Review Rate Our Season

[Lions89]

I know this may be a little premature but I thought what the heck, why wait? I'm bored so why not

Whilst there are two weeks to go I thought I would get a general feel for how people rated our season this year. To date I believe it is about a 6/10? Some may say that is a little low and whilst we have doubled our win count (and potentially/probably two more), and had a couple of nice wins over some good opposition we have also been very inconsistant in a lot of others.

For example we have been smashed against Bombers, Blues, Geelong, Pies etc, all games where it was probably expected but the games against the likes of the Tigers, Saints etc at home (the teams who seem to be around about our standard) are the ones that bring the rating down for me.

Having said that, should we win the last 2 games I think I could push it up to around 6.5/7 out of 10.

Do you think that's fair? I think rating the season too much higher has a tendency to start rewarding mediocrity. Should we as fans overrate our season highly even though we were never in the race for the 8, because I believe if we do that, then what happens once we start pushing into the 8/top 4, we rate them 11/10s??

 

[Haso]

I would have to wait until after these next two games. My rating would very much depend on whether or not we went into the pre-season with 1, 2 or 3 wins out of the last three games of the season.

 

[POBT]

Yeah, I think this is two weeks too early. Plenty of time for post-mortems over the off-season.

 

[western royboy]

Before last week, I thought we might have had enough and be ready for the paddock, but since I'm hopeful that we can win the next two and finish with a very respectable 10 wins. It's definately not a a given, both teams are success starved on recent times and the power played ok for a period last week.

That will probably still leave us in 13th but 20 points clear of 14th which is its own little enclave.
The Tigers, Essendon and Saints will most likely finish a game ahead of us and I reckon there is a fair gap between them and us on '12 performances. Hopefully the Saints slide continues an we can jump over them next year.

As I alluded to in another post at some point the GC and GWS will mature and they could improve rapidly.

I'd rate it a solid 7 if they can get to 10 wins and be more than satisified. Picking sides on the slide in '13 will be more difficult as aside from the Saints, I can't see too many signs of clubs that will drop off so we need to continue the progress that has been made this year.

 

[Viceregal]

re rating rewarding mediocrity ....

Are we rating our season based on what-we-expected vs what-we-achieved or on a 1=spoon 10=flag or .... ?

 

[Full Wingspan]

While it has been promising and satisfying to get to (hopefully) 10 wins, I believe our losses have been very disappointing overall.

A more interesting question would be: where should we be next year? I'd be hoping we are at the stage of contesting for finals and being considered a genuine chance right up until the final rounds of the season. (Slightly better than a 2012 Richmond).

 

[chopperduck]

Next year should be a consolidation year, similar to this year, just a bit more consistent, not dropping those few games, which is the difference between making the 8 or not. More games into the young players and continuing to build the list. We are still very young, and will lose the likes of Black and Brown soon. We still need to be a little patient, and not expect miracles.

We've done very well this season, beaten some good teams, but have been inconsistent. A strong finish will be the perfect platform going into next year. I'd give this season around 8/10 based on what I expected this year. Just need to make sure we continue down this path.

 

[Tassie4ever]

I agree with those who reckon it is 2 weeks too early to make a judgement, although our effort v the Crows was for me the first time in quite a while where I've seen us take on a better than good side and out-compete them This alone gives me hope that we've turned the corner.

Our contested ball in our last was first class. Took on bigger bodies, and at the end of the night I don't think it would be unfair to argue that the margin flattered the Crows somewhat, IMHO.

 

[chopperduck]

We had a lot of wasted opportunities, we really could have put them to the sword by 5 or 6 goals i think. I also agree that we need to finish off these last 2 games well to get the most out of this season. If the cue goes in the rack, you lose a lot of the reward from the hard work the boys put in with a couple of their hard fought wins this season. Strong finish is very important.

 

[Slax]

re rating rewarding mediocrity ....

Are we rating our season based on what-we-expected vs what-we-achieved or on a 1=spoon 10=flag or .... ?

What-we-expected vs what-we-achieved.

