My post was to dmaplestone not you or blitz so you can shove that simpson pic where the sun don’t shine
Did you take grumpy pills for Christmas ? Not like you to get reactive.
Yes, if our senior players drag us back to mid table, that’s a bad result for us.
If they wanna drag us higher than that, that’s a different situation.
No one at the club i believe expects a bottom 4 type finish… and nor should they with hopefully many key players available and healthy.
How is this the prevailing view when so many players went down with 12 month injuries? ACL’s, Achilles etc.
The injury plague is absolutely going to bleed into next year.
A bottom four finish is exactly where we will end up
February is traditionally the month of injury.
Time will tell how we go this year.
I remain cautiously optimistic for a reasonable outcome.
Careful, that’s wrist-slashing stuff according to @karmabomber
He’s right, it depends on the type of win. As mentioned by Peos, if it is the senior players dragging us to 10th, then it’s crap. If the senior players get us to 4th or the youngsters get us to 10th, thats a different outcome.
If relying on Merrett to drag us over the line to beat North, Richmond, WCE etc, then we are no better off than just dropping those games and hoping to get a better pick
The youngsters will drag us to 10th but Gresham and McKay will be in the side so people will still have a big ol’ sook.
Rightly so
My concern is that he’s not making a structured argument. I see his post as facetious positivity.
I don’t agree with the assumption that “most people” don’t want to win games.
In my own opinion, if the senior team have the ability to win games, that means:
- We’re not losing
- The senior guys aren’t as cooked as they presently seem
- We’re starting to build a successful atmosphere
- The youth on the list can benefit from that culture
All positive things.
I get it, it’s a forum and it’s purpose is to discuss opinions. I just don’t need someone assuming mine for me.
FWIW - I totally agree that some wins feel like losses and some losses can feel like wins.
Long term injuries really just comes down to Martin. No offence to others like Edwards, Bryan and Hayes…. but they are either not best 22 as yet or replaceable.
most players are available when training starts Jan 8th
I’ll be surprised if all three are still on the list in 2027 we might keep Hayes or Bryan but that’s about it
It’s the bullshit wins we had this year against North, WCE and Richmond that I’m mostly talking about (and others would be). They achieve nothing and the 4 points is a hiderance.
Now in 2026, we beat those teams by a goal but Caddy has kicked 6, the draftees have had 25 touches and kako has gunned it in the middle, that is vasty different to the 1-goal wins of this year.
Who is our ruck?
We can always get a fringe ruck from another club one that’s ready to go and doesn’t need developing just needs an opportunity. I think Blakiston could be a better ruck then Bryan imo
Blakiston and Vigo combo could work too
Nick Bryan will be our number one ruck for the next two years (at least) if he stays fit.
We’re in a position where we just have to back him in and hope he flourishes now.
Hope he does.
Hayes I thought showed great signs in the 1 game he had before he was injured in it.
Shows how far off being even a Top 8 side we are.