Be careful what you hope for...

EARLY in 2007 we asked a whole lot of Oz celebrities to provide us with their hopes for the 2007 AFL season. Not what they predicted for the coming season but what they hoped would happen.

grand final dream

Some dared to hope for a Cat premiership.

Footy being footy not many wishes came true but their were spectacular exceptions.

Asked who they hoped would win the premiership a number got their wish. John Harms was clear: "Geelong," he said. Richard Jones said, "Geelong, of course." And later when asked for further hopes he elablorated: "... now the Cats have not won the NAB Cup and mozzed the season proper, the said season proper becomes a bonanza for the hooped marvels."

Another Cats fan, Polly Coufos, had hope, perhaps not a lot of faith and certainly no charity in relation to certain WA-based club - but he got what he wanted: "I don't want to wish for too much. Like a Geelong premiership. I'll settle for West Coast Evil disharmony."

Giovanni Torre had hope and reasons: "Realistically, a top four finish would satisfy me - but with Mad Dog Mooney finally being moved to centre half forward, a premiership for the Cats is no longer against the laws of physics. Blake and King can hold down the ruck, leaving Ottens and Mooney as the tall forwards. Gary Junior, Chapman, Steve Johnson (who is now on the straight and narrow, I hear), Andrew Mackie, Stokes and Milburn should combine with them to solve the Cats goal-scoring troubles. With Scarlett, Rooke, Egan and Harley the backline isn't a worry, and Bartel, Enright, Corey and Ling can give the GFC the drive it needs in the midfield."

Brian Cornford doesn't barrack for the Cats (he's a Subiaco supporter) but he got part of what he wanted: "Geelong (I'm sick of good teams winning the flag)." The Cats, it turned out, were good.

Dean Schulze was one Fremantle fan to get something out of the season: "I hope Brad Smith kicks over 100 goals for Subiaco... (to) show up the heartless decision the Weagles made in not re-drafting Smith but instead drafting five young blokes of similar size to him."

Shane Richmond of dockerland.com is still waiting for Judge Gillard to bring his hope to fruition. "West Coast Eagles to be de-registered by the AFL."

Nick Gye was somewhat off topic but on target... "I hope that John Howard loses his seat."

Perhaps the saddest of the unfulfilled hopes came from Adrian Barich. His special hope? "Chris Judd re-signs with the Eagles for life."

And finally the Doc Wheildon Medal was shared by Brendan Fevola and Brad Johnson. A number of hopers had Fev on their wish-list for that coveted award.

For a reminder of all those dashed hopes click here.

30 December 2008-7

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