The last two games will actually have a reasonable bearing on how the overall season finishes. Win both and I'd rate the season as a success, we've moved forward, younger players have developed and there is a clear vision of the style of play we are developing and that the players are udnerstanding the Voss gameplan. Also we do know that with a similar level of improvement next season we will be knocking on the door of 8 and challenging th top clubs on a regular basis.

Loss them both and the season is a pass. Offered a lot but continually let you down when you expected better. Moved forward yes, but not enough to make me start thinking that I can't have a holiday in September in the next couple of years.

The biggest problem has been that we've thrown in the towl a bit when we are behind, which is what made the win on the weekend all the better because earlier in the year we would've got done by 12 goals.

 

[BamBam10]

I would say around the 7/10 mark also. We've won some games that people never would've expected us to win but I also agree it'll be the games next year with those teams around us like Richmond, Saints, the ones we lost this year which have probably been more disappointing then some of the floggings we probably expected.

As for next year a quick question in regards to Voss. This isn't Voss bashing trust me because I think as I said we've done quite well this year, well enough to think we've almost overachieved win wise, which obviously doesn't mean it's a 10/10 year. But what happens next year when his contract is up and should we only managed 6-8 wins? DO you think he'll be judged on next year the W/L column because with a young, inexperienced team we may not get to the 8 (or 10) wins we have this year? Or do you think he'll be judged on how we go in terms of the margins of losses against those teams above us and whether we're showing more improvement against those types of teams?

If it comes down to win/loss depending on our draw and how well we've done this year win wise, there's every chance we might only end up around the same amount next year, especially because as western royboy said its hard to see too many teams dropping.

 

[Harris Specter]

While it is disappointing how we fared against sides around us, like North, Carlton, Richmond and Fremantle, it's important to note we've not lost to anyone below us on the ladder..On top of that, the 2 top 4 scalps are certainly good in this season.
On top of meeting expectations in terms of beating everyone else below us, and the top 4 scaps, probably 7/10

 

[chopperduck]

Also worth noting that we didn't just beat most teams below us, we've buried them on most occasions, showing we were a class above. I think that is an important step as well.

 

[Lace Out]

It's looking like being a pass but I have to say this is tempered by a lack of injuries.Our midfield rotations have been nearly full strength all season.Btw,I'm not complaining.

 

[Panthera]

The wins over WCE and Adelaide have somewhat papered over the many crackes our actual team has. Whilst they are wonderful in terms of morale...we must remember that we were down and out in both games and could've been put away any minute by a more ruthless team. That being said, the capacity for our team to come back and hang in was brilliant. I know it's a contradiction of sorts, but it is what it is.

At the start of the season, I wanted the Lions to impove in the areas below:

1. Win more clearances
2. Develop a stonger midfield group and not rely on Blacky so much
3. Defend as a unit more
4. Have a tall forward come through and claim a regular spot for the future
5. Same as above for a small goalkicking forward

How many of the above tasks have been compelted? It could be argued none.

I do think we, as a group, are heading in the right direction with the kids; but we are a long way off playing strong contested four quarter footy.

5 / 10


Next season, the below players need to become top ten players at our club:

• Polec
• Karnezis
• Golby

With Brown, Black, Dummond on their last legs, I think we can look for needs based draftees this year and next and not neccessarily the splitting of hairs "best player", which many times is so not true in the end.

A CHF and a clearance specialist are super high on the agenda for mine.

 

[POBT]

At the start of the season, I wanted the Lions to impove in the areas below:

1. Win more clearances
2. Develop a stonger midfield group and not rely on Blacky so much
3. Defend as a unit more
4. Have a tall forward come through and claim a regular spot for the future
5. Same as above for a small goalkicking forward

How many of the above tasks have been compelted? It could be argued none.

It could also be argued that all 5 have been achieved.

We're better at clearances than what we were. Still not good but we're better than 2011.

We've had a variety of players spend more time in the midfield whilst Black has spent significant minutes up forward or on the pine.

Our defence has worked brilliantly together.

We've just brought Lisle on and he's doing enough to keep getting selected.

Green, Bewick and Zorko have all shown good to great signs as a small forward.

If those were your performance measures, we've improved in all 5, I reckon. Still a long way to go but I would argue that, based on your post, the club has met your expectations.

