We are a contender this season

[Billy 2,529]

If we can get into a position in the top 8 in the next 4-6 weeks and then get  Gawn & Hogan, our 2 most important players reaching peak fitness at the right time of year l can see no reason why we can't have a real crack.

We seem to have really galvanised as a team with the difficulties that have arisen &  they seem to love being coached by Goodwin.

Having said that we need to start winning the games we should.

With a full fit list finals time look out!!

[hardtack 10,537]

If we win on Sunday, there's a better than good chance we are in the 8, as high as 7th.

[McQueen 17,864]

12 minutes ago, Billy said:

If we can get into a position in the top 8 in the next 4-6 weeks and then get  Gawn & Hogan, our 2 most important players reaching peak fitness at the right time of year l can see no reason why we can't have a real crack.

We seem to have really galvanised as a team with the difficulties that have arisen &  they seem to love being coached by Goodwin.

Having said that we need to start winning the games we should.

With a full fit list finals time look out!!

At this stage of the season, there is no real clearly dominant teams.

Get a fit and healthy list leading in to September and anything can happen.

[Demonland 72,185]

2 minutes ago, Billy said:

Having said that we need to start winning the games we should.

This is the key. Dropping games we should win or were in a winning position will bury our finals chances.

Despite suffering from MFCSS this is the first time in a long time, perhaps ever in my 40 years a Demon, that I believe we can genuinely beat any team we come up against. Having said that my eternal pessimism also leads me to believe that we can lose to any team in the competition. I should seek therapy.

Our win against Adelaide means nothing if we cannot back it up.

[Deeoldfart 8,030]

Settle down a bit guys.  This thread is getting me all excited, and at my age I'm not sure it's good for my longevity.

[armstrong35 262]

8 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Our win against Adelaide means nothing if we cannot back it up.

This!

To me, as much as it was a HUGE win if we can't beat sides we should then it means absolutely nothing. Need to beat who we should and then these sort of wins like on the weekend gives me belief we can go really far. 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,215]

There are no clear dominant teams this season and with the drop off of Sydney, Hawthorn and seemingly Geelong it has opened up the ladder for the new group of contenders to make their mark.

As the Dogs showed last year all you need to do is make the 8 and then take it from there. 

Edit - the biggest test for us will be mental and fitness. Can we run out the season? Are we strong enough to bring required intensity every game from the first bounce? These are the questions the team must answer. 

Edited May 18, 2017 by Dr. Gonzo

[Skuit 10,031]

This will sound like the strangest comment ever uttered in these hallowed digital halls, but I don't think I'm ready yet. This is my life now. Melbourne's inveterate crapness is a core part of my personal identity. The Stockholm Syndrome has full hold of me. Just the thought of a flag and the existential anxiety seizes my brain. How the hell am I possibly going to cope on Grand Final day?!! And around all those bloody neutrals who couldn't possibly understand. What if it all goes horribly wrong? And surely, surely, after waiting so desperately all this time, there isn't the slightest hope that the joy however great could ever live up to the desire. And how much salt would it rub into the wounds - to suddenly do it so easily after a half-century of wasted effort? What happens when life returns to normal? When cricket returns to the G' and ordinary people no longer care? When everyone else has forgotten the pain and the suffering and simply moved on? I'll be that prisoner released into society after serving a life sentence. I'm institutionalised. My only hope is recidivism. To bid farewell to the MFC and jump on the Richmond bandwagon to nowhere . . .  

[Demon Disciple 12,122]

4 minutes ago, Skuit said:

How the hell am I possibly going to cope on Grand Final day?!! And around all those bloody neutrals who couldn't possibly understand.

I was at the 2005 Grand Final and across from me was a Swans supporter who could barely watch the final 10 minutes of the game. He was pretty happy in the end though!

[Demonland 72,185]

5 minutes ago, Skuit said:

This will sound like the strangest comment ever uttered in these hallowed digital halls, but I don't think I'm ready yet. This is my life now. Melbourne's inveterate crapness is a core part of my personal identity. The Stockholm Syndrome has full hold of me. Just the thought of a flag and the existential anxiety seizes my brain. How the hell am I possibly going to cope on Grand Final day?!! And around all those bloody neutrals who couldn't possibly understand. What if it all goes horribly wrong? And surely, surely, after waiting so desperately all this time, there isn't the slightest hope that the joy however great could ever live up to the desire. And how much salt would it rub into the wounds - to suddenly do it so easily after a half-century of wasted effort? What happens when life returns to normal? When cricket returns to the G' and ordinary people no longer care? When everyone else has forgotten the pain and the suffering and simply moved on? I'll be that prisoner released into society after serving a life sentence. I'm institutionalised. My only hope is recidivism. To bid farewell to the MFC and jump on the Richmond bandwagon to nowhere . . .  

Where were you in 2000?

I don't want to get ahead of myself but if we do make the Grand Final I'm not sure I want to be favourite. I would prefer to be the underdog. My psyche could not handle being overwhelming favourites and losing.

[Skuit 10,031]

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Where were you in 2000?

