Where do we finish on the ladder next year?

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I bet that your reaction would be the same if you'd heard that statement in 2008.

For the record, I predict 8 wins in 2014.

[Gipsy Danger 1,067]

The betting in this morning's paper had us at $13 against making the Final 8.

Obviously the odds-makers cannot see much improvement in our side despite:

• the injection of Braywshaw, Hogan, McCartin, Frost, HL, Garlett, Stretch, Newton, etc,

• Toumpas, Gawn and Salem all having done a complete pre-season

and last, but not least,

• the reliable brigade of Jones, Tyson, Jetta, Dunn, Viney, Howe and McDonald.

What do other demonlanders think? Is this a good way to invest our nesteggs?

$13 to not make the eight, who do I place my bet with?

We will definitely show improvement but we wont be playing finals next year. Its one thing for us to improve, but so does most of the competition and someone still need to come out of that top eight for us to get in.

[Webber 10,150]

The list is far better already for this seasons trade and purge. A little icing to come List not brilliant but garnering some ability to play and compete. Glaring gaps filled. How well, well that's what we'll see. Coach not so much exiting as re deploying elsewhere at club.

There are a lot of games that are won or lost on momentum. We couldn't kick a score. We were still O|IN THERE at times against teams many thought wed be shellacked by.

The 8 is probably fanciful but the difference between 4 and 8-9 wins might only be a dozen goals..

its not as simple as many think in terms of we are useless. We have't been cohesive . We will get better...

Well put b. The fact that we were a total handful of goals away from winning a few more games is very telling. In contrast to 2013, where we were 2 handfuls away from winning ANY game, it's a big difference. It's only close observers like us that see the nuances. Yes, there are 'glass half fuller's' here ', but equally the 'empties' abound amongst us. External observers see only that we won 2 more games, and pay more attention to the games where we got beaten up, because it reinforces the convenient pigeonholing that the past few years have earnt us. They dismiss the near losses, are oblivious to the huge personnel deficits (no Clark, no Hogan), and undervalue the degree to which new methods and coaching requires time to develop confidence and trust.

We now have stability, familiarity, improving confidence and a better list. We won't shake the rafters, but we will be measurably better again. Luck with injuries will see us mid ladder.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,338]

If we win enough games we will make the eight!

[old dee 22,930]

If we win enough games we will make the eight!

Profound !

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,283]

Will be bitterly disappointed if we can't snag 6 wins next year.

6 wins finishing 15 or 16th.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I bet that your reaction would be the same if you'd heard that statement in 2008.

For the record, I predict 8 wins in 2014.

not 2008.. but fair call re: 2011 -> 2012.. I certainly would have made that face if somebody suggested we would go in reverse from 8.5 wins down to 4.. and only get (much) worse from there in 2013

all we can do though, in order to be able to sleep at night, is to convince ourselves that 'this time, it's different'

[BarnDee 287]

10th

[CityDee 738]

Will get on a roll 10-12 wins . Just because . Roosy has loaded up and will unleash .

[Deetective Sgt. Taggert 380]

Something akin to 2010 would be nice without the big losses and with closer fought wins. We need to get excited again!

[Rob Mac...... 605]

guessing-

All teams appear better each pre season.

So I'm absolutely "aiming for 13 wins and 8th,"

….but who the hell will we beat!

Guessing a bottom bunch of Saints, dogs, blues, Dees and maybe someone else.

I predicted 17th before last season and will say 17th this year too, but that may be very close to 15th.

If a few guys come on, we could make 11th.

[InVINCEable 358]

Can someone post our fixture because i can't find our full one.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Can someone post our fixture because i can't find our full one.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/season/fixture-and-results

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

….but who the hell will we beat!

