Outlined below are the 'points for' and 'points against' for the last 4 years:

Year PF PA

2008 1629 2602

+5% +14%

2009 1706 2285

+9% +16%

2010 1863 1971

+6% -15%

2011 1974 2315

As you can see we have had a gradual increase in our 'points for' and a gradual decrease in 'points against' except for this years performance.

On this basis we can assume an improvement of 7% in 'points for'. This will give us 2112 points

I'm confident that our 'points against' can decrease by 20% from this years debacle. This gives us a points against of 1852

2012 should look like:

PF PA %

2112 1852 114%

in 2010 Carlton finished 8th with:

PF PA %

2143 1983 108%

With the above result we should be able to sneak into either 7th or 8th.

I know some will say that a lot of work needs to happen for this to occur however going on previous years statistics this improvement is achievable.

By the way West Coast finished 4th this year with:

PF PA %

2235 1715 130%

We still need to improve by 13% 'points for' and 25% 'points against'

Pure science.

The trouble is there is 17 other teams out there that have a say in your statts.

Good luck with the project.

They should look to take the "money ball" statistics approach and put together a team that averages a certain amount of points for and certain amount of points against.

Maybe not for next year, but when we lose players to salary cap issues, do the statistical analysis to replace a gun with a player/s that will average the same output as per the player that gets ousted.

With a new coach and FD i think all our stats from the past 4 years get flushed. They mean zero now.

IMO cricket is a stats game, footy stats can be made resundant with one knee injury.

Edited November 30, 201113 yr by why you little

We will improve I have no doubt, natural progression of our young list, the GWS saga behind us, a lot of players with points to prove after 2011. Yes I would like to make finals but not just to make up the numbers, What I want for 2012 is to be a team that is hard to beat week in week out, cop no beltings and be pushing for the 8 and finally for there to be enough improvement even if we don't make finals for the doomsayers on this site to finally see we are heading in the right direction and have been for some time.

Yes 2011 was dissapointing but remember this time last year we all thought everything was going to fall into place. We have seen the club and FD get the kick in the arse after this year and everyone realised the job was nowhere near completed. With continued hard work 2012 should give us something to be positive about IMO

Lies , Lies and damned statistics .

We can do better than that!

Ouch....

I just had to slap my own face to remember that I am a Demon supporter and that this is the month of November

Last years stat is a misrepresentation due to GC being introduced and us playing them twice.

If anything last year was a great abomination.

A new coach and game plan sets us back not forwards. We will have a greater defensive intent no doubt.

I can't see adherence to the game plan long enough in a game to see us win 50% of the time.

At least 2 pre seasons before it clicks, it takes a long time to resolve bad habits and imprint trust in game plans.

With a new coach and FD i think all our stats from the past 4 years get flushed. They mean zero now.

IMO cricket is a stats game, footy stats can be made resundant with one knee injury.

this is it, the Bailey years are OVER

Its officially Neeld time people

Next year could literally be anything

Northey, Balme and Daniher had almost immediate impacts, especially Daniher, who brought 'science', football classes and hope to the club with a prelim. in his first year and a grandd final in his third. there is every reason to hope we can shoot up the ladder. our interstate performances will be a key indicator. so to will be our ability to win at aint-it-hard car park football park.