So where are we really at?

[The Pie Man]

Re: So where are we really at?

At the moment it looks like you are right, but things can change very quickly in footy and they usually do.

My levels of faith have been seriously depleted, but there is still hope.....

This post sums up my feelings on our season/where we're at etc perfectly
The loss, while poor, wasn't as bad as the ping in Coon's string. That really hurts
But footy so often turns around when you least expect it
I wonder what the least amount of wins is for a 4th spot finish - we could lose, end up on 13 and still be there. Very strange.

[ReLoad]

Re: So where are we really at?

The point about our best player in 40 years is totally subjective and also totally irrelevant to this post's topic.

All it did was highlight one of the core issues, but feel free to glaze over the fact we are the second worst performing team in the eight over the last couple of weeks.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we really at?

I know it was 13 years ago, but what was Adelaide's form and reputation like coming into the '97 finals series? I don't really remember all that well -- McLeod wasn't yet recognised as an out-and-out superstar (until the GF), Modra was hot and cold, and Jarman floated around like a time bomb that never really exploded (until the 4th quarter of that prelim). I don't think anyone really gave them a chance. Ditto Brisbane '01?

I'm as pessimistic as the next cat, but I guess while there's life, there's hope, and in sports you just never say never until the fat lady sings. That's why knock-out competition is so beautiful. A few lucky passages of play here and there, and there's Wimbledon beating Liverpool to win the FA Cup, or Goran Ivanisevic winning Wimbledon (hmm, a theme there?) as a wildcard, or Adelaide coming from nowhere town to suddenly have their first of two Premierships.

September is a different competition to H&A. You get there, everything starts again. We are shit now, but shittier teams have won things. We can only hang on for the ride.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: So where are we really at?

I know it was 13 years ago, but what was Adelaide's form and reputation like coming into the '97 finals series?

Adelaide won 6 & lost 3 of the last 9 rounds in 1997.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: So where are we really at?

There's Plenty of Talent at Willy. Maybe it is time for a bit of a Cull.

That's a myth. Willi are travelling nicely but there are not half a dozen superstars just waiting to step up.

Ben Davies, Matt Little, Ben Jolley, Ben Johnson and Peter Faulks are handy VFL players.

Of Saturday's team, Everitt, Minson, Roughead and Addison would be the ones pushing for a senior spot. Markovic was OK and I'm actually interested in how he would go.

Rose and Hooper had their moments but I'm doubtful about them at AFL level. Even if they were good enough to survive at AFL level they are hardly going to be our saviours. Callan has been tried and found wanting a number of times.

Stack had a poor first half but was OK in the 2nd (when we were already 10 goals up), Hill was terrible, Tutt and Howard are promising but should be aiming at getting a game next year.

[Greystache]

Re: So where are we really at?

That's a myth. Willi are travelling nicely but there are not half a dozen superstars just waiting to step up.

Ben Davies, Matt Little, Ben Jolley, Ben Johnson and Peter Faulks are handy VFL players.

Of Saturday's team, Everitt, Minson, Roughead and Addison would be the ones pushing for a senior spot. Markovic was OK and I'm actually interested in how he would go.

Rose and Hooper had their moments but I'm doubtful about them at AFL level. Even if they were good enough to survive at AFL level they are hardly going to be our saviours. Callan has been tried and found wanting a number of times.

Stack had a poor first half but was OK in the 2nd (when we were already 10 goals up), Hill was terrible, Tutt and Howard are promising but should be aiming at getting a game next year.

And all of those Willi senior players have had a crack at AFL level and didn't make it. I do think Little could do well if given a second chance however.

Markovic was given a go in the intra club matches during the pre-season, his performances were described to me as absolutely sh... Well let's just say his feedback wasn't flattering.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we really at?

Pre-season intra-club isn't exactly everything is it? Surely recent form has to count for more -- can't see that Markovic, probably best full-back in the VFL this year -- would be a whole lot worse than Presti. There are definitely crappier defenders running around.

