.
I think the truth lay in between the off season surgeries, the 666 rule, and all the talk of making grand finals.
In short our mental fitness, our physical health/fitness, and the upset to the rules which we built the team around, gamestyle included.
I believe its a mix of all these things.
And some have been saying since the start of last year, that we have the best Midfield going... and I've tried to counter that, last season.
We do not.... But no-one was having any of it.
We don't have the polish inside, with our beasts.
And I've been wanting us to add the likes of, dShiel for some seasons... and Ben Ainsworth, Jack Higgins from they're draft years.
We lack the agility, and the step thru traffic, and the foot nimbleness and speed that these small players bring.
Gawn finally started to be the leader he could be, last season, until that Prelim final in Perth. Now he's battling away against two opponents week in... And he's still not taking enough marks about the ground.
That is the biggest weapon for a ruckman, his marks.
Our midfield is not even 2nd best... more like equal 5th-ish... and we will be overtaken by more, soon.