Crystal Ball 2020: Your predictions for next season

[rjay 24,940]

Worsfold steps down, first coach to go in 2020...

[dpositive 1,665]

On 12/23/2019 at 12:59 PM, buck_nekkid said:

My Crystal ball:

Demons finish regular season in fourth.

Petracca to stamp himself as a match winner in a couple of big games, like the Tigers Anzac Day Game.

Pickett to be first draftee to play, getting 5 games.

Weid to gain confidence over the first half of the season, becoming a handful for defenders and a fan favourite with his attack on the footy after the bye.

Our new wings to really making a structural difference, enhancing transition and delivery.

May and Lever to find their groove and become a seriously scary set of players in a strong back 6.

In non demons news:

North to drop like a stone with poor culture, Adelaide also on the slide

Brisbane to settle back to lower top 8

Doggies to play hot and cold, but their hot is red hot.

Tigers get big heads and dont apply the same pressure across the park and get caught out more often.  

Gil to be a complete Dill on at least 3 occasions before the bye.

The MRP is still a farce, playing favourites and being too difficult to even guess who will get rubbed out, who will get a fine and who will be Paddy Dangerfield.

This plus

finishing fourth enter the final series with the experts admitting "they overlooked the team but haven't they performed well but will go out in straight sets"

Goody says "finals are a new season" and unveils completely new set of players from the Casey Squad who haven't played the last three rounds in the ones in the mid field,with Max and Pruess at full forward, Trac OliverFritsch at their feet . Jackson plays a blinder as ruck rover with Kossie just bursting away from the packs through the hole tha Viney has created. This revolutionary style modelled on American football tactics confounds the opposition.

When GWS prepare for it in the Grand Final Goody pulls another surprise and reverts to a new soccer/ hockey possession game which frustrates the opposition who while trying to wrest back some control give away free kick after free kick as the umpires finally recognise that Melbourne players have backs and heads.

The winning margin is so one sided the experts agree that "this is the worst side to ever win a flag"and "it's understandable that none of them are in AA or Brownlow contention"

Filled with confidence the team remains undefeated for the next six years and is the first complete team to comprise the AA team..

AFL institutes new ruling that teams that finish on top are relegated last on the ladder, umpires are not to pay free kicks to Melbourne players unless they are so baby injured they can't take the kick and it is thrown up. Essendon take advantage of the rule change but draw the grand final against Fremantle who win by default as they swapped place with Collingwood who unfortunately finished on top of the ladder.

I think it's getting a little too close to Christmas.

Hope Santa brings you you want you want.

 

MERRY XMAS

GO DEES,!!!!!!

[Mental Demons 136]

Melbourne to finish 8th and goes nowhere in the finals. The window is closing. May to play less than 10 games. Tomlinson plays most of his games in defence. Viney to be injured most of the year, with Lever, Hannan, Bennell, Weid and Vandenberg also struggling with injury. Rivers to play the most of all the recruits. Pickett and Jackson get games to show they are years off being regulars. They were really drafted for 4-5 years down the track. Spargo, KK and Neitschke do not play a senior game. Demons defence to continue to leak like a colander and be our biggest problem. 

[Ethan Tremblay 30,869]

22 minutes ago, Mental Demons said:

Melbourne to finish 8th and goes nowhere in the finals. The window is closing. May to play less than 10 games. Tomlinson plays most of his games in defence. Viney to be injured most of the year, with Lever, Hannan, Bennell, Weid and Vandenberg also struggling with injury. Rivers to play the most of all the recruits. Pickett and Jackson get games to show they are years off being regulars. They were really drafted for 4-5 years down the track. Spargo, KK and Neitschke do not play a senior game. Demons defence to continue to leak like a colander and be our biggest problem. 

Far out, I reckon we should forfeit next season. 

[fr_ap 2,488]

1 hour ago, Mental Demons said:

Melbourne to finish 8th and goes nowhere in the finals. The window is closing. May to play less than 10 games. Tomlinson plays most of his games in defence. Viney to be injured most of the year, with Lever, Hannan, Bennell, Weid and Vandenberg also struggling with injury. Rivers to play the most of all the recruits. Pickett and Jackson get games to show they are years off being regulars. They were really drafted for 4-5 years down the track. Spargo, KK and Neitschke do not play a senior game. Demons defence to continue to leak like a colander and be our biggest problem. 

This is likely most realistic. It sounds pessimistic but is also suggesting we finish 8th, which is probably where we sit. 

