Toast Bring on 2026!

[Go Woods]

We'll be top 4 again. I think we're even stronger this year

Have to agree, we've got more upside heading into 2026 than last year.

 

[Ctracks]

Haven't watched cricket since Dennis Lilley retired

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Thoughts about hownwere going to go thise season. I don't know what to make of it tbh. We started well last year, faded, then found some form towards the end. If Elliot gets a shot on goal who knows what happens vs Brisbane with momentum on our side. The margin wouldnt have been 29 points at least I know that much. I'm not confident of this season. Younger sides coming up look the goods.

 

[Peters_Nuts]

Top 4-6 and I'm very confident on that.

 

[manicpie]

Top 4 isn't out of the question. I reckon we'll have better depth this year as well
No more relying on the likes of WHE, Cox and Mitchell. They were all heroes but not good depth. HH, Reef and a fit degoey already improves us. Then there's guys like Parker and Steele ready to step up. Our midfield will be much stronger this year and that's what cost us last year

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

I did the ladder predictor and had us coming in at 10th.

But all it takes is a break out from 1-2 of out younger players and we're top 6, even top 4.

 

[Horaceg]

I did the ladder predictor and had us coming in at 10th.

But all it takes is a break out from 1-2 of out younger players and we're top 6, even top 4.

Mine says we sweep the home and away and go on to win the big one, are you doing it right?

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

2026 horoscope suggests we may sneak into 10th at best

 

[Run n Spread]

PF again. Given the wildcard system finals are a certainty should be a pf from there

 

[IlovethePies]

Alot depends I think on our midfield.
Our weakness is our midfield, and there is no clear evidence yet that we have addressed it. Who do we have waiting in the wings for immediate inside midfield time with Ned Long? Angry Anderson, and Harry DeM. But neither is proven.

I think our midfield is the critical weakness atm. Where we finish this year will depend greatly on whether or not we will be able to strengthen and optimise our midfield combinations.

Over the rest of the field, I like the talent and potential we have available and have faith in the possibilities there.

 

[cityslick1]

9th. Just a feeling… lot of other clubs will improve. I think we’ll go backwards a bit

 

[frizzle]

Bottom half of the 8 I reckon. Suns have gotten stronger & I think the dogs will play finals as well. Lions won’t get any easier either.

 

[stormskye]

Top 4 isn't out of the question. I reckon we'll have better depth this year as well
No more relying on the likes of WHE, Cox and Mitchell. They were all heroes but not good depth. HH, Reef and a fit degoey already improves us. Then there's guys like Parker and Steele ready to step up. Our midfield will be much stronger this year and that's what cost us last year

My concerns are our scoring capacity. We relied to much in Elliot last season to score. Cant expect another 60+ goal season from him. With checkers gone and hill gone for the foreseeable future that leaves our forward line mix with the following: (Each I’ll give a realistic goal average we can expect)

Mcstay: 1 goal
Membrey: 1 goal
Mccreery: 1 goal for a good season due to his role
Schultz: 1.5
Elliot: 2

With potential additions of Hayes, west, Buller etc.

It’s not a potent forward line. Degoey would help but realistically we need him in the midfield. If reef can step up maybe there’s an option to move Howe forward.

We also desperately need Cameron to stay on the park.

 

[WanderingDude]

My concerns are our scoring capacity. We relied to much in Elliot last season to score. Cant expect another 60+ goal season from him. With checkers gone and hill gone for the foreseeable future that leaves our forward line mix with the following: (Each I’ll give a realistic goal average we can expect)

Mcstay: 1 goal
Membrey: 1 goal
Mccreery: 1 goal for a good season due to his role
Schultz: 1.5
Elliot: 2

With potential additions of Hayes, west, Buller etc.

It’s not a potent forward line. Degoey would help but realistically we need him in the midfield. If reef can step up maybe there’s an option to move Howe forward.

We also desperately need Cameron to stay on the park.

