stastitics? or indicators of a trend? why are we underprepared for the beginning of the season every single year?

we have drawn the side that finished 15th with 4 wins in 2011. No excuses this time.

But those on here will still find an excuse if we lose Don't you know the rules? You have to be optimistic otherwise you'll get banned...

We should absolutely destroy Brisbane. Good teams smash [censored] teams. Time to see if we're a good team. Make a statement.

We'll see how far this club has come.

inb4 "round 1 is too early to make a call"

Merrett to match up on Clark, would be interesting to see how the Brisbane players act towards Clark!

Melbourne to play one stand out quarter, maybe even 15 minutes, really smooth flowing, quick counter attacking football, but it will be enough to get the win!

Will love to see how the press is played and whether there is a big change in the mindset of the players

Morton will hold J Brown to zero possessions.

Incidentally, my big prediction for round 1 is that GWS will be smashed by at least 18 goals. Really tough one to come up with, that.

Morton will hold J Brown to zero possessions.

Yeah, and sit him on his arse too.

Dee's will win easily - 10 goals.

I'll take any win. I just want to see an improved attitude from the players.

I think we have to remember from 2007-2009 our list wasnt the best and coming up against sides that finished high up on the ladder that year, (exclude north). This year im looking forward to the MFC coming out on rd 1 and giving the lions a spanking, then going on a roll and toppling west coast in perth. Bold ambitions? sure but after all the good we are hearing its too hard not to get carried away!

I wish I could be confident about the round 1 clash against Brisbane but the truth is the last 5+ years make it very difficult. there's been a lot of games we should win and we don't and there's been a lot of hyped pre seasons that end up just being fizzers. If the new coaching department is serious and the players really are training so much better than previous years and have new attitudes and 'roles' in the team then round 1 is a must win. Especially against an interstate team that won 4 games last year! If not I'm afraid it might be another 'development' year. Here's hoping.

Go Dees

We'll win by a couple of goals.

This is taken from a brisbane bigfooty thread on their potential first round team.

B: Adcock Merrett McGrath

HB: Patfull Maguire Hanley

C: Redden Rockliff Raines

HF: Lester Brown Green

F: Banfield Karnezis Sheldon

R: Leuenberger Black Rich

INT: Hudson Polkinghorne O'Brien

Sub: Beams

I think we will win by about 25points. We have beaten them at the G for the last few years, even when we were hopeless.

Their mid's will make it hard for us. Redden, Rockliff, Black and Rich will take it to us.

Their defense is B grade.

Whilst I really like Banfield, Brown is the only forward who could win it for them. I wonder if Neeld will try Seller on him first? If the rumours of Browns fitness are true then Frawley will be the only one capable of stopping him.

Dee's by 50 points.

Clark 5 goals.

I like the Lion's midfield but i cant see where there goals are going to come from.

Howe BOG.

We'll see how far this club has come.

... at the end of the season.

I can't believe how quickly preseason form is dismissed by some posters - the last several years our practice matches has almost laid a foundation for our season. Last year, we got done by the Lions in a practice match and we all know what followed....the boys need to hit the ground running and go nice and hard from the get go.

Morton will hold J Brown to zero possessions.

"Priceless"

Last year, we got done by the Lions in a practice match and we all know what followed...

We beat them 3 weeks later in the real stuff.

I agree that pre season form shouldn't be totally ignored, but I also don't think it should be taken too seriously.

We beat them 3 weeks later in the real stuff.

I agree that pre season form shouldn't be totally ignored, but I also don't think it should be taken too seriously.

I'm with you but I want to be buoyed by promising form going into the real stuff....I want to go to a night final......I want to queue for tickets....I want us to be all over the papers.....I want, I want!!!