The season ahead.

[Smokin]

Very interesting situation we find ourselves in.

Right now we look shot injury-wise, but it may not be all that bleak. In the next month we play Haw, St. K, Rich and Geelong. The Richmond game is huge, as that is the one we can/need to snag.

At that point, by round ten we could possibly have 4 wins, but more importantly got games against those big 3, and bogey sides Port and Kangaroos and a trip to the Gabba done for the season.

We then have a run of 10 games in 11 weeks which are all very winnable, (and of course losable as well):

adel (dome), melb, carl, coll, syd (syd), foots, rich, west coast (perth), bris (dome), st K, freo (perth).

We again have 2 late trips to perth, but both clubs may have the cue squarly in the rack by then. Syd would have to be our "best" roadtrip, and this current side may find subiaco our favourite dimensioned ground.

However, the next 3-4 weeks may see the likes of McVeigh, Fletcher, Prismall, Welsh, Reimers, Skipworth, Laycock, Hurley, Daniher etc. return. Similar to last year, the curse of early injuries means many can come back during the season and give a fresh lift when other clubs start to feel the pinch of a long season and their own injuries starting to mount. What did we win, 8 in a row in the 2nd half last season?

As I see it, the key for the next month is to get these players, just about half of our best side, fit and match fit to attack the 2nd half of the season. I think we can make an impression again. We really cant lose anyone else for much longer than the adelaide game, but given our luck :rolleyes: .

It's probably not the worst time to have our hardest month, becuase I dont think we're in a position to beat too many sides right now anyway.

This next moth may get ugly, but there could be light!

[kelvin_sheedy]

As much as we have optimism in terms of injured players coming back we are yet to see a round of soft tissue injuries.

I have a feeling it will be another year where by round 20 we'll have just enough fit players to pick a side.

Too many skinny kids in the one side trying to play a mans game. Not enough size selected in the early rounds and too much pressure and expectation on a few older blokes to carry us.

[stander]

As much as we have optimism in terms of injured players coming back we are yet to see a round of soft tissue injuries.

I have a feeling it will be another year where by round 20 we'll have just enough fit players to pick a side.

Too many skinny kids in the one side trying to play a mans game. Not enough size selected in the early rounds and too much pressure and expectation on a few older blokes to carry us.

The skinnier the better, look at old Fletch. The odd hairline fracture is a trade off though for these skinny ones. Better than the soft tissue issues with the fat kids.

[The_Trav]

I'll be happy if we are still in with a chance of finals come August. The main thing i'd like to see is the emergence of a key forward though (at this point, Neagle) as well as the continued development of the younger players

[daffo]

I really wanted to win against Bris so we could be 5-5 come round 10. I think we may be a tad behind the 8 ball even if we are 4-6. Confidence plays a huge part in footy and if we get smashed by a couple of sides, we may put up the white flag again for 2009 to get a great pick and start again in 2010.

[essendon2008]

I really wanted to win against Bris so we could be 5-5 come round 10. I think we may be a tad behind the 8 ball even if we are 4-6. Confidence plays a huge part in footy and if we get smashed by a couple of sides, we may put up the white flag again for 2009 to get a great pick and start again in 2010.

Essendon DOES NOT tank

[dave_27]

Its not good at all, we had a great chance to test ourselves against the best in 4 of the next 5 weeks (Geel, Haw, St K, Adel) to see how far we have really come (or how far we still have to go) but instead we are going to be left with fielding understrength outfits which is not a true indicator of our side.

We really havent beaten anyone of quality yet.

Collingwood are over rated plodders not going anywhere who we would expect to beat, Fremantle is an enigma atm and Carlton (see Collingwood).

[kelvin_sheedy]

I really wanted to win against Bris so we could be 5-5 come round 10. I think we may be a tad behind the 8 ball even if we are 4-6. Confidence plays a huge part in footy and if we get smashed by a couple of sides, we may put up the white flag again for 2009 to get a great pick and start again in 2010.

Cyrlil > Myers and anyone else

Selwood > anyone 06

Ziebell > anyone 08.

Sidebottom or Hurley? Pick 5 or 11.

Picks between 2-15 are pot luck in terms of getting a great player. Where we finish is irrelevant.

********* I hate this TANKING CRAP talk. It's an embarassment to all people out there who play professional sport

[Kong]

Cyrlil > Myers and anyone elseI'd rather Dangerfield, personally.

Ziebell > anyone 08.Stupid comment. Way too early to be making calls on the '08 draft.

[Smokin]

Collingwood are over rated plodders not going anywhere who we would expect to beat, Fremantle is an enigma atm and Carlton (see Collingwood).

I disagree, I think you will find Carlton (and even Collingwood) are as good as anyone outside Geelong and St. Kilda. And Im still not 100% convinced with St. Kilda either.

Hawthorn is the one with an asterix, but apart from that the difference between 3/4th and 12 is very little.

Hawthorn are a prime example for all clubs, IMO they havnt had as bad a run with injuries as us, especially last year (regardless of the media hype around their injury list), and look how quickly a standout 2nd team in the comp comes back to the field.

Im not exactly how we will go with a best 22 on the park, because we havnt been in that position for so long.

But back on topic, sure we can be all pessemistic and say we will get another half dozen soft tissue injuries because it happened last year and we wont be able to field a team. All teams will go through soft tissue injuries, hopefully we will be getting players back when others are losing theirs.

In reality, we may be able to get the majority of our current injury list playing by the Adelaide game, or not long after - and it is that 11 week period which will determine our season, not the next month. These guys coming back pushes a lot of the young legs out of the team, and they can be rested and massaged through the VFL and be fresh and ready when needed.

I highly doubt we would win more than 1 of the next 4 even with 95% of the list available. Maybe Hawthorn due to injuries, but they havnt exactly been the best matchup for us of late.