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#1
You can't quantify it. You only know when you see it. And we're seeing it.
Besides a premiership, it's the single best moment for a supporter to see their side "grow up" in front of you. There are stages obviously, like a baby has to crawl before it can walk, walk before it can run. The last three years, we were barely even crawling (more just shitting ourselves). Presently, we are in a full sprint approaching the Final stage.
Compare games from earlier this season to these this past three weeks:
Round 3 vs. Sydney. We hold a three goal lead with 8 minutes left in very similar circumstance to the Geelong game. But Sydney puts the hammer down and kicks five straight to close it out. We have no answers.
Round 4 vs. Hawthorn. We stun Hawthorn and are looking good going into the last, very much like the Carlton game. But Hawthorn's experienced players step it up; Sewell, Mitchell and Buddy in particular. We try to answer but it's too late.
Whether the reason is physical maturity, technical improvements (hello Michael Broadbridge) or just a growing collective belief, there has been a clear jump this past month.
We don't get despondent when a good team gets a run on in the second half. We're able to close out tough games when a champion team are storming home. This kind of visible improvement in a three month period is simply remarkable. Even more so, considering we were bottom feeders a mere nine months ago.
It's not time to anoint the crown. But as I said, we are fast approaching that Final stage. If the cards fall right, are we a chance to win it all? Probably not. In fact, almost certainly not. But this whole year has been unexpected. I'm not ruling anything out.
Besides a premiership, it's the single best moment for a supporter to see their side "grow up" in front of you. There are stages obviously, like a baby has to crawl before it can walk, walk before it can run. The last three years, we were barely even crawling (more just shitting ourselves). Presently, we are in a full sprint approaching the Final stage.
Compare games from earlier this season to these this past three weeks:
Round 3 vs. Sydney. We hold a three goal lead with 8 minutes left in very similar circumstance to the Geelong game. But Sydney puts the hammer down and kicks five straight to close it out. We have no answers.
Round 4 vs. Hawthorn. We stun Hawthorn and are looking good going into the last, very much like the Carlton game. But Hawthorn's experienced players step it up; Sewell, Mitchell and Buddy in particular. We try to answer but it's too late.
Whether the reason is physical maturity, technical improvements (hello Michael Broadbridge) or just a growing collective belief, there has been a clear jump this past month.
We don't get despondent when a good team gets a run on in the second half. We're able to close out tough games when a champion team are storming home. This kind of visible improvement in a three month period is simply remarkable. Even more so, considering we were bottom feeders a mere nine months ago.
It's not time to anoint the crown. But as I said, we are fast approaching that Final stage. If the cards fall right, are we a chance to win it all? Probably not. In fact, almost certainly not. But this whole year has been unexpected. I'm not ruling anything out.

