On 07/02/2026 at 10:09, Fork 'em said:

I was surprised about the embarrassing garbage we served in the Prelim tho'.
Disgraceful.

I wasn’t we looked tired in the last quarter against the Hawks in the qualifying final.

I thought we were also coming off 2 emotional highs.

I predicted a 10 goal loss, the surprise for me was the way it occurred, I expected we’d put up a fight early but get over run as we tired.

The big positive is that we embarked on rebuilding the midfield in the 2023 off season and have continued on that path.

It's as if we saw the departures of Oliver & Petracca coming (and foreseeing the long term injury to Viney)

If we had rested on our laurels and kept faith with the old breed, we'd be in real trouble. The replacement midfield lacks experience but a base of Steele, Kozzie & Rivers gives us something to work with and add-to (along with, down the track, Viney)

However, the other 2 areas of concern is a functioning forward line and to a lesser extent, the backline. But we've recruited players to strengthen both areas

I reckon we'll be ok down back if Lever, Turner, CJ, XT, Petty, Howes, T-Mac (back-up) & Salem can all stay reasonable healthy. If not, we might leak goals

A more mobile forward line will probably see us play only a maximum of 2 bigs in the forward line (Checkers & JVR) ... the rest need to be fleet-of-foot and constantly presenting. A 3rd tall up forward is unlikely

Checkers plays the traditional key forward role but JVR needs to play a more roaming CHF type role (similar to a HHF)

Fritta, Melk, Chandler (HHF) & Latrelle the mainstays with Culley, Kolt, Kozzie & Langford pushing forward as add-ons

And the delivery into the forward line needs to be crisp & precise. But it's a work-in-progress so it's going to take a bit of time to get right

If we can get all 3 areas functioning well (or at least reasonably well) we can win 10 or 11 games

And build from there

As @Bombay Airconditioning mentioned above, there are a lot of middling teams that are quite beatable

We may not be pushing for a top 4 or top 6 spot but neither are the Saints, Blues, Bombers, North, Tigers, Port, Eagles or Pies, in my view

And I'm not convinced that the Crows, Freo, Doggies, Giants or Sydney are genuine premiership threats

We can beat a lot of those teams if we can bring our best and have a good run with injuries

Edited February 8Feb 8 by Macca

20 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Alright there, negative Nancy.

Facts.

5 hours ago, Macca said:

A more mobile forward line will probably see us play only a maximum of 2 bigs in the forward line (Checkers & JVR) ... the rest need to be fleet-of-foot and constantly presenting. A 3rd tall up forward is unlikely

Multiple training reports have spoken (surprisingly perhaps, but nonetheless) of the development of Jeffo. What if ...

10 minutes ago, Big Col said:

Multiple training reports have spoken (surprisingly perhaps, but nonetheless) of the development of Jeffo. What if ...

What I can clearly remember was when we played 3 tall forwards in round 1 last season against GWS ... between the 3 (AJ, Jeffo & JVR) they accumulated a total of 10 kicks & 2 marks. Epic fail

GWS waltzed the ball out of their backline on occasions and the match was decided by one kick

If we play Heath as a 2nd ruck we then have the 3rd tall forward covered (if that's at all needed)

In my view, Jeffo will need to bide his time unless Checkers doesn't come up or if he is somehow preferred to JVR (unlikely)

Edited February 8Feb 8 by Macca

42 minutes ago, Macca said:

What I can clearly remember was when we played 3 tall forwards in round 1 last season against GWS ... between the 3 (AJ, Jeffo & JVR) they accumulated a total of 10 kicks & 2 marks. Epic fail

GWS waltzed the ball out of their backline on occasions and the match was decided by one kick

If we play Heath as a 2nd ruck we then have the 3rd tall forward covered (if that's at all needed)

In my view, Jeffo will need to bide his time unless Checkers doesn't come up or if he is somehow preferred to JVR (unlikely)

To be fair it was pissing down iirc

1 minute ago, Madz said:

To be fair it was pissing down iirc

I don't remember that but if so, all the more reason for a late change (or 2)

It was a monumental stuff up and set the tone for the next month of losses

Also reckon playing low skilled tall forwards lends itself to long bombs forward from the mids. Take the talls away and the mids need to find more mobile targets

Edited February 8Feb 8 by Macca

Anything outside bottom 4 would be a good effort. New coach. New game plan. Old faces moved on. And fox footy calling it "AFLs worst pre season" (referring to injuries).

Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

18 hours ago, Macca said:

We may not be pushing for a top 4 or top 6 spot but neither are the Saints, Blues, Bombers, North, Tigers, Port, Eagles or Pies, in my view

And I'm not convinced that the Crows, Freo, Doggies, Giants or Sydney are genuine premiership threats

We can beat a lot of those teams if we can bring our best and have a good run with injuries

I agree with the sentiments, and the reason I went with wins instead of position is I am not sure how many teams will go super hard to read. I really think Freo and the Dogs have the list (if injury free) to go on a run. Crows I don’t see as premiership material, their defense won’t hold up in finals, Giants have problems at the other end of the ground. I find it hard to see anyone going past Brisbane, and I never back a premier (unless it’s us) to back it up. Sydney I have no idea, feeling is cooked, a couple of big bodies short they are a bit light pack weight wise..

I expect to see some flashes of exciting attacking footy from us this year, but ultimately it's a rebuild year and I don't think we'll be overly competitive. I feel people will be disappointed if they have any greater expectations and think we'll be playing finals. This year is about two keys things;
Pumping games into our young core such as Langford, Windsor, Lindsey, Pickett, Tholstrup, Taylor.
Giving more responsibility to maturing players e.g. Rivers into midfield, leadership role for Turner.

My predictions:

Finishing position: 15th
Best & Fairest: Jack Steele
Best young player: Latrelle Pickett
Leading goal kicker: Bailey Fritsch
Most disposals: Jack Steele
Most marks: Ed Langdon
Most tackles: Jack Steele
Breakout year: Caleb Windsor

If we can keep our defence healthy and intact, that can help us win games

Petty, Lever, Turner, CJ, XT, Salem, Howes, T-Mac, Adams and perhaps even Lindsay the likely candidates

Whilst we're developing, our defence could be a strength, building the team from the backline

What is true, is that we need a big man presence up forward, and down back. We've had it before, but those era's are in the past

I wonder how King sees it all? Is he the type to try the players in different positions? I hope so, as we really don't have a lot to lose by experimenting

Edited February 9Feb 9 by Macca

Northey's 2nd year as Coach - Prelim Final

Balme's 2nd year as Coach - Prelim Final

Daniher's 1st year as Coach - Prelim Final

Goodwin's 2nd year as coach - Prelim Final

King's 1st or 2nd year as Coach - ?????

Edited February 21Feb 21 by Macca

Can still only see about 8 possible wins. But if we can score like Friday. Well over 100 points and if Latrelle and kossy can excite , going to watch will bring in the punters who can smile at the future.

If you don’t pursue the wins you will not get them. Go Dee’s

I reckon we are a good chance to just sneak into the 8 or be finals contenders right up to round 24. Still a long shot but I am impressed by what seems to be healthy competition for playing spots and what the new coaching broom sweeps in. We have a mix of experience, youth and traded in players all keen to make an impact.

Edited February 21Feb 21 by John Crow Batty

We played NM not a contender for the 8 and until we come up against a top team and win the best we can hope for 11-14th but if we get no major injuries then maybe we can contend.

Goody said it’s not about the result, it’s about the process and the learnings. No, it’s getting the result and EXCITING THE CROWD. That’s the aim. I loved the attacking mode from our first practice game.

Predictions? 18 teams. 6 finals spots. 4 wildcard spots. Except for Eagles, Tigers & Kangas, I think 15 teams can genuinely say they are a chance to be in the finals. But 15 into 10 does not fit.

Rebecca Maddern

Grand Final: Brisbane v GWS Giants

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Coleman Medal: Jeremy Cameron

