Looking ahead to 2024

[Dalions]

Won the premiership in both the AFL and AFLW, then lost the next 6/6 finals. Long may it continue.

But they did win the Club of the year.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I think other teams are going to get better next year.

The big one is Melbourne. I just don’t think they’ll s**t the bed for a third year in a row and they are such a dangerous team that have hurt us in the past.

We have to keep getting better to match everyone.

Not sure they have the growth in their personnel. Maybe Olliver if he gets off the gear. The rest are slowing down. Especially their backs and ruck

 

[BRAB]

Not sure they have the growth in their personnel. Maybe Olliver if he gets off the gear. The rest are slowing down. Especially their backs and ruck

I hope you’re right and it could just be my Melbourne related trauma.

 

[M Malice]

I think other teams are going to get better next year.

The big one is Melbourne. I just don’t think they’ll s**t the bed for a third year in a row and they are such a dangerous team that have hurt us in the past.

We have to keep getting better to match everyone.

I think the Giants are the ones to be worried about, should have beaten the Pies in the Prelim this year.

Not sure about how Collingwood go backing up from a flag, Pendlebury is an all time great but he turns 36 before the start of next season... surely him and Sidebottom(33) should start slowing down, 9 of their best 22 are 30 years of age or older.

 

[Dalions]

Not sure they have the growth in their personnel. Maybe Olliver if he gets off the gear. The rest are slowing down. Especially their backs and ruck

I do tend to think that Max Gawn has started his slide.

 

[briztoon]

I think other teams are going to get better next year.

The big one is Melbourne. I just don’t think they’ll s**t the bed for a third year in a row and they are such a dangerous team that have hurt us in the past.

We have to keep getting better to match everyone.

They have a couple of big culture killers in Oliver and May.

Depends how long Gawn can keep them all together.

Because if they implode, I reckon it’ll be of epic proportions.

 

[briztoon]

I think the Giants are the ones to be worried about, should have beaten the Pies in the Prelim this year.

Not sure about how Collingwood go backing up from a flag, Pendlebury is an all time great but he turns 36 before the start of next season... surely him and Sidebottom(33) should start slowing down, 9 of their best 22 are 30 years of age or older.

Yup, Giants look primed.

 

[martinson]

I hope you’re right and it could just be my Melbourne related trauma.

I don't think Melbourne is any threat Brab . Once they looked unbeatable a couple of years ago that was their glory moment and they have many players who won't reach that level again.

But I totally agree with your sentiment re the competition. There are a few clubs that could emerge ,every year is different , we have to attain a new level to win the flag in 2024 imo. It's possible we could if we get the 2 home finals. Making the top 4 won't be any soda.

 

[briztoon]

Mighty Lions why laugh off such a suggestion as the team getting fitter to be able to run with the top running teams in the competition?

Genuine discussion.

I know I’m not the only one who has watched our team and thought we’re the second fittest team on the field.

I’ve felt, and voiced my opinion for a few seasons now, that it’s probably the main area that’s costing us the ability to win the whole thing.

 

[mpal6]

View attachment 1866728

Mighty Lions why laugh off such a suggestion as the team getting fitter to be able to run with the top running teams in the competition?

Genuine discussion.

I know I’m not the only one who has watched our team and thought we’re the second fittest team on the field.

I’ve felt, and voiced my opinion for a few seasons now, that it’s probably the main area that’s costing us the ability to win the whole thing.

Rayner needs a running coach this offseason. While I understand he's a burst player I still believe we can build up his endurance and contest to contest run. Rockliff did it so it is doable and with Rayner's skills / awareness, this will be a major step forward.

It'll be interesting to see GPS data on how much ground Rayner covers at top speed in a single game.

 

[Grasshopper17]

What's so funny Mighty Lions ?

Just tell me so I can get the full extent of your wisdom.

Probably thinks our fitness isn't an issue, or something.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, we have our ladies team running around with a bloody jerry can out on Princes Park after winning their second premiership in 3 years. A clear testament to their dedication and commitment to being the fittest team in the comp, as evidenced on Sunday by (a) their final quarter in totality and (b) the fact they didn't simply try to SAVE the game after they hit the front, they went on with the job to actually WIN it.

In fact, in each of their 3 finals they had to come from behind to win, including kicking the last 3 goals against Adelaide at Norwood.

Complete chalk and cheese when compared to their 2022 Grand Final, when despite kicking with the breeze for 3 quarters, they failed to fire a shot after quarter time. Indeed, our ladies lost each of their last quarters in the 2022 finals series.

So our men's program doesn't even have to look outside the club's walls to see a clear example of the massive impact the fitness of the group can have on overall team performance, and, more importantly, how much that can change in a single preseason. Even for part time athletes.

Edit: Sorry just saw the comments above! Echo chamber areas

 

[Nathan Barley]

I don't think fitness is the issue, it's team selection. Don't rotate enough mids through the middle and play old guys like Zorko

 

[Grasshopper17]

I don't think fitness is the issue, it's team selection. Don't rotate enough mids through the middle and play old guys like Zorko

Do you think you solution then is to get guys like Cameron, McCarthy, Wilmot and McKenna to be able to play through the midfield more than they do? OR replace some of those guys in the team with more midfielders, and then having them pinch hit forward or back as required?

