The conversation, from my perspective was not about who has champions on the list.The reality is we don't have a star studded list by any measure though. It might change as we grow in confidence and output but right now we have probably the least high profile list besides Gold Coast.
I don't care what it loos like on paper either if we keep winning. Collingwood came from nowhere and besides their stars no one rated their list a couple of years ago, now they are premiership favourites.
I didn't say particularly against Essendon that we play on our terms but that to me is part of our brand. We try to dictate the tempo and bring the oppositions best traits out of the game.
I doubt anybody would disagree that we don't currently have a star studded team.
My objection was to the inference that the team is dragging other teams down and therefore by definition to an inferior level of football.
I don't believe that is the case at all. If this conversation was last season, yes that would be the case.
But this season from the available evidence I would argue we are beating teams with superior defensive structures and play.
Of the four games, JLT and H@A we have won every tackle count.
We have brought in speed and maturity with Parker, Kent, and Wilkie and have played the likes of Gres, Lonie, Sinclair, even Parker, rotating through the mids.
Our defence has stood up very well and really stopped run from the opposition.
I think IMO to underplay the change of play and infer were are inferior is to undervalue the team as a whole.
Are they a top 8 team? maybe, top 4? Probably not. Are they a negative team that drags teams down to a supposed inferior style of play? In my opinion, no they are not.