Rising Star: Alix Tauru

Team to rise: Gold Coast Suns

Team to fall: Adelaide

Player to watch: Jagga Smith

Kane Cornes

Premier: Western Bulldogs

Brownlow Medal: Noah Anderson

Coleman Medal: Sam Darcy

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Fremantle

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Joe Berry

Nick Riewoldt

Premier: Gold Coast

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Adelaide

Player to watch: Harvey Langford

Abbey Holmes

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Christian Petracca

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Gold Coast

Team to fall: Melbourne

Player to watch: Josh Rachele

Luke Hodge

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Harley Reid

Kate McCarthy

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: St Kilda

Team to fall: GWS

Player to watch: Connor MacDonald

Brian Taylor

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Gold Coast

Team to fall: Melbourne

Player to watch: -

Daisy Pearce

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Willem Duursma

Team to rise: St Kilda

Team to fall: GWS Giants

Player to watch: Harvey Langford

Joel Selwood

Premier: Gold Coast

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Adelaide

Player to watch: Colby McKercher

Erin Phillips

Premier: Gold Coast

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Coleman Medal: Jesse Hogan

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: St Kilda

Team to fall: Geelong

Player to watch: Ethan Read

Matthew Richardson

Premier: Hawthorn

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow

Rising Star: -

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Bailey Humphrey

Campbell Brown

Premier: Gold Coast

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Sam Darcy

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: St Kilda

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Jed Walter

Dale Thomas

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Jordan Dawson

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Gold Coast

Team to fall: Melbourne

Player to watch: Nate Caddy

Chad Wingard

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Sam Darcy

Rising Star: Willem Duursma

Team to rise: Essendon

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Mitch Lewis

Mitch Cleary

Grand Final: Brisbane v Fremantle

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Caleb Windsor

Ryan Daniels

Grand Final: Brisbane v Fremantle

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden

Coleman Medal: Sam Darcy

Rising Star: Sam Grlj

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Adelaide

Player to watch: Joel Freijah

Kate Massey

Grand Final: Sydney v Gold Coast

Premier: Sydney

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos

Coleman Medal: Sam Darcy

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: GWS Giants

Player to watch: Colby McKercher

Xander McGuire

Grand Final: Brisbane v Western Bulldogs

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Western Bulldogs

Team to fall: Adelaide

Player to watch: Bailey Humphrey

Theo Doropoulos

Grand Final: Hawthorn v Geelong

Premier: Hawthorn

Brownlow Medal: Marcus Bontempelli

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: GWS Giants

Player to watch: Caleb Windsor

Hamish McLachlan

Premier: Gold Coast

Brownlow Medal: Errol Gulden

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Tanner Bruhn

Jack Heverin

Premier: Brisbane

Brownlow Medal: Chad Warner

Coleman Medal: Ben King

Rising Star: Jagga Smith

Team to rise: Sydney

Team to fall: Collingwood

Player to watch: Luke Jackson

The biggest and boldest calls for 2026

Kane Cornes: Collingwood bottom four

Nick Riewoldt: Umpires stripped of Brownlow voting

Erin Phillips: Three-way Brownlow Medal tie

Joel Selwood: Freo finish top to claim minor premiership

Abbey Holmes: North Melbourne to play in wildcard round

Kate McCarthy: Harley Reid shows us all how good he really is - consistently

Jack Heverin: All non-Victorian top four

Chad Wingard: Essendon win a (wildcard) final

Daisy Pearce: Australia v Ireland AFLW game a sellout at Marvel in mid-year bye round

Matthew Richardson: Zach Merrett signs a new five-year deal at Bombers

Totals (out of 21)

Premier: Brisbane 12, Gold Coast 5, Hawthorn 2, Sydney 1, Western Bulldogs 1

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos 8, Marcus Bontempelli 5, Errol Gulden 3, Noah Anderson 1, Christian Petracca 1, Jordan Dawson 1, Chad Warner 1, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera 1

Coleman Medal: Ben King 10, Sam Darcy 5, Charlie Curnow 3, Jesse Hogan 2, Jeremy Cameron 1

Rising Star: Jagga Smith 16, Willem Duursma 2, Alix Tauru 1, Sam Grlj 1 (Matthew Richardson NA).

Team to rise: Sydney 10, St Kilda 4, Gold Coast 4, Essendon 1, Fremantle 1, Western Bulldogs 1

Team to fall: Collingwood 8, Adelaide 5, GWS Giants 4, Melbourne 3, Geelong 1

Wow so brave and bold to predict a team that finished 14th two years in a row and has since traded away two AA calibre players will fall…

10 minutes ago, The Cult of Disco Turner said:

Wow so brave and bold to predict a team that finished 14th two years in a row and has since traded away two AA calibre players will fall…

I mean, how much further do they think we are going to fall??

Do any fans feel more optimistic about our season given our solid preseason form and the new game plan already looking to be implemented to a degree

I think we'll be around the 7-11 win mark

30 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Do any fans feel more optimistic about our season given our solid preseason form and the new game plan already looking to be implemented to a degree

I think we'll be around the 7-11 win mark

I feel fantastic about the game changes and play style. I’m excited with the team personnel changes as well as coaches and staff all the way up.

I think we will be exciting a lot, but also fail a fair bit due to lack of experience and depth.

It will certainly be interesting and unpredictable to say the least.

On 22/02/2026 at 10:01, 640MD said:

Can still only see about 8 possible wins. But if we can score like Friday. Well over 100 points and if Latrelle and kossy can excite , going to watch will bring in the punters who can smile at the future.

If you don’t pursue the wins you will not get them. Go Dee’s

Open 'both' eyes 😉

47 minutes ago, DubDee said:

Do any fans feel more optimistic about our season given our solid preseason form and the new game plan already looking to be implemented to a degree

I think we'll be around the 7-11 win mark

Nope.

4th to 7th

A lot of players started their careers well and went stale. Entry into 50 became farcical as did the lack of tall targets. The returning senior players were dumped straight into the seniors.

I have great hope of King acting more rationally.

4 hours ago, DubDee said:

Do any fans feel more optimistic about our season given our solid preseason form and the new game plan already looking to be implemented to a degree

I think we'll be around the 7-11 win mark

not really, no

still think we're a bottom 5 side, winning about the same # of games as the last two seasons, so 7 wins; would be pleased if it was double digit wins

yet i might feel a lot better about the 2026 season than i did 2024 and 2025

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by whatwhat say what