Top 4,followed by a Prelim win, would be a pass mark for me.
One step better each year..I'd be satisfied.

I see the 4 as most likely Us, Pies, Cats and Hawks.

However..I also see Freo, Saints and WC as realistic threats.

To make Top 4 will be a fantastic achievment.
From there....winning the Prelim..that's the tipping point.
Like a see-saw...once you get past the uphill climb...it's a slam dunk to Victory.

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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.”

Shoot for the stars I say. It's great to want incremental improvement every year but there are too many variables that can interfere with that. Injuries, change of game style throughout the league, changing of rules by AFL (interchange limits etc).
It's naive for us to think we can plot our ascent to the top over a 3/4 year period.
Our best players are in their prime, you aim for the top now while you're a chance.

Anything less than a premiership is a disappointing result IMO.

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Looking forward to seeing our potential realised.

but I am easily pleased BV!
I'd truly be happy with a Prelim win, and a shot at the big time in 2012.
Would you really give us a fail if we don't win the flag?
ouch!

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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.”

Disagree with the Saints being a top 4 side, let alone a flag threat. Riewoldt a shadow of his former self, Hayes coming back from doing his knee, very average line-up after the 'stars' of the side, and many of the guns (barring Lenny and Goddard) go missing in big games. I think they may also be adopting a new game style which could take time to adapt to...Watters might want to change things up a bit given Saints Footy has run its race.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Dawson has left them too... they're stuffed now!

Agree on Freo and WCE. If both sides get fully fit teams on the field then they can cause many headaches. The Dockers had arguably the worst injury list in the AFL in 2011 and still only just missed the eight. A new coach in Lyon too.

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Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

I rest my case!

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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.”

Win 2 finals.

+ 1.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Stupid making predictions.
It all comes down to injuries to key players.
What if Judd does his ACL first game. Where should we finish then?
One thing the club must do is rest players during the season like Geelong did.
They were far fresher than the filth when it truly counted.

Interesting Ratts only given a 2 year deal.

keogh
interesting perhaps, but certainly not surprising
both ratts and the club are being consistent in the need for success and the fact that should be under pressure to achieve it. he thrived in it this year

What did you expect?

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dane's trolling again

To begin with ... I want to look at the teams above us.

The Eagles

Because of where they finished the previous year ... they got a dream run with the fixture ... then they beat us when we were having a mid season slump ... then they only just beat us in that final in Perth when we were undermanned (either of Gibbs or Kreuzer fit .. we win).
I believe they are overrated ...


Hawthorn

I think they have a lot of up side ... and will be there about. They are always hard to beat ... for some reason they match up well against Carlton.

Collingwood

OK ... they will be even more desperate ... we need to be fitter and stronger to beat them.

Geelong

They have lost quite a few important players. I know they rallied in 2011 ... but I really believe they will drop off. They were worried about playing us on the G in the finals ... we trouble them with pace.



I think Carlton are better stocked than Sydney, StKilda, Fremantle, Essendon* and the Bulldogs.

So ... I reckon 2012 is going be decided between Collingwood, Hawthorn and Carlton. I expect a top 3 performance ... anything else is icing on the cake.

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I am as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!!!

Agree with Rob, especially regarding the Eagles. Overrated and it will be interesting to see if they can back it up next season.

_________________
Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

Of course it's all contingent on the preseason!
We've seen it time and time again - any side that comes into round 1 will key players underdone doesn't stand a chance.
But as it stands right now, we seem to have an almost entirely fit list.
We have no key injuries that I can think of.
Guys like Bower finally seem to be getting their bodies right.
Our backline is looking tantalizing. I firmly believe Henderson and Jamison can combine to be the best two tall defenders in the league. With support from Laidler and duigan and the pure class of Yarran - wowzer!
Other lesser lights like Ellard and Joseph are pushing themselves.
The young kids look in good spirits and ready to take another step forward.
In fact the biggest question mark is probably over Judd given the way he finished the season, and the post-season op. But does anyone seriously doubt the champs ability to deliver come March?

So of course expectations will be revised as things develop.
But as of Tuesday, November 9 @ 1pm, I think our pass marks looks set on at least a solid showing in a prelim

Yep, I get your drift.
However, I believe Cats will find a way to improve against us.
My reasons for believing Saints might be a threat is there probable desperation.
It is very possible that this will be BJ's last year there.
After this year they may start rebuilding in earnest.
I hink they have the goods, and pretty much took 2011 off..on every level.I just can't rule them out from a top 6 if not top 4 or 5 finish.
Hawks....I hope we work out how to pummel those ##*@'s.
Pies...meh! (Hi Mandy..great team those Pies!!)

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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.”

this thread stinks of David Smorgon

Dream mark for 2012- Beat Collingwood in september, dont even care which week

My pass mark for the team is coming switched on for every game. No slow starts and no getting run down by time-on goals and laspses in concentration where scoring dries up and we start kicking the ball backwards and holding it up in the air.

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I've learned that life is one crushing defeat after another, until you just wish McGuire was dead

Prelim

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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

you were doing so well!

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Your response for a start
Answer 3 years
Nice to see you have changed your avator