Mid Season Review

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Okay, so we aren't exactly at the midway point yet, but with the bye coming up for us next weekend and a fortnight before we play again, I thought it would be a good chance to gauge how everyone feels we've been going so far this season.  Here are some questions to answer:

Best game so far:

Worst game so far:

Most improved player:

A player who needs to lift:

Who is currently leading the Bluey?:

Best recruit:

Will we make the finals?:  

For me, it's:

Best game so far:  The win over Adelaide.  The St. Kilda game came a very close second, but everyone thought the Crows would smash us off the park and instead we gave them a dose of their own medicine.  In the process we got a glimpse of what this team can be.

Worst game so far:  I don't think we've played a bad game as such, but the loss to Hawthorn is the one that sticks out for me.  We were outplayed that day and, apart from one blistering quarter, we were average for most of the day.  Freo game a close second.

Most improved player:  Jeff Garlett.  25 goals to this point suggests he could kick 50 this year.  Totally different player to last year and he has become one of the best small forwards in the game.

A player who needs to lift:  Dean Kent.  At this point of his career you would have expected him to have nailed down a permanent spot, but he has been very poor so far this year and needs to improve in many areas before he gets a gig in the seniors again.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?:  Clayton Oliver.  Easy.

Best recruit:  Michael Hibberd.  Had no idea how he was going to go after 18 months out of the game, but he hasn't put a foot wrong since he came into the side.  Great user and just cool under pressure, he makes us a better side.  Mitch Hannan has also been terrific, especially over the last fortnight.

Will we make the finals?:  Yes, we can, but we need to improve our first halves and win a few we aren't expected to.  It's an even competition so 12 wins may be enough to get there, but I still think we can do it.

[Scipio 5,868]

Nice little exercise!

Best game so far:

Adelaide win, hands down.

Worst game so far:

Hard to split Hawthorn and Richmond games, because I hate them both so much. Probably Hawthorn because we lost with a fit 22, whereas the effort against Richmond was pretty good the whole way through.

Most improved player:

Oliver. He's a freakish talent, and even more so because of his consistency.

A player who needs to lift:

Would have been Viney a few weeks ago, but now I'd probably have to say Billy Stretch. Not exactly sure what he's doing wrong for the coaches but he needs to hit whatever KPI's they're giving him so he can return to the firsts, which is where he should be. 

Who is currently leading the Bluey?:

Has to be Oliver.

Best recruit:

Easily Hibberd. Love that left boot and his versatility in that he can play tall or small. Was hoping for more from Melksham, but his game yesterday was a step forward.

Will we make the finals?:  

Yes. We'll kick on in the back half of the season with Max and Hoges back, and win some of the games that we're not expected to. That'll make up for going down in the matches we should have won.

[DemonLad5 1,637]

Great thread!

Best game so far: Round 8 vs Adelaide

Worst game so far: Round 9 vs North Melbourne

Most improved player: Clayton Oliver, Jayden Hunt

A player who needs to lift: Dom Tyson, Tom McDonald 

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Clayton Oliver/ Nathan Jones

Best recruit: Jordan Lewis/Hibberd (special mention to Hannan)

Will we make the finals?:  No

[Demon Jack 6,272]

Best game so far: The Adelaide win is certainly the stand out so far this season. The only other win that has come close to a 'four quarter performance' is the round one win against St Kilda.

Worst game so far: Definitely a tie between the Freo and Hawthorn games. Two games against bottom six teams that we lost by less than a goal 

Most improved player: Hard to not give Clayton Oliver a mention here, but Jeff Garlett gets the nod here considering many (including me) thought he was done at the end of last year.

A player who needs to lift: Definitely Dean Kent. After a breakout year last year, he hasn't been able to bring the same amount of pressure and toughness into his game this year.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Clayton Oliver certainly has a fair lead over the rest of the pack, but I don't Hibberd and Jones would be too far behind

Best recruit: Hibberd. Holy crap, I've forgotten what its like to have a reliable kick in the team. What a pick up. An honorable mention goes to Mitch Hannan who has proven to be a lively player in our forward 50.

Will we make the finals?:  No. I had us placing 9th at the start of the year and I don't think that will change. I think we have a very talented list, but they still need another season or two playing together to fully gel before we have a legitimate crack at a flag. 

[dee-tox 4,772]

Best game so far: Adelaide. We were inspired!

