Can we win the flag?

[superstar_09]

I think we are a great chance especially with the inclusion of Byron picket. This is going to be our best chance to win the flag since 1964.

GO DEES!

 

[Deestroy]

I thought we would finish 5-8 this year, and I see it being about the same next year.

If a lot goes right (injury/suspension/form wise) top 4 isn't out of the question.

 

[The Shev]

To win a flag you need a few things:

- Recent finals experience, particularly Preliminary Finals and Grand Finals. We haven't really had any of this since 98-00 which isn't a good sign.

- Superstars. We don't have any, but have a few players who can be stars on their day, ie. Johnstone, Bruce, Pickett, Robertson, White

- A strong, settled backline. Physically it isn't great and it isn't very settled either. Carroll, Ferguson and Rivers are relatively inexperienced, Nicholson has more games and years under the belt but isn't the most reliable player. Brown, Whelan and Bizzell all have experience however.

- An tough, accountable midfield. We haven't had this for a while, although with youngsters like Moloney, McLean and Sylvia, and the inclusion of Pickett, it seems we are improving in this area. We still lack a quality tagger. The talent is there, with Bruce, Johnstone, Green and occasionally Yze, but consistancy and accountability is the key.

- A potent forward line. This we do have. An injury-free Neitz will kick 60 goals. Robertson had a blinder this season. Miller is a good target at centre half forward but must kick more goals. Holland is a handy tall up there although I think Paul Johnson could also play that role. Davey is a wonder, his defensive work is very valuable to our side. Motlop is another handy forward, Yze and Green can play up there to good effect and Pickett will happily slot in there as well.

 

[devil demon]

what if we finish top 2 but don't make it to the gf

 

[Firrito24]

From an outsiders perspective I voted 5-8. All sides could win the Premiership (excepts Carlton & Hawthorn) but I think for the Dee's to prevail, blokes like Brad Green and Cameron Bruce need to take the next step and become elite players of the comp.

BTW Congrats on Byron. Hope he doesn't drive over ;D

 

[Charlie Beagle]

From an outsiders perspective I voted 5-8. All sides could win the Premiership (excepts Carlton & Hawthorn) but I think for the Dee's to prevail, blokes like Brad Green and Cameron Bruce need to take the next step and become elite players of the comp.

BTW Congrats on Byron. Hope he doesn't drive over ;D

Carlton have a better chance than the Kangaroos of winning the flag
by the way i voted 13-16.... lets be realistic here



2006 = Carlton Premiers

 

[superstar_09]

Carlton have a better chance than the Kangaroos of winning the flag
by the way i voted 13-16.... lets be realistic here



2006 = Carlton Premiers

Yeah for sure buddy with big bad marc murphy winning the brownlow. DREAM ON!

 

[demons_bri]

go demons.. i think wer a chance, i already said that.. now we got pickett.. well its not impossible!

 

[davey_magik]

Carlton have a better chance than the Kangaroos of winning the flag
by the way i voted 13-16.... lets be realistic here



2006 = Carlton Premiers

We'll talk to you after Round 1 2006.

 

[Bartram_Class]

I hope so but realistically I think not. We need an out and out superstar badly which at the moment we dont have, I do think we'll make the finals and even sneak a top 4 spot but I think the Flag is out of our reach next year.

 

[AllStar7]

I hope so but realistically I think not. We need an out and out superstar badly which at the moment we dont have, I do think we'll make the finals and even sneak a top 4 spot but I think the Flag is out of our reach next year.

Whos Sydney's out and out superstar?

A champion team always beats a team of champions. Sadly, if 2005 is anything to go by, we are not tough enough to be considered a team of champions.

Need to sort out our leadership, learn to play defensive football and grow a spine.

Anything is possible, but realistically a top 4 finish sounds about right. I also have serious doubts over Daniher's ability to win a premiership... but thats a whole other issue.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Whos Sydney's out and out superstar?

A champion team always beats a team of champions. Sadly, if 2005 is anything to go by, we are not tough enough to be considered a team of champions.

Need to sort out our leadership, learn to play defensive football and grow a spine.

Anything is possible, but realistically a top 4 finish sounds about right. I also have serious doubts over Daniher's ability to win a premiership... but thats a whole other issue.

You must think Barry Hall is a superstar.

A champion team does usually beat a team of champions, but champion teams are always tough and the Dees are not tough at the moment.

The leadership is a key issue, Neitz will captain probably 1-2 more years but we cannot have Yze or Bruce captaining in his absence, they dont set the right example. If Moloney steps up again next year, he should get it.

I dont believe a top 4 finish is realistic, what has happened in the last 2 years that has given you the belief that we are destined for a top 4 finish next year?

A finish between 6-12 for me.

 

[AllStar7]

You must think Barry Hall is a superstar.

A champion team does usually beat a team of champions, but champion teams are always tough and the Dees are not tough at the moment.

The leadership is a key issue, Neitz will captain probably 1-2 more years but we cannot have Yze or Bruce captaining in his absence, they dont set the right example. If Moloney steps up again next year, he should get it.

I dont believe a top 4 finish is realistic, what has happened in the last 2 years that has given you the belief that we are destined for a top 4 finish next year?

