How time flies?

We're now a quarter of the way through season 2015.

We appear to be improving but it's gradual and often you get the feeling of one step forward, one step back.

Hows the weather looking?

Hows the weather looking?

Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Medium (60%) chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. Winds NW 25 to 40 km/h.

So by the time the game starts the ground could be quite dry especially with the wind and the g has good drainage.

Doubt it will be 'wet weather' footy

Going to my 3rd game this year

Hopefully my third win this year too!

geez I hope we get off to a better start than last week.

How time flies?

We're now a quarter of the way through season 2015.

We appear to be improving but it's gradual and often you get the feeling of one step forward, one step back.

Time Howe flies! :-)

geez I hope we get off to a better start than last week.

Yes - apart from last week we have actually started really well this year.

Our backplane have proven themselves and our forwarding has shown they can kick a few - I think it will be won or lost in the midfield.

Really need our core mids to lead from the front - Jones, Tyson, Vince.

Dawes and Watts need to give us something - we can't win when we are effectively 2 men short.

I am more confident then last week but still think its a long shot.

Going to my 3rd game this year

Hopefully my third win this year too!

You must be our good luck charm M C,better make sure you get down there tonight.

I'm in the bunker in NSW. After watching North put another nail in Hardwicks coffin it's time to cook some dinner then settle in to watch the Dees.

How time flies?

We're now a quarter of the way through season 2015.

We appear to be improving but it's gradual and often you get the feeling of one step forward, one step back.

spot on Whispering my sentiments exactly

Yes - apart from last week we have actually started really well this year.

Our backplane have proven themselves and our forwarding has shown they can kick a few - I think it will be won or lost in the midfield.

Really need our core mids to lead from the front - Jones, Tyson, Vince.

Dawes and Watts need to give us something - we can't win when we are effectively 2 men short.

I am more confident then last week but still think its a long shot.

As well as those 5 players, Cross, Jamar, Howe & Dunn have all been down on last year's form. Not by a great deal it must be said but to have at least 9 players needing to play better is 5-7 too many.

Too much focus is placed on the fringe players or draftees when it's the leaders and the more experienced players who need to show the way. My expectations on these players is far greater than the players who have played less than 30-40 games (or the depth players)

As well as those 5 players, Cross, Jamar, Howe & Dunn have all been down on last year's form. Not by a great deal it must be said but to have at least 9 players needing to play better is 5-7 too many.

Too much focus is placed on the fringe players or draftees when it's the leaders and the more experienced players who need to show the way. My expectations on these players is far greater than the players who have played less than 30-40 games (or the depth players)

quite right macca, is there one player (apart from tmac) from last year who has shown noticeable improvement?

Time to get us a finals team scalp.

Dc, Christian Salem I'd say has noticeably improved on last year

Time to get us a finals team scalp.

Tonights s good a time as ever

An unlikely win would have us in the finals picture too. We can dream....

Does anyone give us a chance tonight? I'm getting the same feeling as I did last week before the Freo game that Sydney have too many good mids and forwards... But anyway good to see us playing on Saturday night.

quite right macca, is there one player (apart from tmac) from last year who has shown noticeable improvement?

Garland is playing a lot better and Viney had stepped it up before being injured. Jetta was doing 'ok' but the expectation should be that the experienced players should all get better - not drop off by 10-15% (or worse)

The focus can tend to go towards the young players because of expectations but in all reality, we won't win games unless all our established players are firing.

quite right macca, is there one player (apart from tmac) from last year who has shown noticeable improvement?

Garland - although that is more of a return to form.

Salem is one

Going tonight - and I have a new approach - my views on Watts are now completely removed from my wishes / wants / hopes of "what he might do" - I'm just going to the footy, and watch out 22 go around, and support them to the max. We'll move on players who can't play, and that might include #4, or it might not... Passionate about the Dees, not too passionate about #4. I figure this will improve my cardiovascular health enormously!

Go Dees!!!

Dc, Christian Salem I'd say has noticeably improved on last year

i'll pay that

Dc, Christian Salem I'd say has noticeably improved on last year

I had no issue at all with his debut year - in fact, he did better than expectations IMO.

Salem and Brayshaw are the prototype of first round drafting instant success. They are the definition of "nailing" a pick. Hopefully we see the same with the Pettracattack.

There are also a stack of draftees who need up to 3-5 years in the system before we see their best (and improvement can be expected thereafter)

The examples are numerous ... T-Mac is a good example - he might end up being a B+ or even an A grade player but he only played 2 games in his first year (the last 2 games of 2011)

"Nailing a draft pick" is not always about instant gratification ... the draft pick number attached to their name is often a poor guide too.

Patience and top development is a key ingredient with any given draftee.

We need Tyson, Cross and Jones to get high 20+ disposals tonight for us to be a chance.

Does anyone give us a chance tonight? I'm getting the same feeling as I did last week before the Freo game that Sydney have too many good mids and forwards... But anyway good to see us playing on Saturday night.

Stick with that feeling, I don't think SWans are in Freo league this year but they will beat us comfortably.