I predicted 6 wins. For me it's D+
Negatives
- injuries, I am tired of Suns finishing top 1-3 every year. We got a new performance/medical teams so I hope the 2nd time around it will be better. Most were impact injuries, Rankine and Bowes were most disappointing (both soft injuries).
- 18 losses in a row. Enormous impact on players confidence in the 2nd half of the season. It also have follow on impact on recruitment, retention, club morale. You could say that Martin, Ah Chee would stay with more wins. With more wins we could probably attract better players and so on.
- Martin's performance. He had a couple of great games early but as season progressed his performance deteriorated significantly. He also does not look like he can play in the midfield full time
- 2MP also disappointed me this year, I expected him to progress but he rather stalled
- I would love to see Rankine play this year
Positives
- despite only 3 wins and constant losses 14 players re-signed. It seems the team is united, culture is good, off field is in order
- getting games into young players - Lukosius, King, Powell, Ballard
- Fiorini, Mcpherson played out the whole season for the first time
- Bowes, Ainsworth improved despite limited games
- Brodie committed and looks like he will make it be our Cunningham
- Mcpherson put hand up for midfield position, played there the whole year
- Witts and Swallow could not be better captains
- Collins, Hombsh were great for us
- I see a lot of upside for next year. Extra preseason, bigger bodies. We put a lot of games into youngsters this year. Our midfield - Fiorini, Bowes, Brodie, Macpherson, Ainsworth will be 4-5 years in a system 40+ games. They still probably need 1 more year but is is a damn good young core. Combine them with draftees Rowell/Anderson, experienced Miller, Swallow, Witts and depth Miles, 1 free agent and I am looking forward to what they can produce if staying healthy. Lukosius, King, Rankine - already salivating about their performace next year. Ballard and Powell in 3rd year. Burgess and Corbett with another preseason will be good players too.
- stadium deal. It's pleasing that Suns can now finally utilise the stadium for cricket, concerts and even make some money from it (I hope).
Best game of the year
For me it was a home game against Cats. The first 3 QTRs were fantastic - how we played, effort, contest.
Best player
Witts
Most disappointing player
Martin
Off-season moves
- only one positive from losses is that AFL will assist us. To get PP1 would be a great help as Rowell and Anderson together would fit perfectly into our midfield and would have probably the immediate impact, if not certainly in 1-2 years.
- adding outside run would be handy while Powell is developing (Ellis sounds good)
- a midfielder for depth (Greenwood, PP) unless we can get a gun (impossible this off-season I think)
- Roughhead as a coach/recruitment would be great
- Burgyone/Betts as indigenous liason (Suns keep that position vacant at the moment) and/or academy/development role. If it takes 1-2 year playing contract to convince them why not
Negatives
- injuries, I am tired of Suns finishing top 1-3 every year. We got a new performance/medical teams so I hope the 2nd time around it will be better. Most were impact injuries, Rankine and Bowes were most disappointing (both soft injuries).
- 18 losses in a row. Enormous impact on players confidence in the 2nd half of the season. It also have follow on impact on recruitment, retention, club morale. You could say that Martin, Ah Chee would stay with more wins. With more wins we could probably attract better players and so on.
- Martin's performance. He had a couple of great games early but as season progressed his performance deteriorated significantly. He also does not look like he can play in the midfield full time
- 2MP also disappointed me this year, I expected him to progress but he rather stalled
- I would love to see Rankine play this year
Positives
- despite only 3 wins and constant losses 14 players re-signed. It seems the team is united, culture is good, off field is in order
- getting games into young players - Lukosius, King, Powell, Ballard
- Fiorini, Mcpherson played out the whole season for the first time
- Bowes, Ainsworth improved despite limited games
- Brodie committed and looks like he will make it be our Cunningham
- Mcpherson put hand up for midfield position, played there the whole year
- Witts and Swallow could not be better captains
- Collins, Hombsh were great for us
- I see a lot of upside for next year. Extra preseason, bigger bodies. We put a lot of games into youngsters this year. Our midfield - Fiorini, Bowes, Brodie, Macpherson, Ainsworth will be 4-5 years in a system 40+ games. They still probably need 1 more year but is is a damn good young core. Combine them with draftees Rowell/Anderson, experienced Miller, Swallow, Witts and depth Miles, 1 free agent and I am looking forward to what they can produce if staying healthy. Lukosius, King, Rankine - already salivating about their performace next year. Ballard and Powell in 3rd year. Burgess and Corbett with another preseason will be good players too.
- stadium deal. It's pleasing that Suns can now finally utilise the stadium for cricket, concerts and even make some money from it (I hope).
Best game of the year
For me it was a home game against Cats. The first 3 QTRs were fantastic - how we played, effort, contest.
Best player
Witts
Most disappointing player
Martin
Off-season moves
- only one positive from losses is that AFL will assist us. To get PP1 would be a great help as Rowell and Anderson together would fit perfectly into our midfield and would have probably the immediate impact, if not certainly in 1-2 years.
- adding outside run would be handy while Powell is developing (Ellis sounds good)
- a midfielder for depth (Greenwood, PP) unless we can get a gun (impossible this off-season I think)
- Roughhead as a coach/recruitment would be great
- Burgyone/Betts as indigenous liason (Suns keep that position vacant at the moment) and/or academy/development role. If it takes 1-2 year playing contract to convince them why not
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