Minimum expectaions - 2004

[BAM_BAM]

IMO Lloyd and Rocca would eat these guys for breakfast and ask for more. I really don't know that these guys would be ready to take on the likes of these types of players. Besides, doesn't Nick play most if not all of his footy forward? LRT needs to be groomed for that type of position and add a little muscle. Dempster is around the same height as Bolton, but at 79kg would also need to put on some weight to play body against body with these guys.

I think top 4 having given the kids a go again.

[Dave]

Top 6 would be acceptable to me because it gives a home final.

[timthefish]

we can and should aim for top 6 and i think if we don't win a final next year there might be a bit of concern, but let's judge that when it comes.
the board should renew roos' contract for the next three years and tell him that they don't really care how we go in 2004, we want the young blokes ready for 2005. then we can start selling draft picks and so on to get that experienced man down back or in the midfield that we may need.

youth development has worked wonders this year, but it is far from finished.

tim

[Sanecow]

Anything less than a GF appearance will be abject failure.

[barry]

We have to look to improve every year.

So anything less than a GF appearance would be considered a step backwards.

It really depends if we experience any "second year blues" by the young guys.

If you think about it, these players will be like new recruits next year, as we hardly saw them play this year.
Doyle.
James.
Fixter.
Seymour

No bad if they can hold down senior positions.

[Charlie]

How could anyone be satisfied with top 6?

If we finish 5th, we've gone backwards, not forwards. What is there to be proud of in that?

We must go forward.

[Sanecow]

I'm happy to finish as low as 8th provided we go on to win the Premiership.

[Dave]

Originally posted by Charlie
How could anyone be satisfied with top 6?

If we finish 5th, we've gone backwards, not forwards. What is there to be proud of in that?

We must go forward.

We could easily have finished 6th if some of the other results hadn't fall our way.

Therefore 6 or higher is acceptable IMO.

[snajik]

A factor that has tended to have been overlooked in this year's strong showing is our relatively injury free year. We may need to have a similar run with injuries to maintain our position, or indeed go one or two steps further. We had 11 players who played every game this year (and three more that played 22 or more), compared 4 in 2002. Further, no player was suspended. This can only lead to greater stability.

It's also possible that we may have won a couple of games earlier on due to the opposition not rating us as highly as they should have. I doubt we will have that luxury next year.

[AussieAnge]

For what it is worth my expectations are that the boys go out and give 100% in every game and play 4 quarters of good footy.

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by Dave
Therefore 6 or higher is acceptable IMO.

I firmly disagree with this, this sort of attitude is why we haven't won a flag since 1933.

[Charlie]

Originally posted by Dave
We could easily have finished 6th if some of the other results hadn't fall our way.

Therefore 6 or higher is acceptable IMO.

So... you're happy to look at a lower position next year, determine that we have simply tread water and say that's good enough?

All I want is an improvement. That means a Grand Final, and naturally, once we're in a Grand Final we need to be willing to do everything to win. Therefore: All I am willing to set as a goal is a premiership. Nothing less will satisfy me.

[Dave]

Originally posted by snajik
We may need to have a similar run with injuries to maintain our position, or indeed go one or two steps further. We had 11 players who played every game this year (and three more that played 22 or more), compared 4 in 2002. Further, no player was suspended. This can only lead to greater stability.

The problem was though, that we had injuries to key players ie Ball, Magic. Not to mention Doyle and Saddo's injuries. In the end (especially after the Port game) we were probably the most injury affected team going into the prelims.

[Nico]

I said at the start of this season if we found another 10% improvement we would be a good side.

Now we need to find another 10% on top of that to get to a GF.
That is going to be infinitely harder than this year's 10%.

If those 4 listed above find good consistent form then that may just top our improvement up by that 10%, provided everything else goes to plan. To get to the GF then is a bit of a balancing act with very huge slices of luck and a bit of old fashioned arse.

Has everone forgotten Thewlis, who got excellent reviews from those that consistently watched the 2's. And Powell has been resigned so they think a bit of him.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Charlie
So... you're happy to look at a lower position next year, determine that we have simply tread water and say that's good enough?

All I want is an improvement. That means a Grand Final, and naturally, once we're in a Grand Final we need to be willing to do everything to win. Therefore: All I am willing to set as a goal is a premiership. Nothing less will satisfy me.

I don't think we will do as well next year, I think we played great team footy all year and had a good run with injury's for the most part so anywhere from 6 up and I will be happy.

DC was our most consistant midfielder all year(untill hit hard with injury in the finals series,) and he will be hard to replace. but hey here's hoping, I just think you will be let down charlie but the years following next year should net you that premership I think if we stick to the rebuilding plan we will be there.