What Will Be A Failure?

[Vader]

If the AFC do make the finals in 2009 and once again dont win a game in the finals does your opinion above change???

I've stated what I believe my priorities are - the development of our next generation players. You know, the ones who are (hopefully) going to win us our next flag once the likes of McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards, Burton, Doughty and Shirley are all gone.

Provided those youngsters get the development they need, then I will be happy no matter whether we make the finals or not. Even if we make the finals only to go out in week 1 again (third year running). We're not a premiership contender in 2009, so making (and winning) finals is just a bonus.

That said, each game should be taken on its own merits. If the final is one which we should win (as was the Collingwood game), then I will be unhappy - but only in the context of losing a game we were favoured to win, not because that game was a final.

 

[relapse]

I've stated what I believe my priorities are - the development of our next generation players. You know, the ones who are (hopefully) going to win us our next flag once the likes of McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards, Burton, Doughty and Shirley are all gone.

Provided those youngsters get the development they need, then I will be happy no matter whether we make the finals or not. Even if we make the finals only to go out in week 1 again (third year running). We're not a premiership contender in 2009, so making (and winning) finals is just a bonus.

That said, each game should be taken on its own merits. If the final is one which we should win (as was the Collingwood game), then I will be unhappy - but only in the context of losing a game we were favoured to win, not because that game was a final.

my thoughts exactly

 

[maccas_no1]

what difference does it make? its not like your going to get a great draft pick regardless.

Well its our biggest issue at the moment is not having the abilty to win finals games, that in my eyes is a huge mental issue with this club and something, along with the development of players needs to be addressed rather urgently.

 

[adelaide_40]

Well its our biggest issue at the moment is not having the abilty to win finals games, that in my eyes is a huge mental issue with this club and something, along with the development of players needs to be addressed rather urgently.

I agree macca imo and im quite stating the obvious is the only way to win finals is to play finals, I know right now we are not good enough to win the flag I think everyone else does. But we need to get the youth finals experience so they can finally learn to take the step up from H&A to finals. That is why while developing the future we need to aim to be in finals and improve year by year.

 

[Cap]

Well its our biggest issue at the moment is not having the abilty to win finals games, that in my eyes is a huge mental issue with this club and something, along with the development of players needs to be addressed rather urgently.

yeah, good point I guess it really is going to come down to where we finish and how we lose in the finals.

If by chance we make it (which I would hope we do) and say we get it at 5th. If we lose our first match like we did last year i'm going to be concerned, If we say scrape into 8th on % and we lose well then thats probably an accurate result.

If we come in 1st and don't make the gf well i'll be astounded.

 

[relapse]

yeah, good point I guess it really is going to come down to where we finish and how we lose in the finals.

If by chance we make it (which I would hope we do) and say we get it at 5th. If we lose our first match like we did last year i'm going to be concerned, If we say scrape into 8th on % and we lose well then thats probably an accurate result.

If we come in 1st and don't make the gf well i'll be astounded.

Yep I agree, it definately not a black or white issue.

First step is to make sure we are building towards our next premiership and not halting development chasing impossible dreams.

From there if we make the finals it is a bonus and they it depends on where we finish and who we play and where as to where or not losing a final is a failure or not, its not just a black and white issue IMO. If we finish 8th and say hypothetically a side like Geelong finish 5th if we play them in melbourne and lose it isnt going to be a failure, but as you said if we finish around 5th and losing a final that we are favourites for then that would be deemed as a failure.

 

[Damp Squarie]

If the AFC do make the finals in 2009 and once again dont win a game in the finals does your opinion above change???

bloody good question.
I agree with you Vader on this year being at platform to launch further but I disagee you cant win it from below 2nd

 

[Damp Squarie]

If we come in 1st and don't make the gf well i'll be astounded.

Id be astonished if we made the 4

 

[Damp Squarie]

Where we finish will depend on their rate of development, and how the hell do we know what that will be?

You'd have to think Vince Maric Tippet and maybe two others from the season just gone will get better based on their development last year.
What has NC developed over the summer apart from Bickley and Viney

Let me put it to you this way - if we dont make the eight there will have been shit development.

 

[PCORF]

Just win as many games as you can and who knows what will happen. And actually 15 of the 16 teams in the AFL next year will fail and only one will pass all tests. I think we are a chance to finish in the top 4 in 2009.

 

[Cap]

Id be astonished if we made the 4

I so would I, but i just meant that... oh never mind

 

[subaru]

Crows fell off in 2007 and 2008 (our good draw makes it look better)...both years barely made the 8...non-crow Victorians and co expected the Crows to not make the 8 in those years...and will probably expect them to finish outside the 8 again next year

This is a very good comment.....

My expectations last year were to miss the 8 altogether and I honestly think it was the first time I don't reckon we deserved to be there. I know we won enough games but the last half of the season was spent "hanging in there".

I am quite happy with years spent rebuilding and have no great illusions about 09 , but I would like to see new players played week in week out.

 

[Damp Squarie]

I so would I, but i just meant that... oh never mind

Sorry, my bad.

What will NC bring to the table this year?
He must have goals...personally, to improve as a coach.

Weve all heard the yada yada yada matchday coaching blib; but I think he improved this year, he had his patients wear thin a couple of times; and has now spat the chewy to exclude outsiders from training. Usually a prank pulled coming into the finals. It shows his mindset... the boys being in lockdown

I hope he lifts our goalkicking %. Plays some kids for blocks of 4 games and gets them to enjoy the game.

 

[Cap]

Sorry, my bad.

What will NC bring to the table this year?
He must have goals...personally, to improve as a coach.

Weve all heard the yada yada yada matchday coaching blib; but I think he improved this year, he had his patients wear thin a couple of times; and has now spat the chewy to exclude outsiders from training. Usually a prank pulled coming into the finals. It shows his mindset... the boys being in lockdown

I hope he lifts our goalkicking %. Plays some kids for blocks of 4 games and gets them to enjoy the game.

I agree with you, not sure about the dummy spitting thing, but I reckon he is starting to change things, Todd Viney is probably a step in the right direction, getting us to win close games on a constant basis.