At the moment I would suggest Collingwood are favorites to claim a 17th first (ducks head).

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

Why shouldn't they be? They've just won a flag with a youngish team, the scum are starting over and we're still inconsistent.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Agree completely. I am becoming increasingly disillusioned with our club and where we are heading. It just shows what a good coach and coaching panel can do. Matty Lappin will fit in there well next year.

One word that we need to aspire to....'professionalism'

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"Truth, for the tyrants, is the most terrible and cruel of all bindings; it is like an incandescent iron falling across their chests. And it is even more agonizing than hot iron, for that only burns the flesh, while truth burns its way into the soul"     — Lauro Aguirre

Congrats to the Pies for winning a flag but @#$%&! me.

They've won two flags in 50 years and now they're the benchmark of professionalism?

We have much we need to fix but do we need to use a club that's won 2 flags in 50 years as a model.

If Milne had run onto the ball last week they'd still be a laughing stock.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Saying Collingwood aren't professional because of the past half century is like saying we're the envy of everyone because of the 70s.

The fact is they are the benchmark off the field, and at this time, on it too.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

Yeah but our young players are entitled to be inconsistent.....or so we get told by some on this site. Others will also have you believe that the coach has minimal impact on the what happens on the field.

Thomas/Pendlebury were competing for a NS medal against a defensively minded side like StK. enough said about the biggest con that is perpetrated on this site....our young list.

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

They have been light years more professional than us in the last decade.

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If I want your opinion, I'll give it to you!

Correct, although our bar was very low.

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

Collingwood are streets ahead of us in the areas of coaching, recruitment and list management, player development and administration.

Another area they are streets ahead of us in connection with their supporter base. They make their supporters feel close and wanted. Eddie McGuire was calling Collingwood supporters yesterday to offer them grand final tickets. I bet this was his own idea. Kernahan would never ever think to do something like this.

We have alot to learn from Collingwood.

Anyone would think they have won the past 10 flags reading this site.

Geelong were streets ahead of the competition in 2007. Sydney used to be the "benchmark". It's all mumbo jumbo talking points that actually mean very little when it comes to footy. People love the sound of their own voice.

The reigning premier will always be the benchmark.

So many say the premier will have a dynasty after every GF.

Look at how few injuries they had...you need so many things going your way. Look at the number of spuds they have...MacAffer, Leigh Brown, Toovey, Goldsack....they are hacks but they play to their potential, play to the coaches instructions.

The challenge we have is for the club/players to set certain standards when it comes to effort, recruiting, professionalism. We must not think that just because we are Carlton things will work out...it has to be through hard work and having the right people at board and match committee level.

Malthouse said in his press conference 'you can't score against that pressure'....but what about the point of 'you can't maintain that pressure'...it can all change very quickly if you make the right decisions.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

i hate them with a passion but you have to acknowledge their coach is the best in the business he recruits ordinary players (toovey L brown mcaffer etc) to do specific jobs and whilst we wonder how the hell they got there with their fair share of spuds he has moulded a wonderful TEAM. but i wont be a dynasty that im sure of

Miles ahead in terms of fixture.
All those games at the 'G ... have to be a good thing to aspire to.

Exactly.

I've been hearing St Kilda are the benchmark for a few years too.

Malthouse now holds the record for the most years as a senior coach without a flag and they're 'the benchmark'.

Let them win three in a row and I'll acknowledge their 'greatness' and 'professionalism'.

But that's no excuse for prostrating yourself on the altar of the smugness of the toothless.

As it stands they're the best team of 2010.

Can we learn things from Collingwood?

Yep. And we can learn things from a bunch of clubs that didn't win the flag this year.

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Back to the thread topic - I think our premiership window starts to open next year. Unlikely that we could challenge next year but not totally out of the question.

- Geelong on the slide in a big way with Gazza leaving and the likes of Scarlett, Ottens, Mooney, Corey etc all past their prime.
- Collingwood don't have the class to overcome a premiership hangover. They had a very good run with injuries this year as well.
- Saints hardly have any decent kids coming through and their bottom 6 players are not up to it- plus Hayes turns 31yo in January.
- Freo have good kids but natural improvement will be offset by the loss of Tarrant and the ageing of Pavlich/McPharlin. If Barlow gets back to his best it won't be in 2011.

Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn should be thereabouts next year but both have holes on their list like we do.
Melbourne still a couple of years from being legitimate challengers.

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There is no footy god

Good post Humpers. Our window does indeed open next year. And the "young list" carp must not be trotted out again. Look at Sidebottom, Blair etc

Anything less than top 4 is a fail.

yep.
I'm calling it early.
A Coll/Carlton GF....
a blueman doing backflips across the 'G'....
Eddie hitting a new level of puce...
it's gonna be a ripper.
We won't win the flag til 2012..but so what.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”