Expectations for 2026

[Off Tap]

I think we've already replaced them. It's wrong to think we were going to replace gov and TB directly, that's just too much talent. Instead we have Edwards who can intercept and lockdown on bigger slower forwards and Brock/Young/Ginbey for the more mobile. Starc isn't exactly small either and is very good at intercepting (he would have been in the top 5 players in both his GF wins).

Sure, we're vulnerable to the 2M mobile forwards (like King and Darcy), but most sides are. It's midfield pressure that will solve that in the short term. Let's be honest too - neither Gov or TB were fantastic on those ones either (TB lost us two finals by getting bags kicked on him by Mason Cox and Ratagulea).

The two holes in our key backs are totally understated around here. We wouldn't have won our last 2 premierships if we had any of our current guys running around in those teams.

If we're going to rely on Brock/Young/Ginbey/Edwards to play on their key backs then we're in a world of trouble. Neither of those guys are genuinely good.

Are any of them even be in the top 50 for key backs? Nope.

Key Backs Ratings

Would any of them get a game for another team other than Norf? Nope.

The other top forwards would be licking their lips seeing our lineup when the team sheets are released each week.

 

[Rowan18]

The two holes in our key backs are totally understated around here. We wouldn't have won our last 2 premierships if we had any of our current guys running around in those teams.

If we're going to rely on Brock/Young/Ginbey/Edwards to play on their key backs then we're in a world of trouble. Neither of those guys are genuinely good.

Are any of them even be in the top 50 for key backs? Nope.

Key Backs Ratings

Would any of them get a game for another team other than Norf? Nope.

The other top forwards would be licking their lips seeing our lineup when the team sheets are released each week.

Mate, are there even 50 fullbacks that get regular games in an 18 team league? That aside, I get your point, but when we're conceding the volume of d50 entries we have over the last few years, most defenders would look crap.

Just because we've always had elite KPDs doesn't mean it is essential for winning a flag. Your argument reminds me of everyone lamenting we didn't have a midfield of Cox/Judd/Kerr/Cousins until we won a flag in 2018. Odds are our 2030 flag will be built on elite mids, KPF and flankers and have some gaps at KPD. Few premiership teams are perfect.

 

[PremiershipNo4]

Luckily that's the Gather Round, and it's at Norwood Oval, not Kardinia.

I drove from Broome to Adelaide with the missus and kids for the gather round in 2023, we played Geelong, we got the 1st 2 goals and then Geelong kicked the next dozen I think, before moving back into 2nd gear late in the game.
I tried to give the Cats supporters as much shit as I could about 92/94 but jeez it was hard, we got pumped.

 

[jdisc]

I'm not going to ask for much, a 2011 rise from last to the top 4 would be sufficient IMO

 

[PremiershipNo4]

I’m also very happy that the Simmo buzz word Synergy has disappeared from the WC management/coaches vernacular, the biggest management wank speak word about nothing in existence.
Just say it how is, very refreshing reading Hamish Davis words on his preseason and how the players had been given specific roles and were working on being as good as they could be in that role.
Bodes well for a much improved season.

 

[Cuzz09]

Late Feb/Early March is a dangerous time for Eagles fans.

Was about this time last 2 years we were talking up the way we looked good at training and excited about the season then PFFFFRRTTT...

Looking forward to looking for positives on Sunday

 

[Farmer Lister]

It was truly nauseating, regardless of Simmo's insights. Maybe the footy gods are finally aligning. Curious to see who fills their spots. I notice Bell is quite unbiased in his podcasts, and quite glowing in his praises of Wc players; there's not that underlying slow-fuming resentment of Pav.

I was never a big "sack Simmo" guy, but having to listen to the guy critique the mess he helped to create without an ounce of self awareness was just shocking. We're struggling along in our first year without him and we still have to listen to his voice all game. I lost a lot of respect for him for taking on that job.

 

[Farmer Lister]

The two holes in our key backs are totally understated around here. We wouldn't have won our last 2 premierships if we had any of our current guys running around in those teams.

If we're going to rely on Brock/Young/Ginbey/Edwards to play on their key backs then we're in a world of trouble. Neither of those guys are genuinely good.

Are any of them even be in the top 50 for key backs? Nope.

Key Backs Ratings

Would any of them get a game for another team other than Norf? Nope.

The other top forwards would be licking their lips seeing our lineup when the team sheets are released each week.

My boy Sandy Brock is a future star of the competition. He's faster than a HG 350 GTS Monaro. Plus he's really tall!

 

[Astro7]

I was never a big "sack Simmo" guy, but having to listen to the guy critique the mess he helped to create without an ounce of self awareness was just shocking. We're struggling along in our first year without him and we still have to listen to his voice all game. I lost a lot of respect for him for taking on that job.

Summed up well!

 

[Cuzz09]

Looking forward to looking for positives on Sunday

Nah some small good signs despite the scoreboard.

Expectations may have dropped slightly though watching the ease we were scored against but early days and all that.

 

[amazingjoshy]

Were already low but have somehow dropped after today. Conceding 11 in the 3rd and way too easy to score against.

Complete lack of defensive running, unfathomable how they seemingly havent improved or just didn't want to today

 

[Quinz]

I would like us to win 6 games