Expectations for 09

[Lockyer24]

3rd then a massive crack in the finals

 

[glasseye]

top 4 and a grand finalist - we can get it this year if some of the newer talent is anywhere as good as their said to be.

won't get top 4 if we have four or more players injured for any great length of time. But will still have a chance depending on injuries for the last 3 week run into the finals and up to the GF

I expect at least one of Rocca, Rusling, Obree, Lockyer, or Fraser to fall over from injury.

 

[meto]

Round three will be interesting, looks like we won't have Harley, a big loss for us.
I think you'll be top four!

Meto.

 

[Magpie Mick]

i do expect a somewhat up and down season, with some really great exciting wins, and some puzzling losses.

Like last year then!!!

 

[RRRooocccaaa]

Round three will be interesting, looks like we won't have Harley, a big loss for us.
I think you'll be top four!

Meto.

I wouldn't pin your hopes on Harley. A great leader. But his style of play can easily be replaced for the NAB Cup.

I'd be more worried losing a key midfielder than a loose defender.

 

[Frankie23]

If we don't win a flag in 2009/2010/2011 we are officially (you know what)

 

[ad4eva]

Top 4 would cap a sensational season by whats being refferred to as a new look and youthful team.

We've really had a massive cleanout the last 3 seasons without even realising and we have an extrodainary amount of players under the age of 21, 22. Having said that it would be a massive ask to finish top 4 hence thats what im hoping for however im expecting a similar outcome to last year.

Time will tell though.

 

[Mental Magpie]

Expectation for 2009

I was having a discussion with a fellow member about my expectations for season 2009, and if or when we should look at getting a new coach.

This is what I think.

1. I think we will make top 4.
2. Mick Malthouse will keep coaching until Nathan Buckley is ready
3. Once we're in there (top 4) with a double chance, we'll give it a very good shake.
4. If we don't make top 4 (injuries aside) this year, then we will have gone backwards. Season deemed a failure.
5. If we don't make top 4 (injuries aside) this year, then it's time to look at getting a new senior coach.

Your thoughts?

 

[Optimax]

Re: Expectation for 2009

Yeah i would agree with most of that.

good run with injuries i would be disappointed if we arnt top four

 

[twoforjoy]

Re: Expectation for 2009

If we don't make top 4 this year we are just treading water and it is time to rethink things some.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Re: Expectation for 2009

Yeah i would agree with most of that.

good run with injuries i would be disappointed if we arnt top four

Yep - I expect us to be around Top 4, but unlike the last three years, be consistent enough to actually push INTO the Top 4 and hold a spot there.

 

[THATSGOLD]

Re: Expectation for 2009

GEELONG
HAWTHORN
DOGS
US! 4TH Hope im wrong though!

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Re: Expectation for 2009

I wouldn't be pencilling the Dogs in at all... Their position in the finals is shaky, IMO.

 

[mattys123]

Re: Expectation for 2009

I'm suddenly not so gung ho about top 4 or bust this year now.

Players like Wood, Cox, Reid, N.Brown, McCaffer, Beams, Sidebottom, Barham and the rest of our 18-20 yo's will obviously improve after this year, meaning that whatever we do this year is a bonus.

I saw making the finals last year as a bonus, after losing Bucks, Licca, Holland and Clement over the past few years.

This year I would be happy with a push for top 4, but wont be shattered if we repeat last year and finish 5-8 and win one final.

 

[didaka]

Re: Expectation for 2009

We're a better side than the dogs.

 

[Rohan Coventry]

Re: Expectation for 2009

Anything less than a flag is a failure.

 

[Optimax]

Re: Expectation for 2009

We're a better side than the dogs.

Yep should of beat them last year, in fact should of beaten them quite easily until we lost all use of our bench

 

[Bonuspoints]

Re: Expectation for 2009

We're fitter, faster, stronger and have cleaner skills across the board. We'll give it a good shake thats for sure, but we need a fit and firing Fraser to push far into September IMO as Wood still looks to be developing.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Re: Expectation for 2009

Yep should of beat them last year, in fact should of beaten them quite easily until we lost all use of our bench

"Should have", Opti...

 

[Optimax]

Re: Expectation for 2009

"Should have", Opti...

thank you teacher

 

[anubis]

Re: Expectation for 2009

I think top 4 is a must.We have been using the reasoning that we have a young team that has done very well for the last couple of years.It's time for those players and the veterans to take the next step and take the team to a GF.

 

[Ant85]

Re: Expectation for 2009

We've literally rebuilt a side in 3 years without bottoming out.

We have the potential to make top 4, but we are still a young side. Inconsistency comes with youth. This year is important in the development stage as our side begins to gel together, and the youth take on more leadership roles.

But, we're still in development stage.

 

[KissStephanie]

What are your expectations of the pies in 09?

To be the main challenger to Hawthorn and Geelong. I felt this way before the first NAB Cup match. Partly because last season Collingwood were the youngest team to win a final since Brisbane in 2000, and they went on to win the next three premierships. Partly because Collingwood's 6th place finish last season was the same as Hawthorn in 2007, and they won the next premiership. Mainly because I think the skill and fitness level is improving, and nearly the entire list has had a full preparation.

I also feel that the suspensions given to Didak and Shaw last season has united this team. The players seem to feel that a premiership is the goal for 2009. Denis Pagan stated yesterday that he feels that Collingwood is the main challenger to last years Grand Finalist's. Gerard Healy also said yesterday that it's just a matter of time before Collingwood can win a premiership. I think it is quite possible in 2009.

What ladder position would you consider as acceptable, and not a failure?

A top-four finish and a Preliminary Final appearance at the minimum is a reasonable expectation. I haven't seen anything in the two NAB Cup matches so far that has changed my mind. Considering it is only February, they look very good with hopefully further improvement to come as the season progresses as they get used to playing with each other again and the various game plans.

 

[glasseye]

Re: Expectation for 2009

But, we're still in development stage.

I don't really buy that. If you can make the top 4 you should be capable of pulling off a premiership. Too many people say we're developing - next year or the year after. Its a bit of a cop out we're always going to have new recruits. The way I see it the most important seniors we have are looking good for the new year The more experienced young ones are travelling well with injuries and the new ones that have been blooded are showing a genuine contest for the spots available ( I was really encouraged by Toovey's game).

I don't think its going to be the Didaks and Swans that win us the premiership but the Tooveys, Bryans, or Cox's that come out, support and surprise.

This can be the year

Hawthorn
Collingwood
Geelong
Carlton

 

[Trojan82]

I'm not so sure Hawthorn are the best side in the competition this year. Interesting quote from a commentator the other day "Every season for the last 15 years a side out of the top 8 has finished top 4 the following year."

If that trend continues then it seems the scum (No capital letters on purpose) will probably be it. Pushing out The Bulldogs. Us into the top 4 as well.

Geelong
Collingwood
Carlton
Hawthorn

A home final against the scum week 1 then a rest before meeting the Hawks in the Prelim. I think its very important this year that we make a good start. We should demolish teams early like Adelaide in Rd 1 and Melbourne Rd 2. Round 3 will be the test. We should know after Rd 3 how our year is going to go.