I think the loss of Checkers is big. He had presence, football IQ, bulk and endurance. He made others better. Age and contribution wise McStay, Membrey and Checkers were similar. I understand the club not matching Melbourne. I want youth to come through. I want McStay and Membrey to be fully fit and delivering. I don’t want it but I fear Membrey may side. Pleasure from getting games into youngsters like West, Buller and Howes may be the high point. Of the players you listed only Elliott and may be Shultz give vibes of a bag of goals.

 

[Gaspard]

We are completely dependent on a full season from Cameron. If he goes down, or even misses a significant number of games, we are in deep trouble. Moving Cox on was clearly designed to start creating our future in the ruck, with Cox being a roadblock for the developing ruckmen. They would not get games ahead of him if Cameron wasn't available, but they don't look ready to step up themselves. A quandary for the coaches. Team management has forced the issue.
Mihocek is a huge loss, if he is still physically up to it, but I believe that the team had to move on.
We should expect much more productive years from De Goey and Housten . Steele looks a real prospect to me. If one of the replacements in hand can do a fair job in Mihocek's place, there are no disastrous injuries and the mainstays hold their form from last year, then we should do okay. As always, nothing is assured. And the AFL's latest round of changes could impact our team more than we hope. I wish they would leave the game alone. So many things are worse because of "improvements" in the last 30 years.

 

[granniewolf]

I'll probably get howled down for saying this but for me, the most important thing this year is to get our young kids plenty of games and mentoring from Pendles, Howe and Sidey.
This year is the last opportunity for that.
I can't see Pendles getting another year even if he wanted it, or Sidey and I think Howe said he will retire after this year.
Throw them into everything and next year watch out!
Make this the year of the kids.

 

[Black_White]

Might be my last season to watch the mighty Pies.
You better win it!

 

[60 Yards Out]

Might be my last season to watch the mighty Pies.
You better win it!

May you have many more BW.
But I agree.

 

[manicpie]

Might be my last season to watch the mighty Pies.
You better win it!

Where you going mate

 

[manicpie]

I'll probably get howled down for saying this but for me, the most important thing this year is to get our young kids plenty of games and mentoring from Pendles, Howe and Sidey.
This year is the last opportunity for that.
I can't see Pendles getting another year even if he wanted it, or Sidey and I think Howe said he will retire after this year.
Throw them into everything and next year watch out!
Make this the year of the kids.

I think we'll see more kids getting a go this year but keeping the veterans tells me we are all in for the flag again this year.

 

[granniewolf]

I think we'll see more kids getting a go this year but keeping the veterans tells me we are all in for the flag again this year.

If that's what happens we're likely to have a bunch of inexperienced kids for 2027.

 

[Optimax]

Harvey Harrison has become a better player since he did his knee.....which is astounding really

 

[manicpie]

If that's what happens we're likely to have a bunch of inexperienced kids for 2027.

They will definitely add a few this year. Players like HH, HDM, Steele, Ryan and the like will get games but it's more detrimental to their development if they play before they're ready. Trust the club grannie, they won't jeopardise our youth, they will learn more in the VFL 8f they're not ready. People forget that AFL Players are built like bulls, they are faster and stronger than your average VFL Players. It would be fairly daunting for a kid that isn't ready physically and more importantly, mental

 

[granniewolf]

They will definitely add a few this year. Players like HH, HDM, Steele, Ryan and the like will get games but it's more detrimental to their development if they play before they're ready. Trust the club grannie, they won't jeopardise our youth, they will learn more in the VFL 8f they're not ready. People forget that AFL Players are built like bulls, they are faster and stronger than your average VFL Players. It would be fairly daunting for a kid that isn't ready physically and more importantly, mental

I don't want Will left behind, he's my favourite of the babies.
My problem is I have lots of favourites
I'm sure you're right about the rest of it, after playing yourself ( hmmm not sure that looks right) you'd know what's needed more than me.)

 

[manicpie]

I don't want Will left behind, he's my favourite of the babies.
My problem is I have lots of favourites
I'm sure you're right about the rest of it, after playing yourself ( hmmm not sure that looks right) you'd know what's needed more than me.)

I can't see him being left behind. He played last year and was more than handy. I want him to really take a big step this year. He's got gun written all over him. He'll play plenty of games this year, especially if Bobby is missing for a while