Why Melbourne will improve in 2020:

-Maysie is one of the top 5 key defenders in the comp. Fully fit, watch him prove it next year.

-Trac is training with a rare intensity and will take his game to a new level.

-Viney is doing his first full preseason in 3 years. The bull is hungry.

-Gus will play as an inside mid and show an improved desire to run both ways.

-Hibbo is as fit as he has ever been. He realizes his spot is on the line and is desperate to keep it.

-Langdon and Tomlinson are the two gut running wingmen we’ve been crying out for and will run both ways all day on those MCG wings.

-Jackson is a rare talent. Expect him to play early and have an impact with his athleticism and desire. Watch the big fella hunt the footy when it hits the ground.

-Rivers will add class to the half back line. Hard, and a beautiful kick. He’ll play early too.

-vanders doing his first full preseason in 3 years will add that toughness that we lack. He’s our barometer in many ways when he’s up and going.

-Expect a fully fit T-Mac to work his way up and back and become the player that he was in 2018. Watch Weideman or Brown play the stay at home forward role and allow Tom to thrive as the second banana.

-Fritsch is the player I’m most excited about. I expect him to kick 40 plus and finish top ten in the Coleman. He is a star.

-I think Harry Petty has the ability to become one of the gun young key forwards in the comp. Competition for spots in the forward line will be at a premium with T-Mac, Weid, Brown, Jackson, Petty and Preuss all looking to cement roles in there.

-Joel Smith adds versatility and athleticism to our backline. He is hungry.

-Lockhart and Dunkley are doing their first AFL preseasons. I can’t wait to see how good they can become.

-Kossi won’t get many touches and I don’t expect him to hit the scoreboard in a huge way in 2020. But watch the manic pressure he will bring to a forward line that allowed teams to waltz the ball out of its forward 50 in 2019.

-The team will be hungry.

-They will be super fit.

-They will have a slightly softer draw.

-They will have more than a one dimensional game plan that relies on them winning contested ball.

How far up the ladder these improvements take us?

Delete

Edited December 13, 20195 yr by Tough Kent

Just outside the top 8 for me, would love to make it but still happy if we get near there.

2 minutes ago, Deebacle said:

Just outside the top 8 for me, would love to make it but still happy if we get near there.

Do you think we still lack the top shelf class of the top 4 - 6 teams???

Another way looking at it-which team(s) would drop out of the bottom half of this year’s 8 for Dees to sneak in?

1 hour ago, Tough Kent said:

Why Melbourne will improve in 2020:

-Maysie is one of the top 5 key defenders in the comp. Fully fit, watch him prove it next year.

-Trac is training with a rare intensity and will take his game to a new level.

-Viney is doing his first full preseason in 3 years. The bull is hungry.

-Gus will play as an inside mid and show an improved desire to run both ways.

-Hibbo is as fit as he has ever been. He realizes his spot is on the line and is desperate to keep it.

-Langdon and Tomlinson are the two gut running wingmen we’ve been crying out for and will run both ways all day on those MCG wings.

-Jackson is a rare talent. Expect him to play early and have an impact with his athleticism and desire. Watch the big fella hunt the footy when it hits the ground.

-Rivers will add class to the half back line. Hard, and a beautiful kick. He’ll play early too.

-vanders doing his first full preseason in 3 years will add that toughness that we lack. He’s our barometer in many ways when he’s up and going.

-Expect a fully fit T-Mac to work his way up and back and become the player that he was in 2018. Watch Weideman or Brown play the stay at home forward role and allow Tom to thrive as the second banana.

-Fritsch is the player I’m most excited about. I expect him to kick 40 plus and finish top ten in the Coleman. He is a star.

-I think Harry Petty has the ability to become one of the gun young key forwards in the comp. Competition for spots in the forward line will be at a premium with T-Mac, Weid, Brown, Jackson, Petty and Preuss all looking to cement roles in there.

-Joel Smith adds versatility and athleticism to our backline. He is hungry.

-Lockhart and Dunkley are doing their first AFL preseasons. I can’t wait to see how good they can become.

-Kossi won’t get many touches and I don’t expect him to hit the scoreboard in a huge way in 2020. But watch the manic pressure he will bring to a forward line that allowed teams to waltz the ball out of its forward 50 in 2019.

-The team will be hungry.

-They will be super fit.

-They will have a slightly softer draw.

-They will have more than a one dimensional game plan that relies on them winning contested ball.

How far up the ladder these improvements take us?

If Brisbane can be close enough to finishing 1st by round 23 after where they were in 2018, then a list of everything going perfectly right for us would just as easily do the same.

Furthermore Edit: Unless teams like Geelong, RIchmond or WCE really nail their away games as much as their home games and get seperation, then i reckon there will be a glut of teams within the top 10 and 2 wins or losses in the final two rounds could easily see you either in the top 2/4 or missing the 8 all together. We should improve enough to be a part of that glut if all goes to plan.

