2010 season retrospective

The Tigers, as they have been for so long, were toothless. Ben was everybody's favorite cousin. Freo promised to be different.The Cats continued to purr. The Hawks won one in a couple of months and looked all but done. The Swans are written off again, too slow too old and too far away from Melbourne for anyone to care. St Kilda lose their skipper and everyone says they are gone.

They say a week is a long time in football try seven months on for size.

We sit here in October and now know the following. The Tigers rallied behind Hardwick and has them believing, the Hawks best is very good but it was rarely shown. The Cats' empire is crumbling, can it be restored? The Crows old warriors have retired, how do they replace them?

The Power said goodbye to Choco now it's up to the Mattress. The Eagles are in unfamiliar territory and it looks like a long road ahead. The Lions recruiting proved fruitless. Brad Scott  looks very happy and settled at the helm of the Kangaroos. Cuz Is done, Aker has lifted his ankles up to the heavens for the last time on a footy field, Bomber is tired and weary but may still coach again. Garry will need plenty of sun screen up north. Fev played as many games off the field as on.

The demise of Chris Judd was premature, nasal spray can fix that for some, he didn't need any. Cyril is as important to the Hawks as Buddy. Home finals are crucial. No Sandilands no Freo. Melbourne is improving, there time is coming but still a while off.

The Bombers have had a massive face lift (let's hope they don't come out looking like a cougar out of Desperate Housewives) with Hird having more pressure on him than a deep sea diver.

The Swans make the finals again and will find it hard to replace two of the game's greats in captain Kirk and Roos, the best combination since Torville and Dean.

The Saints played three grand finals in 53 weeks and only a bad bounce stopped them from taking the flag. The reality is they still have only one title in 114 years.

The Pies are the best team in the comp and deserve the minor premiership and the flag. They are young, fast, aggressive, confident, united and believing. All the ingredients for a number of seasons of joy for the Collingwood army.

March 2011 can't come around quick enough.