A finish between 6-12 for me.

Barry Hall is damn good player, but apart from the GF, he did nothing during the finals.

We agree that in 2005, we didn't show the right stuff to be considered a champion team, but this can easily be changed. As you said, if the leadership group next year is not built around pretty-boys with fake tans, and if someone like Pickett leads with his strength, we can rectify our softness.

Our list is very good. We have a good balance of experienced players, and young blood hungry for success. We need luck with injuries, because our depth is crap, and we need our young players to keep stepping up. The competition as it stand, is very even, and I can only think of one club (St.Kilda), who's list is more balanced than ours.

Make no mistake, the club is looking for a flag in the next two years. And if that is the case, we must make the top 4. We were on top of the ladder at round 18, 2004, and second last year after round 13. Next year, we need to go one better and actually finish top 4 after round 22.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Barry Hall is damn good player, but apart from the GF, he did nothing during the finals.

We agree that in 2005, we didn't show the right stuff to be considered a champion team, but this can easily be changed. As you said, if the leadership group next year is not built around pretty-boys with fake tans, and if someone like Pickett leads with his strength, we can rectify our softness.

Our list is very good. We have a good balance of experienced players, and young blood hungry for success. We need luck with injuries, because our depth is crap, and we need our young players to keep stepping up. The competition as it stand, is very even, and I can only think of one club (St.Kilda), who's list is more balanced than ours.

Make no mistake, the club is looking for a flag in the next two years. And if that is the case, we must make the top 4. We were on top of the ladder at round 18, 2004, and second last year after round 13. Next year, we need to go one better and actually finish top 4 after round 22.

The club has 2 years to have a serious tilt at a flag because when Neitz retires, I doubt we will have a ready-made Full Forward to stick in as a replacement. We will never win a flag if Robbo finishes the year as our leading goalkicker, this is not an insult to Russell, just saying that you need a dominant KPP goalkicker to win a flag:

Evidence

2005: Hall
2004: Tredrea
2001-2003: Lynch/Brown
2000: Lloyd
1999: Carey
1999:

 

[Tas]

Carlton have a better chance than the Kangaroos of winning the flag
by the way i voted 13-16.... lets be realistic here



2006 = Carlton Premiers

'Lets be realistic here' does not belong in the same post as 2006 = Carlton Premiers.

 

[The King!]

skimming through here it seems some demons (also demon supporting friends i have say it) fans think they lack the forward line to win the flag.

Melbourne have quite a good attack on paper robertson neitz green yze miller etc maybe holland

they also have quite a good midfield with johnstone and bruce leading it. One of the better ruckman as well

I think its the defence that is a bit lacking. I think melbourne have a chance though, i just dont know who you have to consistently stop the best big men. But melbourne played some great football in the first half of 2005, they are an underrated team, and if the swans cant win in 06 i would be happy to see the dees up there!

 

[Viking Wizard Eyes]

'Lets be realistic here' does not belong in the same post as 2006 = Carlton Premiers.

I really enjoyed that.

 

[feelyngood]

CAN we win the flag? YES

I think we are among a bunch of teams that have the talent to win the flag. Obviously it depends on form and fitness in september. We have no more of a chance than a few other teams such as StKilda, Sydney, WC, and Geelong but atleast we are amongst the teams with a chance.
I think the way we started last year was awesome and showed what the demons are capable of at their best. The team should only get better for the next couple of years with the improvement of Maloney, Mclean, Silvia, Bell and Paul Johnson and the inclusion of Pickett. We have plenty of players in their prime now such as Johnstone, Bruce, Green but we need to pounce soon while Nietz, Yze and White and the older brigade are still firing.

 

[demons_bri]

moloney ... not maloney
and
sylvia ... not silvia

 

[davey_magik]

At the end of '04 I thought '06 would be our year. I did get a bit carried away at early points this year and now I'm not quite sure about next year.
Obviously certain players really need to step up (Bruce, Green, Miller, and one of our 3 tall defenders in Carroll, Fergy and Rivers) and others need to play the way they did this year (Robbo, TJ) whilst the younger players in McLean, Moloney and Sylvia need to continue improving.
I do believe our list is good enough as the comp is very even now, but it is a question of the mentality of the players.

 

[HiHoEverybody]

As much as I like to believe we can win it I dont think we will... At our best we're one the best in the comp but we go missing to often.. Depends on the midfield, Mclean Sylvia Moloney need to step up again

 

[The King!]

finally having made consecutive finals will increase your chances!

 

[dee_molisher]

Bloody hell we can. Should have won this year. WCE were pretty well crap so if we had have played then at the g last september, we would have slaughtered them.

 

[bluesforever]

No, Melbourne are over-achievers as it is, so no flag for the Dees. And people, no need to hav a go at me or Carlton here, it's an honest post about the thread topic. Dees will finish about 11th.

 

[DaSawx]

No offence Swans fans but if Sydney can win the flag, a lot of teams can (my team excluded), and Melbourne have enough talent, along with St. Kilda, Geelong, Sydney, WCE, Adelaide, Brisbane, Port, North even, all you need is a good run of injuries, a little bit of luck (look at Sydney v Geelong), and some confidence going into the finals (look at you guys in 2000)