Expectations for 2025

[The Taciturn Demon 604]

I know there's a thread on hopes for next year, but I'm wondering about what you expect to happen next year.

I know we haven't even got to the end of this season, and so much can happen between September and March, but let's say we have an average run of luck with injuries, where do you think this list is - roughly?

It could be a ladder range or it could simply be why we'll improve, go backwards or stay the same as this year.

[dazzledavey36 55,853]

Finals and a win, if not, bye bye Goodwin.

[Kent 2,918]

No finals goodby simon

[leucopogon 1,519]

We revert to type:

Bottom 4, player exodus at season's end and full rebuild, it's the Melbourne way.

Edited September 13, 2024 by leucopogon

[PaulRB 6,432]

Top four and in mix for flag. 
 

Shove it up the doubters and media. 

[DubDee 26,295]

A finish Between 6th and 12th

[bobby1554 1,267]

It's top 4 for me. McVee, Rivers and Pickett to continue midfield development, JVR, Petty and Turner same in the forward half, Max will get his 8th AA, and Oliver will be unstoppable 

[leave it to deever 17,591]

I don't have any expectations at all.

After the way we finished, some poor pickups from other clubs and players wanting to leave it's hard to fathom this club has a real winning passion and culture.

I deeply appreciate players like Max and Jack and a couple of others but I feel the club was extremely complacent after winning one flag.

I guess it happens ...pies were a bust this year.

Dogs kinda fell of the map after a cup.

It's just so disappointing to see us fall so far from 2021 to now.

If we don't make finals next year and tbh I don't see it happening, then I'd be happy to thank Goodwin for all he's done and send him on his way.

I feel even now, it wouldn't be too bad to part company.

I feel there is a lot of noise and distraction at the club and a fresh coach and enthusiasm would be a positive start to 2025.

And a nice big broom to sweep all those who have not performed and don't want to be there.

Adios amigos.

I want players who are grateful to wear the hallowed red and blue and not moan about this great club. They can all nick off as far as I'm concerned. 

I guess what I want is a flag...... but I certainly don't want people who don't give everything or complain about playing for us.

We may not be able to win a premiership but we can certainly get rid of or bench the players who don't appreciate the privellage of being a part of the best Afl club there ever was.

Tx TD and DLs....I fell better now.

[sisso 2,588]

Engrave the cup

[DeeZone 10,394]

If we can recruit the best possible midfielder available at 5-6 plus a couple of extra quality kids and 1-2 additional 23-25 yo’s from other clubs including a fwd/ruck:

And CP5, Clayton, Max, JV, May, Lever, TMac, Bailey Fritsch, Chandler, Petty, Salo, Langdon, Spargo, Bowey, zbillings, McAdam and Jake Melksham are all fit and available

And Sparrow, Rivers, Kozzie, McVee, JVR, Langdon, Windsor, Tholstrup, Turner, AMW, Laurie, Woey Jnr and Howes take that critical next step

We will only need a couple from Fullarton, Mattie Jefferson, Will Verrall, Jed Adams, Kynan Brown, Oliver Seston, Marty Hore and the new crop to step up and I am confident that we can make top 3-6 on the ladder and then anything can happen.

Edited September 13, 2024 by DeeZone
Missed a few on the way through.

[Mickey 4,756]

Injuries will be the main thing holding us back.

Oliver and Trac getting fit

May, Lever and Gawn staying fit. I saw in his most recent IG post that Lever has an arm in a sling.

[beelzebub 23,390]

Expectations of 2025🤔🤔🤔

Not being silly, facetious or otherwise I have no 'expectations' at all.

A lot is going to have to happen at Melbourne to escape the molasses like malaise we find ourselves in.

Will just watch. 

[dimmy 1,308]

1 hour ago, Mickey said:

Injuries will be the main thing holding us back.

Oliver and Trac getting fit

May, Lever and Gawn staying fit. I saw in his most recent IG post that Lever has an arm in a sling.

Probably as good a time to have his arm in a sling I suppose !!

[Red But Mostly Blue 4,558]

Expectations:

Consistent, reliable footy with a plan that makes sense. 

Good footy for FOUR quarters. I appreciate you can't maintain manic intensity for the whole game, so what I am saying is we don't play those famous 1-quarter games. Or turn up midway through the third for 10 minutes then never again. Or brain fade for 10 minutes at first bounce in the 4th, and have 6 goals kicked against us. 

Redefine, commit to and rebuild our brand. Who are we? Show us. Every week. Win or lose. 

Selfless footy again. 

The results will look after themselves. The competition is close and I expect it will remain so next year. We were only a 2 small losses away from finals, but arguably so were other teams (such as the Pies, Freo). 

I'd love to say top 4, but in truth based on this year, I can't say that hand on heart because we were truly ordinary in parts this year. No-shows, and flogged by Freo - TWICE. The Eagles. Etc. I believe we are capable of turning it around, but a lot has to happen - Clarry has a great offseason (he will), Viney regains his best, Petracca is in the right mindset and regains his strength. Some luck with injuries throughout the year, like Maxxy, May and Lever (all hurt us with absence). Kozzy out for 3 weeks is big (that went very quiet, still sad we didn't push that). Can't afford more absences like that. And we need some of the guys to continue improvement - Sparrow, Riv, Salem (needs something), McVee, JVR etc. They need big years. So yeah, it would be easy to say top 4, but it's more complicated than that.

BUT - if the Board can settle things (and yes it is their job to do so, this is the right time - well a while back was, but the next best time is now - the culture trickles down). Not to say the culture is an issue. But whatever it is, they need to look at what's happening, and decide what needs to be done to correct it. We have a small window with Maxxy and May to launch at a flag.

If we address those things above, I believe the results will reflect that and we will play finals, with a real shot at success.

[adonski 12,903]

Wildcard round team

[hardtack 10,849]

I think this thread is probably better raised following the trade period and draft.

As things currently stand, I’d be expecting a settled football department, line coaches who are across the nuances of the modern game, a head coach who has looked at, listened to and learned from our failings of 2024  and is preparing multiple game plans.

Edited September 13, 2024 by hardtack

[At the break of Gawn 4,460]

Finals and a finals win at the MCG but I think we’ll be outclassed in the 2nd or 3rd week of the finals.

[IRW 1,388]

33 minutes ago, hardtack said:

I think this thread is probably better raised following the trade period and draft.

As things currently stand, I’d be expecting a settled football department, line coaches who are across the nuances of the modern game, a head coach who has looked at, listened to and learned from our failings of 2024  and is preparing multiple game plans.

So you're saying a new head coach bringing a new team with him?