I think all the players are improving together at a rapid rate, so cumulatively we look and perform a lot better.

Interesting that after yesterday's belting, Essendon were being compared unfavorably to Melbourne, i.e. that it seemed they are behind us in terms of development of a young side. How much that has changed! Last year we were always seen as being a long way off the likes of the Bombers - now the Age is comparing us to Geelong!

Our biggest problem is playing in SA where the Crows have regularly beaten us by 70+ points not only a loss but a significant reduction in percentage.

Absolutely

Us at AAMI Stadium recently

2003 R 12 Adel 73 point loss

2003 R 20 Port 14 point loss

2004 R 14 Adel 72 point loss

2004 R 19 Port 73 point loss

2005 R 15 Port 62 point loss

2005 R 19 Adel 54 point loss (when we scored 46)

2006 R 22 Adel 58 point loss

2007 R 17 Port 89 point loss

2008 R 8 Adel 76 point loss

2008 R 21 Port 78 point loss

2009 R 3 Port 57 point loss

Since ’04, 68.77 point average loss with a best result of a 54 point loss!

Care to research our record at Docklands over that period?

Care to research our record at Docklands over that period?

2009 - 48, 57 and 62 point losses. 0-3 average of 55.66

2008 - 22, 31 and 79 point losses. 0-3 average of 44

2007 - 2, 6 and 64 point losses, 42 point win. 1-3.

2006 - 7, 21 and 47 point losses, 36 point win. 1-3.

Before that we were 15-7

The last two seasons at Etihad we're 0-6 with an average loss of 49.8 The last 3 seasons we're 1 from 10, the last 4 we're 2 from 14.

We're 0-3 against North at the Dome, the last two have been 62 and 64 point drubbings. They've also won the last 6 meetings.

There's no doubt North will be tough to beat At Docklands, if we were at the MCG I would not be worried much but as pointed out our recent form there is poor and North nearly always put in an honest effort and can be hard to beat.

There's no doubt North will be tough to beat At Docklands, if we were at the MCG I would not be worried much but as pointed out our recent form there is poor and North nearly always put in an honest effort and can be hard to beat.

These are the games we have to win we can't allow sides like North to beat us year after year like the have some sort of hold over us, they are struggling and whilst they beat Hawthorn yesterday the hawks had no ruck and have been decimated by injury. We have a pretty good side in at the moment and if we can't play Etihad we don't deserve to play finals football.

BTW I no longer hope to play finals football next year I want it this year. I was at the football on Saturday night and one of the guys said at half time that if we got beat he would be happy that we were able to play so well for at least a half to which I replied, I would be devastated if we lost. This is no longer a "rebuilding", this is now time for us to have a serious crack at this competition.

There is nothing to stop us from reaching the finals except our own lack of self belief and I don't think the players have that.