I had us down to finish around 6th until 2-3 weeks ago. Our injury list, lack of depth in key positions and the ongoing off field dramas have dented my confidence, and I now think we'll miss finals.

I also don't think that would be the worst thing in the world. A year to reset, clean up the list and work out whether some of our fringe players can actually play could be the best thing for us long term. T

My vote is 5-8 but it’s such an even competition I’m finding it increasingly more difficult to predict where teams will finish as each season approaches 

I believe our futures depend heavily on JVR playing the majority of games and kicking an average of at least 2 goals per game 

In addition we need to get meaningful contributions from Petty , Fullarton, and McAdam or preferably all three 

I’m getting a little nervous about our highly rated backline which works well when teams move the ball slowly but seems to be becoming more and more vulnerable against opposition that have fast ball movement and apply pressure particularly on the ground 

9th Other teams have gone past us

Game plan doesn't stand up in finals playing group older and off field has damaged the desire of the team

Any way just my humble opinion

9th - 12th. 10 to 12 wins. Worse if finals are looking unlikely by the mid season break.

Every successful season (eg - prelim or better) starts with a strong and healthy pre season with minimal injuries and strong numbers on the track. Can anyone honestly say we've ticked those boxes this summer? As @george_on_the_outer often remarks "one week lost in the pre season is 1 week lost in the home and away season"

Geelong's 2022/2023 pre season is a perfect example of this. How did a team that absolutely dominated the 2022 H&A, and finals series miss the finals in 2023? It was because they had injuries all over the place in the pre season and were under prepared for the season.

I hope to be pleasantly surprised but I'm struggling to see many positive signs at the moment.

Edited February 21, 20242 yr by Bring-Back-Powell

It’s hard to see us playing finals right now, just too much going on injuries off field stuff etc, hopefully it can galvanise the club but I’m not confident at all. 

It's really hard to even care with the latest stuff that's come out, I'm just about done.

6-10 is my guess but there will be at least 8 close games decided by less than 10 points is my prediction. Win all those close ones and we could be top 4. Lose them and we're 10th or worse.

In 2024 WCE is probably the only game for which you can predict a relatively easy win.

The back to back Adelaide games do us no favour. Hard to see us winning both and we could easily lose both. All the other interstate games (bar WCE) are tough with the home teams probably starting favourite

Was discussing with workmates how even the competition is this year.

We looked at every team and said 16 sides could make the 8, we only had North and WC as definate outs.

So 8 of those team have to miss out. Every team in the AFL have the same goal, there is only 1 premier, pretty brutal really.

Im in the 5-10 range, not happy with our forward structure, I absolutely HATE the constant bomb it in 50, cannot believe how many times we do it and never learn. 2 or 3 players going up in the same pack. Nobody staying down for crumbs. How can Goodwin, Choco, Yze etc not see this and try to correct it? They are meant to be the best coaches in the land. Maybe Im looking at it too simplistically. 

Yes we JUST lost 2 finals, but the opposition want to improve just as much as us.

Going in with low expectations, happy to be proven wrong and we win every game, just pretty blah hearing Goody saying "the learnings" every week.

I've already accepted that it's not happening this year.  Something just ain't right

Edited February 21, 20242 yr by greenwaves

I have us down as minor premiers. 
🤷🙏

can i change my vote?

think i’ll book a September holiday

9 minutes ago, DubDee said:

can i change my vote?

think i’ll book a September holiday

I am now the same 

too many key players down to start 

Ninth at best after today

I was still confident till a month ago now after the latest disasters this week cant see us anywhere near the 8.  Could be another 2019.  Its just too much.

1st game against Swans is everything. Could make or break our season.

what’s next?

Trac joins the mormons and leaves?

Wheels feel like they are really falling off.  Making top 4 would be an amazing achievement in the wake of this off season. 

On 21/02/2024 at 09:08, poita said:

I had us down to finish around 6th until 2-3 weeks ago. Our injury list, lack of depth in key positions and the ongoing off field dramas have dented my confidence, and I now think we'll miss finals.

I also don't think that would be the worst thing in the world. A year to reset, clean up the list and work out whether some of our fringe players can actually play could be the best thing for us long term. T

If they can play we will make the 8. It’s really up to our new recruits plus trades plus youngsters and existing role players to improve and have best seasons yet. Little injuries of course especially Key positions and forward line super important. Wonder L if we can replace Gus. He actually is one of our irreplaceables due to his half back wing and on ball heroics. 
I still think we can put our stamp on the competition and overcome some of the negatives already we have encountered so far. 

If this doesn’t unite a few loose cannons on our forum nothing will. 

So are we now 2 short on our list?

Can’t see how we hold on to the top 4 at this point.

Forward line is still a work in progress, TMac and Brown don’t look like they’ll be back, leaves us with JVR as the key tall. No Gus. Reliant on Max to stay fit all year with no backup. May’s another year older. Oliver may or may not play the full year. 
 

I think the pies, lions, swans and giants are ahead of us, probably the blues. Port also potentially although they could drop like us. I think we still make the 8. 

I wonder if the playing group and coaching staff are privately messaging each other this morning about how the season is done and how they can't see a realistic chance of a flag now. 

Top 8 for me. Exciting additions but too many variables, injuries in the certain areas will cripple us. List is far less balanced than the last two seasons around this time. 

Dees are being written off in 2024.  Too many issues and key injuries.  Tough times. But we have talent.  Too much talent to be discarded.  We can rise up and show we’re stronger than the outside world thinks. Time for support. Time for strength.  Go Dees. 

On 21/02/2024 at 12:11, Roy Boy said:

Was discussing with workmates how even the competition is this year.

We looked at every team and said 16 sides could make the 8, we only had North and WC as definate outs.

So 8 of those team have to miss out. Every team in the AFL have the same goal, there is only 1 premier, pretty brutal really.

Im in the 5-10 range, not happy with our forward structure, I absolutely HATE the constant bomb it in 50, cannot believe how many times we do it and never learn. 2 or 3 players going up in the same pack. Nobody staying down for crumbs. How can Goodwin, Choco, Yze etc not see this and try to correct it? They are meant to be the best coaches in the land. Maybe Im looking at it too simplistically. 

Yes we JUST lost 2 finals, but the opposition want to improve just as much as us.

Going in with low expectations, happy to be proven wrong and we win every game, just pretty blah hearing Goody saying "the learnings" every week.

Yze ?? You obviously follow the team closely 🧐

10 - 12.

9 hours ago, DubDee said:

what’s next?

Trac joins the mormons and leaves?

Or worse, joins the mormons and stays!