I don't want to get ahead of myself but if we do make the Grand Final I'm not sure I want to be favourite. I would prefer to be the underdog. My psyche could not handle being overwhelming favourites and losing.

Drunk by about 10am. 

[Lord Travis 10,730]

Gotta make the 8 first. We've lost games we should win this year already, we need to stop this trend. If we do and we start winning games we should then yep we'll make the 8 and be in with a chance.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

We just flogged the top team on their home soil in front of over 45,000 of their fans.

We can beat anyone.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Big chance

[McQueen 17,864]

35 minutes ago, Skuit said:

This will sound like the strangest comment ever uttered in these hallowed digital halls, but I don't think I'm ready yet. This is my life now. Melbourne's inveterate crapness is a core part of my personal identity. The Stockholm Syndrome has full hold of me. Just the thought of a flag and the existential anxiety seizes my brain. How the hell am I possibly going to cope on Grand Final day?!! And around all those bloody neutrals who couldn't possibly understand. What if it all goes horribly wrong? And surely, surely, after waiting so desperately all this time, there isn't the slightest hope that the joy however great could ever live up to the desire. And how much salt would it rub into the wounds - to suddenly do it so easily after a half-century of wasted effort? What happens when life returns to normal? When cricket returns to the G' and ordinary people no longer care? When everyone else has forgotten the pain and the suffering and simply moved on? I'll be that prisoner released into society after serving a life sentence. I'm institutionalised. My only hope is recidivism. To bid farewell to the MFC and jump on the Richmond bandwagon to nowhere . . .  

I think you need a Valium.

[In Harmes Way 7,771]

We've played roughly half the teams in the competition now and there aren't any I'm worried about based on our/their performances. 

We just need to win enough games to get into the 8 come finals time, from there we'll be right I reckon. The 3x 6 day breaks might be a factor in this, rather than the quality of teams we play.

[Adam The God 30,249]

I don't want to be a negative [censored], but I don't see us developing a level of consistency this year that will get us there.

Even when the Bulldogs finished outside of the top 4, they'd played a season that was capable of top 4 if it weren't for injuries.

I don't think we're mature enough to play to that level. I've always expected 2017 to be another year where we find our feet, make the 8 and maybe win a final. I've always seen 2018 as a year we should be pushing for the top 4 and could pinch a flag, ala Hawthorn in 2008 or Bulldogs in 2016.

I hope I'm wrong and we can get to a level of consistency sooner than even our coaches expect, remembering that McCartney has repeatedly said we're 18 months behind the Dogs in their development. We're certainly due finals though and 13+ wins.

Edited May 18, 2017 by A F

[Ted Lasso 19,516]

The wheel is turning it's just a matter of how quickly it does, we need to develop the maturity to consistently bring effort and intensity to four quarters of footy. Our best is absolutely as good as anyone in the comp but our lapses cost us. 

I think our mids will be much better for not having gawn there and I expect to see his inclusion really boost the side. 

Sam frost coming on the way he has really helps as well. 

A healthy and in form Jesse hogan is a must to seriously challenge in September but his health comes first 

[Sir Why You Little 37,035]

Attitude will win the flag this year and probably the next 4-5

all teams are supremely fit. 

Head Space will be the key

[beelzebub 23,370]

Me thinks some might be just getting a little ahead of themselves here

[loges 6,767]

Be good to just string a few wins in a row together first

[Demonland 72,185]

1 minute ago, loges said:

Be good to just string a few wins in a row together first

This. And not just two either. Good to great teams can string multiple wins together. We can't be a genuine contender until this happens. We aren't even in the eight nor do we have a positive win/loss ratio. Percentage will be a key factor in deciding positions in the 8 this year so I'm happy with what we've got at the moment.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

1 hour ago, Skuit said:

This will sound like the strangest comment ever uttered in these hallowed digital halls, but I don't think I'm ready yet. This is my life now. Melbourne's inveterate crapness is a core part of my personal identity. The Stockholm Syndrome has full hold of me. Just the thought of a flag and the existential anxiety seizes my brain. How the hell am I possibly going to cope on Grand Final day?!! And around all those bloody neutrals who couldn't possibly understand. What if it all goes horribly wrong? And surely, surely, after waiting so desperately all this time, there isn't the slightest hope that the joy however great could ever live up to the desire. And how much salt would it rub into the wounds - to suddenly do it so easily after a half-century of wasted effort? What happens when life returns to normal? When cricket returns to the G' and ordinary people no longer care? When everyone else has forgotten the pain and the suffering and simply moved on? I'll be that prisoner released into society after serving a life sentence. I'm institutionalised. My only hope is recidivism. To bid farewell to the MFC and jump on the Richmond bandwagon to nowhere . . .  

Gold

[Ethan Tremblay 30,858]

A contender would win the next three games in a row. 

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

I reckon 12 wins gets us into the final 8 this year,  so if we go 8 - 6 from here we will play finals. I can't see any teams giving us a flogging so our % will be healthy.

I expect finals but I'm not looking any further than that just yet.

Our best is as good as anyone's though!