Why we will be better in 2018

[spirit of norm smith 12,884]

MFC has great opportunity to be a real force in 2018.  Let's go ...

[Wells 11 4,685]

too early for me Norm......they let something important slip THIS year. Whether thats indicitive of this playing group and how they meet really big moments we're going to find out in the next few years. Im hoping they use this to galvanise. Time will tell. 

[GCDee 3,006]

I hate everything about the football right now..

I literally cannot think of any positives.

[Dwight Schrute 16,747]

Pre season focus =

 

unconditional effort to improve consistency 

Ball use 

[Deestar9 1,402]

So many reasons why....another preseason into our younger players especially Trac

hogan..Viney fit & also tmac ..Gawn &

others getting over injuries they carried a lot of the year

seeing more of the two smiths ..Joel & tim ...vanders & garlo back...adds more depth & flexibility 

declan keilty...weideman...jkh etc

who we bring in from the draft

even though it may not seem like it at the moment...there is so much too look forward to in 2018

this team played with enormous adversity all year and has learnt many valuable lessons. I'm just praying the footy gods treat us a bit more kindly next year 

 

[Dwight Schrute 16,747]

Lions have put pick 1. Up for trade. I wonder if it'd be worth having a dip?

[praha 10,270]

Nothing is a guarantee imo. Goodwin would struggle to keep his job if we missed finals next year. 

End of the day, next year is irrelevant because we've missed a prime step in the development process. Finals was so important. We blew it. 2018 could well be our 2011 just based on the way we  lose some games this year.

[armstrong35 262]

I am gutted. It's such a weird feeling that yesterday we went back and forth from being back into the finals to being out then to the no way we will make it now. It's a strange feeling considering for many years we just knew we couldn't make it. 

I hope they come back determined to never be in this position again. We had our chance Saturday to continue but we blew it and I'm glad another team did not help us. Who helps us in finals? No one. 

We need to learn that every game counts. I'm still mad and will be until after the grand final because we could have given the finals a real hot crack.

[kurtneverdied 202]

Sooo much negativity in a year we have grown so much again this year.

God yes it was heartbreaking and will take time to get over but, surely, it can only get better, can't hurt more than this.
Making it next year means so much more now.
The inconsistencies are narrowing.
We will aim top 4 and I expect the clubs expectations to be there too.

[spirit of norm smith 12,884]

Here's a few reasons

Hogan surely would be blessed with a clear year. 

Brayshaw back on a permanent basis.

Gawn fit and firing. 

Oliver will learn to kick and not handball back into trouble. 

Trac into midfield mix more and impose himself.

Weideman will be in the gym all summer.

No retirements planned.

The hurt from 2017 will remain.

 

[MudDogs Gawn Win.. someday 499]

We won't be better. We are as relevant as Gold Coast.

[kurtneverdied 202]

1 minute ago, spirit of norm smith said:

The hurt from 2017 will remain.

I hope it's motivational hurt, not I don't care anymore hurt like most posters on the board since last night.

[buck_nekkid 5,464]

Not WHY we will be better, but 'we will be better if':

1.  This hurts like hell, and inspires the team to never let this happen again.

2.  We use the off-season and preseason to continue development of key young talent.  In particular, build their tanks to run out the season playing Goodie's go nuts style of football.

3.  We list manage properly.  Fill our gaps and build our stocks.  Get rid of those who dont fit what we are building.

4.  Develop the game plan - perhaps add a few variations and strengthen the core behaviours.

5. Have a better run with injury, and stupidity (MRP).

6.  Change our mentality and TURN UP when we play teams we should beat and smash them.

7.  Get a good draw because we finished out of the 8.

[Dirts 429]

21 minutes ago, Mud Dogs Gonna Win said:

We won't be better. We are as relevant as Gold Coast.

Big problem is I see teams like Carlton brissy saints etc getting better. I may be harder next year!

[kurtneverdied 202]

10 minutes ago, Dirts said:

Big problem is I see teams like Carlton brissy saints etc getting better. I may be harder next year!

Even some of them have retirements. We don't. We are just as young and just as capable as improving more than them.

Edited August 27, 2017 by kurtneverdied

[layzie 28,642]

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

MFC has great opportunity to be a real force in 2018.  Let's go ...

I appreciate your optimism right now, I really do. Its just too raw right now sorry

[KingDingAling 3,592]

Petracca - Should improve immensely with another pre-season under his best. Should be an elite midfielder next year. Needs to drop weight and should come back with an improved tank.

Oliver - Given his rate of improvement since we drafted him. I think Oliver becomes a top 5 midfielder in the game. Currently he is a top 15 midfielder in the game (and is underrated).

Gawn - Providing Gawn can stay on the park. He should be the leagues best ruck man. Another pre-season working with our midfield should hopefully see us use Gawn to our advantage.

Hogan - Clearly had a bad year, and much of it not his fault. At the very least he will be better next year. Hopefully Weideman comes on and can make Hogan's job a little easier.

Viney - Should be ready. It is Jack's time now. He is at that age where he should be dominating. He should pass Jones and become the benchmark as what players have to pass in order to become elite. If any midfielder passes Viney they will be a top 5 mid. Petracca and Oliver will surpass Viney. And that will be no disgrace to Viney.

