The season ahead

[Jarka 767]

This thread is all about what the team has to achieve this season to make you satisfied with the result, it's not about what would make you happy. For example I'd be happy if we made the grand final and won the premiership but it's just not going to happen, so from your point of view what does the club have to do to get a pass mark in your eyes?

For me I'd be satisfied with an early win, then another mid year and two more late in the season. No big 60+ losses would be nice, improvement from the kids ie Morton, Grimes, Wona, Petterd, Garland, Spencer, Maric etc and consistent performances throughout the season. Clearly kicking goals is going to be an issue, but if we can get some good game time into the kids and finish the season with a pp then I'd be satisfied. That would give us a great basis to really improve over the next half a decade.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

The continued development of an 'A' grade backline with Martin showing he can tackle the opposition gorillas, Rivers playing week in week out, Frawley combining a shutdown job with positive rebound and polished disposal and Garland giving us flexibility by showing he's equally comfortable beating both smalls and talls. I'm a massive Matty Whelan fan and despite the pessimism of some, I'd love to see him give the MFC another couple of great years. His experience down back would be valuable and would allow a Buckley or a Grimes to play with more freedom off half-back.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the big banana bender, Jake Spencer, take over the number 1 ruck mantle. There are very few examples of rucks at his age performing so well in their bread and butter job of getting first hands on the ball and directing it into the path of our own players. Many highly rated young ruckmen impress with their skills and mobility and ability to break even in the ruck contest. Spencer, whilst rough around the edges, shows genuine signs of being able to win the tap and advantage our midfielders in the process. He could be anything. He will of course need support and PJ can lay claim to being one of the more flexible and co-ordinated rucks in the league. Pity he's not so good at the actual rucking stuff. You could do worse than Jamar as a third option. Let's not talk about the other fella.

I'm from the school of thought that a star-studded midfield is more important than a star-studded forward line. And it is for this reason that I'm a little worried about the year ahead. If we lose McLean to injury again we're in real strife. I've always had concerns about the kicking of Jones and others seem to be coming around to that line of thinking. Moloneys body is unreliable and Junior is nearing the end. I can certainly see why the recruiting team were pretty keen on Jack Redden and why many a keen observer on D'Land want to see Grimes thrown into the middle sooner rather than later. Our first dibs midfielders are a supposed strength but I'm not convinced. We clearly need at least one classy, inside/outside midfielder with toe. Clearly speed and clean ball usage are central to our team philosophy and the drafting of Strauss, Blease, Bennell and Jetta along with Morton and Maric last year should give us the outside polish that we need. But they are some way off. I think we need to prepare ourselves for more frustrating turnovers in the short term and periods where we get spanking in the middle against the top 4-6 teams. I'll certainly be looking for the above mentioned players to show, when they get the opportunity, the ability to make smart decisions and the mindset that allows them to take the game on and break the lines whenever possible.

Potentially the most frustrated element of our season ahead lies in our lack of key forward options. Despite Juice showing (apparently) some positive signs in cyclone-threatened Cairns, he gives me absolutley no confidence that he will be a long term answer. Robbo is still a long way off and a successful return is no guarantee and even then surely the end is near. Brad Miller is a footballer I have a lot of admiration for and can play an important role for the team as the hit up CHF but won't strike fear into too many opposition backlines when he is played close to goal. PJ as a makeshift forward should remain exactly that. Our hope of course lies with those yet to play a single game. Watts and Jurrah will hopefully form a formidible combination but dominating consistently at AFL levels seems a fair way off. We will again have to brace ourselves for frustrating periods where we simple don't look like scoring and have periods of play where our small to medium forwards look undermaned and outnumbered. The excitement up forward will again come from Wonaemirri and Davey but I'm hopeful that despite an injury-ravaged pre-season Maric will get on the park and give us another dangerous option.

Above all, I'm looking for the team to certainly give us a glimpse into the future. I'm hoping we now have the cattle (despite being young) to show us how DB's gameplan will work. I'm looking for our older players (I won't call them leaders) to have consistent seasons allowing the younger players time to find their feet. But most importantly I'm looking for a team to be proud of; one that prides itself on doing the simple things that have been winning games of footy since Tom Willis and co sat down and conceived the rules. I want to see my team put their head overthe ball, run in numbers all day long and tackle like their lives depended on it. We'll struggle to match most teams for skill, experience and balance but we have no excuses when it comes to the much-hyped 1 percenters. I'm confident that our footy department are in the middle of assembling a team that will have the skills for us to compete in the near future but I want to discover during the season what makes these young gentelemen tick. When I saw Hodge, Lewis, Brown, Roughead and co a few seasons ago, I was left in no doubt that they had a group of young players that would stop at nothing to get better. That's what I want to see from the Dees youngsters this year.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,290]

I am really looking forward to this season. I am actually going into it with very few expectations. I think we will be bottom 3 and I will not be surprised if we end up with 6 or 7 wins which unfortunately is no mans land and will stuff our PP in the draft.

Very excited to see the developement of Morton, Buckley, Garland, Martin and Grimes this year and the introduction of Watts mid season along with any of our rookies in the early rounds.

