Given the NAB Cup showings, the first sighting of GCS, and the appalling goings on at Brisbane, St. Kilda, and the financial/Board instability at North together with their substandard on-field

performance at the weekend, I have changed my view of the current order of things. Here is my current prediction for the 2011 end of home and away ladder:

Collingwood

Geelong

W Bulldogs

Demons

Fremantle

Hawthorn

St Kilda

Sydney

Crows

Carlton

GCS

Port

North

WCE

Essendon

Brisbane

Anyone agree?

Brisbane

Edited February 20, 201114 yr by DeesPower

No. 2 small wins against B-grade sides when we had a lot of our starting 22 in... Means nothing. In fact nothing we've seen in this comp so far means anything, besides a bit of info on gameplan/style, which is something you can change with a directove from the coach.

Dees have done absolutely nothing to show they're a threat at top 4. Top 8? Sure. We've gained enough respect to be at least considered, but we're not even there yet.

Err, it's NAB CUp. Just in case you needed reminding.

And wow, you have the Swans in the 8! On the basis they got beaten by GC17? And the Bombers 16th?

Hasn't changed my view at all- we will finish somewhere between 6th & 10th in my believe-naturally hoping we make the 8.

Top 4 for the Dee's is far too optimistic. Top 8 is a realistic goal this year, but we will be fighting for the last couple of spots I would reckon. Essendon will do better than 15th. Brisbane are in the worst position at the moment.

I expect a top eight finish. If not then goodbye Bailey. But there is a chance to push further and make the top four. A early good run with injuries and stringing consecutive games will put us in position to have a crack at top 4. And one or two fancied sides delivering sub par expectations will help.

If you read the original post here, I am as much talking about off-field issues as onfield and in the case of North both.

I will file this away and resurrect it mid season and at the end of season. Let's see who's right!

Edited February 20, 201114 yr by DeesPower

We beat two non-finalists from last year and we're all of a sudden top 4 material.

North loses to two top 4 teams from last year and all of a sudden they're bottom 4 material.

Essendon thrashes Brisbane and draws with last year's Grand Finalist and they're bottom 2 material.

Wow.

Collingwood

St Kilda

Hawthorn

Geelong

Bulldogs

Fremantle

The rest.

you missed Richmond...

I expect a top eight finish. If not then goodbye Bailey.

Ladder ranking is a fairly average way of judging a Coach IMO. Surely the context is important!

If we have a horror run with injuries and finish ninth on percentage you'd cut Bailey, but he'd make it if we sneak in on percentage?

There could be as little as a point the difference, and I suggest that is not significant in determining whether or not he should be cut.

I already had Brisbane last. Should have bet on it before they got porked the other night.

Still, it's not like they had anything like their best side out there.

you missed Richmond...

Apparently they're not important. Fallen off the face of the earth and in the VFL obviously. Great clubrooms though.

you missed Richmond...

Ninth

Top 4?

Bailey to be sacked if we don't make the finals?

Get real, people.

We have lost over 600 games worth of experience and have become younger for the 4th consecutive year.

You're getting ahead of yourselves.

But, rpfc, you've got to have high expectations?!!!

Yeah, hopefully grounded in reality.

Top 4?

Bailey to be sacked if we don't make the finals?

Get real, people.

We have lost over 600 games worth of experience and have become younger for the 4th consecutive year.

You're getting ahead of yourselves.

But, rpfc, you've got to have high expectations?!!!

Yeah, hopefully grounded in reality.

I take it you will put in on the record that you will support Bailey if we miss the finals.

We have lost over 600 games worth of experience and have become younger for the 4th consecutive year.

Of losing experience we won't miss.

Edited February 21, 201114 yr by america de cali

Fremantle will be the big sliders, to many injuries to good players through Pre-season they will miss the 8.

Round one of the NAB Cup does not qualify as a recent event portending anything.

Of losing experience we won't miss.

Much! We will finish at best, 10th.

Edited February 21, 201114 yr by bobby mckenzie

Much! We will finish at best, 10th.

Go see your doctor and get the Prozac prescription now.

Go see your doctor and get the Prozac prescription now.

Reading your constant drivel could lead to depression.Not me pal. I'm just a happy REALIST!

I take it you will put in on the record that you will support Bailey if we miss the finals.

I will certainly be supporting Bailey if the MFC miss the finals. I think he and the FD have done a superb job in very trying circumstances over the last 3 years.

That said i do expect to sneak into the 8 with our list, but that same list is young over a long season so i would not be sacking the coach for finishing 9th.

To me this year is more about attacking games in the right way.

I think Bailey is realist enough to know what may be in store for him if we don't make the finals. By his words and actions he will not die wondering. This is no time for dealing with reality checks. Not even the start of the season yet and some are already prepared to accept lowered expectations. And I have full confidence that he will deliver for us.

Edited February 21, 201114 yr by america de cali

I think Bailey is realist enough to know what may be in store for him if we don't make the finals. By his words and actions he will not die wondering. This is no time for dealing with reality checks. Not even the start of the season yet and some are already prepared to accept lowered expectations. And I have full confidence that he will deliver for us.

Fair point, but i do not altogether go with the lowered expectations, as many on our list with great reputations are yet to play a senior game of AFL so there is still some learning to do in 2011.

If we make finals and play well i will be totally stoked.