Since you took the time reply…
*player who ranked one in 9 games has completed more pre-season than last year and is still a chance to be available for round 1, no reason to suspect he cannot continue with a similar level of performance. And does the sum of parts require him to be the best player in the comp for us to improve? Objectively no.
*forward line hasn’t lost much from last year, it remains our biggest weakness without doubt, but as was shown last year can still be functional. At any rate, losses in forward half could well be covered by improved defence.
*there have been clear improvements in team system and structure based on the small sample size so far. They need to be implemented in real games for longer periods, but they are undeniably there.
*2nd year blues is a myth but we’re also not reliant only on our second year draftees to improve us. There’s a lot more youth in our side than just 3 draftees from last year.
*2021 was hardly a charmed run with injuries, we lost 3 of our starting midfield in round 2 and had more than a couple other injuries along the way including our most dangerous small forward being largely ineffectual and non existent through the back end of last year.
*how other teams improve is relevant, whether or not their fans think they will is not…. Which is what you actually said.
I didn’t even bother with the point about the midfield…. If you would choose to see question marks over our literal biggest point of strength then that is the very personification of the triggering I’m talking about.
There are no guarantees but if you asked 100 neutral supporters on the street, 90 of them would expect us to improve this year.
I think we’re just as likely to be 3-0. If ever you want to play the top teams when you are an outaider, its got to be at the start of the season before they get their momentum.
I think the books out on that. I think some parts will improve, I expect to have a worse injury run than last year, and I think there are serious question marks on some parts which may not be better.
I’m not particularly sold on the coaching yet.
I expect GWS, Richmond to definitely improve, and a few others have decent shots to progress. Which will make it very tough.
I just want to raise this one. WTF. We were pathetic against the Dogs in the first half. Now, hopefully that was just preseason rust, but what evidence is there we’ve fixed any of the major issues from last season?
I was quietly confident on a 5 to 7 finish until the media started talking us up. Every year for the past 20 when we have been talked up we have gone backwards, similar to Carlton, so I am a bit concerned by any expectations on the club.
Well yes one school of thinking is def if we are going to get Geelong, Brisbane or Melbourne it would be getting them early or when missing key personnel.
I thought we would have a top 4 midfield at the start of 2021 and got laughed at by blitz bears. I still def think the side is on an upward trajectory.
(With a fair bit resting on the shoulders of Jones, Wright and Draper for this seasons improvement)
So I’m not sure, perhaps early is better still for the sides in their window.
So basically a swing of three players in from us and out from them would have us split at 11 players each. I would argue Wright for McDonald, Jones for Brown as a start.
Caldwell is probably closest if he has a better season than viney
or Shiel.
Jones would need a good season and one of Dees forwards to fall off the cliff
then probably another kid if they had a year at of the park like Perkins, who has handy versus the dogs, just can he be consistent over the season and also get more midfield time. even then he’s not pushing Stringer or Petracca out.
Laverde would need to become more attacking to be in conversation, and back up his season last year.
IMO a lot depends on Stewart. If he can really improve in his second year as a KPD, it takes a bit of pressure off Zach Reid, and gives him time to get his body right and ready to play at the level.
If not we have a lot of trouble with tall forwards, maybe even try Zerk.
Not sure if this is the right thread but genuine question at the end of the year who does everyone see as the three/four delisted to make room for the mandatory three picks at the draft