I think this will be a very tough season for our fans as well as those of most of the contenders.
I suspect, like last year, no team will maintain top and winning form all season.

We need to win 6 of our last 8 H&A matches, including at least 1 of the last 2.
And we’ll need to get to at least 15-16 wins. Which means we need to bank 9-10 wins from our first 15 matches (ie. by the end of Round 16).

Even if we achieve this, it is going to be hard to stomach those 5-6 losses before then, esp if they come in a string (as happened last year to Geelong) and esp if that happens early, like it did last year to Brisbane, Port and Hawthorn. Imagine how the pressure will mount on Vossy!

I feel like I’m standing in the queue for a thrilling but terrifying roller coaster!

Good pick up CK.

& I'd like to add another:

Williams Camporeale Silvagni McKay (with Hogg in the VFL team)

Give us the Cup.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

And we embarrassed ourselves in the finals of 94

Camporeale wasnt around in 94,

but yes we did embarrassingly bow out in straight sets after the baby bombers found us out in 93.

..or should I say, Neil Daniher did.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

On a more general note, even the Qld weather thinks OR is a load of shit.

That’s my point, if you’re looking for omens, we were humiliated in the 94 finals….them added Camporeale.

Don’t worry Ockham, the rest of us appreciate you.

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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

My first thought too - he's not that bad, surely?

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"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" - Henry Ford

I’m with you Dees.

Omen

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Missnaut isn’t referring to Okhams Razor? I hope not.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

OPENING ROUND

Watching Hawks last night and their FU attitude its going to take another pack of arseholes to counter act this.
Attitude V Attitude

I just can't see our Goody two shoes Blues coping with that.

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Just remember, our best performance of 2024 was in orange socks

Can recall Trev Marmalade's joke or line (I think it was him) that Whitehead was squeezed out of one of the 22 in the finals in the 1994.

Yep. They played with a don’t give a f@#k about the rules. Holding, pushing, late contact, ducking, back talking to the umpire, sledging……..

Our great Premiership teams have always had great defenders ..... Until we get another A grader or 2 to help Weitering it'll be a struggle.

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"IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, YOU'RE PREPARED TO FAIL" - Mark Spitz

Our last 3 seasons have seen wild fluctuations.

2022 - smoking first half, no good second half. Won’t mention the ending.

2023 - putrid first half, blistering second half and two fantastic finals win. Prelim berth.

2024 - Top 4 for three quarters of the season before falling away badly. Scraped a finals berth to put up an embarrassing display.

So what is the real us?

Our best competes with the elite of the league. But our worst is horrible, absolutely horrible.

Sounds simple but we have to much more consistent and bring our best most weeks. Do that and we will contend. If not, then it will be a long season.

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We are on our way back...

Good point.
CHB has been a hole since Jones left and Marchbank broke down.

It depends on what you think of SOS if we have filled the spot with an A Grader at CHB
His old man started off as a KPF and moved to the backline to fill the KPD.
Steve didn't start off at FB as an A Grader and evolved to becomeFB of the Century.

Jack of the SOS variety looks like a good choice to fill CHB, taking him out of another much needed position Fwd/Ruck.
Something tells me SOS will plug the KPD hole. Worked well with Weiters last week vs GWS.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Learnings.

Don't deminish the impact injury had to our 2024 campaign, followed by the decision to play 2 players who'd missed months and months of footy in the Elimination Final. The year that got away.

WE are aiming for top 4. We know 4 quarter efforts are the only way to get there with this list.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

We can only hope Bondi .....
Another quality tall would be great (I know they grow on trees !!). Just need some height .... Young doesn't appear to cut it.
With the SSP we went small again, not once but twice. Austin and his List Management guys must know better (?). Same with the coach.

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"IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, YOU'RE PREPARED TO FAIL" - Mark Spitz