20 hours ago, Grand New Flag said:

We need to finish top 2 to give us the best chance of winning the flag.  This season it is likely that 16 wins will secure top 2.  As such the only significance of our 9 - 0 start is that we now required just 7 wins from the last 13 games to achieve this.  

Top 2 has to be the aim but given the teams that are likely to be in the top 4 there’s a reasonable chance any top 4 finish us provide us with our first final at the G. 
Top 2 does mean we are not as concerned with where other clubs finish though. 

11 hours ago, Better days ahead said:

They forgot to include Steven May

Thats what Gerard Healy said too! A garade defender

What's incredible to me is that we've won all our games, (9-0 what the hell) with plenty of improvement left. 

Our defence is has been rock solid throughout all games which has to be a sign that we're seriously ready to challenge. We're not flaky. 

The fact that we've won all games whilst simultaneously tinkering with our forward line is a luxury afforded to few. And that's probably the most exciting thing. 

We're in the unique position of being able to flirt a little with set-ups with the aim of being cherry ripe toward the end of the year. We're still building and we haven't played our best, only patches. 

It's almost dream-like. 

If we finish top 2 which is now a massive chance, think about how influential dees fans will be at the G. 2018 vs Geelong and Hawthorn all over again. We'll come from everywhere and the G will be rocking again. 

Huge chance. 

Edited May 17, 20214 yr by JimmyGadson

Is thr fact that we're playing well this year a testament to Goodwin or is it proof at how much he and the club have underperformed the last 2 years? Other than a few draftees we are essentially the same team. 

33 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

Is thr fact that we're playing well this year a testament to Goodwin or is it proof at how much he and the club have underperformed the last 2 years? Other than a few draftees we are essentially the same team. 

Yze/Williams definitely adding a lot.

2019 was a strange year, May only played 8 games (2 Wins, 6 Losses), Lever played 8 games (0 wins, 8 losses) - only played 3 games together. 2020 was about gelling for these 2, and we're getting the benefits this year. 

In terms of the forward line in 2019 the leading goal scorers were Trac (22), Hunt (21), Fritsch (20), Tmac (18), so far in 2021 we already have Fritsch (21), Tmac (16), Kozzy (15). So seemingly performing at both ends. 

Hard to read too much into 2020 due to COVID.

It's hard to judge Goodwin, but there have been some good additions on/off the field the last 2 years coupled in the fact we potentially overachieved in 2018.

 

 

22 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

No we still can get much better, still many areas to improve on

Couldnt agree more.

We have been caught out in a few games with slow starts and also havent kicked a winning score more in keeping with the fwd firepower we have. But the structure there needs to work itself out.

Also a few changes in the last four games with Tomlinson...Viney and Jackson taken out and other players getting used to things.Others have been moved for form in Jones Jetta and Jake m.

I dont think the backline could do a better drop stopping teams scoring so its up to the mids and forwards to lift to new levels.

I do think we played incredible footy against the tigers and giants.

So things will settle and gel and bang .... I really do believe we are capable of blowing a few sides away. We will need drier conditions but its going to happen very soon.

On 5/17/2021 at 2:27 PM, Superunknown said:

Is that top 8 at present or where the opponent was when we played them

Top 8 as present, end of last round.

 

On 5/17/2021 at 11:51 AM, one_demon said:

I've always had the view that it's not a bad thing if you’re not playing your best football this time of year.  I just worry that we've peaked too early.

What makes you say that? Have the dogs also peaked too early? 
I don’t think we’ve peaked yet, our fwd line isn’t settled yet, we’re playing well at the moment but as we’ve shown against Geelong and Richmond we can go to another level when required. 
Didn’t Geelong lose only one game in 2007? I can’t remember, I’ll have to check that.

In 2008 Geelong won 21 from 22 home and away games, but went on to lose the flag to Hawthorn. As we know the won it in 07, 09, 11.

Deleted

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by one_demon

1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I don’t think we’ve peaked yet, our fwd line isn’t settled yet, we’re playing well at the moment but as we’ve shown against Geelong and Richmond we can go to another level when required. 

Yes that's possible.  It's also quite possible that we have indeed peaked.  Premierships are rarely won with a 9-0 start because those teams runs out of puff come finals time.

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by one_demon

1 minute ago, one_demon said:

Yes that's possible.  It's also quite possible that we have indeed peaked.  Premierships are rarely won with a 9-0 start because the team runs out of puff come finals time.

If we make it into the top 4 by years end and play in a prelim I will consider 2021 to have been a great year with further progress ahead in 2022.

On 5/18/2021 at 11:56 AM, Dr.D said:

Is thr fact that we're playing well this year a testament to Goodwin or is it proof at how much he and the club have underperformed the last 2 years? Other than a few draftees we are essentially the same team. 

