Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

[GVGjr]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

You are only as good as your last game. We turned it on when it mattered.

The finals are a season unto themselves. Once the H&A finishes everything effectively starts again.

Its ironic, isn't it. For a team that had a reputation for being poor performers in finals, we turned it on bigtime.

I wasn't dismissing our performances but we did finish 7th on the H&A ladder before turning it up a notch in the finals.
That gives us an incredible amount of confidence for this season but there are still some very good teams to beat to even make the top 4.

[ratsmac]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

Ok I need help. Can someone please explain to me why GWS will beat us in the 2017 Grand Final? Most pundits have us as runner ups for 2017, actually every pundit does. So a 30 year old Brett Deliedio and a 34 year old Stevie J go into the side that LOST to us on their home ground 4 months ago. While Cloke, Crameri and Murphy (and Wally and Adams) come into ours. How are they more likely to beat us in Melbourne with Deliedio exactly?

Please enlighten me?

It must be Delidio's finals experience that has the pundits excited, all that winning finals experience.

[GVGjr]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

Ok I need help. Can someone please explain to me why GWS will beat us in the 2017 Grand Final? Most pundits have us as runner ups for 2017, actually every pundit does. So a 30 year old Brett Deliedio and a 34 year old Stevie J go into the side that LOST to us on their home ground 4 months ago. While Cloke, Crameri and Murphy (and Wally and Adams) come into ours. How are they more likely to beat us in Melbourne with Deliedio exactly?

Please enlighten me?

As a long time Bulldog supporter I wouldn't bet against us.

The way it's been explained to me is a lot of the high end talent they have drafted over the past few years are now hitting their peak and the games experiences a lot of their players now have is right in the ideal premiership model most clubs would look towards acquiring. Adding the likes of Deledio isn't a game changer for them but if fit he is certainly a best 22 player. It's probably the reason why we were so interested in getting him.

I get the sentiment towards our upside as well but the bookies tend to make their decisions on facts not emotion and right now on what we know GWS are a top side and the team that beats them in the finals will probably win the GF.

[jeemak]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

We did finish seventh, but only two games short of the minor premiers - with by far the worst injuries to deal with of all finalists.

When the finals rolled around we played the best football, and were the toughest side physically and between the ears. Funny this aligned with becoming healthier with good players playing together.

Sure, we weren't the best side through the home and away season, but our finals performance suggests if we weren't ravaged by injuries through the year we probably would have been.

[GVGjr]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

Sure, we weren't the best side through the home and away season, but our finals performance suggests if we weren't ravaged by injuries through the year we probably would have been.

With a decent run with injuries there is no reason why we can't be a top 4 side.

[1eyedog]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

As a long time Bulldog supporter I wouldn't bet against us.

The way it's been explained to me is a lot of the high end talent they have drafted over the past few years are now hitting their peak and the games experiences a lot of their players now have is right in the ideal premiership model most clubs would look towards acquiring. Adding the likes of Deledio isn't a game changer for them but if fit he is certainly a best 22 player. It's probably the reason why we were so interested in getting him.

I get the sentiment towards our upside as well but the bookies tend to make their decisions on facts not emotion and right now on what we know GWS are a top side and the team that beats them in the finals will probably win the GF.

I suppose it is difficult for bookies to quantify mental toughness and psychological edges as they do not translate into crunchable numbers.

I still believe GWS' greatest challenge will be having to win a final against a good team in Melbourne and I think that may very well be their downfall.

[Twodogs]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

I wasn't dismissing our performances but we did finish 7th on the H&A ladder before turning it up a notch in the finals.
That gives us an incredible amount of confidence for this season but there are still some very good teams to beat to even make the top 4.

We've proved we can beat the best sides in the competition in the highest pressure games.

[GVGjr]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

We've proved we can beat the best sides in the competition in the highest pressure games.

I can't simply dismiss the quality of the opposition like you can. There is a heap of work to do to go close to replicating last years effort. We should certainly be confident but I don't think I'm as confident as you are.

[The Doctor]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

We've proved we can beat the best sides in the competition in the highest pressure games.

and anywhere!

[1eyedog]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

I can't simply dismiss the quality of the opposition like you can. There is a heap of work to do to go close to replicating last years effort. We should certainly be confident but I don't think I'm as confident as you are.

It will take a bit of time for you to get used to our dominance but after this year I'm sure your confidence will grow.

[MrMahatma]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

If you think about it statistically, outside of what we did last year, you have to finish top 4 to win the flag. Maybe what we did is the beginning of breaking the mold, maybe it was a once off.

Most people look at it and say that GWS finished top 4. They'll improve a bit, so should finish top 4 again. We finished 7, we'll improve a bit (potentially a lot...) but we need to go up from 7th... will we make top 4?

I think so. But I can see why others don't. Sydney will still be tough. Adelaide, Geelong, GWS, Hawks. These teams are hard to beat, and it's a long season (as we know).

I reckon we'll finish top 4 but I'm somewhat one eyed.

[Bornadog]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

If you think about it statistically, outside of what we did last year, you have to finish top 4 to win the flag. Maybe what we did is the beginning of breaking the mold, maybe it was a once off.

Most people look at it and say that GWS finished top 4. They'll improve a bit, so should finish top 4 again. We finished 7, we'll improve a bit (potentially a lot...) but we need to go up from 7th... will we make top 4?

I think so. But I can see why others don't. Sydney will still be tough. Adelaide, Geelong, GWS, Hawks. These teams are hard to beat, and it's a long season (as we know).

I reckon we'll finish top 4 but I'm somewhat one eyed.

My gut feeling is Geelong and Hawks won't make top 4. Stop Dangerfield and Geelong are in trouble. They only really have Danger and Selwood that are any good in the midfield.

Hawks were lucky to make top 4 and losing a couple of hard nuts in the midfield will struggle.

We will be top four and hard to beat again.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

My gut feeling is Geelong and Hawks won't make top 4. Stop Dangerfield and Geelong are in trouble. They only really have Danger and Selwood that are any good in the midfield.

Hawks were lucky to make top 4 and losing a couple of hard nuts in the midfield will struggle.

We will be top four and hard to beat again.

I am actually tipping Geelong (especially) and Hawthorn to miss the 8.

Geelong with North Melbourne have the highest number of untried players of any list. Geelong only have 27 players who played a senior game in 2016, they are seriously ready to be closer to the bottom 4 than top 4.

Hawthorn also have plenty of inexperienced players and are relying on the quality like Billy Hartung, Ricky Henderson and Jake Fitzpatrick in their top 25.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

I am actually tipping Geelong (especially) and Hawthorn to miss the 8.

Geelong with North Melbourne have the highest number of untried players of any list. Geelong only have 27 players who played a senior game in 2016, they are seriously ready to be closer to the bottom 4 than top 4.

Hawthorn also have plenty of inexperienced players and are relying on the quality like Billy Hartung, Ricky Henderson and Jake Fitzpatrick in their top 25.

Agree 100% BJ.

[Twodogs]

Re: Want back-to-back flags? Then what do we to need change or improve in 2017?

It will take a bit of time for you to get used to our dominance but after this year I'm sure your confidence will grow.

That's the premiership cup talking, that is. It has an energy of its own. I used to read all that stuff in the sagas about Viking swords and how each sword had a personality of its own and think "oh yeah, it's just a bunch of metal" but having held the cup, our cup in my arms, I think I know what they are on about. It's everything, that cup.