Really good year last year. Although we obviously struggled with injuries and choked at the death. So what needs to happen for us to make finals this year? What improvements are required?

I think we need to improve our pressure/turnover game. We need to be able to score even when we're not controlling clearances.
Improved accuracy in front of goal, especially from Charlie and Harry.
I think we need another forward who can kick 30 plus goals. One of Martin, Motlop or Durdin? Would make Charlie and Harry even more dangerous, if we actually had another forward who was dangerous enough to draw attention.
Acres to stay fit. The really good wingman can go back and take a mark in defence. Or in deep forward and kick a goal. That's exactly what Acres provided for Freo last year. Should be a huge boost especially to our ability to defend.
Better run with injury to key players. Of the current preseason injury murmurs, the most concerning one is Walsh. I really, really like Cottrell and Boyd, but at least they're fringe players. If we can get close to a full year out of Cripps, Weiters, Charlie, Harry, McGovern and Martin, results should take care of themselves.

We certainly missed key players due to injury, so we dont need a repeat of that in 2023 for starters.

Certainty in front of goal. We missed too many easy shots. Everyone, incuding Martin, Durdin and Owies.

Following Charlies failure to lower the eyes in the last round and pass to Durdin who was on his own on the 50 line, should be stuck in all the players' heads. Look for options to keep control rather than bombing it to a forward in bad position, or outnumbered by opponents. Such a waste of opportunity going forward.

If the wings can improve that would be great for getting numbers to the ball and another option.

If TDK is to ruck again, and he will, I hope he has improved his body strength to hold his position against some of those bigger rucks.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Apart from the obvious of needing another forward to become a menace , we need to develop a killer instinct . To put the foot on the throat and keep it on the throat . Don't get me wrong , considering the massive injury list we had last year the side did a fantastic job , Yet despite that we where in winning positions in quite a lot of those games yet lost them . We just didn't take our chances when they presented themselves . Thats mental for mine , or stage fright or whatever . Its all above the shoulders the way i see it . Our coach Michael Voss was a deadset cold blooded killer in his playing days and that is his biggest challenge to impart that to the players .

_________________
All my dangerous friends

I think we need to get more players to read the insights on TC

_________________
Our tradition demands success!

Yep, once you've got a side down, finish the job !! We were lucky early on getting away with some games, Port and Hawthorn spring to mind.
Luck eventually runs out, as it did against Melbourne and Collingwood.
No more of that shit please, just finish the bloody job.

_________________
The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

There was lost percentage from a number of those early wins (Port, Hawthorn, Bulldogs, Sydney) that proved decisive in the end. We need to make sure we don't waste those opportunities for 10 goal wins.

I just hope that the group as a collective don't just expect it to happen. Yeah we are on a natural upward curve, but still need to do what is needed to win games. Bit of arrogance would be nice too - we have super talented players - get a bit of swagger going (and as Mick said above - put the foot on the throat when we are in a winning position).

Bit of luck with injuries wouldn't hurt either.

_________________
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

(1) Have a reasonable run with injuries. Last year’s injury list was diabolical. A decimated defence for months followed by a decimated midfield to end the season. Not many teams can deal with consistent injuries in terms of the sheer numbers we had on the injury list and the quality of some of the injured players. Unfortunately not off to the best start on this front already for 2023.

(2) Improved mentality. Basically everything Mick said above. Step on the throat and don’t relent when you’ve got a team on the ropes (eg Hawthorn and Port last year). Step up in high pressures situations eg last 3 mins vs Melbourne and last 15 mins vs Collingwood. Reality is our guys hadn’t played a truly high stakes game for years until the last few rounds of 2022. Hopefully they understand that every moment counts now after the way they finished 2022. Can’t have big lapses in games and games where we don’t play close to our required level eg Adelaide at AO last year.

1. A change of outcome with injuries. Luck plays a significant part, but there has to be more to why we get the injuries we do. Good teams cover injuries, but there is a tipping point and we seem to reach it more than most clubs.
2. Kick straight consistently.
3. Capitalise when we have the advantage. This overlaps with straight kicking but more broadly is about being focused and ruthless when we have momentum. It hardly ever happens anymore that one team is in control for 4 quarters. It’s a game of momentum swings these days and the winning side is the one who makes the most hay when the sun is shining on them.
4. Find a medium/small forward who can give the opposition more to think about than Charlie & Harry. Can Martin, Motlop, Owies, C.Durdin or Cunners jump up and kick 30-40 goals for the season?
5. Improvement on the wings. They don’t have to be AA, but consistently play their role.
6. Cover the loss of Walsh. He’s a massive out but good teams still find a way. It’ll take a collective team effort as I doubt any single player will replace him.
7. Improvement in the ruck. Can Pittonet or TDK establish themselves as top tier ruckman? And can one of them develop their forward craft to the extent we can play both in the same side?
8. Players, coaches, support staff, administrators, members all understand that there’s still lots of work to be done. Don’t get sucked in to thinking that we’re close and it will happen without significant improvement. We didn’t deserve to play finals last year. That’s the reality.

_________________
To one who, journeying thru night & fog
Is mired neck-deep in an unwholesome bog
Experience, like the rising of dawn
Reveals the path he should not have gone

- Ambrose Bierce

Better depth
Still too much left to too few
Tom Atkins is a good example
Became a crucial inside mid late in games
Plus allowed the Cats to keep Dangerfield on ice for The Finals

I posted at the time the lost percentages could bite us on the butt later in the season. Was rebuked for ''saltiness'' (whatever that means) and told just enjoy the wins.
Can't remember too many times I've been pissed off after a Carlton win. But I was mightily pissed right off after that Port game.

_________________
The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

The super 6 ( Saad Weiters Walsh Crippa Curnow Harry) need to stay on the park - if Doc stays on last years form it makes it the Sexy Seven

we need 2 to 3 more busting to join them to make it the Terrific 10

We have players who you know what you are going to Get - Newman - Kennedy - Hewitt - JSOS - Pittonett

The improvement has to come from Fish - Mcgovern - Cerra - Cunningham - Motlop- Durdin and Acres

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

Fewer injuries

Walsh back sooner than later

Learn situational football

Small forwards need to step it up, none of them are (anywhere near) elite

Win 14+ games

The games we lost during the year, not the last 3, we lacked energy. Period.

Bring our best every week and we will make Finals.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Curnow 64
McKay 45
Cripps 20
Fisher 18
Silvagni 17
Durdin 15
Owies 14

We need a third forward kicking more than 30 goals and our small forwards kicking more goals.

Our losses to StKilda and Melbourne were due to poor kicking for goal from our KPFs.

Our KPFs (Harry Charlie Jack) miss too many easy shots, as do others, and that cost us percentage.

_________________
Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

A period will do that to you (sap your energy)

All we need is a good run with injuries and we will make it.

As so many here have said, a decent run without injuries.

Thought it obvious.

Win more games.

_________________
"Get ready, Teddy - you're on": Ron Barassi half time 1970 Grand Final

And by a decent margin where possible.

_________________
The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.