It's a testament to you being a shocking judge since you said he's be sacked by Round 8.

On 5/18/2021 at 8:36 AM, Colm said:

Top 2 has to be the aim but given the teams that are likely to be in the top 4 there’s a reasonable chance any top 4 finish us provide us with our first final at the G. 
Top 2 does mean we are not as concerned with where other clubs finish though. 

Your'e right but at Top 2, we are guaranteed all finals we play in will be at the G  - assuming the Dogs finish top or at least another Melb based team. I doubt the Cats will be awarded a home PF at Kardinia if they are 1 or 2.

So apart from Round 11, I'm on the Dogs bandwagon for sure.

4 hours ago, old dee said:

If we make it into the top 4 by years end and play in a prelim I will consider 2021 to have been a great year with further progress ahead in 2022.

I know where you are coming from and a prelim would be great.

However you might as well just aim for a flag and another one for next year.

A week is a long time in footy little lone a season. And a prelim is so close to a gf.

Its like saying if we get to a gf and lose we will win one next year.

Last time we graduated to a prelim it didnt really work for us the following season. Just saying.

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by leave it to deever

37 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

I know where you are coming from and a prelim would be great.

However you might as well just aim for a flag and another one for next year.

A week is a long time in footy little own a season. And a prelim is so close to a gf.

Its like saying if we get to a gf and lose we will win one next year.

Last time we graduated to a prelim it didnt really work for us the following season. Just saying.

I don't disagree I just find it very difficult to believe that a MFC side could seriously threaten a flag.

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by old dee

23 minutes ago, old dee said:

I don't disagree I just find it very difficult to believe the a MFC side could seriously threaten a flag.

Who am I kidding...me too mate.

5 hours ago, one_demon said:

Yes that's possible.  It's also quite possible that we have indeed peaked.  Premierships are rarely won with a 9-0 start because those teams runs out of puff come finals time.

So if we’d dropped a game we wouldn’t of peaked? What indicators are you using as peaked? As for running out of puff, I don’t agree, all teams play 22 games. If this form continues, based on other results we may have the luxury of resting players later in the year.

On 5/18/2021 at 8:35 AM, Demon17 said:

Not being negative here but if we lose to the Dogs its a good outcome in that it helps the Dogs keep No. 1 spot, and keeps the interstate teams out of top 2.

This guarantees all MCG finals for the Dees if we can keep 2 spot. 

No difference in advantage if both top teams are Melb based. A dogs Prelim would be mandatorily played at the G , and not Marvel.

Then for the remainer of the home and away mathces all dees fans should fiercely wish doggies much success to Round 22. 

I’ll wish them that when hell freezes over. I want the minor premiership not Dogs.  If only this had been the result when the season stopped last year. 

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by Cassiew

8 minutes ago, Cassiew said:

I’ll wish them that when hell freezes over. I want the minor premiership not Dogs.  If only this had been the result when the season stopped last year. 

Minor premiership is completely meaningless. Just ask the crows after 2017.

The dees road to the premiership lies in no travel to kardinia or optus or gabba. The dogs are our best bet of assisting in this objective.

 

4 minutes ago, Demon17 said:

Minor premiership is completely meaningless. Just ask the crows after 2017.

The dees road to the premiership lies in no travel to kardinia or optus or gabba. The dogs are our best bet of assisting in this objective.

 

The heck with that. Dog have never won the minor premiership and I want to keep it like that. Even if we don’t mKe the gf, that will be at least one drought that’s broken. I like dogs not being on top

1 minute ago, Cassiew said:

The heck with that. Dog have never won the minor premiership and I want to keep it like that. Even if we don’t mKe the gf, that will be at least one drought that’s broken. I like dogs not being on top

I'm with you Cass, can't stand them.

If you've seen some of their fans behaviour in the MCC and Olympic stand...

Most uncouth...

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

So if we’d dropped a game we wouldn’t of peaked? So if we’d dropped a game we wouldn’t of peaked? What indicators are you using as peaked?

Usually teams that go 9-0 are playing at their peak

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by one_demon

4 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

As for running out of puff, I don’t agree, all teams play 22 games. 

Yes all teams play twenty-two games, I can't argue with that, but you can end up in a situation where you've only lost three games in the home and away season and then go out it straight sets because you weren't able to play your best football comes finals time.  This is why teams who start the season strongly like we have, rarely win premierships.  I'm using history as a guide.

Edited May 19, 20214 yr by one_demon

10 hours ago, one_demon said:

Yes that's possible.  It's also quite possible that we have indeed peaked.  Premierships are rarely won with a 9-0 start because those teams runs out of puff come finals time.

Are premierships rarely won by teams with a 9-0 start? I reckon in general there's a relatively strong correlation between winning heaps of games and premierships.