We tend to keep our back 6 or 7 fairly stable, but other teams do tend to roll more guys through half back.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Do you think you solution then is to get guys like Cameron, McCarthy, Wilmot and McKenna to be able to play through the midfield more than they do? OR replace some of those guys in the team with more midfielders, and then having them pinch hit forward or back as required?

We tend to keep our back 6 or 7 fairly stable, but other teams do tend to roll more guys through half back.

Swapping Gunston for Dev was a big step forward

Ashcroft in for Zorko will make a difference

 

[Section 5]

Let's hope the SEN survey is spot on.

Who will win the AFL premiership in 2024? We surveyed thousands of fans for their thoughts

We asked. You answered.

www.sen.com.au

Who will win the premiership in 2024?​

(According to SEN’s 2023 AFL Fan Survey)

29.5% - Brisbane
21.8% - Collingwood
16.4% - Carlton
6.9% - Melbourne
6.8% - GWS Giants
4.6% - Sydney
2.6% - Port Adelaide
2.5% - Geelong
2.3% - Western Bulldogs
1.8% - Adelaide
1.2% - Richmond
0.9% - St Kilda
0.9% - Essendon
0.6% - Hawthorn
0.4% - Fremantle
0.4% - Gold Coast
0.3% - North Melbourne
0.2% - West Coast

 

[dlanod]

Do you think you solution then is to get guys like Cameron, McCarthy, Wilmot and McKenna to be able to play through the midfield more than they do? OR replace some of those guys in the team with more midfielders, and then having them pinch hit forward or back as required?

We tend to keep our back 6 or 7 fairly stable, but other teams do tend to roll more guys through half back.

Just to take a contrarian position - I think the degree people's natural max level of fitness (twitch fibres, O2 capability, etc) affect results a lot more in the men's game than the women's game, because the men's game has already seen a lot of the low hanging fruit around fitness already harvested over the last 30 years.

In the women's we see our improved and competition leading fitness giving us a substantial advantage for the moment. In the men's, that level of fitness is the base expectation or you're going to be uncompetitive. It's often the reason you see young kids and teams improve substantially in years 2 and 3, because of fitness improvements. Back in the 90s it was a different story.

Even our team, in the women's, I don't think are hitting their natural peak for fitness. They're not professional sportswomen with year round training for example. Guys like McCarthy and Cameron and Rayner, however, are likely as close to their peak fitness-wise as they're going to get and just won't be permanent midfield options as a result. Wilmot potentially has development still in him though, and could transition into the middle.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Have numbers dropped for the new boys?

Probably but because we don't have a media department they haven't announced anything yet

Possibly they're just focusing their limited resources on AFLW coverage

 

[Nunez]

Fitness is not an issue imo. You don't lose a GF by a kick if you're not a fit team.

That's not to say some players don't need to improve - Rayner is the obvious one there.

Besides that, I think the solution is getting better runners into the team. As Nathan Barley said - Dev for Gun was a big step in that area. If Berry moves into the midfield this year, we can look at Sharp on the wing (assuming his physical development has come on again in 2024). Ultimately, we only need a few tweaks to improve that side of our game and honestly think Rayner and Bailey should be the guys leading the way - both should come back fitter than ever and ready to make a proper impact in the midfield.

 

[Pride of lions]

Fitness is not an issue imo. You don't lose a GF by a kick if you're not a fit team.

That's not to say some players don't need to improve - Rayner is the obvious one there.

Besides that, I think the solution is getting better runners into the team. As Nathan Barley said - Dev for Gun was a big step in that area. If Berry moves into the midfield this year, we can look at Sharp on the wing (assuming his physical development has come on again in 2024). Ultimately, we only need a few tweaks to improve that side of our game and honestly think Rayner and Bailey should be the guys leading the way - both should come back fitter than ever and ready to make a proper impact in the midfield.

I think Fletcher will move into the midfield part time next year, which is his natural position I believe. Or certainly by 2025 anyway. He seems to have the pace, grunt, fitness and ball sense to be a pretty decent midfielder. And he definitely wants to play in there which is a big positive.

 

[Nunez]

I think Fletcher will move into the midfield part time next year, which is his natural position I believe. Or certainly by 2025 anyway. He seems to have the pace, grunt, fitness and ball sense to be a pretty decent midfielder. And he definitely wants to play in there which is a big positive.

I think that's more of a 2025 prospect. No need to rush him in. Berry will be ready for proper midfield minutes if all goes to plan.

 

[M Malice]

I think Fletcher will move into the midfield part time next year, which is his natural position I believe. Or certainly by 2025 anyway. He seems to have the pace, grunt, fitness and ball sense to be a pretty decent midfielder. And he definitely wants to play in there which is a big positive.

Adrian definitely sees him as a balanced midfielder.

 

[StevoJenkins]

Berry will be ready for proper midfield minutes if all goes to plan.

Pretty sure this has been said for the past 4 years - never eventuates past a couple of games.

 

[Nunez]

Pretty sure this has been said for the past 4 years - never eventuates past a couple of games.

He's in great shape physically. If there was ever a year he'd do it it's next year. I think he is ready for it.

 

[StevoJenkins]

He's in great shape physically. If there was ever a year he'd do it it's next year. I think he is ready for it.

The real question is whether his shoulder or calf thinks he's ready for it.

 

[RU_]

I think the SEN ratings are underestimating GWS a bit.

They are going to be breathing fire next year.