7th, 9th, 10th...Just a matter of time before some expert predicts we'll win the spoon this year.

7th, 9th, 10th...Just a matter of time before some expert predicts we'll win the spoon this year.

Bottom line is that we have finished 8th the last couple of years. Until we surprise the comp with a significantly better than expected year, we are a 7th -10th side. 12 months ago, nobody was talking of a collingwood back to back dynasty. they came, surprised and conquered. even if we win one final this year, the pundits might have us finishing 5th - 8th in 2012. Let's not get prickly about what people's perception of where we are at. Let's deliver big time (get to a prelim final) and maybe the journos might show us a bit more love.
TOP 6 AND A PRELIM. GO BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anybody else think the constant "our aim is to win a final" statement is bullshit? Once we've achieved that 'lofty' aim do the players take their foot off the pedal? Sounds like an excuse not to win a premiership to me.

The ridiculous "targets" that clubs are coming out with in the media just make them look stupid when they don't happen and no-one cares if they do.

Today I read that the club wants to win two flags in the next five years. I heard Melbourne saying the same thing a few months back

Why two? Why not three? Or one? Or five?

We're starting to sound like an unsuccessful club.

How about just getting everyone involved at the club performing to the highest level possible and letting the rest of us talk crap..

With the greatest respect to all of those believing we are undervalued in the media, we won less than 50% of our games last year including 4 of our last 12. It is up to us to change the media's perceptions by our on field actions, not the other way round.

I reckon that 2 of our biggest problems areas have been:

(1) Defensive pressure across the ground. This is a pretty broad category and includes - not being as well drilled as the better sides in our structures and defensive transitions, not running as hard defensively as the other way, not blocking opponents running forward to receive the ball, and allowing too many tackles to be broken.

(2) Ball use. Simply - not selecting the right option and/or bad execution.

In other words, in 2 of the 3 phases of the game - (1) when the opposition has the ball, and (2) when we have the ball - we are a fair way behind the best teams. The 3rd phase (contested ball) could also be improved, but I don't think has been as much of a concern IMO.

From what the coaching staff have said publicly, and from what I've seen with my own eyes in the practice matches, I'm confident we're going to make progress this year with (1). Our tackling seems stronger and our positioning around the ground looks better when the opposition has the ball. This is an absolute non-negotiable, especially given that our backmen (almost to a man) look vulnerable in one-on-ones.

But I'm still worried about (2). I've seen nothing in the practice matches to suggest that we are about to join the elite of the competition in this regard. The premiership side will be the team that has the most players who most often make the right decisions with the ball and execute well under pressure. We will not overcome the press or zones of the likes of Collingwood and Hawthorn if we do not get much better with our disposal, particularly by foot. This includes kicking for goal. "Getting better" means being consistently effective.

We've been crying out for years for defenders that are smart ball users. Hopefully Yarran, Laidler and Watson can provide some immediate improvement down there. But, unfortunately, across the board I don't see us having the elite decision making and skills under pressure that the top 4 teams do.

Predicting ladder positions is fun but with so many variables (not the least of which is injuries and which teams adapt quickest to the rule changes) I find it impossible.

However, I think we should improve enough in area (1) to hold our spot in the eight - given a reasonable run with injuries and luck in close games - but I think we're still short enough in area (2) for me to say that, unfortunately, I can't see us penetrating the top 4...

Could not agree more JK. Watch everyone jump on board the sleeping giant if we win say 14-15 games and end up in the prelim