First Four Rounds - No Bont, Treloar, Marra, etc, What will be the results?

[JackCJohnston2000]

Given NM have kicked over 100 points just 3 times over the past 4 seasons you would think that even without the players mentioned we would like our chances if it was a high scoring game.

Besides Larkey who kicks their goals?

I rate Jack Darling as a supportive veteran #2 to help Larkey but even I don't think he's gonna be a huge focus for them in getting 100 points.

[Mantis]

I rate Jack Darling as a supportive veteran #2 to help Larkey but even I don't think he's gonna be a huge focus for them in getting 100 points.

Darling has kicked 48 goals across his last 2 seasons (41 games), and I know WC have been shit but that's not a great return for someone who turns 33 in 3 months.

[Mantis]

I'd like to think we can be a minimum of 2-2 come gather round.

We still have weapons, and I have confidence that our depth has improved.

[JackCJohnston2000]

Darling has kicked 48 goals across his last 2 seasons (41 games), and I know WC have been shit but that's not a great return for someone who turns 33 in 3 months.

24 goals a season as a second banana in a shit team isn't that bad a return actually. Plus, North have a much better midfield.

If he kicks 30 and Larkey kicks 50+ then I'd say it was a worthwhile trade.

[Mantis]

24 goals a season as a second banana in a shit team isn't that bad a return actually. Plus, North have a much better midfield.

If he kicks 30 and Larkey kicks 50+ then I'd say it was a worthwhile trade.

If you're playing as a permeant 'key' forward, I feel you should be kicking minimum 1.5 goals per game.

His last 2 years have been underwhelming to say the least.

[DOG GOD]

Given NM have kicked over 100 points just 3 times over the past 4 seasons you would think that even without the players mentioned we would like our chances if it was a high scoring game.

Besides Larkey who kicks their goals?

well put Larkey down for 5…isn’t Darling playing for these now? Even on 1 leg he’s good for 3 against our backline. Zurhaar for 3.. 4 from their mids…when I say shootout I mean more like a 15.11 to 15.9 win

i bet the dogs were 1 of those 3 times Mantis ??

[JackCJohnston2000]

well put Larkey down for 5…isn’t Darling playing for these now? Even on 1 leg he’s good for 3 against our backline. Zurhaar for 3.. 4 from their mids…when I say shootout I mean more like a 15.11 to 15.9 win

i bet the dogs were 1 of those 3 times Mantis ??

Did you know that Carlton only kicked 12 goals against a backline of Lobb, Buku, Coffield, Duryea, Bramble, Dale and Freijah? We'll be upgraded by at least two positions there.

[FrediKanoute]

Can see the Nth game being tight. A lot tighter than we perceive. They have strengthened and we are not at our best in terms of personnel.

[Happy Days]

Did you know that Carlton only kicked 12 goals against a backline of Lobb, Buku, Coffield, Duryea, Bramble, Dale and Freijah? We'll be upgraded by at least two positions there.

I dunno if I’m content to hang my hat on this given it took Charlie Curnow missing 8 times out of 11 to get there.

[Axe Man]

well put Larkey down for 5…isn’t Darling playing for these now? Even on 1 leg he’s good for 3 against our backline. Zurhaar for 3.. 4 from their mids…when I say shootout I mean more like a 15.11 to 15.9 win

i bet the dogs were 1 of those 3 times Mantis ??

They haven't gone close to kicking 100 points against us since they last beat us in 2019.

Amazing you can see the potential and upside in North but nothing but negatives for us.

[Mantis]

well put Larkey down for 5…isn’t Darling playing for these now? Even on 1 leg he’s good for 3 against our backline. Zurhaar for 3.. 4 from their mids…when I say shootout I mean more like a 15.11 to 15.9 win

i bet the dogs were 1 of those 3 times Mantis ??

Larkey kicked 1 goal in 2 games against us last year, in games in which they scored a combined total of 102 points.

In their 2nd last game of 2024, we beat them by 96 points when they scored just 42 points in which Darcy kicked 7... who the **** in their lineup is going to stop him?

[DOG GOD]

They haven't gone close to kicking 100 points against us since they last beat us in 2019.

Amazing you can see the potential and upside in North but nothing but negatives for us.

what are the negatives for us in my comment. I said it could be a shootout where both teams could possibly kick 15 goals.
i reckon on average we will struggle to kick 12+ in a game due to Marra, Weightman and Bont missing chunks.

what negatives are you talking about ?
the fact we might be 0-4 at round 4? I wasn’t the only one.

the one where I said we wouldn’t make the 8 and possibly finish as low as 14th ? I wasn’t the only one, but because I don’t post with rose coloured glasses, probably showcases any “negatives”.

let’s see how the year pans out. If we finish top 4 and make the GF I’ll be the first to say sorry to everyone. I was wrong, but I bet I don’t get the same if we bomb out to 14th.

[Bornadog]

what are the negatives for us in my comment. I said it could be a shootout where both teams could possibly kick 15 goals.
i reckon on average we will struggle to kick 12+ in a game due to Marra, Weightman and Bont missing chunks.

what negatives are you talking about ?
the fact we might be 0-4 at round 4? I wasn’t the only one.

the one where I said we wouldn’t make the 8 and possibly finish as low as 14th ? I wasn’t the only one, but because I don’t post with rose coloured glasses, probably showcases any “negatives”.

let’s see how the year pans out. If we finish top 4 and make the GF I’ll be the first to say sorry to everyone. I was wrong, but I bet I don’t get the same if we bomb out to 14th.

DG, that is the beauty of a forum, we all have our opinions. I am usually half glass full, but I am worried with the injuries and what will happen over these first 4 round and without some of our stars.

[DOG GOD]

DG, that is the beauty of a forum, we all have our opinions. I am usually half glass full, but I am worried with the injuries and what will happen over these first 4 round and without some of our stars.

thanks Bornadog.
yep there’s injuries, and there’s injuries to star impactful players. Let’s hope it works out ok.

[Axe Man]

what are the negatives for us in my comment. I said it could be a shootout where both teams could possibly kick 15 goals.
i reckon on average we will struggle to kick 12+ in a game due to Marra, Weightman and Bont missing chunks.

what negatives are you talking about ?
the fact we might be 0-4 at round 4? I wasn’t the only one.

the one where I said we wouldn’t make the 8 and possibly finish as low as 14th ? I wasn’t the only one, but because I don’t post with rose coloured glasses, probably showcases any “negatives”.

let’s see how the year pans out. If we finish top 4 and make the GF I’ll be the first to say sorry to everyone. I was wrong, but I bet I don’t get the same if we bomb out to 14th.

Nothing wrong with being concerned about where our goals will come from, most of us are.

However you believe North could defy the norm and kick a big score with their individual forwards playing out of their skin against one of the most miserly defences in the league in 2024?

Why not Darcy to kick 7 (like he did like last time) Naughton 5, West 3, McNeil 3, etc? It's more likely than North's forwards getting hold of us.

Of course your predictions could come to be, but they are less likely than the alternative so I I struggle to see why one would fantasise about the worst case scenario.