Interestingly, the current odds for Demons making the top 8 from the bookies is 10/1. That has come in from about 30 at the end of the season and about 50 half way through the season.

It still puts us 17th, but at least the bookies have us improving, and fast. I think a fair reflection of where we are at.

Anyone got any other information. Might put something on at 20/1 if it is around....

Don't waste your money - you will have a better chance at the slots.

in the words of the greatest actor of the last 30 years

GO FOR IT

I think that considering the disparity between 4th and 5th, and the depth of top-8 candidates going down to 10th and 11th, nothing's impossible.

I'd say 2015 is a realistic expectations. But 2014 is stretching it. If the team isn't playing finals by 2016 then the club might be looking ant yet another regime change.

Edited September 11, 201312 yr by Cudi_420

I wouldn't think so for 2014.

North, Brisbane, Gold Coast will join 5 - 8 from this year (Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton and Port) to fight for final 8 spots. Essendon will be somewhere in the mix, and West Coast and the Doggies could do some damage. We are a year or so behind this lot.

Edited September 11, 201312 yr by Maldonboy38

1000/1 looks mor appropriate to me

Id be wagering for the lower 8

Anything could happen next year. The major issues:

1. The effect of Roos and his coaching panel in their ability to instill a functional game plan, improve skills and bring some heart to the group.

2. INS and OUTS from the list.

3. Injuries. We spent most of this year missing various combinations of Frawley, Dawes, Clark and Jamar. These are big outs (literally). It is certain that this cost us and made us look worse than we were.

4. Although we still put in a few howlers, and a few awful quarters, there was a significant improvement in much of the 2nd half of the year under Craig, in which we were able to match it with decent sides for the majority of matches.

5. We still have a very young list relatively speaking, with expected improvement from a number of high potential players, including Hogan. Others such as FITZY, Watts, Trengove, Blease, Kent, Tapscott, Evans, Strauss, McDonald, Howe, Toumpas, Viney and Grimes clearly are all capable of lifting their output at least one notch in 2014.

Having said all that, 9 wins only got you to 13th place in 2013, which was 7 more than we got. I can't imagine any scenario we could do any better than that.

Paint it anyway you like to go top 8 means an 11 game improvement in 14.

Im hopeful but a born again pragmatist.

We aint going to WIN 13 in 14

If Roos can get us 6 wins next year and a percentage around 80, I'd consider that a good result and a step in the right direction.

I wouldn't think so for 2014.

North, Brisbane, Gold Coast will join 5 - 8 from this year (Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton and Port) to fight for final 8 spots. Essendon will be somewhere in the mix, and West Coast and the Doggies could do some damage. We are a year or so behind this lot.

Essendon will be a basket case all year and for some time to come; Brisbane don't even have a coach and a stable President and board and at least 6 of their key players want to leave; Gold Coast mid list at best with a number of their young guns wanting to return to Melbourne at the end of their initial three year contract; Collingwood's going backwards and about to have a clean-out; Richmond will be seriously wounded by the finals exit and I think will take a long time to recover; Carlton are front runners and will be as flaky as usual with their only big forward 32 and wounded.

There is every chance a disciplined, focussed club can sneak into the 8 in the bottom four. why not us?

Id be wagering for the lower 8

I was always told Odds on. Look on.

If Roos can get us 6 wins next year and a percentage around 80, I'd consider that a good result and a step in the right direction.

Agreed, I have always been optimistic, but we are coming from a lllllooooooonnnnnnnngggggggg way back

Agreed, I have always been optimistic, but we are coming from a lllllooooooonnnnnnnngggggggg way back

no problems saty

dry clean the scarf and get the beany ready

its gonna be quick,

Don't waste your money - you will have a better chance at the slots.

If Port can do it why not us.

Sometimes the jackpot does go off.

If Port can do it why not us.

Sometimes the jackpot does go off.

Easier to get a jackpot when you have 4 of 5 aces already lined up on your screen.

We have one.

I read the thread as "Odd for the Demons to be considered Top 8"

Yes. Yes it is.

Now, Dees2014, I know that with the username you have chosen - time is of the essence for us to be relevant again, but seriously, we are coming from a low base.

This isn't 'Tom Hanks made a bad movie but he will bounce back' type of situation - this is a 'Lindsay Lohan can control her bodily functions, this is good progress' type of situation.

To all those quoting the Port turn around.

Guys they had a way better list than us.

WE do not have half the list they have.

Stop using Port as your reason for rapid improvement.

Our current list stinks and it will take a few years to change that.

Agreed, I have always been optimistic, but we are coming from a lllllooooooonnnnnnnngggggggg way back

Spot on Saty

There is a reason we were not even competitive in 90% of the games this year.

We have a crap list

At about this time last year , I put on $50 to win $500 - Dees for the eight. This year I'll just spend the $50 on 2or 3 decent reds.

We are still a mathematical possibility to make finals in 2014!

Do we really need a thread like this?

After losing to both the Suns & Giants,i doubt we'd make the 8 if we played them 11 times each next year!

To all those quoting the Port turn around.

Guys they had a way better list than us.

WE do not have half the list they have.

Stop using Port as your reason for rapid improvement.

Our current list stinks and it will take a few years to change that.

I don't get this argument

Obviously the 'way better' list you refer to was not considered 'way better' before this season. That is the fundamental logic behind their rapid improvement. They had a new coach/gameplan and individual improvement improve their performance. That is EXACTLY why people are referencing them, because they are proof of how a steaming pile can turn into something good very quickly if the right things are in place.

If they are 'way better' then why are there last 5 seasons before this finishes of: 13th, 10th, 10th, 16th and 14th

I'm not saying we will do likewise but your critique of others makes zero sense

You never know.. Melbourne on paper has Amazingly gifted Forwards, and the backline isnt all that bad..

The Midfield is undermanned. and the young guns dont have enough fire power.

With the right coaches, they will implement sweeping strategies and reforms across the board.

Look out 2014!!

I'll be happy with getting out of the bottom four. This will probably mean between 5 and 7 wins. That's generous, but ultimately realistic, if we get some midfield reinforcements for Jones and Viney.