I also think Tomlinson will end up in defence and agree with those most likely to be injured 

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

1 hour ago, Mental Demons said:

Melbourne to finish 8th and goes nowhere in the finals. The window is closing. May to play less than 10 games. Tomlinson plays most of his games in defence. Viney to be injured most of the year, with Lever, Hannan, Bennell, Weid and Vandenberg also struggling with injury. Rivers to play the most of all the recruits. Pickett and Jackson get games to show they are years off being regulars. They were really drafted for 4-5 years down the track. Spargo, KK and Neitschke do not play a senior game. Demons defence to continue to leak like a colander and be our biggest problem. 

Where was your window??

[Mental Demons 136]

41 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Where was your window??

It probably started closing with Goodwin's coaching and with last year's recruiting.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

51 minutes ago, Mental Demons said:

It probably started closing with Goodwin's coaching and with last year's recruiting.

So in reality it was never there

[Mental Demons 136]

3 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

So in reality it was never there

There was an opportunity to build something after 2018. The team was poorly managed in 2019 and our recruiting was disastrous.           the team needs to be a serious contender in 2020 or a more through rebuild will be required for success.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

1 hour ago, Mental Demons said:

There was an opportunity to build something after 2018. The team was poorly managed in 2019 and our recruiting was disastrous.           the team needs to be a serious contender in 2020 or a more through rebuild will be required for success.

Poorly managed in 2019. Well yes i saw that

[maximum bob 462]

4 hours ago, Mental Demons said:

There was an opportunity to build something after 2018. The team was poorly managed in 2019 and our recruiting was disastrous.           the team needs to be a serious contender in 2020 or a more through rebuild will be required for success.

I read, I briefly pondered then decided no. Let it ride.

 

[D4Life 2,475]

18 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Far out, I reckon we should forfeit next season. 

There’s glass half empty and glass always empty people! Personally I’d rather start with the glass full!

Demons are just about to enter the window re ages of best players, Max, May, TMac 27/28 and then 25 or under Viney, Oliver, Petracca, Harmes, Brayshaw, Lever, close to 100 games and Fritsch.

If 2020 is a bust then MD can go to town, but after few surgeries and majority of players getting a full preseason and the above players getting near 100 games, Demons will give it a fair crack this year. Plus we’ve addressed a few of the running issues in the draft and fitness issues with Burgess!

2020 is also an Olympic year, all good vibes for the Demons!

[Mental Demons 136]

2 hours ago, D4Life said:

If 2020 is a bust then MD can go to town, but after few surgeries and majority of players getting a full preseason and the above players getting near 100 games, Demons will give it a fair crack this year. Plus we’ve addressed a few of the running issues in the draft and fitness issues with Burgess!

 2020 is also an Olympic year, all good vibes for the Demons!

At no stage have I been going to town. The reality is we all but forfeited 2019. You show a lot of loyalty to the people running the club. The reality is that fitness instructors do not make players have more talent. I am trying to be a realist about the potential of the team, not have faith that the team can easily overcome the issues that sunk the team last year, with the same people calling the shots.  

[D4Life 2,475]

6 hours ago, Mental Demons said:

At no stage have I been going to town. The reality is we all but forfeited 2019. You show a lot of loyalty to the people running the club. The reality is that fitness instructors do not make players have more talent. I am trying to be a realist about the potential of the team, not have faith that the team can easily overcome the issues that sunk the team last year, with the same people calling the shots.  

When your the worst 4th quarter team in the league and mids don’t chase, I think fitness will make a significant difference, plus a couple of outside runners added to the team.

Richo will help Goodwin!

Your entitled to your opinion, I just hope your wrong!

Go Demons!

[jnrmac 20,100]

My crystal ball tells me Rance will play again.

The team at Tigerland is not very happy with Alex.

What's that Missy Higgins song again?? Scar, thats it.

Seems there are a few scars at Punt road..

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

2 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

My crystal ball tells me Rance will play again.

The team at Tigerland is not very happy with Alex.

What's that Missy Higgins song again?? Scar, thats it.

Seems there are a few scars at Punt road..

Run out of town....

[Ethan Tremblay 30,869]

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

My crystal ball tells me Rance will play again.

The team at Tigerland is not very happy with Alex.

What's that Missy Higgins song again?? Scar, thats it.

Seems there are a few scars at Punt road..

Bit of a prance-man is old Alex, or so I’ve heard. Explains the lack of well-wishes from (ex) team-mates. 

Rance will resume his career with another club.

Edited December 29, 2019 by Ethan Tremblay

[dieter 3,325]

24 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Bit of a prance-man is old Alex, or so I’ve heard. Explains the lack of well-wishes from (ex) team-mates. 

Rance will resume his career with another club.

