You can not be serious...

[The Mission Man]

Originally posted by TimN: Of course I hope I'm wrong and that I am under-estimating my team, but I'm doing my best to be realistic.

And you're doing a good job too. We will, ceteris paribus, wind up with anywhere between 10 and 14 games.

14 wins last year was somewhat on the flukey side (three games decided by a total less than a straight kick) and to expect more or equal to that is to ignore (a) that there are 15 other teams in the comp all seeking to improve (b) that we had a good run with serious injury last year and (c) that last year is last year.

Consolidation is the key word. We have serious changes being made to the the structure of the team and the search for an "inside" midfielder and a solution to our clearance problems continues. We have a second-year ruckman, the youngest defensive unit in the world and wholesale changes being made to the forward line set-ups.

Those talking top 4 are 1 year ahead of schedule. They aren't to be blamed - because last year's finals appearance was 1 year ahead of schedule - but the schedule is still there.

2004 is another finals appearance, all bets off let's see how far we can take it.

2005 is top four or something is wrong.

 

[Exeter]

Originally posted by The Mission Man


2004 is another finals appearance, all bets off let's see how far we can take it.

2005 is top four or something is wrong.

What an amazing coincidence - that's what I've tipped for the Eagles.

(awaits dismissive, derisive repsonse questioning judgement and football knowledge from Freo fraternity)

 

[Ripper]

Originally posted by Exeter
What an amazing coincidence - that's what I've tipped for the Eagles.

(awaits dismissive, derisive repsonse questioning judgement and football knowledge from Freo fraternity)

Dreaming

 

[milo]

Originally posted by Exeter
What an amazing coincidence - that's what I've tipped for the Eagles.

(awaits dismissive, derisive repsonse questioning judgement and football knowledge from Freo fraternity)

There’s nothing wrong with optimism Ex, we’ve made an art form out of it since ’95.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Originally posted by Exeter
What an amazing coincidence - that's what I've tipped for the Eagles.

(awaits dismissive, derisive repsonse questioning judgement and football knowledge from Freo fraternity)

ha - I can do nothing less than dismiss, deride and question your judgement....

 

[The Mission Man]

Curiously - given the relative histories - you are probably a bit behind us. Getting sucked into playing the old men just to keep up one season's winning form has meant your tall kids are behind in their development directly compared to ours.

 

[Exeter]

Originally posted by The Mission Man
Curiously - given the relative histories - you are probably a bit behind us. Getting sucked into playing the old men just to keep up one season's winning form has meant your tall kids are behind in their development directly compared to ours.

I tend to agree. Our core group is obviously good enough, there's just not enough of them IMO. This is where we find out about the quality of our young blokes and new recruits. We have a lot of "no-names" who have to step up for us to succeed (i.e. a flag within 5-6 years), and it may be a high risk strategy, but 2004 will be a year of insight for us, no question.

If our young squad is up to it, then we will be force to reckon with(hows that for stating the bleeding obvious?)

 

[The Mission Man]

Like all good science, it's tautological. You can't argue with A = A.

"I won the race because I came first," doesn't, however, make for a good argument.