Worst game so far: Mmnn! If you want to be a good team you need to beat the likes of Freo, Norf, Richmond and Hawf. Richmond game hurt the most. 

Most improved player: Clarry Oliver without a doubt. Frost, Salem and ANB have also improved.

A player who needs to lift: Kent, Stretch, TMac, Vince and Hogan (yet to play a really good game).

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Clarry Oliver although Jones is hot on his heels.

Best recruit: Hibberd. Shave that stupid moustache though!

Will we make the finals?:  Don't think so. Dropping close games to Freo, Hawf, Norf and Richmond hurt too much. , 

 

[Northern Summer 292]

Best game so far: Adelaide

Worst game so far: Worst performance was our 1st half against Essendon, luckily they were the worst team we played this season. Overall most disappointing result is hard to tie down because we actually haven't had a stinker yet, while we haven't had a 4 quarter performance either. If I had to pinpoint one game, I would say the Freo game, because we controlled 3 quarters of it, Fremantle were opportunistic in the one quarter they dominated and then got lucky from a dud Bernie Vince chip in the end. 

Most improved player: Oliver. We still need our fringe players to improve more. Our best players are still the same 6-8 players each week + the recruits Hibbard and Lewis

A player who needs to lift: Weiderman, Tyson, Kent

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: We have to remember this isn't the Brownlow and the coaching group have different criteria when ranking players (i.e. the 1%ers, doing their job even though touches may have been low, etc). I would say Oliver because he's played every game but I think Hibbard wouldn't be far away.

Best recruit: Tough call between Hibbard and Lewis, but i'd lean towards Hibbard.

Will we make the finals?: Yes. Give or take, we will beat Collingwood, West Coast, Sydney, Carlton, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Brisbane and Collingwood = 13 wins

[Maldonboy38 5,808]

Best game so far: Adelaide

Worst game so far: Our worst footy was against Freo, Essendon and North. The Fre game for me - it could haunt us later this season.

Most improved: Garlett

Needs to lift: Kent

Leading the Bluey: Out of Oliver, Jones, Hibberd. I reckon Jones.

Best recruit: Hibberd by a mile.

Will we make the finals: Yes. Our best 22 will be more settled with return of Hogan and Gawn. We will finish 7th

 

[Deestroy All 14,261]

Good thread!

 

Best game so far: Adelaide. I gave us no chance. 3 1/2 quarters of great footy and we looked like big bad bullies for most of it. Loved it.

Worst game so far: North. The predictable let down. After smashing Adelaide we looked like wet lettuce in this one. The ease in which they scored made me [censored] sick to my stomach. The ease in which we scored for the mini patches we bothered trying made me feel even worse. [censored] that game.

Most improved player: Garlett. Elite small forward territory and looks a new man. Special mention Pedo.

A player who needs to lift: O Mac. Do you even lift bro?

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Oliver. Didn't put him in most improved because he's played 20 games and on a natural improving curve. 

Best recruit: Hibberd. Gun. And I can't think of a better Dees half back flanker in my time.

Will we make the finals?:  I hope so. I'd like to think so with Hogan and Gawn in. But who knows with this team. It'd be great to make it because anyone can give it a shake this year.

[Skuit 9,109]

Best: Adelaide.

Worst: Essendon was horrible. 

Improved: Frost (as the most unexpected).

Lift: Viney (in terms of importance).

Bluey: Clayton (no contest)

Recruit: Hibberd (no contest)

Finals: Yes.

[Dwight Schrute 16,722]

Best win: Adelaide and or saints 

worst game: Carlton (even though we won I think it's the worst we've played) 

most improved: Clayton Oliver 

needs to lift: dom Tyson ( he's going along okay, but he's a much better player than we've seen) 

leading the bluey 1. Oliver 2. Hibberd 3. Hunt 

best recruit: hibberd, but hannan has been very good also 

will we make finals: yes, if we beat the pies and are sitting 6-5 when we regain gawn I believe we can win another 6 in the run home and make finals. 

Even if we don't our best footy has improved heaps and when we gain that consistency we are going to become a premiership threat very quickly 

[darkhorse72 1,718]

Funny looking at the current ladder.  if we had won one of those close games we would be sitting 4th right now.

 

[Jibroni 4,018]

 

Best game so far: Round 8 vs Adelaide

Worst game so far: Richmond for the occasion and if not for injuries we had that game in the bag, North a close second.

