Break out smokeys

[Beno88]

Matthew Allison will be the surprise of 2024.

[saynta]

Matthew Allison will be the surprise of 2024.

Would be great if you are right.

[Scollop]

Very underrated Webster

Rarely beaten

Totally agree on Jimmy...but

I've been vehemently defending him whenever people criticise his selection in the team, but the concern is the fact that he's nearing the end. How long can he keep up with the likes of Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford types?

In the EF game against GWS we didn't have a winner in that backline. Even Batts probably broke even with his opponent for the whole day.

Admittedly, most backlines would have struggled with the supply that was coming in. It wasn't just the quantity (inside 50's were roughly even) but the quality. GWS had 15 marks inside 50. We only had 9

GWS got first hands on the ball out of the centre. Crouch had a stinker. Roma's opponent was influential. Briggs was significant at centre stoppages and he dominated hitouts for the day.

Some of our mids like Steele, and halfbacks including Nas and Sincs were prolific but so were theirs. Their midfield group were better.

We need Dow, Windy, Owens, and Pou to step up as mids if we expect to advance on 2023.

Thought J. Battle and N. Wanganeen-Milera were pretty good in that final?

Of course. Both were brilliant, but they didn't totally nullify their opponents.

We were basically 7th as far as our win loss record against top 8 teams. The team that finished 8th in that win/loss against top 8 sides (see wheeloratings link below) was far better than us in September.

We need the new recruits like Dow and Henry to impact and we need a couple of smokeys amongst the young ones to have break out seasons to bridge the gap.

I'd rather we plan for an assault in 2025 and make 2024 another year of experimentation and a year to blood the 18-21 year olds.

https://www.wheeloratings.com/afl_recor ... teams.html

[Vortex]

I'd rather we plan for an assault in 2025 and make 2024 another year of experimentation and a year to blood the 18-21 year olds.

#meetoo

although I'd be thinking the earliest possible genuine year for a top four win could be 2026.

[nostalgicsaint]

I'd rather we plan for an assault in 2025 and make 2024 another year of experimentation and a year to blood the 18-21 year olds.

#meetoo

although I'd be thinking the earliest possible genuine year for a top four win could be 2026.

2024- 4th to 8th
2025- 3rd to 6th
2026- top 4

[Otiman]

I'd rather we plan for an assault in 2025 and make 2024 another year of experimentation and a year to blood the 18-21 year olds.

#meetoo

although I'd be thinking the earliest possible genuine year for a top four win could be 2026.

My interpretation for Ross's "Dual Narrative" is that we select the team with the future in mind, build and develop a gameplan, and fight like hell on and off the field to win every game.

Where that gets us in 2024 is up to the playing group. We are capable of top 4 or bottom 4 depending on the actions.

A culture of success is worth more than draft picks. West Coast wiill win a flag before North Melbourne, despite all the tears at the draft.

[B.M]

Allison needs to get a kick in the VFL first!

[Vortex]

Ross's "Dual Narrative"

Can you remind me, what was the dual narrative in 2023?

I know one narrative was the "exploration",

What was the other one?

[Otiman]

“I think we can run the dual-narrative like last year, we exposed a lot of kids… and with the amount of games we played finals, and I think we can do it again,” Lyon said.

A good Ross-ism needs a bit of interpretation.

[saint6709]

Hammer

[NickyDal]

Ross's "Dual Narrative"

Can you remind me, what was the dual narrative in 2023?

I know one narrative was the "exploration",

What was the other one?

Blood heaps of kids but still play finals...

[Saints94]

McLennan

[cwrcyn]

McLennan is a strong mark for his height. Has no fear standing in front of a pack bearing down on him. Could surprise a few people. Has had a few injuries/surgeries, so he has some catching up to do with his fitness, but from what I've seen of him so far, there's reason to be optimistic.

[B.M]

Performance in AFL footy is NEVER linear

Thinking we are going to go forward every year and rise the ladder each year is naive.

All teams are trying to improve- some will - some won’t

Teams can slide, get leap frogged, or surprise

[nostalgicsaint]

Performance in AFL footy is NEVER linear

Thinking we are going to go forward every year and rise the ladder each year is naive.

All teams are trying to improve- some will - some won’t

Teams can slide, get leap frogged, or surprise

True but in terms of expectations it is fair to provide a linear equation with a + - range.

[silverhalo]

I'm hoping it's Keeler, because we desperately need a backup ruck/forward.

I agree that it will be the mercurial Isaac Keeler - can't wait to see this kid play

[CQ SAINT]

Matthew Allison will be the surprise of 2024.

I'm surprised he is still there, but if he could run a wing and end up like Wood, bring it on.

[skeptic]

Matthew Allison will be the surprise of 2024.

Would be a heck of a surprise

[Yorkeys]

If we have one or two it will be someone unexpected and probably emerge because of an unfortunate circumstance like injury or form loss so comes with a cost, although rotation might become more normal in player management. SaintMike's track reports often throw up tantalising prospects.

[CQ SAINT]

Hugo Garcia, if he is healthy and prepared at round one.

He reminds me of McKenzie with better footskills.

[B.M]

How do you know he’s got better foot skills?

[CQ SAINT]

Wouldn't be hard

[B.M]

So you’re guessing?

[CQ SAINT]

No I've got great memories of Dan's courage and speed but gasped at inability to steady as a younger player, which did improve as his injuries slowed him down.

I've also seen footage of Garcia kicking with both feet and he has played 150 games of Junior grade football and has nearly a goal a game over err his whole junior career and was getting 16 d 5 tk and 4 clearances on average at the top level.
He can defend, apply pressure constantly, can take it off you and run away with it. The composure will come in a professional environment.

His draft profile say his kicking can improve and his weakness was a need to work on his penetration by foot not accuracy.

He is a quicker version of Crouch, but clearly has the wheels to burst from stoppage.

[CQ SAINT]

nNow our friend Jack Billings, who played as for out on the outside as you get, was a beautiful field kick and looked like he had so much time, balance and a beautiful kick.

The problem I noticed with Billings was mental weakness that manifested in a physical trait when he became a professional footballer.

The whistle has blown, the hard work has been done and you put your body on the line and got a free kick.

Now you have to finish the mental work and kick the goal. Oops, (mental impotence) it just got worse as he got older and injury prone (even softer and less virile) and then eventually, he ran to sit safely in the stand of the MCG, in his Memberd seat, watching Melbourne eating his cheeseborad and sipping his Chardy with his ski boots on.

Sorry Jack, I'm on holidays and intent at amusing myself at BM's expense and your are great source material for that purpose