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(03-08-2018, 01:19 AM)DJC link Wrote:Yes, there will be pressure to perform and I imagine there will be more effort from the coaching staff and players to win the close games.
I reckon Cherny has got our prospects nailed.
Saints game showed we will be more attacking at the risk of some turnovers, but kicking goals is more a focus and I expect that to pay dividends with more wins.
I was more negative pre JLT series but I now see us being very competitive with midpack clubs and finishing 12-14 rather than 15-18 and I think thats a reasonable aim and one that
should satisfy members/supporters...
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The writers will be cagey about our prospects as most would not want to go too far out on a limb at this stage. I don't therefore really worry too much about what they may say one way or the other. Personally I'm confident in us being more attacking and competitive this year and this should snag us a few more wins and even cause an upset or two. If we could end up 10 - 12 I would be content. In the 8 would be fantastic.
Reality always wins in the end.
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I expect 9th to 12th, nothing less!
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"
There comes a point where you have to put the bar up and say "We're going to jump this!"
We can't keep looking at the coming season each March and be thinking "Well maybe not this year...but next year for sure!"
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Whilst I realise there is some conjecture as to whether the 3 year, 66 game rebuild is a media or CFC construct, when I look at the list, I still see 1 season to go before things get significantly better. The kids don't have enough games under their belts, the forward line is still questionable, midfield 50/50. So I think 2019 is when we will see a move up the ladder of some substance. At least I hope. 2018 is still a little early for mine - not enough pieces of the puzzle in place.
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(03-08-2018, 05:00 AM)Lods link Wrote:There comes a point where you have to put the bar up and say "We're going to jump this!"
We can't keep looking at the coming season each March and be thinking "Well maybe not this year...but next year for sure!"
that's the spirit Lods!
Once it clicks it will click good. There's plenty of talent with a bit more experience. Finals is certainly a real possibility. Might not make it, but must go into this season aiming for them.
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(03-08-2018, 05:18 AM)Tragic link Wrote:that's the spirit Lods!
Once it clicks it will click good. There's plenty of talent with a bit more experience. Finals is certainly a real possibility. Might not make it, but must go into this season aiming for them.
bloody oath. no pro athlete says ok, i'll settle for 18th this year, they say, I want a medal!!
Finals, then 4 in a row!
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(03-08-2018, 05:18 AM)Tragic link Wrote:that's the spirit Lods!
Once it clicks it will click good. There's plenty of talent with a bit more experience. Finals is certainly a real possibility. Might not make it, but must go into this season aiming for them.
I subscribe to this theory too.
Said as much for a couple years now.
I still feel like our forward line is lacking, and our midfield needs more experience.
It 'could' be this year, but i'm leaning towards 2019 at the earliest.
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03-08-2018, 11:37 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-09-2018, 12:03 AM by flyboy77.)
Freo were 14th last year with 32 points (8 wins).
The 12th team had 42 points....
48 made the eight on percentage.
we won 6 and lost anoher 6 by 3 goals or less.
Personally, I think we'll easily be a 3 goals a game better team with the new game plan, and new and injured players coming into the fold.
Heck, Paddy Dow could have kicked 4 or 5 alone against the Saints had he not panicked a bit....
Finals, then 4 in a row!
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When I look at the other teams I simply don't see many dominant standout teams.
Sydney - will always be a good team because of their work ethic, but cracks are apeariong and their engine room doesn't purr as it did a few years back.
Hawks - lost a lot of their guns and a fair bit of their soul imo. Tommy M a ball magnet, but after that O'Meara - well time will tell. Rioli appears sidelined for the time being and their stars are fading.
Cats - of course adding Ablett to the Dangerfield-Selwood duo is a positive but given his hammy issues, when wil his season commence.....any smart oppodition coach will try and run him ragged and tweak the ld hammy again. And recall he had calf issues at GC too....after those three they don't look that flash at all. Taylor all but gone, Lonergand and Mackie gone, Hawkins not what he was.... Hendo the great white hope down back? Good luck with that.
GWS - remain the standout team on paper imo. Lots of injuries last year but they're my flaf favourite, hands down!
Adelaide - lost a flag due to complacency and the Walker-Lever issue. Will be a big threat and Bryce will be the icing, no question.
But all of these teams are very beatable on the day.
The next tier?
Tigers, Dees, Port, Bummers
Will have their good days and their bad days.
Reckon Bummer's midfield is very thin for real quality (and ruck).
Dees - their good is very good, no question.
Tigers - meh, is their style of manic intensity maintainable? Unlikely.
Port - some big additions - who maY OR may not fire, the jury's out. But all flaky types.
Doggies?
Meh.
Finals, then 4 in a row!
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