Edited December 13, 20195 yr by John Demonic

For me it’s all about fitness and Burgo.  We were terrible last year.  In fact, unlike 2018 where our 3rd quarters were our best, in 2019 our best qtrs were our 1st, and every quarter after got worse with our 4th the worst in the league.  Get 22 fit players on the ground with the training loads done, and the difference will be massive.

There will likely be 1 or 2 teams that create a gap on the rest.  I don’t expect us to be one of them as I think we may take a month or so to click after our 2019. But I also think there will be 10 teams from 3 to 13 that are close and with a bit of luck we could be up there, but a few injuries to key players and we could be struggling.  We really can’t afford TMac, Clarry, Max, or May to have injuries.

3 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Why Melbourne will improve in 2020:

-Maysie is one of the top 5 key defenders in the comp. Fully fit, watch him prove it next year.

-Trac is training with a rare intensity and will take his game to a new level.

-Viney is doing his first full preseason in 3 years. The bull is hungry.

-Gus will play as an inside mid and show an improved desire to run both ways.

-Hibbo is as fit as he has ever been. He realizes his spot is on the line and is desperate to keep it.

-Langdon and Tomlinson are the two gut running wingmen we’ve been crying out for and will run both ways all day on those MCG wings.

-Jackson is a rare talent. Expect him to play early and have an impact with his athleticism and desire. Watch the big fella hunt the footy when it hits the ground.

-Rivers will add class to the half back line. Hard, and a beautiful kick. He’ll play early too.

-vanders doing his first full preseason in 3 years will add that toughness that we lack. He’s our barometer in many ways when he’s up and going.

-Expect a fully fit T-Mac to work his way up and back and become the player that he was in 2018. Watch Weideman or Brown play the stay at home forward role and allow Tom to thrive as the second banana.

-Fritsch is the player I’m most excited about. I expect him to kick 40 plus and finish top ten in the Coleman. He is a star.

-I think Harry Petty has the ability to become one of the gun young key forwards in the comp. Competition for spots in the forward line will be at a premium with T-Mac, Weid, Brown, Jackson, Petty and Preuss all looking to cement roles in there.

-Joel Smith adds versatility and athleticism to our backline. He is hungry.

-Lockhart and Dunkley are doing their first AFL preseasons. I can’t wait to see how good they can become.

-Kossi won’t get many touches and I don’t expect him to hit the scoreboard in a huge way in 2020. But watch the manic pressure he will bring to a forward line that allowed teams to waltz the ball out of its forward 50 in 2019.

-The team will be hungry.

-They will be super fit.

-They will have a slightly softer draw.

-They will have more than a one dimensional game plan that relies on them winning contested ball.

How far up the ladder these improvements take us?

Love the optimism if all this goes to plan we’re Top 4 - Remember  this time last year were flag favs same or worse list so hopefully it all goes to plan !

3 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Why Melbourne will improve in 2020:

-Maysie is one of the top 5 key defenders in the comp. Fully fit, watch him prove it next year.

-Trac is training with a rare intensity and will take his game to a new level.

-Viney is doing his first full preseason in 3 years. The bull is hungry.

-Gus will play as an inside mid and show an improved desire to run both ways.

-Hibbo is as fit as he has ever been. He realizes his spot is on the line and is desperate to keep it.

-Langdon and Tomlinson are the two gut running wingmen we’ve been crying out for and will run both ways all day on those MCG wings.

-Jackson is a rare talent. Expect him to play early and have an impact with his athleticism and desire. Watch the big fella hunt the footy when it hits the ground.

-Rivers will add class to the half back line. Hard, and a beautiful kick. He’ll play early too.

-vanders doing his first full preseason in 3 years will add that toughness that we lack. He’s our barometer in many ways when he’s up and going.

-Expect a fully fit T-Mac to work his way up and back and become the player that he was in 2018. Watch Weideman or Brown play the stay at home forward role and allow Tom to thrive as the second banana.

-Fritsch is the player I’m most excited about. I expect him to kick 40 plus and finish top ten in the Coleman. He is a star.

-I think Harry Petty has the ability to become one of the gun young key forwards in the comp. Competition for spots in the forward line will be at a premium with T-Mac, Weid, Brown, Jackson, Petty and Preuss all looking to cement roles in there.

-Joel Smith adds versatility and athleticism to our backline. He is hungry.

-Lockhart and Dunkley are doing their first AFL preseasons. I can’t wait to see how good they can become.

-Kossi won’t get many touches and I don’t expect him to hit the scoreboard in a huge way in 2020. But watch the manic pressure he will bring to a forward line that allowed teams to waltz the ball out of its forward 50 in 2019.

-The team will be hungry.

-They will be super fit.

-They will have a slightly softer draw.

-They will have more than a one dimensional game plan that relies on them winning contested ball.

How far up the ladder these improvements take us?

Great post but i would expect Petty to play more than Browny.

The inclusion of Burgo can't be underestimated either.

It is a good question.

2 hours ago, Dingo said:

Another way looking at it-which team(s) would drop out of the bottom half of this year’s 8 for Dees to sneak in?