Most improved player: Clayton Oliver

A player who needs to lift: Tyson and Kent. Both of them up and going would make a huge difference.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Clayton Oliver

Best recruit: Hibberd

Will we make the finals?:  Not this time. Were just not consistent enough.

[John Crow Batty 8,222]

Best game so far: Adelaide and Carlton(Only game we prevailed when challenged late). To be a good side we have to beat teams that challenge to the end be they good or bad.

Worst game so far:  Freo. 4 points for the taking went piff in the air. 

Most improved: Garlett

Needs to lift: Bugg. Could have been a very damaging small forward if he kicked straight.

Leading the Bluey: Oliver.

Best recruit: Hibberd. 

Will we make the finals?:  Our best chance in over a decade. Has to be yes.

Edited May 28, 2017 by america de cali

[Bang Bang Bang 5,431]

Just to join in on the backslapping in other threads, Wiseblood is my nomination for best Demonland poster. Great thread.

Best game so far: Adelaide but I took more satisfaction in beating St. Kilda.

Worst game so far: North, we played like [censored], Ben Brown predictably carved us up, umpiring was disgraceful and Cunnington's a thug (and Higgins soft as butter for going at a guy on the deck). I really hate those guys even sans Harvey.

Most improved player: Oliver. He was good last year but is already pushing the elite bracket and in AA discussions. Moving at the speed of light. 

A player who needs to lift: Jack Viney. Numbers are way down on 2016.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Probably Oliver but wouldn't surprise me if N Jones and Hibberd are close.

Best recruit: Hibberd. Lewis has been mildly disappointing but still pretty good. Hannan has been a revelation. But still Hibberd.

Will we make the finals?: No. Our inability to make the MCG a fortress, if anything it's become a bogey ground, will lead to our downfall.

Edited May 28, 2017 by Sylvia Saint

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

Best game so far: I think Adelaide is winning this one pretty handily.  If we've lost a few we should have won, this is one we should have lost.  Clearly the best performance of the year.

Worst game so far: North Melbourne.  Even lacking a real ruck, we should have had them.  They have been a rabble this year and we once again found a way to let them beat us.

Most improved player: Trying to think of an alternative, but you're all right.  Oliver is looking like an absolute freak of a player. 

A player who needs to lift: Tyson and OMac are the names that leap to mind.  Dom is in the top ten for poor disposal in the league, and Oscar is young but he's getting thrashed by the big forwards. 

Who is currently leading the Bluey?:  Jones.  He's still the most consistent mid we have.  I think Oliver is going to be judged fairly harshly because of his handball numbers.

Best recruit: Very hard to pick between Hibberd and Lewis.  I love the leadership Lewis has shown, but I think Hibberd has to edge him out.  I even saw him hit a pass on his right foot yesterday. 

Will we make the finals?:   I don't think we will.  We have a pretty hard back end to the season and we've dropped several games we really needed in the bank if we wanted to make finals.  Looking at that draw and the way we've played so far this season, I can see us finishing on eight wins quite easily.  If this team wants to play finals this year they have to eliminate the crap they showed in the first half yesterday and win the 50-50 games against decent sides. 

Edited May 28, 2017 by RalphiusMaximus
Formatting

[qwerty7 315]

Best game so far: Adelaide obviously, but St. Kilda game is a close second.

Worst game so far: North was pretty bad given we had just come off an incredible victory, but the one that really hurt the most was Richmond as we really should have won that had we not gone down with the two key position injuries.

Most improved player: Hmm, I think we all sort of knew that Oliver was going to improve and have a ripper season this year. For me, I'm answering this based on most unexpectedly improved player and I would probably say Garlett. Obviously he is a great player, but I don't think anyone really expected him to improve so significantly compared to last season. He is really cementing his position as one of the top small forwards this season. 

A player who needs to lift: For sure, Dean Kent. He finished in our top 10 best and fairest last year and I was expecting him to only improve this year when he has in fact done the opposite. It has been a very disappointing start for Dean Kent.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Probably Oliver, with Jones not far behind. However, I would say it'd be a lot closer between Oliver and Hibberd had Hibberd not missed the first few games. Hibberd performs and exceeds his role every week and is definitely one of our top five, if not, top three players this year. 

