It's a long way to go and we all get caught up in early season form. I remember a couple of years ago both the cats and magpies won there first 5 games and didn't even make the 8.
Believe it or not I reckon there's come great signs for the saints. They are playing crap footy and still either winning or just losing.
Hammil is in great form and when Riewoldt, Kossie and Gehrig get full fitness and are up and running who will teams match up on him then
The saints are the real deal and will still go mighty close this year and yes Riewloldt does make that much difference.
It's like asking was Carey important when North was at the height of there powers.
I can guarantee this, North have no hope of winning the flag. They are playing 100% to there potential and most of the big guns are firing at about 75% ie Saints, Power and Brisbane.
On what ive seen this year and knowing the room for potential these 3 clubs have they look like the only premiership hopes for mine.
I still reckon the Dees will be suss when these teams become fully fit.
West Coast have no gun forwards bar Matera and the Cats may be not quite as good as I first thought.
The Swans would probly have a flukers hope if Roos actually coached like he did in the last quarter and give them there head to actually play free flowing footy. They are great to watch when they are up and running like that but why he is so defensive i'll never know.