[Desipura]

Re: So where are we really at?

Pre-season intra-club isn't exactly everything is it? Surely recent form has to count for more -- can't see that Markovic, probably best full-back in the VFL this year -- would be a whole lot worse than Presti. There are definitely crappier defenders running around.

Presti has him well and truly covered for speed, a key ingredient in todays game. Which made the selection of Markovic hard to understand at the time as well as now.

[mighty_west]

Re: So where are we really at?

Pre-season intra-club isn't exactly everything is it? Surely recent form has to count for more -- can't see that Markovic, probably best full-back in the VFL this year -- would be a whole lot worse than Presti. There are definitely crappier defenders running around.

It would be very disappointing if a player had his papers stamped after one intra club match, considering how much work would be done in recruiting these blokes.

[Bornadog]

Re: So where are we really at?

Pre-season intra-club isn't exactly everything is it? Surely recent form has to count for more -- can't see that Markovic, probably best full-back in the VFL this year -- would be a whole lot worse than Presti. There are definitely crappier defenders running around.

We don't need a big lumbering backman? We need a speedy midfielder.

[Greystache]

Re: So where are we really at?

Presti has him well and truly covered for speed, a key ingredient in todays game. Which made the selection of Markovic hard to understand at the time as well as now.

And agility. He is a carbon copy of Wayde Skipper, just picture Skipper playing on Riewoldt or Cloke.

It would be very disappointing if a player had his papers stamped after one intra club match, considering how much work would be done in recruiting these blokes.

They played numerous intra club matches and it was clear he was truly out of his depth.

[anfo27]

Re: So where are we really at?

It is not all doom and gloom people!!! Stop running the bath and put down the razorblade!!

The underdog status suits us well - backs against the wall - hopefully the boys dig deep and find some heart and some pride. At our best we can beat anyone - play the game on our terms take risks, run and move the ball quick. Open up the fwd line Baz and Gia in the 50m

Pull out last years Prelim dvd relive the hurt... then f***ing smash Collingwood.

We are top 4 we are still a chance - back your team be a real supporter

we are heading into round 22 and we have not seen our best this year, what makes you think this group is going to stand up when the blow torch of finals is put on them? Lets be realistic here , we need to take a step back before we can take 2 steps forward.
I'd love for them to prove me wrong but I have been waiting a long time for that.
Gia proved on the weekend that if he gets sat on he is too slow & not strong enough to be an influence.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: So where are we really at?

I'd love for them to prove me wrong but I have been waiting a long time for that.

One thing is true. The only cricitcal factor is what happens during finals. What happened a long time ago has no bearing on finals. I'm not confident at all now. But, I expect this group to fire on the day and hold their heads high, they MUST. That's what I want to see more than anything. Real grit and effort.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we really at?

I am upset as anyone over this year! But like said we are 2 weeks out from finals football top 4 spot.
Remember what is was like not to make the top 8?Alot worse.
Alot of things are missing from the side at the moment but the most important is effort, that get in, body on the line effort ,do or die!
If we can do the old backs to the wall bulldog spirit we can achieve.
Look i think the thing that makes this year more upsetting is that we all know we are capable of winning the premiership.
So lets try and stop looking for reasons why we are not going to succeed and start looking at how we can.
Lets as supporters get out to every game from here on out and shout as loud as we can lets F#$%^&G STICK IT UPEM C'MON DOGGIES!!!!!!

[EasternWest]

Re: So where are we really at?

The point about our best player in 40 years is totally subjective and also totally irrelevant to this post's topic.

All it did was highlight one of the core issues, but feel free to glaze over the fact we are the second worst performing team in the eight over the last couple of weeks.

Who's glazing over anything? You're the one that brought up the "irrelevant" point.

And it is a subjective thing. You think Brad Johnson comes in ahead of those two guys, I think he doesn't.

Sorry to take this off thread, I thought this was a forum where points and counter points were raised. I'll make sure i follow whatever instruction you give in future, ReLoad .