Only way I'd be disappointed with this year is a first week loss to Essendon*.

Otherwise, everything else indicates a step forward. Fickle bunch.

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BLUES 2010: PAV AND JUDD = FLAGS. DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF DICK PRATT.

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR TALKINGCARLTON SUPERCOACH 2009 YET?

Well we may well be playing St.K or Nth instead of Ess

We are still a chance of getting 4th back if the Weagles lose their last two games which can happen. They travel to Brisbane this week, which is the longest trip in the AFL...and if the Lions put another good performance like they did against the Pies, they are in with a chance to win. Then travelling back home another long trip to take on the Crows who seem to have found some form and excitement. Not going to be easy the next 2 games for the Eagles. We beat the Saints in the final round, and the Eagles lose their next two, we clinch 4th spot and the double chance.

Probably won't happen, but if the Eagles lose this week, we are back in the race for 4th spot. If this happens, the both our game and the Eagles game will be on at the same time, which will make it interesting.

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Go Blueboys

Irrespective of where we finish the home and away, we're got to be at least a 50% chance of playing in a prelim this year. It's hard not to be happy with that given some of the personnel we've had out along the way.

I would only be disappointed if we lose a home elimination final first up.

I think the injuries to Jamison and Waite put a dampener on things, not quite 2000 but similar.

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Just because I'm offended, doesn't mean I'm wrong.

I am generally pleased in the improvement this season.

It's easy to forget how awful we actually were 5 years ago. Remember how exciting it got when we actually won two (then three) games in a row??!!

My only concern about this season is the way we have performed against the top 4 teams. We seem to lose our nerve. If we could just be competitive over the full four quarters, instead of relying on 15 mins of champayne football to get close...

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"...that's the thing about opinion - you don't have to know anything to have one..." Andre Agassi commenting on Pat Cash 2004
"...the less you know - the more you believe..." - Bono 2006

It is a bit early to give a final assessment. However, this year so far has exceeded my expectations. The most pleasing aspect has been our defensive improvements all over the ground. As they say, the first step to premiership glory is to be good defensively. Also, our hardness in competing for the ball has also gone up a notch. In my opinion, the glaring weaknesses are a key forward and the lack of players who can take contested marks. We really need someone like Kreuzer to fill some of this void in coming years.

If we lose the first final then I may change my opinion. Ultimately, need to build a side that plays well in finals.

Yes sorry I know the season isn't over but I think a 100% loss rate playing the top 4 teams sort of tells us where we're at this year

We may beat one of those in the finals but unlikely and unlikely we'd go much further even if we did

To compete for the premiership a Top 4 finish is the aim, preferable top 2 after the home and away season.
Very least preliminary finals appearance for side coming into the 3rd finals series!
Until this year is over the question is not answerable but I have a feeling it might be a no.

Well, actually...if we beat one of them we'll go at least 1 week further, which means a prelim final

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

True enough, but I like our chances against everyone but the Pies. I reckon we match up well against the Cats, and Chris Scott said after the last game that overall we were the better team on the night. I think the second half against the Hawks might have put a few mental demons to rest (having said that fact that there are demons is a worry) and I think we're as good as the Eagles, although playing them over there won't help.

5th is our rightful spot given our results this year - but don't forget that's 5th after the home and away season. It doesn't mean we can't knock off a top four team in the finals.

Pretty happy with where we are this year and dont think we can go all the way but......it would be real nice to A) beat the Saints to push them out of the eight or B) destroy Essendon* in the elimination final

Too many negative people over a very positive year. You can't win them all, and we'll be unlucky this year not to finish in the top 4 with the # of wins we've had.....
Should have beat Geelong. West Coast we were off (but still came back to within a kick when we did play) & Collingwood is a different proposition but we could take them on our day with Waite & Jamison fit.
Positives FFS, and Ratt's should see future years; enormous improvement along with a number of players exceeding previous form.

It's not only the number of wins, but also the marked improvement across the team in adhering to gameplans and putting ourselves in winning positions.

Still a few pieces to fall into place.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

I am so far.

At the start of the year I thought we'd finish 6th, or win 14-15 games. We'll finish 5th and either win 14.5 or 15.5 games, so that's basically spot on.

While there have been some disappointing losses (Geelong - gutting. Western Bulldogs - how did that happen?) I don't think we've lost a game by more than 6 goals, which is in stark contrast to last year. In the games when we've been down we've stuck it out and haven't dropped out heads and gotten flogged which happened all too often last year. That shows a growing maturity by the playing group.

However games like Hawthorn and West Coast we got too easily bullied which is still a weakness of the side.

I know Brad will disagree but I think we've had a tougher draw than the Hawks or Eagles and have done well to finish where we did. Remember all the so-called experts had us finishing no higher than about 7th and some had us missing the 8 altogether.

Ultimately though we need to win at least one final.

Hawks comeback was in junk time
We were junk when it mattered

Good point about being bullied

Hate to say it but I now think Dermie might have been right. Our top 5 or 6 mids are maybe the top 5 or 6 going around, but we lack depth after that. Reality is against Pies most recently their mids had it on us when the heat was on early, they were a long way ahead on shots on goal which shows their deominance in the game. And ditto against Hakws we were comprehensively outplayed early.

We need a big fwd and a few more mids. Maybe Kane can make the grade next year - brings more class than Armfield and Ellard let's put it that way.

Eagles have had the better draw bec they missed the 8 last year so play less 2010 finalists than we do

Huge difference

But in saying that nobody can deny they are a good team now

The threat was always there. They had LeCars, Nic Nat, JFK, Shuey, all these kids were about to burst, and their experienced players have found fitness and form. They are a throw back to old school footy with dominant rucks hitting it to dominant clearance experts in Kerr, Shuey, Priddis, who kick it to dominant big fwds. So simple !!

Our rucks need to harden up, we need 1 or 2 more clearance guns, and we need a big fwd.

The very reason why I am disappointed in finishing out of the top4. We have shown that we can match it with all, including Collingwood and that a prelim is the very least we should be looking at this year. Have we made it hard for yourselves?, YES. Are we good enough to beat top4 sides, YES.