Predictions are always dependant on how many injuries you get to your best 23, loss of players like Oliver and Petracca is damaging to our chances this year but Steele will add some respite, McVee's replacement in Jaith is refreshing in his run and taking the game on, Spargo was never the same after his injuries took a toll on his body.

Mihocek is a bonus and Heath is an unknown quantity.

Players like Jefferson, Henderson, Johnson, Kentfield, Laurie and Culley need a good season to remain on the list in 2027.

To start well,

ie: to win at least one of the first five games

To start each game with purpose unlike beginning to play football in the second or third quarter

And to finish the “red time” with energy and purpose and a game plan to run the quarter or game out.

The position on the ladder will take care of itself. I want to walk away from watching the games feeling as if “the demons” are worth watching and have a future.

Can’t help but be optimistic at this time of year. Go Dees Finish 10th

5 hours ago, bing181 said:

Winning 10 games feels pretty optimistic to me. It also depends on how you win them — and just as importantly, how you lose them. If we’re competitive and in most matches we'll be doing well, and I’d take that over a categoric win/loss ratio any day.

The worst thing that could happen is that we do an Essendon, where we look like a million dollars in some matches but get seriously hammered in (a lot of) others.

The latter is much more likely with a young team in transition to a new style of play.

Goodwin gave us the former with his defence-first orientation.

Who makes up this [censored]?

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Rab D Nesbitt

6 games: Pass
9 games: Credit
12 games: Distinction
15 games: High Distinction
18 Games: Dux