Not all doom and gloom this year, here are my positives:

- Walsh and Weiters stars continue to rise
- Harry winning the Coleman
- Looks like we have found a player in Honey
- Charlie getting back on the paddock
- Stocker showing why we traded up to get him. Hope he can move into the midfield next year.
- Kennedy demonstrating he belongs at AFL level
- Jack Carroll showing promise in the VFL. Note that he doesn't turn 19 until 20th Dec.
- Dow finally delivering in a few AFL matches. Hopefully he can improve further next year.

I would be interested to hear others thoughts.

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In the Truth there is no news, and in the News there is no truth.

Great thread. I wanted to start a thread, Pros and Cons for Season 2021.

There's plenty of positives in an injury interupted year on the scale of Brittain's in 2002.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Finally, a full blown, public, necessary (and necessarily messy) Review into our on-field operations

I'll call it a controlled implosion by Sayers.

That's the best thing about 2021 for me, thinking long term!!!

And...please have your opinions but don't get sucked in by SEN, Liam Pickering et al. calling out our treatment of Teague. It sells ads, nothing more.

Carlton gave DT the opportunity of a lifetime...they owe him nothing...and IMHO, DT appears to be bowing out with the same stubbornness and naivety that will probably cost him his job

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

JSOS showed a bit too, hoping he can stay fit for next season and get a solid 20+ games in

Won't happen but a different mindset and have SPS and O'Brien dominating the wings and providing bullet like passes to our fwds

Like I said; won't happen; I'm just being fanciful

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

Weitering and Walsh, but they're no.1 picks.

Harry but he's a top 10 pick.

Not much other player development.

Stocker came on a bit.

I don't have to watch us for another 6 months, at which point I'll stupidly saddle up again, having convinced myself that this time will be different.

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The only way for some people to understand is for them to be on the receiving end

Left wing moralists
In self serving denial
They shit me no end

I agree with all these points. I would also add:
- Saad did well in his first year with us (will be in the top 10 in B&F)
- Durden & Owies showed encouraging signs
- Kemp got a taste of senior footy
- SOJ had arguably his best season
- TDK got a taste of what’s required to be our #1 ruckman.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Agreed with Humpers and Sue. I'd even add that the man with the TC sponsorship curse has shown that he has value to a team with a functioning midfield and game plan. I had dismissed him as an outright dud, and obviously he needs to harden up, but there is a potentially very useful winger in there.

Yeah , reckon thats it . Definitely giving young blokes a go gives you a boost . And they all show something . A little glimmer here and there . .............I"m actually sad to see the season finish . Hate the off season . Cant wait to see the footy start next year . OK , footy was not so good , but shit footy is better than no footy . .............super excited for next year . Never , ever lose enthusiasm for our great Club .

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All my dangerous friends

This list isn’t far away. Believe in the picks and add some good structure, mental strength and culture change and we are away. The game last re-affirmed my belief all along. Big couple of months coming up.

This year was meant to be the year. Wasn’t it.

Positives
Walsh
Weitering
McKay
Jones all outstanding
SOJ
Kennedy ( second half)
DeKoning
Stocker
Honey
Owies
Ed Curnow
Newman
Betts
The fact that we won 8 games finished 13 th with 3 potential AA and the best one on one player in the league is a sad reflection of where this club is at on so many fronts on and off the field

It breaks my heart to see where the club is at
So many players either pick with early picks or on long term big money or trading away big multiple picks simply not delivering
Selfish lazy footballers
I include Saad in that list
A one dimensional player who can’t be trusted to play on a dangerous small forward who can only use one side of his body is an example of what this club is about
Short term fix give away a decent pick take up salary cap space for 5 years.
The obsession of Murphy getting to 300. Achieves it then he says see you later. How can you have a positive culture in a team environment with selfish behaviour like that
Cripps has gone backwards
He needs to be relieved of the captaincy and be given a different role up forward mid field rotation

13 players mentioned above
Too much left to too little

Walsh Weitering H

Reemergence of Kennedy as midfielder
Charlie a few games under his belt

More games into Stocker OBrien Dow Owies Fisher Cottrell

Honey Durdin and Kemp getting a chance

Saad pretty good
TDK a series of games as first ruck
Continuing consistent form of Ed Curnow

The review overdue in my view

Hopefully learn from injury and injury management for next year

Three AA in the side. We should be better!

You are dreaming
The club must go back to the draft and reset
Draft well and we can be back up there in two years.
Our list needs a major overall
I doubt you will get much trade value for the ones with their contract up

These guys on long term contracts
Saad 4 years
Martin 3 years
Williams 5 years
Mc Govern 2 years
That is the time left on their contracts
The last 3 must get fitter and be made accountable
That means becoming more flexible
Saad and Williams at this stage of their careers can only play HBF . Neither defends the most dangerous forward. We have paid a huge price for these 2 blokes
The blow torch needs to be put on these two to improve

Martin and McGovern are not fit enough, lazy footballers who have been given great deals and have been pathetic in their efforts in their combined 5 years.
The fact that they have not been made accountable enough would clearly have a negative effect on the playing group
This has to change because these guys are with us for a while

Sorry should have mentioned Jones and JSOS 2 very important component frustrating when you lost these players you win 8 games out of 22

I hope our new coach doesn’t play any of these 4, until they show desire for the contest, get fit and leadership by doing the 1%. Very confident Martin and Williams will be fine. Serious concerns on the other 2.

Ps. McGovern was embarrassing last night - again.

We beat Effedrugdom*
Revenge against Pies was sweet.

Core Group:
Walsh Weitering McKay AA outstanding
SOS one of our best every game he played. Heart and soul.
Jones and Saad great support in defense.
Ed Curnow, week in week out warrior.

Potential:
Newman's last 5 games
Kennedy's 2nd half of the season as a mid.
Dow showed some improvement.
Saw glimpses of Williams' best.
Return of Charlie, unscathed.

The kids:
Stocker, breakthrough year
TDK, great to have him playing games and getting stronger
Owies is worth persevering with.
Kemp, this kid can play
Honey, showed great signs and speed as a weapon
Durdin his forward pressure is the real deal
Recruiting project 210cm mobile ruckman Mirkov

List Profile:
Retirement of 35yo Betts, 234yo Murphy, 31yo Casboult

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

A little bit of history to brighten the day.1964 Melbourne won their last Premiership.The same year saw Carlton in their Centenary year finish in their lowest ever spot.
A new President that year( George the dentist) and the biggest coup in VFlL history in the off season.RDB to the Blues and the start of a dynasty.
As for the Demons they sacked their championship coach a couple of years later and the rest is history.

Perhaps history repeats?

A number of positives from individual players that others have highlighted above - H, Walsh, Weitering etc
However, unfortunately no real positives from a team perspective as 8-14 isn’t good enough and no signature wins (e.g. knock off a top 4 team)
There’s a bit to build with on our list but need to be talking about team, not individual, success this time next year