5 hours ago, DEE fence said:

Really? I still see gaps defensively, Neale still can't beat a hard tag, and on field leadership a gap. They have some guns, I just don't see the synergy, that GFC, MFC, RFC have had lately. What is the biggest improvement you see that has you buying their stock (without the 3D glasses).

Dunkley and Ashcroft are going to have huge onball impact and will invariably help Neale. 
Gunston is good for 40 goals a year even at his current age. 
McKenna adds speed to their defence and to be fair I think Andrews had a below par year. 
And clearly there’s natural organic growth within the list. 
McCluggage is a jet, Rayner could be a Petracca. 
I’m sure that they’ve been addressing their defensive structure and efforts during the off-season in an effort to stem scoring against. Comparatively, we have been looking at our offensive structures and hope to score more heavily. 
I truly believe that they will be the team to beat this year. 

Flag.  No question.  Enough depth to say it without qualification.  It will be wonderful watching this group with their passion and work ethic.  For mine, May is the key.

Prelim is the pass mark

On 1/31/2023 at 6:38 PM, whatwhat say what said:

top 4 at the end of the home & away season

And if we are out in straight sets again you think thats a pass?

 

Not for me.

A premiership is the pass mark at this stage given our list, but we will also need a lot of luck to win the flag. The pass mark could be lowered if we suffer key injuries.

Top 4, prelim, 3 debutants with one to play 10+ games

realistically, 25 straight wins, no losses, flag, Clarrie a brownlow and Norm Smith, 5 AAs and Kozzie on a long term deal.

Ideally a Premiership should be the pass mark for 2023. Especially after the bitterly disappointing end to the 2022 AFL season being bundled out of the finals in straight sets.

The Demons need to take advantage while they are in their Premiership window.

 

However, Brisbane, Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney and Richmond will all be formidable opponents.

 

Finish Top 4 after the H&A and be playing our best footy in September.  Whatever went wrong after round 10 last season can't be repeated or heads should roll.  That should see us playing in the GF.

Were playing for keeps this time

 

 

On 1/31/2023 at 6:32 AM, McQueen said:

Removing my red and blue glasses, I still consider us to have the strongest and deepest list which is adequately and logically supported by the Casey premiership. 

Almost with you, and we seem to have good depth - but we also have a few players who are in a class of their own and irreplaceable. Longer-term injuries to any of Gawn, Petracca, Oliver and in particular, May, could be enough to tip the balance in terms of going deep into finals.

We saw how much even the losses of Tom McDonald and, effectively, Salem affected us last year.