If I indulge in one expectation it would be that we will not be flogged like a rag doll as we were so consistently last year.

The Demon has woken and I expect that he is f*#^$d off!! :angry:

[rpfc 28,052]

Only a couple of blowouts this season.

Top 5 team in the tackle count.

Periphery roles played by Bruce, Green, Wheatley, Whelan, Robertson, and McDonald.

Bate at FF and kept there the whole year.

Play with some boldness and confidence.

[titan_uranus 24,677]

I would be satisfied with 5 wins, no more than 2 losses by 60 or more (accounting for 2 matches v Geelong and 1 v Hawthorn), not being 16th, seeing clear development from Morton, Grimes, Petterd, Garland, Martin and Frawley, and playing a style of football that doesn't make you want to look away whenever we've got the ball.

[Whispering_Jack 29,249]

Great post Goodvibes.

While we all naturally crave instant success in terms of ladder position, it's clear that we have to be realistic in our expectations, especially given that we're coming off such a low base.

The first thing I'd like to see at the club is that it gains respect for both its on and off field achievements. We've done well so far off field, despite the glitches with the major sponsorship. There are still a number of announcements to be made and we'd want to safely negotiate our way through them and show that we're out of the wars as far as our financial situation is concerned.

That said, one of the best ways to earn respect in the football world is to perform out on the track. When you're coming off 3/19 that doesn't necessarily mean turning that around in one season to 19/3 but what it does mean is that you have to move forward to the point where you are in a position to reasonably expect finals appearances within two years and top four soon after.

What it also means is that the team performs competitively every time it takes the field and that 10 goal plus thrashings become rarities rather than almost the norm as was the case in 2008. I'm confident we can achieve that modest goal and hopeful that we can go beyond that and pull off a few unexpected victories here and there against good opposition.

Naturally, I expect (no demand) wins against Collingwood both times we play them and based on their performance last night I think that's a reasonable expectation!

[furious d 448]

I couldn't give a pass mark for 4 wins. It's only 1 more than we managed last year and we were atrocious. If we're in games and not getting hammered we should be able to manage 6-8 wins and a % above at least 80. Bails will need at least that much improvement to gain a tick in the eyes of the media and general footy public.

I wouldn't be unhappy with 4 wins and that's the biggest problem with priority picks, but it's a necessary evil to keep clubs from extended runs at the bottom. Unless they want to be there to milk the system and buy a champion like Carlton in 2007. The only way I'll end up disappointed is if we end up on 5 wins, no man's land. While development is more important than results this year, I think if we have one we'll have both

[deeflog 679]

Im expecting to see an exciting brand of footy, attacking, risk taking and strong tackling. To see the younger guys really develop and take the next step with the older heads just being guides for them in the heat of the battle.

I also think there could be 4 - 6 debutants this season, which will really be putting the heat on the older guys for games next season

[jacey 333]

I couldn't give a pass mark for 4 wins. It's only 1 more than we managed last year and we were atrocious. If we're in games and not getting hammered we should be able to manage 6-8 wins and a % above at least 80. Bails will need at least that much improvement to gain a tick in the eyes of the media and general footy public.

I wouldn't be unhappy with 4 wins and that's the biggest problem with priority picks, but it's a necessary evil to keep clubs from extended runs at the bottom. Unless they want to be there to milk the system and buy a champion like Carlton in 2007. The only way I'll end up disappointed is if we end up on 5 wins, no man's land. While development is more important than results this year, I think if we have one we'll have both

It's tough to rate how many wins is a success this year.

By say round 12-14, if we'd rack up 5 wins already, well done to the lads. If we rack up 3 wins by rd 12-14, cue in the rack for god sake.

We stuffed up major on 07 so hopefully we are smart enough to reassess mid season.

Overall

I want to see the kids playing and continual improvement.

I want to see us stick tackles.

I want to see the back 6 playing a lot together.

I want to see better kick ins.

I want to see new faces on the B+F podium.

I want to see Davey step up. For a few years, He is the player I am most disappointed with.

[Chook 14,998]

It's tough to rate how many wins is a success this year.

By say round 12-14, if we'd rack up 5 wins already, well done to the lads. If we rack up 3 wins by rd 12-14, cue in the rack for god sake.

We stuffed up major on 07 so hopefully we are smart enough to reassess mid season.

Overall

I want to see the kids playing and continual improvement.

I want to see us stick tackles.

I want to see the back 6 playing a lot together.

I want to see better kick ins.

I want to see new faces on the B+F podium.

I want to see Davey step up. For a few years, He is the player I am most disappointed with.

You know, that's exactly what I want, too.

[dazzledavey36 52,912]

I am really looking forward to this season. I am actually going into it with very few expectations. I think we will be bottom 3 and I will not be surprised if we end up with 6 or 7 wins which unfortunately is no mans land and will stuff our PP in the draft.

Very excited to see the developement of Morton, Buckley, Garland, Martin and Grimes this year and the introduction of Watts mid season along with any of our rookies in the early rounds.