I hope it isn't Melbourne. I can't stand hypocrites. Maybe he can join the Power. He can join Mr Watts on his adventures...

 

[P-man 13,366]

Predictions close at the start of our first pre season match. Two days left to get in your last minute predictions.

[CHF 2,743]

I am quietly optimistic about the teams chances this season after watching the Practice matches and the first pre-season game. I can see the benefits of a solid off season that has been completed by just about all the players. They are fitter and stronger than at this stage last year and added to that is  level of maturity that the adversity of last season has brought to them. I also like to see the structured approach to the rehab of the players. it does not matter if it is a serious injury or a minor niggle, the support team looks to have the right balance to getting the boys fit and back into training and ensuring that they have every chance of a proper recovery.

Looking over the list we have a good spread of age and experience with a good concentration of these elements where it matters.

We have 10 players on the list 27yo or older. The only one in this group that has doubts on playing in the top  at this stage is Bennell. Vandenberg and Brown are in this group as well but I expect them to feature on the team on a consistent basis if fit. We have another 15 players in the age group 24 to 27. Of those 10 or 11 would be best 22 players. In addition to these players Lever, Hore and OMac will be in this age group in another month.

To my mind that is a good mature playing group.

As far a experience goes we have 22 players with 50 games or more with 9 of those with 100 or more. We have 7 defenders that have 74 games or more. We have 7 midfield players with 68 games or more not counting Bennell and Kolodjashni who both have around 80 games. In the forwards we have 5 player with 65 games or more plus Petracca who I have included in the mids.

To my mind this adds up to a good balance of age and experience. 

I also have a degree of optimism for the future with the quality of the young players that we have introduced in the lat few seasons. 

If we can get a reasonable run with injuries and a hare of luck I think we will easily make the 8 with a finish in the top 4 not out of the question.

My Round 1 team at the moment.

FB: Jetta, May, Lever

HB: Salem, OMac, Hibberd

C : Tomlinson, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Melksham, Brown, Vandenberg

F: Fritsch, T Mac, Pickett

Fol: Gawn, Petracca, Viney

I: Harmes, Brayshaw, Jones, Wiedeman

E: Spago, ANB, Sparrow, Jackson

 

 

[Neil Crompton 5,562]

On 12/20/2019 at 6:26 PM, Neil Crompton said:

By 1st July, the club will announce the location of our new state-of-the-art training facility.

After listening to the Glen Bartlett 1st July podcast, and particularly his statement that our new home base will be within the MCG precinct together with additional facilities at Casey, would anyone now, other than me, consider the above prediction to be accurate?

[P-man 13,366]

33 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

After listening to the Glen Bartlett 1st July podcast, and particularly his statement that our new home base will be within the MCG precinct together with additional facilities at Casey, would anyone now, other than me, consider the above prediction to be accurate?

Could be a winner. I have a feeling it’s going to be a narrow field.

[P-man 13,366]

Like a visit to the buffet after Stewie Dew has filled up his plate, options were limited this year.

No-one predicted the world shutting down, playing in empty stadiums, the season stopping after Round 1 and almost abandoned altogether because an Irishman got sick.

Lift your game, ball gazers.

Anyhow, on the weight of it (sorry Stewie), the winner is this admirable effort from @Bring-Back-Powell:

On 12/5/2019 at 2:19 PM, Bring-Back-Powell said:

We finish 11th with a 10-12 season. I simply can't predict us making finals off a 5 win season and playing largely disgraceful footy - close enough 

We'll beat the mediocre side that made us look like fools last year - St Kilda, North, Sydney. - 2 out of 3 ain’t bad 

Petracca to have a career best year with 30 goals as a hybrid mid-fwd. - close enough if you extrapolate his season out to standard length matches and season 

Gawn to be the sole ruckman in the AA side and proves to the footballing public that he's the clear number one. I'll take Gawn's ruck-work over Grundy's 50 taps straight to the GWS midfield in the prelim. - not the sole ruckman but made AA again 

We'll no doubt get our fair share of injuries but not to the extent of 2019. - close enough

Langdon to be an excellent recruit. Tomlinson not so much (already incurring an interrupted pre season) - nailed it 

We'll be around 9th-11th on the ladder all year. - give or take

We finally get that elusive scalp against one of Richmond, Collingwood or West Coast. But only one of them. - smashed the Pies and lost to the other two 

DCB Honour roll

2016 - wretched.sylph

2017 - ding

2018 - Skuit

2019 - Demon Dude

2020 - Bring-Back-Powell

See you all again after the draft for a new round of “Predict the apocalypse”.

Edited November 12, 2020 by P-man