Hunt - Needs to continue to improve. He had another fantastic year. So impressed with this kid. If he can improve further, then he can take our game to another level.

All in all, I think we have the makings of a very good football side. I believe we have a dynasty side, and we will rule the league for years to come. It will all start in 2018. As supporters we are very blessed to support such a talented list. The key for the football department now is to ensure that talent is developed and utilized. If so we should see many flags ahead. We should finish top 4 next year.

 

 

[drdrake 3,037]

27 minutes ago, Dirts said:

Big problem is I see teams like Carlton brissy saints etc getting better. I may be harder next year!

Agree with this, we shown this season we can't beat North, Fremantle, Hawthorn and a half strength Collingwood.  Plus the Doggies will be better. We had our opportunity we blew it, the competition is as close as ever.

We need someone to step up to be a star of the competition, we don't have a star a bloke that when the games needs to be won they win it.  We have one in the making and we saw him try on Saturday but he has a long way to go but has all the tools to be as good as a Dangerfield. 

[John Crow Batty 8,240]

KIller instict and hunger in. Arrogance and hubris out. Non negotiable.

Edited August 27, 2017 by america de cali

[chook fowler 18,198]

19 minutes ago, kurtneverdied said:

Even some of them have retirements. We don't. We are just as young and just as capable as improving more than them.

Vince should retire - gave us nothing this year.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

There's simply no upside in missing the finals this year.

Its just a massive opportunity lost. Simple.

For the first time this year, our list is in alright shape. We have proven we can match it with the best. Lewis and Vince are a year older next year. Pedo is in sensational form at the moment.

In short, there are some key ingredients that are present right now, which you can't take for granted in any given year. Despite the Pies loss, I really think we could've done some damage this finals series. I reckon Goodwin and the boys knew/felt that too. But we didn't get there.

I'm absolutely gutted.

 

[Jibroni 4,036]

4 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

Petracca - Should improve immensely with another pre-season under his best. Should be an elite midfielder next year. Needs to drop weight and should come back with an improved tank.

Oliver - Given his rate of improvement since we drafted him. I think Oliver becomes a top 5 midfielder in the game. Currently he is a top 15 midfielder in the game (and is underrated).

Gawn - Providing Gawn can stay on the park. He should be the leagues best ruck man. Another pre-season working with our midfield should hopefully see us use Gawn to our advantage.

Hogan - Clearly had a bad year, and much of it not his fault. At the very least he will be better next year. Hopefully Weideman comes on and can make Hogan's job a little easier.

Viney - Should be ready. It is Jack's time now. He is at that age where he should be dominating. He should pass Jones and become the benchmark as what players have to pass in order to become elite. If any midfielder passes Viney they will be a top 5 mid. Petracca and Oliver will surpass Viney. And that will be no disgrace to Viney.

Hunt - Needs to continue to improve. He had another fantastic year. So impressed with this kid. If he can improve further, then he can take our game to another level.

All in all, I think we have the makings of a very good football side. I believe we have a dynasty side, and we will rule the league for years to come. It will all start in 2018. As supporters we are very blessed to support such a talented list. The key for the football department now is to ensure that talent is developed and utilized. If so we should see many flags ahead. We should finish top 4 next year.

 

 

Of this list we need one of these to become a big star of the league (ie Danger/Martin type of player).

We also need a big body ruckman to support Maxi (Like Nankervis from Richmond) that wont cost the earth. I want to keep our 1st round pick and find a mid who can KICK THE BALL with some mongrel.

I also think Jack Watts should be moved on for his and the club sake's. He has been through hell at times and his mentally is starting to show this. Port or Adelaide would be a great fit for him.

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

11 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

Of this list we need one of these to become a big star of the league (ie Danger/Martin type of player).

We also need a big body ruckman to support Maxi (Like Nankervis from Richmond) that wont cost the earth. I want to keep our 1st round pick and find a mid who can KICK THE BALL with some mongrel.

I also think Jack Watts should be moved on for his and the club sake's. He has been through hell at times and his mentally is starting to show this. Port or Adelaide would be a great fit for him.

Is there a big market for board shorts there?]

He should look at the Gold Coast.....

 

[Jibroni 4,036]

1 minute ago, Leoncelli_36 said:

Is there a big market for board shorts there?]

He should look at the Gold Coast.....

 

Yes mate, especially in Glenelg. He would fit right in.

[Dirts 429]

20 minutes ago, drdrake said:

Agree with this, we shown this season we can't beat North, Fremantle, Hawthorn and a half strength Collingwood.  Plus the Doggies will be better. We had our opportunity we blew it, the competition is as close as ever.

We need someone to step up to be a star of the competition, we don't have a star a bloke that when the games needs to be won they win it.  We have one in the making and we saw him try on Saturday but he has a long way to go but has all the tools to be as good as a Dangerfield. 

We do lack that star. A guy called josh Kelly might be looking for a home. I also think gaff worth chasing. Not a in and under player but good outside and supported the dees as a young fella. 

These two are musts, get one and it will make a difference .