There were some fairly bold predictions about who might go at the end of next season in the "The Austin Wonaeamirri Thread" thread. So I thought lets get some prophecies in one thread that we can check in a years time. (I guess there should be a pre season proper thread also.)

So who wants to put their spherical bits on the line and make some predictions like where we’ll finish, who will be the gun recruits next year, who’ll be dropped off the list next year, who’ll be promoted, changes in admin or coaching staff, most Brownlow votes, who will be captain or whatever else? This is the place to say it so we can easily check next year. What about conceptual awards for the biggest DH and, uhm, whatever the opposite is? (Smallest DH just doesn’t sound right.)

And the inaugural Toro Excremento award goes to...[put your name here].

The opposite to biggest DH is just plain "[censored]"

Mitch Clark in the leadership group by 2013 (if not before) and the v/c bestowed by 2013.

Mitch Clark in the leadership group by 2013 (if not before) and the v/c bestowed by 2013.

Thats a monster wyl.

A liquid lunch?

Thats a monster wyl.

A liquid lunch?

Haha!! No i have faith in the big bloke. Playing 2nd to Jonathan Brown would not have been easy. Mitch is going to rock in the new jumper.

(Hic)

Haha!! No i have faith in the big bloke. Playing 2nd to Jonathan Brown would not have been easy. Mitch is going to rock in the new jumper.

(Hic)

haha

JB has been injured since Clarke has played forward, infact it was clarke who smashed up his face wasnt it?

haha

JB has been injured since Clarke has played forward, infact it was clarke who smashed up his face wasnt it?

It was the 2nd time. Too much traffic doing the same job.

Interesting to note we have drifted in the pre-season betting from 67 to 81 for the flag and 3.50 to make the 8.

Interesting to note we have drifted in the pre-season betting from 67 to 81 for the flag and 3.50 to make the 8.

If we drift out to around $5 pre-NAB Cup I might have a bit on it. Have to wait and see.

Edited December 10, 201114 yr by Striker475

We won't make the 8 or if we did it would only be sneaking in for one final.

Trengove will be on his way to the captaincy very soon, that said I'd still rate Moloney the best chance to win the B+F.

I think we'll start the season slow, but a good fitness base should hopefully see us start to master the game plan and win more games towards the end of the year.

Ultimately what will hold us back is the midfield. We lack the depth and quality in both inside and outside types. Losing Scully didn't help that. Hopefully it's not a massive long term thing, and guys like Blease, Gysberts and Tapscott will improve, but we will also have to wait for a few more, luckily Viney and the compo picks coming up means we should fine some.

I'm not expecting anything outstanding from any our recruits so far. I want Clark to be solid but I don't think he'll be a star, if he kicks our most goals or takes our most marks (or does both) then he's probably done an ok job. The other guys I'd just like to see play well at Casey. Same for McDonald, Cook and Davis. For all the other players just steady improvement and much more consistency will be a starting point. If we are to have a standout recruit it might be a mature ager picked up in the rookie draft.

Edited December 10, 201114 yr by the master

Around this time last year a few MFC friends were feeling excited about 2011 and talking the 8, I wasn't expecting that and right now I'm feeling about exactly the same as I was last year.

Geelong

Filth

Eagles

Scum

Dorks Most Improved Best and Fairest Most Goals

Melbourne (yes sixth) Jamie Bennell Jack T LJ

Swans Neville Jetta Jack Watts Mitch

Bummers Bater Mitch Clark Jetta

Saints Flash

Freo

The rest

Yes i am on drugs and yes I may regret such sweeping and specific predictions .

Edited December 10, 201114 yr by Biffen

We will improve- I'm sure of that although I think we will stay about the same as last season as far as the ladder goes.It will take a good year to get the side to play together under Neeld's game plan etc.However I doubt strongly that we will get belted in 2012 like Geelong did to us in 2011.It wil also depend on how Clark performs whilst we need another big year from our ruck man.

Edited December 11, 201114 yr by jayceebee31

If Craig and Misson can get us as fit as the Crowbots were a couple of years ago or the Saints of recent time, and Neeld introduce a game plan that's capable of winning a Premiership... Anything is possible. In "reality", in 2012 we should be in the eight (6th to 8th spot), in 2013 pushing into the top 4, and in 2014 ripe for our tilt.

A factor that's hard to measure is the extent to which our woes (Scully's defection, Bailey's sacking, 186, etc...) limited the Melbourne football team's ability to demonstrate where where their development was actually at in 2011. I.e were we a 5 % worse team in 2011 because these things were going on? and can we recoup that 5% in addition to the benefits the Neeld's regime are bringing to the group? and how much of the the pain and humiliation endured by our players in 2011will be translated into steel on the field in the year to come?

Edited December 11, 201114 yr by PaulRB