Carlton Win 81-58 23

Adelaide Win 70-67 3

Essendon Win 78-77 1

Richmond Win 91-74 17

St Kilda Loss 51-68 17

Gold Coast Loss 78-86 8

Western Loss 83-99 16

Port Adelaide Loss 75-95 20

Western Loss 85-91 6

Port Adelaide Loss 69-72 3

Well there's 8 teams there, whom we play a total of 10 matches against (dogs and saints twice)

in addition to that we play GWS and Brizzy twice each

I would suggest that's 14 winnable games

[Coq au vin 754]

We'll beat Essendons six players left after they are all banned. Otherwise lose all games. Finish bottom.

[rpfc 27,544]

We'll beat Essendons six players left after they are all banned. Otherwise lose all games. Finish bottom.

Wouldn't the team with 6 players that loses every game be last?

[Guest]

I'm guessing that steady improvement will be the order of the day (though steady improvement may make Roosy tear some hair out of that fabulous mop that he has as he clearly has said he wants to win now). I think 7 to 8 wins with no West Coast or Greater Western Sydney style pantsings will put us around the mark we were at around 2010. I think 2015 is about consolidating the small gains (i.e. actually playing competitive football in patches, tackling and trying to run both ways before running out of puff) that we made in 2014. 2016 is the year we focus on the eight.

Edited November 13, 2014 by Colin B. Flaubert

[beelzebub 22,230]

Bombers are a monty for the spoon........must be that Spoon for its medicine to make the arrogant go down.

[old dee 22,930]

Bombers are a monty for the spoon........must be that Spoon for its medicine to make the arrogant go down.

Sharp this morning bb

razor blades for breakfast?

[praha 10,293]

If we win enough games we will make the eight!

You'll get a job with the Channel 7 AFL commentary team with that deep and informative insight!

[Coq au vin 754]

This year MFC's second half of the season was reminiscent of Fitzroy in their second last season. It's a culture problem. Until we turn over most of the team we won't be in the eight. Luckily Roos and co have started the ball rolling with delistings and recruitment. Maybe in about three years we'll be in track. Maybe.

[robbiefrom13 877]

somebody should be saying we will finish in the eight. We're supporters FFS.

Every other team does not get better every year, they just don't. There are train-wrecks, slow slides, alienating coaches, injuries, old age - plenty of reasons why other clubs can go past us, going backwards. Plus, Roos, management stability, young players on the way up, and confidence beginning to return - we are well set up to make faster progress than others. Why does it have to be gloom, gloom?

"Where do we finish on the ladder?" Are we wannabe expert commentators, or supporters? My answer is out of hope, not impartial and cynical seen-it-all take-my-word-for-it-I-know "experience". Some of us are no better than the hacks writing in the papers! My prediction is based on the future I see coming, not the past behind us.

Robbie Flower said he never played a game he didn't believe we could win. Why not likewise for supporters? Bugger it, I'm looking for us to make the 8.

[old dee 22,930]

somebody should be saying we will finish in the eight. We're supporters FFS.

Every other team does not get better every year, they just don't. There are train-wrecks, slow slides, alienating coaches, injuries, old age - plenty of reasons why other clubs can go past us, going backwards. Plus, Roos, management stability, young players on the way up, and confidence beginning to return - we are well set up to make faster progress than others. Why does it have to be gloom, gloom?

"Where do we finish on the ladder?" Are we wannabe expert commentators, or supporters? My answer is out of hope, not impartial and cynical seen-it-all take-my-word-for-it-I-know "experience". Some of us are no better than the hacks writing in the papers! My prediction is based on the future I see coming, not the past behind us.

Robbie Flower said he never played a game he didn't believe we could win. Why not likewise for supporters? Bugger it, I'm looking for us to make the 8.

My heart is bubbling over with joy for you.

My head however is telling me a different story!

[P-man 13,224]

14th is my pass mark for next season, so I will make that my prediction also.

I can see us finishing ahead of the Saints, Dogs, Carrrrlton and one of Giants/Eagles/Pies.

[skills32 229]

Good grief.

How can anyone anticipate where we finish up this year without knowing the full line up?