Opinion 2026 Predictions and Prognostications - Rise or Fall?

[George CantStandYa]

I’m interested what the messaging is to the playing group is during the preseason. How will they give the playing group confidence they’ll perform better if we make the finals next year given we haven’t fixed our core issue?

 

[cleanhands]

I’m interested what the messaging is to the playing group is during the preseason. How will they give the playing group confidence they’ll perform better if we make the finals next year given we haven’t fixed our core issue?

Tell them we are getting a new midfield coach

 

[jackster83]

I’m interested what the messaging is to the playing group is during the preseason. How will they give the playing group confidence they’ll perform better if we make the finals next year given we haven’t fixed our core issue?

Work harderer for longerer.

 

[cleanhands]

Work harderer for longerer.

Watch closely and follow the drink bottles

 

[Syd Crow]

Tell them we are getting a new midfield coach

Baron Venalthan

 

[GreyCrow]

Baron Venalthan

 

[Syd Crow]

That was my inspiration!

 

[GameofSloanes]

There are a number of things that would indicate we may fall next year:

• harder draw (presumably)
• failed to address area of need (midfield)
• rule changes making ROB even less effective at centre bounces
• teams have had longer to dissect our game plan
• Nicks' tinkering to make us MORE defensive (possible only but is where I'd be putting my money)

However I watched some highlights of some of our games from this year, and we played some genuinely excellent football (obviously not in finals). So maybe we will just be good still?

 

[Not Darryl Moss]

On what evidence? Since every result was a win in the main season, perhaps being gassed is the best strategy.

The real issue is the anaemic finals performance. We topped the first competition, but completely failed the second.

Someone on this forum claimed that Neil Balme had offered that explaination, right?

 

[Greenfinger]

I’m interested what the messaging is to the playing group is during the preseason. How will they give the playing group confidence they’ll perform better if we make the finals next year given we haven’t fixed our core issue?

No doubt, Nicks will keep reminding them of how lucky they were to get to where they did in 2025 . He seems to really embrace and promote imposter syndrome.

 

[Coopers]

There are a number of things that would indicate we may fall next year:

• harder draw (presumably)
• failed to address area of need (midfield)
• rule changes making ROB even less effective at centre bounces
• teams have had longer to dissect our game plan
• Nicks' tinkering to make us MORE defensive (possible only but is where I'd be putting my money)

However I watched some highlights of some of our games from this year, and we played some genuinely excellent football (obviously not in finals). So maybe we will just be good still?

The corollary to that is that we are young and can expect half of our players to naturally improve even more.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The corollary to that is that we are young and can expect half of our players to naturally improve even more.

We have a finals list as most of our list haven't hit their prime.

Just not convinced we have a finals coach.

 

[JPetro83]

We have a finals list as most of our list haven't hit their prime.

Just not convinced we have a finals coach.

Longmire & Simpson.. Now they are finals coaches.
I wouldnt be entertaining any contract talks with Nicks until the end of the season in 2026