Bombers are having a pre season like ours last year, can’t see them making it, Collingwood are starting to get a pretty old list so could also drop out, and Brisbane is interesting they had barely any injuries, plus a tougher draw can they stay up there, with our list if it stays injury free will be a massive fail if we miss the 8 

Edited December 14, 20195 yr by brendan

Its great that 2019 is almost over and we'll go into next year knowing that whatever happens, there won't be any lofty hopes and expectations to be severely crushed again, at least not for me. It's a kind of detached nonchalance with a bit of freedom in it. A free hit next year in terms of being resigned to landing anywhere between 1st and 18th and not being totally surprised by it. Well that's the current theory anyway...

Edited December 14, 20195 yr by John Demonic

It’s a fail if we don’t make the 8. I think we will unless we end up with the same injury run as last year.

3 hours ago, Dingo said:

Another way looking at it-which team(s) would drop out of the bottom half of this year’s 8 for Dees to sneak in?

The ones who don't win enough games.

Every year it's a new ball game and if we win enough games to get in, does it bother you who drops out?

I'm bullish this year and expect to make the top eight, if not top six.

5 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Gus will play as an inside mid and show an improved desire to run both ways.

Based on what? I might have missed some training reports, but the bits and pieces I've seen haven't talked him up much and a few have been critical of his intensity and attitude.

Missed the start of 2018 due to a poor attitude.

Failed to run both ways this year.

I want it to happen, but this is pure hopeful speculation based on the available evidence.

17 minutes ago, Dante said:

The ones who don't win enough games.

Every year it's a new ball game and if we win enough games to get in, does it bother you who drops out?

I'm bullish this year and expect to make the top eight, if not top six.

I agree with you Dante but I am not quite as bullish as you. I think we are a 7-8th placed talent at present. We cannot expect miracles from our draftees in 2020 and I still worry about our ability to kick winning scores against the better sides. Imo it all still hangs too much on TMac. However I think we will make the eight in 2020 probably in that spot.

4 hours ago, Dingo said:

Another way looking at it-which team(s) would drop out of the bottom half of this year’s 8 for Dees to sneak in?

I never understand this line of thinking, if we win enough games we will make the 8. 

The other 7 teams that win enough games will also make the 8.

Picking which team(s) will drop out of the 8 has no bearing on us making it.

5 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Why Melbourne will improve in 2020:

-Kossi won’t get many touches and I don’t expect him to hit the scoreboard in a huge way in 2020. But watch the manic pressure he will bring to a forward line that allowed teams to waltz the ball out of its forward 50 in 2019.

 

I’m as excited about Kozzi as anyone but don’t be surprised if it is Chandler or Bedford that are providing the manic pressure in our forward line.

Don’t forget Chandler had 5 tackles on debut before getting injured.

Jordan will be pushing for midfield selection too so competition for spots will be greater than it was in 2018 when we finished 4th.

27 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

I’m as excited about Kozzi as anyone but don’t be surprised if it is Chandler or Bedford that are providing the manic pressure in our forward line.

Don’t forget Chandler had 5 tackles on debut before getting injured.

Jordan will be pushing for midfield selection too so competition for spots will be greater than it was in 2018 when we finished 4th.

Also Tough Kent didn’t mention  Clarry or Gawn, our ultimate weapons! 

Its a huge fail if we don't play finals.  

How about we win the flag?  Is that too much to ask?

Edited December 14, 20195 yr by JakovichScissorKick

3 minutes ago, JakovichScissorKick said:

Its a huge fail if we don't play finals.  

How about we win the flag?  Is that too much to ask?

yes, it's too much to ask for

but i'm still going to ask anyway 

Don't underestimate Marty Hore. Can't afford T Mac to get injured.

6 hours ago, Watson11 said:

For me it’s all about fitness and Burgo.  We were terrible last year.  In fact, unlike 2018 where our 3rd quarters were our best, in 2019 our best qtrs were our 1st, and every quarter after got worse with our 4th the worst in the league.  Get 22 fit players on the ground with the training loads done, and the difference will be massive.

There will likely be 1 or 2 teams that create a gap on the rest.  I don’t expect us to be one of them as I think we may take a month or so to click after our 2019. But I also think there will be 10 teams from 3 to 13 that are close and with a bit of luck we could be up there, but a few injuries to key players and we could be struggling.  We really can’t afford TMac, Clarry, Max, or May to have injuries.

SSssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

10 hours ago, Dingo said:

Another way looking at it-which team(s) would drop out of the bottom half of this year’s 8 for Dees to sneak in?

Brisbane, Collingwood & Essendon. I feel like people predict Geelong's demise every year too with the bulk of their good players getting on in age. 

i would hope, at a minimum, we're in the conversation for a spot in the 8 as the season comes to a close

i seriously think the competition is so even from likely positions 5 to 14 (like most i have tigers, meth coke, gw$ and geelong as a top four) that it all comes down to luck, form, injury, and confidence as to who makes it and who doesn't