Since the start of the year, Hird has played down any suggestions of Top 4, or Premiership contention, taking preference on the notions of improvement and 'sticking to our structures'. What's so great about this approach is that while we continue to be underrated by rival clubs and supporters - at least we were for the most part of this season, with a predicted 6-12 finish, a club like Carlton has out and out proclaimed that they are expecting a Top 2 finish this year, something that is not looking like coming to fruition. We're being lead to not expect too much, while Carlton fans are.
My point is, deep down I really don't think that Hird isn't expecting us to contend this year, because every game we play, he expects improvement from his players, even when we beat a Top-4 side in West Coast. If he expects us to improve from something like that, surely this means he believes that we could conceivably have a crack at finals this year? In which case, he's relieving the media pressure from his players as a Top side to simply focus on playing well and winning, and you gotta love that.
In any case, I'm excited.
My point is, deep down I really don't think that Hird isn't expecting us to contend this year, because every game we play, he expects improvement from his players, even when we beat a Top-4 side in West Coast. If he expects us to improve from something like that, surely this means he believes that we could conceivably have a crack at finals this year? In which case, he's relieving the media pressure from his players as a Top side to simply focus on playing well and winning, and you gotta love that.
In any case, I'm excited.
