Expectations for 2013 Season

[Quixote]

Both Dempster and Stanley out for up to the next month is a shocking start.

Frustrating!!!

[SainterK]

I still worry about the loss of Goddard, and I still do think we'll miss his instinctive play especially in big game moments.

That being said, two other things I was concerned about, that were hugely significant to us falling away last year appear to have been addressed.

Scott has chosen no longer lament the lack of a full back and develop one from within, we effectively are finally slotting someone into Zacs vacated position and the flow on effect from that will be hugely significant. We have genuine depth in multiple positions, while ideally we don't encounter significant injuries this season, I no longer cringe at the thought of an injury to a KPP like last year.

This has caused me to seriously assess the fact that the Saints may be able to significantly improve on last seasons ladder position, and take a spot in the eight.

Those two important areas, coupled with the fact I see no evidence to suggest the teams in similar positions on the ladder last year have shown they will surge ahead, make me bold enough to suggest it's entirely possible that the Saints will play finals this year.

[borderbarry]

Somewhere in the top six.

[desertsaint]

I reckon we'll end up 5th to 8th with 12-15 wins.
I think we are on the improve and then we will be right in it in 2014.
Am very pleased with the way that the clubs heading and think Watters is great.
Go Saints!!
TFD

Pessimistic bastard!

[White Winmar]

10th - last.

wont make 8

but as long as some future shines brightly through Im ok with that

Everyone talks bout our kids needing to bridge the gap yada yada but reality is its the players that slip into B Grade status that need stellar years if we have any hope of being genuine finalist. The Ray's, Gilberts, Jones, Armitage, Stevens, McEvoys, Gwilts, Maistens its these guys that have to step up consistency wise.

Put it this way - if Maisten, for example only, comes out and kicks 8 against Melbourne/GWS but cant get a touch against the Cats, Hawks, Pies etc....we are treading water.

You're not Gary Ayres, are you Teffers?

[mightysainters]

i think we will come 6-11 depending on injuries...

I think our fwd line is very potent still Roo, Milne, Saad, Milera, Schneider, Maister, Stanley, TDL etc
Midfield is good- Hayes, Monty, Dal, McEvoy, Hickey, Steven, Armo with Newnes, Ross etc pushing up
Defence has improved - Fisher, Dempster, Simpkin, Gwilt, Newnes, Sipposs

[stinger]

6, 7 or 8

[oh when the]

to play finals

[saintspremiers]

At best 8th worst 12th

[dragit]

Expectation & hope are very different, I don't like setting myself up for massive disappointment.

Looking over the draw…
Games I expect us to win - 6
1 - GCS
3 - GWS
9 - WBD
13 - MELB
17 - PORT
22 - GCS

Games that we should be a chance - 8
2 - RICH
4 - ESS
7 - CARL
10 - NTH
14 - RICH
16 - CARL
21 - BRIS
23 - FREO

Games I expect us to lose - 8
5 - SYD
6 - COLL
8 - ADE
11 - WCE
15 - FREO
18 - CATS
20 - HAW
21 - SYD

We will often lose a game we expect to win, but also win one or two unexpectedly,
I expect at least 6 wins, would be happy if we get 10, anything more than 10 and I will be rapt.
Making the finals would be a huge bonus for our youngsters.

[SaintPav]

Expectation & hope are very different, I don't like setting myself up for massive disappointment.

Looking over the draw…
Games I expect us to win - 6
1 - GCS W
3 - GWS W
9 - WBD W
13 - MELB W
17 - PORT W
22 - GCS W

Games that we should be a chance - 8
2 - RICH L
4 - ESS W
7 - CARL W
10 - NTH L
14 - RICH W
16 - CARL L
21 - BRIS L
23 - FREO W

Games I expect us to lose - 8
5 - SYD W
6 - COLL W
8 - ADE L
11 - WCE L
15 - FREO L
18 - CATS L
20 - HAW L
21 - SYD L

We will often lose a game we expect to win, but also win one or two unexpectedly,
I expect at least 6 wins, would be happy if we get 10, anything more than 10 and I will be rapt.
Making the finals would be a huge bonus for our youngsters.

I did this quickly as I could without thinking about it too much and I got 12 wins.

[Stephen Theodore]

8 - 12 with 9 -13 wins.

[wolfpup]

im late to this but i am expecting we reach the finals

[saintkellerm]

Expect nothing...so I won't get disappointed, however i am expecting us to improve on last year which hopefully means playing finals.

[Saints Angel]

I am hoping for 7-10th position. It doesn't worry me if we don't make finals this year but next year it must be our aim to do so. The team is buildinhg nicely but we need a recognised centre half back for 2014.

[mbogo]

8th to 11th .. we need to recover from these early injuries and get a few big scalps if we are gonna make the 8

[PJ]

1st to 18th with the possibility of lots of injuries or none. Some players could have a break out year or barely be sighted whilst those that where on the cusp last year will show us exactly why they were chosen ...or not. Above all I think much will be done by a few while the others will present a case for being considered as major contributors that are still to come to full fruition.

[White Winmar]

1st to 18th with the possibility of lots of injuries or none. Some players could have a break out year or barely be sighted whilst those that where on the cusp last year will show us exactly why they were chosen ...or not. Above all I think much will be done by a few while the others will present a case for being considered as major contributors that are still to come to full fruition.

That has to be the most sensible, balanced and insightful post I have read on here for some time. Well done PJ. It all makes perfect sense!

[whiskers3614]

43 Kosi is useless threads.
much adulation of the coach until we lose a few in a row.
more inane drivel on SS

[Teflon]

10th - last.

wont make 8

but as long as some future shines brightly through Im ok with that

Everyone talks bout our kids needing to bridge the gap yada yada but reality is its the players that slip into B Grade status that need stellar years if we have any hope of being genuine finalist. The Ray's, Gilberts, Jones, Armitage, Stevens, McEvoys, Gwilts, Maistens its these guys that have to step up consistency wise.

Put it this way - if Maisten, for example only, comes out and kicks 8 against Melbourne/GWS but cant get a touch against the Cats, Hawks, Pies etc....we are treading water.

You're not Gary Ayres, are you Teffers?

Yes it is a tad Gary like isnt it? sounds thought-out without much said!!

I actually find Brereton like this - tries to squeeze out a really intellectual terms to explain the simplest things!

[ralphsmith]

Expectations?

Nick Riewoldt holding up the premiership cup after we win the grand final.

Why fear disappointment?

[White Winmar]

Spot on, Teffers. As far as Dermott is concerned, I'll get a bit Churchillian. Never has one with so much influence, said so little, with so many words he doesn't know the meaning of. Honestly, he is the living incarnation of the saying, "you're never so stupid as when you try so hard to appear smart".

[BadRossco]

I would expect to finish 10-12. Our A graders are all past it and I can not yet identify an potential A grader among the young players. But we surely will be ahead of last years bottom sides but will slip below Carton, Essiendon and Richmond.

[8856brother]

As long as I see our kids developing and one or two of them have break out years I will be content. Whether that means we finish top four or bottom four I don't really care. The now is about the future, and if you can't realistically win the big prize, it always should be IMO.

[prwilkinson]

Nothing surprises me anymore. How many people tipped Sydney to make the 8 before the start of last season, let alone win the premiership!?

I've watched and followed our pre season closely and one thing I suppose I can say about our experienced core group is that they look fresh and hungry again. We'll be competitive in every match we play. Whether that's enough to win a lot more than we loose only time will tell. I'll be backing us in against most though.