar seasons I think if anyone most likely to feel the effects of age it might be Chicky. I hope not.

Ashley Sampi will play less games in 2007 than he did in 06. Twelve. But he will kick more goals than 06 (12) and will retain his spot on the list into 2008.

Not so lucky will be Josh Wooden who is most likely to be facing the chop. Like his style of play Josh has doggedly hung on to his spot before, but I think after 11 seasons he might not make it into a 12th. I hope he gets his 100 games (he needs to play 4 more).

Most likely to be traded? Brent Staker. I hate to say it but the rookie crop of talls, plus the emergence of Hansen, Graham, and the likely forward move of Hunter means Brent could be on the outer at the end of 07.

Chris Judd will be the Eagles number 1 again in 2007. How can you go past him? He’s the ultimate gun.