If I indulge in one expectation it would be that we will not be flogged like a rag doll as we were so consistently last year.

The Demon has woken and I expect that he is f*#^$d off!! :angry:

love it! def gunna be my sig!

[Little Goffy 14,067]

A lot of this year will be about Rising Stars.

I'd like Jack Watts to play a few games towards the end of the year and get a Rising Star nomination, but still be eligible to pick it up in '10.

I'd like Jack Grimes to grab a podium finish in the Rising Star award this year. Nominations for Maric, Bail, Strauss, Blease and Spencer are all possible.

How good would that be? Seven Rising Star nominations in a year - eight if you reckon Jurrah will be ready for AFL in '09!

That would be the dream, other than that, I think we can make a credible case for not being in the bottom four, and I think the 'less than four wins' scenario is about as likely as us making the eight.

It's certainly easy to think of a selection of teams which could come below us - Freo-fall, Wet Toast, Slideny, The Crankeroos, Lessendon, Failelaide, and Vossbane are all looking shaky right now, and could easily have crappy seasons.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,392]

3 or 4 wins is a realistic expectation. We're by far the worst side in the comp.

Just hope we don't see any 80+ smashings.

[praha 11,131]

3 or 4 wins is a realistic expectation. We're by far the worst side in the comp.

Just hope we don't see any 80+ smashings.

Agreed. I'm expecting 3 wins. Which won't bother me, pending, we don't get smashed every week and blood some young, new players.

[Al`s DEMONS 0]

id like the gold coast license to be stalled allowing us pick 1 and 2 in this years draft

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,290]

love it! def gunna be my sig!

I`m honoured Dazzler! We`ll discuss royalties for your sig later

[Seinfeld 40]

Anything but a top 4 finish would be a backwards step.

[Dee tention 611]

Jack Watts to kick 100 goals in 5 games!

Seriously!

Attacking football through the guts!

Brock to play all 22 games and have a B & F season. By far our best player when fit.

Rivers and Moloney to play 20 games each. Maric to be injury free!

Grimes and Petterd to cement there spot in the 22.

Spencer and Valenti elevated from rookie list. Valenti to blossom.

A 50 goal year from somebody. Possibly Aussie!

Be agressive and play hard.

[Gorgoroth 12,712]

I think 7 wins is a realistic thing at the moment, but will prob be happy with 5 after I watch us play the first 5 weeks

[Jarka 767]

id like the gold coast license to be stalled allowing us pick 1 and 2 in this years draft

GC17's draft concessions won't come into affect until next season, meaning that we timed our crapness quite well. If we do qualify for a pp pick we'll receive the 1st pick (assuming WC get more than 16 points!)

[Yze_Magic 3]

After a solid preseason, my expectations have increased.

Of course a lot depends on injuries, as we dont have the depth and experience just yet to cover a rash of them.

I believe the fitness of three key key players - Jared Rivers, Aaron Davey and Brock Mclean - will be the key for us.

If they can stay on the park, it will be a huge boost for us.

Considering out lack of options up forward, I think the fitness of Russell Robertson is also important. I didn't have him in my best 22 a few weeks ago, but now I believe we need him planted at full forward to give us a target, and someone who can kick a bag.

Our defense is going to be magnificent rthis year, and the midfield will be much improved.

I am expecting big things from Simon Buckley, Cale Morton, Jack Grimes , Ricky Petterd and Austin Woneamirri.

Colin Garland will be amazing, and could push for AA selection.

I am not giving up on the Finals like most already have.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I've changed my expectations.

Any less than eight wins will be a disappointment. Finish 10th - 7th.

[maximum bob 462]

Major transitional year ahead.

The NAB and practice matches alone aren't sufficient for DB to make definite assessments on who fits where and what a competitive team should look like in 3 years from now. Let alone any assessment of our recruits in this picture.

At the end of '09 some will retire, some will be given the tap on the shoulder. We're still a way off atm as the young bloods get games and experience.

I'd expect more experimentation and examination this year and maybe 3/4 wins max.

If you're a pragmatist you'd definitely want the first picks at the end of this season.

In my opinion, we won't have to Carltank to achieve this. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,392]

So we went 1-3 pre season.

I think the ultimate result would be 4 wins with an average losing margin of 20 points. A massive improvement from last year but at the same time we get the first 2 picks of the 09 draft - short term pain, long term gain.

If we had a decent fwd line we could sneak 8 wins, but I can't see it happening.

I love YM's enthusiasm, but it's not gonna happen this year with an impotent fwd line.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,012]

Ladder position won't come into it for me this year. While the first pick would be nice, it isn't going to ruin my year if we don't get it.

I'd love to see some of our more fragile players have long and injury-free seasons.

I'd be thrilled if we'd cut out the "kick long and hope."

I'd like to see Simon Buckley realise that sometimes it's better to pass early rather than taking them on every time.

I think it would be great if Watts and Jurrah were blooded towards the end of the season, even if it's only a few minutes off the bench.

I want Davey to get his defensive pressure back.

I think it might be a little greedy to hope that all of htis comes to pass, but if three of the five occur, i'll be reasonably satisfied.