2012 - A chance for 'Back to Back' flags?

[CF]

B2B Flags are very hard to win. Just ask Collingwood, I think all this talk of B2B flags is directly proportional to the amount of beer being drunk currently. I don't think we should be counting our chickens just yet.

 

[Varcoe2Chapman]

I think we should keep something in the tank for 2013/14 and beyond considering the great crop of youngsters coming through the system.

Would be greedy to expect the boys to win another one. But then again i am not getting sick of winning premierships. A lot of luck needs to go our way to win B2B

 

[Mac Cat]

We've had a theme to each of the 3 wins. The 2007 theme was obvious, 2009's was redemption, 2011's was respect. I wonder what 2012's would be? Dynasty?
I'm struggling a little to see back to back happening, we'd have to have a whole squadron of kids in the team, up and playing well. Mind you, if we make it we will be hard to beat.
I wouldn't though be surprised to see us win a couple more over the next 7-8 years.

 

[The rabbi]

PS - And Hell, if we dont win another flag in my lifetime I dont care, I am going to die a content cats man regardless!!! We've been blessed to watch this team.

If we don't win another flag in your lifetime, there may be many Cats supporters who hope that you have a very brief life.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

If we don't win another flag in your lifetime, there may be many Cats supporters who hope that you have a very brief life.

Yeah, I was saying the same thing during September/October and in reality, I've probably had more happiness already from my AFL team than some people will get in their entire lives. The flipside is there were probably plenty of Richmond supporters in their mid 20s saying the same thing after 1980.

I just think we ticked off so many things in 2011. Beat Hawthorn in a final, beat West Coast in a final, beat another twenty win side in a grand final...it's been an amazing ride.

 

[randyzany]

If the flag is there for the taking in 2012 then I can't see why the hell not.

 

[The Rusty Clam]

I think we should keep something in the tank for 2013/14 and beyond considering the great crop of youngsters coming through the system.

Would be greedy to expect the boys to win another one. But then again i am not getting sick of winning premierships. A lot of luck needs to go our way to win B2B

Keep something in the tank? Sooo what we concede and take a rest year next year to gear up for 2013/14? There's nothing greedy about wanting to win a premiership each and every year you compete. That's what you play for. I'm sure guys like Scarlo, Otto, Wojo and maybe even Chappy won't be keeping anything in the tank in their last year.

 

[Belisarius]

WE have to be a chance to win back to back IMO.

Reckon we would never let the same thing that happened in '08 happen again.

Just a matter of getting there in the right form and few injuries.

If we finish top 4 we will be a chance - that is all you can ask - and I think we can do that.

Back to back is a very hard ask - so I do not expect it - but you cannot deny that the possibility is there.

We have upside in Hawkins, West, Duncan, Christensen and THunt.

Then we have Vardy, Simpson, Cowan, Smedts, Brown and Motlop as back up as well.

That is a pretty good list - even with the loss of Ling and Milburn this year.

And our stars will still be stars again next season - barring injury.

In someway - we owe it to Scarlett, who says it will be his last season, to send him off with another finals campaign and a Premiership medallion.

I just wish he would play 2 more seasons - as he is the most unreplaceable player in the team IMO - and could easily be a serious contributor for 2 seasons from what I see when he plays.

For Scarlett to play in the 2013 season would be like getting a gun recruit for the year - and would allow us to trial out and build up Bathie and Walker as KPBs.

I think the Pies, WC, Hawthorn and Carlton will be better teams next season - so we just need to secure a top 4 position and see what happens.

Can we win 17 H & A games in 2012 ? as that will surely get is in the top 4 - and break another record. Would love to see that happen.

 

[witsend]

I think we will sustain success until another team "does a Geelong" and raises the bar sufficiently to match us in finals and acrosssa long H & A season.
Hawthorn did it on the back of career best seasons by stars and many fringe players, a stylised game-plan that took advantage of rule weaknesses eg pole-axing players after they disposed of it and rushed behinds, and the emotion and commitment of a Superstar icon in Crawford. They were found out the next year and beyond, partly by injury but mostly because their game-plan was unsustainable and picked apart, and then they were left with the reality that their depth was an illusion.
Collingwood was a similar story. MM has said that on talent alone, Collingwood cannot beat Geelong. This is true but they had an incredible year last year with a feverish commitment to forward pressure and fitness designed to beat our high-risk, possession game. We were dismantled in 2010 PF, but we learned from it and simplified our plan.
In 2012 I fail to see who the challengers will be who don't have structural weaknesses in their teams.
Collingwood will need to contend with the fact that their depth players aren't up to it. Their rucks will continue to be an issue and Cloke can't play any better.
Nor can their mid-field.
Their defence with Brown back looks very very good, though which is a great start, but the wild-card is a new coach who unlike Chris Scott, is not a new voice.
Carlton have holes right through their list. They are paying the price for too many superstar mid-fielders. Rucks are meh...forwards are inconsistent.
Hawthorn are dangerous but again...weak structurally in defense and in the ruck. Remains to be seen how Roughead returns.
West Coast...don't think they can win it in Melbourne. In 92-94 they were a superstar state side.
Not nearly enough mid-field depth.
Now some of these teams will challenge but they are not cherry ripe for 2012. We are.
Mid-field still contains Bartel, Selwood, Kelly, Corey (will need to be managed though), Christenson, etc plus many role players in Varcoe, Stokes and Duncan.
Rucks are in great shape with Ottens, Vardy, West and Simpson.
Forwards on the verge of elite. Hawkins, SJ, Chapman, Pods, Menzel on return, Mitch Brown.
Defense is unbelievable still. Scarlett in fine AA form. Enright off the back of AA and B & F in a Premiership year, Mackie imo played 2 of his best 2 games in the PF and GF. Taylor and Lonergan a fantastic partnership who happily swap roles if one is challenged. You can beat one but the other will get you.
We are no guarantee of course but if we aren't flag favourites it's a joke.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I have a feeling, not based on anything really, that Smedts will be a huge in for us next year.

 

[you pick one]

A friendly fixture would help,none of this off to the West on a 6 day break bull shit.

You would think the AFL will show case us again on the Gold Coast,GWS up there would be mandatory for the Premiers,were traveled to the West twice every year for the last 4 years,must be time to give someone else a go.(Don't hold your breath)so twice over there,One of either Adelaide or Port away and Sydney thats 6 and if we really draw the short straw I'll see them again in Brisbane 7.