(06-28-2024, 12:31 PM)kruddler link Wrote:What were you saying about the difference between these teams?
Like it or not, we were bottom 4 basically this time last year and were playing like it. Hawks and Freo may have even been favourites. I don't know where to find historical odds to check.
Doesn't matter what the historical records show, other than that the punters were probably wrong.
Expectations aren't the same as reality
That was a moment in time that proved we were superior (by some way) to both those sides
We were on the rise, they were on the decline.
History ended up showing we were a significant ladder position better side than both Fremantle and Hawthorn.
Tonight Brisbane are closer to where they should be on the ladder...and where they'll probably finish up.
They finished all over Melbourne.
Melbourne have some issues, but if those issues can be sorted they're probably not far off being a top 8 side as well...but there are other clubs who will make a claim for those spots.
Where clubs stand now will probably be quite different at the end of the year...and only then will we be able to say with any certainty that was their true level in 2024.
What does this have to do with rucks?
It relates to a factor that must be considered when assessing ruck combinations...that is the quality of the opposition.
Which is why just looking at wins and losses with various combinations is not a good measure without considering who they were playing against.