Don't get me wrong, I hate the fact that we haven't won a game yet.
But if you don't look at the scoreboard, and concentrate on how we are playing and how the younger players are developing, I would say this year has been better than last year.
Last year, by this time we had copped 3 almighty beltings and were uncompetitive in a number of other games. This year the beltings have been limited to 1 (Geelong obviously), and probably only 1 other non-competitive game (Port Adelaide).
Last year we were more reliant on senior players carrying us (Simmonds, Bowden and Johnson in hard tagging roles) and our playing style was crap. This year the youngsters are carrying more workload and the playing style is better (well, usually).
Having said all that we have a long way to go. Players like Edwards, Hughes, Riewoldt, have a LOT more developing to do before they become more than bit-part players. We still haven't even introduced players like Connors, Collins, Peterson and the long-awaited Casserley.
But if you don't look at the scoreboard, and concentrate on how we are playing and how the younger players are developing, I would say this year has been better than last year.
Last year, by this time we had copped 3 almighty beltings and were uncompetitive in a number of other games. This year the beltings have been limited to 1 (Geelong obviously), and probably only 1 other non-competitive game (Port Adelaide).
Last year we were more reliant on senior players carrying us (Simmonds, Bowden and Johnson in hard tagging roles) and our playing style was crap. This year the youngsters are carrying more workload and the playing style is better (well, usually).
Having said all that we have a long way to go. Players like Edwards, Hughes, Riewoldt, have a LOT more developing to do before they become more than bit-part players. We still haven't even introduced players like Connors, Collins, Peterson and the long-awaited Casserley.
