Opinion Do You Think We Will Take A Step Backwards?

[footyfan1978]

Seems that most on the Main Board have us finishing in the bottom two next year! A terrible run with injury aside, I reckon there is no reason why we can't at least garner a couple more wins than we did this year and move a bit further up the ladder. Can't really understand the reasons why we should slip down the ladder? Am I missing something? What can we realistically (lean a little on the optimistic side if you can) expect in terms of wins and ladder position?

Like someone else I just read , I don't even care what the general population think. It is what Bolton, SOS and our other leaders in control of our future think that counts. I can't imagine SOS or Bolton have any thoughts about premierships for some time. So we are building something that is a while from being formed into a list we can be contenders. I think we won more games than most of us expected this year. Still shake my head how ordinary we made Cats look but guess that was as much a preview of what Swans could do to them at MCG later in September. It really is first about getting our culture, development and game style right to start with.

I will enjoy what wins we get like I enjoyed the ones in 2016 season but as I do not see us a contender for premiership the exact spot we finish or number of wins we get is really not the important part for me. I want to see the progress of list improving and translated into way we play on field. I saw start of that this year so excited to see more of that.

Having said all that, I expect about 5 to 9 wins in 2017 season.
Our list is still bottom 4 for sure. 9 wins is upper level for such a list. I think our morale as player group and culture is developing something special that some clubs that have better lists lack. So I think about 9 wins is what we will get. Takes time to build a quality list when you have one 1st round pick each year but whilst you are waiting to build that talent over time you can at least get the culture of the place in a good place for those to come into in the future. I think Bolton and others are doing a great job there. Coaching group can only do so much though. It is guys like Sam Docherty on field that can drive the culture of playing group to something special over the long haul that understands in great detail what the coaching group is trying to implement for the players to create a winning game style that can stand the test of time.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

get caught in a rip - swim away from the shore........

I'm thinking Will Ferrell, splashing, gulping, yelling at the ocean stuff.

Numbers don't surf.

 

[Jimmae]

The only way we're going backwards is through a lack of application, which was something we made huge strides in, so I don't see it.

We've improved the attacking mix, and we can expect to see more from our cacophony of 2nd year forwards alongside some older heads we've just brought in. We've improved the midfield skill level and average work rate, and we're likely going to get 2 blokes who can drop into the side straight away with #5 & #25, plus the possibility of a mature-age pick up later on.

Our defence hasn't really been hampered on paper, and our ruck division will be well supported by Cripps, Gibbs, E. Curnow, Cuningham and Murphy. The thing I'm most worried about is our centre clearances, and we look likely to improve there too if the aforementioned midfield contingent stays fit.

I don't think the competition has a huge capacity to increase beyond us. I think a lot of people are just expecting us to play Casboult at FF and Kerridge on the wing as first choice, without a replacement for Tuohy in mind. They're fools.

 

[therubbernub]

Th problem is that I thought we significantly outperformed our talent for an 8 week period this year - and got very lucky with injuries, opposition and matches in that time. Take that out, and we barely won a game.

Now theres a glass half empty opinion!

 

[bigm386]

Seems that most on the Main Board have us finishing in the bottom two next year! A terrible run with injury aside, I reckon there is no reason why we can't at least garner a couple more wins than we did this year and move a bit further up the ladder. Can't really understand the reasons why we should slip down the ladder? Am I missing something? What can we realistically (lean a little on the optimistic side if you can) expect in terms of wins and ladder position?

I tend to agree we will drop back a few spots because of who finished below us. GCS and FREO had injury issues and won't be bottom 4 next year. Maybe freo are still not top 8 who knows :/. Essendon also won't be bottom 4 with the cheats returning.

Basically we will slip as a result.

 

[therubbernub]

What i liked about our 2016 season was we were honest. There were few if any games where our effort was terrible. I see that as a steadying of the ship. That is our baseline. remembering we were without our captain for most of the year, it was quite remarkable how we solidified our efforts. That is not to say that 2016 was terribly satisfying as a supporter, because it really wasnt. But I do see 2016 as a good platform for us to launch from.
So the next question becomes , how much cream can we add to the 2016 effort? I see that we have much more improvement in us than virtually any other club. When you consider-
the returning injuries, Murphy, Byrne
the further development of our recent draftees, McKay, Curnow,Silvagni, Weitering, Curnow
the new and exciting draftees coming in especially Pickett and SPS

As long as we can hold our effort from 2016 and add some talent and depth we should be able to improve

 

[gbatman]

We're an unknown because we're going in with a lot of unknown players and injury riddled players. I think we've taken our steps backwards and while it is possible we could drop down further I suspect we'll remain about the same with a slight improvement a possibility.

