We have the most talented list of players we have ever had but are still struggling to even make the eight.
We should be performing much better imo, especially as we added a good KPD and a potentially good KPF to a team that was probably top 6 last year.
Our glaring weaknesses which we haven’t addressed are-
1. Strong ruckman at clearances
2. Forward line and conversion.
3. Transition defence at turn over.
These are not new problems. I see no strategy to address these problems either. Maybe some here may disagree.
Hopefully the coaching and recruiting staff can finally sort these issues out.
I would add another recurring problem which is no less worrying. Our horrible season starts.
Our games against Collingwood and the Saints were embarrassing. In 2019 we lost to GC and Carlton in rounds 2 and 3 and in 2018 lost our first two games by over 50 points.
Question needs to be asked- why are we preparing so badly to start the season.
Every year we finally get it together about round 16 or 17 finish the year solidly but are never a threat to the top teams.
Bevo obviously can coach but I’m not convinced the Coaching panel,look after the basics well enough to become a top 4 side.
2019 we actually were 2-0 (swans, hawks) and I remember getting excited because we had GC and Carlton in the next few games so would be 4-1 or maybe even 5-0. Cue the one kick loss to GC, close loss to the pies then the Carlton debacle.
Your point is a good one though - although I’ve argued it’s more an issue against poor teams. My view is we constantly take games against “poor” teams for granted, rocking up expecting to win after taking liberties at selection.