 

[Panthera]

It could also be argued that all 5 have been achieved.

We're better at clearances than what we were. Still not good but we're better than 2011. Our differential against is 1.7 a game higher than in 2011.

We've had a variety of players spend more time in the midfield whilst Black has spent significant minutes up forward or on the pine. Spending time in the midfield is not important, the output has been average. Rich, Redden and Rocky have not really improved a whole lot from 2011 as midfielders. Beams, Polec, Karnezis too. Output has been similar. None have upped their levels to A-grade AFL midfielder status.

Our defence has worked brilliantly together. Our massive points against amount suggests this isn't correct.

We've just brought Lisle on and he's doing enough to keep getting selected. C'mon, really??? Lisle isn't going to make a big difference moving forward. Not gonna happen.

Green, Bewick and Zorko have all shown good to great signs as a small forward. Yes, but not a goalkicking one. None have scored more than 20 goals.

If those were your performance measures, we've improved in all 5, I reckon. Still a long way to go but I would argue that, based on your post, the club has met your expectations. Nope, they haven't.

 

[dlanod]

Green, Bewick and Zorko have all shown good to great signs as a small forward. Yes, but not a goalkicking one. None have scored more than 20 goals.

Bewick has averaged just over a goal a game. If he'd played all games to date, he'd have 20+ goals.
Green has averaged 1.1 goals a game. If he'd played all games to date, he'd have 20+ goals.
Zorko has averaged just under a goal a game. If he'd played all games to date, he'd have 19.5 goals and will have 20+ goals by the end of the season.

 

[Skoob]

I think winning the next 2 games are required for a better than pass mark.
I can be a bit slow sometimes so it wasn't til quarter time last week (whilst cursing our failings)
that I came to the realisation that to that point, 7 wins meant nothing.
When you consider that even though we were 3 wins up on last year, you must remember that there was no GWS in2011. So take 4 wins of last year and our extra 3 are 2 against GWS and an extra against the Suns.
Suddenly 3 more wins on last year is no great feat. After the Adelaide game, we have improved by 1 game in terms of wins.
That said, we have so many new players that are showing great potential and wins should not neccesarily be expected. In terms of our future, wins this year are of little value to me. 2012 has been a very long training drill as far as I'm concerned and next year they should begin to play. I would like to see wins in the next 2 to consider this year an "improvement". If that turns out to be the case, I would expect only 10 wins again next year but closer losses against top teams.

 

[Toffee Lion]

Considering there was some people stating we would only win 4 games for the year after our thrashing at the hands of Carlton.

I believe we've done a good job this year and we get a pass mark.

Obviously winning against Port and the Doggies will solidify that but I believe we've already done enough to prove we're going forward.

 

[POBT]

I think your KPIs should have been expressed as follows Panthera.

1. Be considered amongst the better clearance sides in the comp.

2. Have an A grade midfield in place.

3. Have very few goals kicked against us.

4. Have a young key forward in place who is not Jordan Lisle.

5. Have a goalkicking small forward in place for an entire season, thereby allowing them to score the requisite number of goals.

I don't have any problems with you rating the season as a 5 out of 10. About right IMO although I have us closer to 6/10.

You said you wanted improvement but, based on your comments, you really wanted excellence.

I suggest again that the club has made improvement/progress against all the things you identified. The improvement we've experienced may not meet your standards but if it had, I suspect we'd be talking finals right now. If we were a top clearance side with a great midfield, a watertight defence, a gun young key forward and a genuine goal kicking small forward, we'd be the Sydney Swans.

 

[dlanod]

Rather than being the Sydney Swans, can't we be 2001 us?

 

[Ironmonger]

I rate this season as 'not over yet'

 

[ZoBlitz]

I rate this season as 'not over yet'

Fence sitter...

 

[Grimreepah]

Assuming five is par I would give us a six. We have overtaken a couple of teams, and we have had two wins against top sides (which I don't think we did last year), but in general the sides above us have beaten us fairly comfortably. It would be good if we had another couple of games against mid table sides to try and consolidate our current form. As it is there is everything to lose and not much to gain against Port and the Bulldogs.