We had a good run with injuries early last season and we were competitive and won some games but a few injuries saw us crash right down. The only way we improve is if our young players step up. Many are still very young so not a great deal expected. I think any major improvements will come from midfield improvement. We are making improvements to the forward and backling but I don't think we'll see it turn around until the midfield does. A full season from Murphy, Gibbs and Cripps which for memory has never been seen will see us competitive.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

I have us finishing somewhere between 4th and 1st...I will update after the draft to confirm!

 

[rp84]

4-8 wins for mine. Games into kids and system building. Another 2 years at the pointy end of the draft. Just dont have the midfield to consistently challenge afl teams.

 

[Azul]

Look, we finished off the season as the worst team in the league from round 12 onwards and lost to Brisbane and * in the last 3 rounds.

So it's impossible to go backwards.

 

[thylacine60]

What i liked about our 2016 season was we were honest. There were few if any games where our effort was terrible. I see that as a steadying of the ship. That is our baseline. remembering we were without our captain for most of the year, it was quite remarkable how we solidified our efforts. That is not to say that 2016 was terribly satisfying as a supporter, because it really wasnt. But I do see 2016 as a good platform for us to launch from.
So the next question becomes , how much cream can we add to the 2016 effort? I see that we have much more improvement in us than virtually any other club. When you consider-
the returning injuries, Murphy, Byrne
the further development of our recent draftees, McKay, Curnow,Silvagni, Weitering, Curnow
the new and exciting draftees coming in especially Pickett and SPS

As long as we can hold our effort from 2016 and add some talent and depth we should be able to improve

Spot on. 2016 was our line in the sand, the year we finally started doing things differently.

 

[thylacine60]

Look, we finished off the season as the worst team in the league from round 12 onwards and lost to Brisbane and * in the last 3 rounds.

So it's impossible to go backwards.

We just have to find a way.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

Look, we finished off the season as the worst team in the league from round 12 onwards and lost to Brisbane and * in the last 3 rounds.

So it's impossible to go backwards.

Can't agree Azul.

In life I have always set the bar incredibly low and somehow have always managed to still find a way to go backwards.

It is all about planning or should I say lack of planning or something....now where was I??

 

[therubbernub]

We had a good run with injuries early last season and we were competitive and won some games but a few injuries saw us crash right down

AKA we lacked depth. This I feel is our great unknown. Will smedts and palmer and pickett add depth ? Or will they be best 22?. If they become best 22 then the players that they displace from our 2016 best 22 will form our depth players and we will improve significantly.
Also if Big Harry and Charlie and Cuningham become best 22 then we have further improved our depth. Players like Kerridge who whilst more than useful, had limitations and were being asked to perform roles not entirely suited to their skill set.
Keep Murphy along with Cripps and Gibbs on the park and we will have a decent core to add to

 

[SBYM]

It is all about planning or should I say lack of planning or something....now where was I??

You were banging on about nineteen-dickety-two. Apparently you had to say dickety after the Kaiser stole the word twenty. You chased him to get it back but you gave up after dickety-two miles...

 

[SBYM]

Someone will go backwards at a rate of knots, they always do.

I don't think it will be us so I'll be content.

 

[Soapy V]

i see what we are doing as a step forward. it may not amount to wins next year but its about building a list, a culture and developing kids that will be part of our next great side. we could win anywhere between 4-10 games next year depending upon injuries, form etc.

key is development of our young talent. depth still an issue. i still think its 3-4 years before we are a genuine top 4 side but we are on the right track so there are no steps back in that regards

 

[The Blue Baggers]

Expect our defence & mids will hold their own but the forward line remains a worry .

Essendon , Freo & GC may all improve but Richmond, Collingwood & North are all on the slide.

6-8 wins

 

[Blue For Life]

Everyone who lost their way and didn't follow the "Mighty Blues" are extremely critical and love putting the boots in.