Best recruit: Hibberd probably based on the consistency of his performances since being added to the team. But both Lewis and Hannan have been great too, particularly Lewis for the leadership and composure he provides. 

Will we make the finals?:  I hate answering this question because it is just so hard and unpredictable STILL at this stage of the season. I definitely think we are capable, but time will tell when we see how the return of Gawn and Hogan impacts our performances in the next half of the season. What I will say though is that we have not once played our full best 22 in any of these games this year with all of Frost, Gawn, Hibberd and Hogan not playing in the side together this season. All four of those players are integral to our structure and ability to implement our game style and I can't wait until they all run out together at some point. Obviously our best 22 still fluctuates but all those players are absolute certainties. I think once we have some of those key position players, we will find more consistency and be a lot more dangerous - whether it is enough to make finals, I still don't know but I sure hope so. It is funny though that we still managed to win with Gawn and Hogan in the team against Carlton despite playing absolutely [censored]...so maybe that is an indication of how those tight games will pan out in the second half of the season when we aren't playing our best footy.

 

Go dees! 

Edited May 28, 2017 by qwerty7

[Thrice 216]

Best game so far: Adelaide. Even better because I was there for it.

Worst game so far: Hawthorn. We stank for 3 quarters against a really ordinary side. Freo was more frustrating though, cos we controlled it for 3 quarters

Most improved player: Garlett. If he keeps this up he is some chance of landing an AA spot

A player who needs to lift: Watts. Last year was the benchmark for his talent and so far hasn't really got near it. If he hits that level we are a much better team

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Oliver, clearly. Just look at the AFLPA votes.

Best recruit: Hibberd. I'll take 100 games of what he's delivered in the past 6 weeks thanks.

Will we make the finals?: Yes. Every side in the mid table is flaky, but we have the most talented list... especially with the return of Gawn and Hogan, who are easily the 2 most important players to our structure.

[Adzman 2,085]

Best game so far: win over the Crows.  The saints at etihad not far behind it.

Worst game so far: Freo loss at home. That was a game we should have won.

Most improved player: Oliver has taken his game to the elite level. We knew he was good but damn is he good!

A player who needs to lift: There are a few. Kent leads the pack right now.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Oliver easily.

Best recruit: Hibberd.  Adds so much.

Will we make the finals?: hard to tell. Will come down to the wire. If Gawn comes back and dominates then yes. If not, then no.

[MudDogs Gawn Win.. someday 499]

Best game so far: Yet to Happen

Worst game so far: Fremantle

Most improved player: Frost/Oliver

A player who needs to lift: Watts

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Oliver

Best recruit: Mitch Hannan

Will we make the finals?:  No

I've seen 8 games live this year & Not felt comfortable in anyone of them. Injuries have hurt us after being relatively lucky last year. Can't see us making the 8. We would need a lot of luck to get in from 5-5 after rd10. 

The losses to Freo & Hawthorn will end up costing us.

[Stretchyourself 42]

3 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

 

Best game so far: crows 

Worst game so far: hard to say. Comp so even. We've been brave all year given personnel out

Most improved player: Oliver 

A player who needs to lift: 

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Oliver 

Best recruit: hib

Will we make the finals?:  yep. We're one game out of top 4 with healthy percentage. Forget top 8. I want a flag 

 

 

[mattjm 151]

Oliver my eyeball is missing 

[puntkick 325]

1 hour ago, mattjm said:

Oliver my eyeball is missing 

yeah and about another of your 239 brain parts!

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

They're all such obvious answers...

Except one. Given we're 5-5 and getting Gawn and Hogan back you'd think we'd be a good chance to go at least 7-5. But take a look at the draw. Holy smokes do we have it tough. No finals this year. 

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Best game so far: Adelaide.

Worst game so far: Fremantle.

Most improved player: Pedersen.

A player who needs to lift: Tyson.

Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Oliver.

Best recruit: Hibberd.

Will we make the finals?: Yes.

[What 18,810]

3 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

They're all such obvious answers...

Except one. Given we're 5-5 and getting Gawn and Hogan back you'd think we'd be a good chance to go at least 7-5. But take a look at the draw. Holy smokes do we have it tough. No finals this year. 

The remainder of the draw looks pretty good to me.  The only game that I really worry about is vs GWS, but its at a neutral ground so that helps.  We have the Crows again, and thats also at a neutral venue in Darwin.

Finals are there if we want it.