28 minutes ago, BrisbaneDemon said:

Flip of the coin, we may have to win finals at Docklands in the near future....

There won't be many finals played at Docklands and none that involve two Vic clubs unless there's 4 Vic finals in the first week (which is unlikely).

1 hour ago, ProDee said:

Saints 2000 - 2.5 wins, 2001- 4, 2002 - 5.5, 2003 - 11, 2004 - 16

They they then stagnated for a few years mainly in the lower reaches of the top 8 (only missed once) until Lyon really got them going with 20 wins in 2009 - his third season.

Alas, all to know abail.

But equally, Geelong's path was similar to St Kilda's in that they stagnated for a while and there were calls for Thompson's sacking. They stuck with him and it clicked. The rest is history.

The more I think about it though, the more it's obvious the Hawks are the anomaly in terms of development and rise. Had they not pinched the 2008 flag, I imagine their trajectory would have been quite similar to Geelong and St Kilda's. I believe it goes back to what I was saying above. The Hawks pinching that flag early was the best thing for their development. It might sound obvious, but that finals success held them in very good stead when 2013 came around, particularly having the burn of missing out in 2012 when they were probably more deserving.

But I think I get the point you're trying to make. Flags aren't easy to come by. You can show all the upward trajectory for a few seasons you like, but it's getting it done on that first day in October that's the killer.

Edited August 19, 20168 yr by AdamFphlebeb

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

not with you on this one.   I dont see the large number of under 23 yo talent that we and dogs have.  I suspect that the Saints will taper off in the next few years and be in no mans land for a while

but then again I may be clouded by my hatred for them  

I'm only going by what the footy public are saying about the Saints but they've done a terrific job in going 12-10 for the season (most likely) and appear to be heading in the exact same trajectory as us.

And yes I hate them too, purely because we haven't beaten them since 2006.

I don't hate Hawthorn as much anymore 

1 hour ago, AdamFphlebeb said:

But equally, Geelong's path was similar to St Kilda's in that they stagnated for a while and there were calls for Thompson's sacking. They stuck with him and it clicked. The rest is history.

The more I think about it though, the more it's obvious the Hawks are the anomaly in terms of development and rise. Had they not pinched the 2008 flag, I imagine their trajectory would have been quite similar to Geelong and St Kilda's. I believe it goes back to what I was saying above. The Hawks pinching that flag early was the best thing for their development. It might sound obvious, but that finals success held them in very good stead when 2013 came around, particularly having the burn of missing out in 2012 when they were probably more deserving.

But I think I get the point you're trying to make. Flags aren't easy to come by. You can show all the upward trajectory for a few seasons you like, but it's getting it done on that first day in October that's the killer.

You're overthinking my "point", which is merely highlighting another team's similar yearly win/loss pattern.

1 hour ago, ProDee said:

You're overthinking my "point", which is merely highlighting another team's similar yearly win/loss pattern.

Well, I thought it was a pretty good "point", whether or not you made it.

Good to be optimistic………. hang on I have been optimistic many times over only to be disappointed. Red wine (drinking) is my fav activity when I am not drinking something else. 2017 should be a good year for the Dees and the grapes.