This may be a very unpopular opinion, but I think our forwards and backs are quite overrated (and maybe even the rucks).
YES the midfield has A LOT to do with how poorly we do in all areas of the ground - don't push back hard enough, poor delivery up forward etc. I accept this!
On paper our fwd line looks very good with Kennedy, Darling, Gov, Lecca and a resting ruckman. But I don't feel they actually coordinate well enough, too often we see multiple players going for the same ball. Hell Buddy used to be used as a decoy for Roughead, they played around each other, not into each other.
It's no longer possible to have 6 one on one's as it's printed in the papers. Our forwards are often contending with multiple defenders/midfielders etc (YES THIS HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE SLOW MIDFIELD). But there is still improvement to be made to the structure, Darling needs to play the Lynch role moving up to win the ball on the wing more often, he needs to be taking 6-8 marks a game as we move from defence to attack.
Our forward line also lacks a small forward, premierships are made from these players - Rioli, Puopolo, Motlop, Christensen etc. Cripps does a decent enough job defensively, but offensively he's a long way off it.
Our backs again look decent enough on paper (they also need more support from the mids), but there are countless times when the opposition scores easy goals or suddenly has this amazing accuracy against us. It's because they are given easy shots, marking within a 45 degree angle, or allowed an easy ball over the top or a 1 on 1 from a fast break (yes midfielders need to be better to stop this). We are generally quite good at stopping big forwards kick a bag, but when the ball hits the ground, we're often too weak, too slow or fumble the ball and the opposition scores.
I know you can't expect a perfect game, everyone makes mistakes, but to say we're just a good midfield a way from a premiership is not highlighting that we have deficiencies in other areas of the ground. Kennedy doesn't stand up when playing big teams (midfield's fault or not), our resting ruckman don't take contested marks or provide a lot of defensive ability. We have no smalls and Darling needs to be given a more defined role.
Brown has only just found his feet as a 2nd tall and while he's been good, he's not A-grade, Hurn doesn't have enough influence for the talent and experience that he has, he needs to do more (may be harsh). Ellis, Bennell, Shep, Schoey are solid, but injury and form are question marks that hang over them.
So while we need MASSIVE improvement in the midfield, a turnover of perhaps 3-5 players, we still need to add 1 or 2 decent smalls forward and back to ensure we have all areas covered.