Can we really go backwards if we don't win as many or more games than this year? The whole point of a rebuild is to reinvigorate the list and make it a well balanced highly competitive side with the ability to play a finals brand style of football and remain at the top end challenging year after year.

Now if your list is turned over 12 or so players at the end of a season and then repeat rinse the following year and you replace those players with young kids then you could not possibly be consistent in the first couple of years.

More emphasis will be placed on game plan, structures, culture and getting the process right.
If we only win 4 games in 2017, as opposed to 7 in 2016, this should not be looked upon as going backwards as you are putting games into kids, finding out more about their capabilities and you also will turn over the list at years end and inject more talent via the draft and plug some holes by bringing in experienced guys who will assist but not be there when the list is ready to vye for finals.

The point is we will be up and down early days until the side becomes more experienced, settled and list changes are minimal and drafting/trading is more to complement the list and still injecting talented youth rather than list culling to get the right mix. Therefore you would look at the side and determin whether the rebuild is tracking on schedule or the side is behind and not on track in accordance with the clubs plan, not gauge the performance on W or L.

 

[Deep Blue]

Expect our defence & mids will hold their own but the forward line remains a worry .

Essendon , Freo & GC may all improve but Richmond, Collingwood & North are all on the slide.

6-8 wins

Reckon Geelong, Hawthorn and Swans will also slide: 2 - 4 spots on the ladder. As you say, people expecting GC, Freo and Essendon* to move up. Improvement is both absolute (real) and relative ("Bradburyesque") - with the list re-build at least I can be content in the fact that our reservoir of absolute improvement is building.

 

[Soapy V]

Expect our defence & mids will hold their own but the forward line remains a worry.

defence needs time to settle together but has the talent. mids will be a concern if we get any injuries. cripps murphy gibbs curnow is a good first four but falls away badly after that. we have a number of handy players but lack talent. cuningham & sumner have talent but aren't established and palmer will be a good addition. pick 5 etc will need time

 

[HARKER]

defence needs time to settle together but has the talent. mids will be a concern if we get any injuries. cripps murphy gibbs curnow is a good first four but falls away badly after that. we have a number of handy players but lack talent. cuningham & sumner have talent but aren't established and palmer will be a good addition. pick 5 etc will need time

Falls away? Almost non-existent.

Wright comes next by default, as..... Kerridge didn't show enough to be considered.....Graham had somehow become timid in his approach.....and other guys haven't really had the exposure through the centre yet. Pick #5 may just become our 5th best mid from day one of next season.

 

[Arr0w]

We will take a step backwards next year, if purely viewing the number of our wins or ladder position (I think we will be bottom 5 again)

This year, it was clear that the emphasis was on greater team defense, as we decreased our average losing margin by 17 points a game, total points against, 2nd best of the sides that finished outside the 8. While our scoring prowess was one of the worst in the league, it was steadfast at 69 points per game, which will improve over the next couple of years.

I envisage more games being played by our younger brigade, especially in the back half of the year. If playing our youth, leads to inconsistent performances, so be it. Fast tracking our kids as a whole, will lead to stronger competition for spots, rather than gifting games to the likes of a Thomas.

Continue building a strong base of talented kids via the draft/trade periods over the next couple of years, will allow for steady growth, as well as creating a destination for others to be part of our future success

It won't be viewed as a step back, more of taking the next step of "The Journey"

The club and supporters need to continue to remain patient during this "reset"

 

[Soapy V]

Falls away? Almost non-existent.

Wright comes next by default, as..... Kerridge didn't show enough to be considered.....Graham had somehow become timid in his approach.....and other guys haven't really had the exposure through the centre yet. Pick #5 may just become our 5th best mid from day one of next season.

wright was good this year but isn't the answer. handy small forward more than anything. kerridge's ball use is pathetic. never seen someone butcher the ball so much especially under no pressure. he's a forward or nothing. poor graham has been used poorly since the start. not sure he's good enough (i'm hopeful) but every time I see him play its a high half forward and it doesn't suit him. he's a ball winning midfielder. if we keep him let him play there!

 

[Cripps Nubake]

If we are being defined by effort and pressure, rather than wins and losses, then we should in no way be taking a step backwards. I would expect (as would Bolts) that every year as we become more fit and better drilled, that our effort and pressure will only keep improving. If we continue to improve in this area, then the wins will come... it's just a question of when.