The question is pretty obvious and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this thought creeping around in the back of my mind.

What would it take to push the Demons back into the top ranks in 2020?

I'm trying to think of specific things which can be identified and realistically hoped for, things that might each be worth one extra goal for or one less goal against, per game.

I'll knock off some of the obvious ones but I'm keen to hear what specific other things people think could be added to create the rebound.

1. Lever & May get full pre-seasons and play a stable year together as our main talls in defence.

2. Tom McDonald regains form.

3. Burgess successfully implements a fitness program that has us running out final quarters at least on break-even terms with our opponents.

4. Melksham, Fritsch and Petracca get organised into a consistently effective half-forward group.

5. Our core midfielders work out better spacing, shepherding, and other 'fundamentals' at stoppages which allows for smarter, calmer ball movement.

Damn that's a lot of obvious things to start with!

heart

A miracle!

A complete change of attitude?

A complete change of umpiring?

A complete change of personnel?

 

 

Maybe its just down to good luck with injuries

 

 

I'm still extremely bullish about 2020 and here is why. 

1. our ladder position provides us with the opportunity to significantly improve our list. if we can add Langdon, Hill or ideally both, and somehow retain a later first round pick and only give up draft picks, i think our side already looks better and more balanced. 

2. Our ladder position also provides us with what should be a significantly better draw than we had this year. 

3. Our list is still quite young, another full pre season and some continuity and playing together should help team chemistry further develop. 

4. the football department review should cause some new voices in the football program which has lead to some very positive results at other teams. 

5. we have a good list, if we can get the game plan right, have a good run with injuries and secure an easier draw i think we put ourselves in a position to quickly build confidence and have a serious crack at top 4 in 2020. 

A very big rubber ball

An assistant coach who has coached under Clarkson.

An easier draw and not many injuries should get us back to finals

good trading and some tactical improvement should get us challenging

1 hour ago, Little Goffy said:

The question is pretty obvious and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this thought creeping around in the back of my mind.

What would it take to push the Demons back into the top ranks in 2020?

I'm trying to think of specific things which can be identified and realistically hoped for, things that might each be worth one extra goal for or one less goal against, per game.

I'll knock off some of the obvious ones but I'm keen to hear what specific other things people think could be added to create the rebound.

1. Lever & May get full pre-seasons and play a stable year together as our main talls in defence.

2. Tom McDonald regains form.

3. Burgess successfully implements a fitness program that has us running out final quarters at least on break-even terms with our opponents.

4. Melksham, Fritsch and Petracca get organised into a consistently effective half-forward group.

5. Our core midfielders work out better spacing, shepherding, and other 'fundamentals' at stoppages which allows for smarter, calmer ball movement.

Damn that's a lot of obvious things to start with!

The above would go along way. The other would be to reestablish our hard, ruthless edge that we had last year in the run up to the bye and then from late in the season v Westcoast to the Semi v Hawthorn. 

Review losses like 2018 Preliminary final, go on training camps, don’t pay overs during trade periods, stop playing hacks. 

At worst we can expect this.

 

Stop coaching the instinct out of certain players in the forward half. See goals, take a shot, don’t try and run it over the line.

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

A very big rubber ball

? ??

10 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

? ??

 

Maybe if we could hit a target, but foot or hand, I’m not that fussy.

3 hours ago, MrMoose said:

A miracle!

Tend to agree. 

I have confidence that we will bounce back next season and the main reason is that we will have most of the list having a full healthy pre-season. Unlike last year we are not going deep into the finals and we are already placing players into rest and recovery. This will ensure that at the start of training we can make sure that the players are ready to go. They will also be on the track a month earlier than last year with a new fitness structure that will be refreshing and challenging for the players.

The above combined with a possibly easier draw will have us back into finals contention.

A reasonable run with injuries through the season would also help.

In the preseason I would like to see players doing everything at training with a ball in hand.

1 hour ago, Rusty Nails said:

Isn't that how Trac busted his toe the other year?

Hoping for the best, expecting the worst. I just don't think we have it.

8 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Isn't that how Trac busted his toe the other year?

Ha something to do with a hoop??

Get a decent coach and footy department would be a great start.

Working on our skills, kicking and shots on goal in particular.

12 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Stop coaching the instinct out of certain players in the forward half. See goals, take a shot, don’t try and run it over the line.

Wholeheartedly agree. Been so frustrated this year when our forwards/mids get into the clear in the F50 and end up passing to someone under pressure or in a worse position. So many times I've yelled out 'have a ping FFS'!

STOP zoning and play hard contested football!  

Play with flair and have forwards who demand the football and midfielders who can kick it to them...