Around 2008 and 2009 when our team started to win on a regular basis again, it got everyone talking about when our window of opportunity would be opening. Of course back then, Fevola was still in the team booting 85+ goals per year, and supporters saw our window opening a lot quicker than it is now. The year 2011 was seen as 'the year' to make a serious climb for the top half of the eight, however, with Fevola now gone, it may have to be put off for at least another year, and don't get me wrong, I am not saying it's necessarily a bad thing. The question I would like to put forward is, taking into consideration the loss of Fev, and where many other teams sit at the moment (both emerging and dominating teams alike), when can you see our window opening??

For mine, Geelong have been the benchmark of the competition for nearly three years now, winning two out of the last three Grand Finals. This could well be their last year to pinch a flag, as the Saints and Bulldogs, and dare I say it, Hawthorn, could be hot on their tail. Geelong have had a fantastic run, but what goes up must come down, and after 2010 they may slide a bit. Their window is half closed, and within two years, ours should be open, and the Cats could be out of the picture by then.

The Bulldogs have a very short time to steal a flag in my opinion. Barry Hall gives them a great chance, but he will not be around forever. Given our recent history over the Bulldogs, if they have their window open the same time as ours, I would be quietly confident of knocking them off in September.

Then of course, the bogey sides in St.Kilda and Hawthorn. It is hard to make a judgement of both sides for season 2010, as the Hawks are coming off a disappointing year, and the Saints have the task of backing up an incredible home and away season, and avenging a Grand Final loss. I worry for our chances at our next flag in the next 5 years, as I can see these two sides still around the mark, with their windows well open as both teams have some great young players. These two teams could cause us some grief if our windows coincide.

Up and coming teams such as Adelaide, Brisbane, and Essendon* are interesting ones. The Crows have some great young players, their window could potentially be open as early as this year, but they have a few ageing stars and by the time we're ready to make a charge, they could be just making up the numbers in September action. As for the Lions, much like the Crows, their team has a few great young players, but also some older players that may be on the wind down by the time we're ready, and that includes Fevola, Brown, Black. We have the upper hand over both sides in regards to youth, which could only be a positive when talking premiership windows over the next 5-10 years.

Essendon*, while I cannot see them threatening for a flag, I could see them derailing some of our vital chances, going by the last five meetings. Beating them in 2010 is not just about sticking it right up them, but also about getting this monkey off our back early in the decade so it may not trouble us as much when we can tilt for a flag.

In regards to Collingwood, I'd actually forgotten to include them in this, probably due to the fact that they are hard to take seriously when it comes to premierships over the last 50 years. But in all honesty, if they're going to pinch one, their time is now, which works to our advantage as by the time we arrive, we again have the factor of youth on our side.

So, in comparison to most of the other teams, we look pretty well set for the coming years in my opinion to take out our 17th flag. As I said, the Saints and Hawks may still be lurking, but time will tell.

Thoughts?

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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."

could not have said it better myself ... with the Saints I am hoping they win this year because what will follow is a three year celebration that will leave them by the wayside.

In my mind its the Hawks who we have to be watchful of ... they know how to sustain success and have the young team to do that. I can see the next few years being like the mid to late eighties with Carlton and the Hawthorn. Hopefully we will more silverware between the two!

Go Blues!

North Melbourne,
and, unfortunately...Collingwood.
Ignore them at your own peril.

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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.”

Did you miss putting a LOL somewhere?

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dane's trolling again

Knew i'd get a rise out of someone Dane!
but...really....no...I have a feeling about Nth....maybe not now..but soon..and Collingwood..well..of course they could win..they want it sooo much...and..well...I hate it...but it could be this year.Why not?

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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.”

With the general AFL emphasis seemingly on defensive strategies I think the field is wide open.

IMO we have the talent, with a list containing plenty of 30-150 gamers who should be physically primed to perform.
The only question mark is if we are adequately drilled in an effective game style.

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There's so much I could say...

IMO our premiership window will start in 2011 - however it is important that we get finals experience this year.
Not many sides win premierships without strong finals experience....Hawks in 2008 being the exception.

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There is no footy god

..hawthorn i reckon are the biggest concern.. ..they've got some excellant young talent to keep them going.. ..i reckon the dee's have recruited well and should likewise have a good window, but i'm not sure how well they are at keeping a talented list together..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Our window will open wide when Gibbs, Murph, Kreuzer, Bower, Grigg, Hampson are around 24-26.

We started rebuilding with them, we had no nucleus before them so we won't be winning any premierships when they are still kids....they will have experience, peak fitness & strength before we will push for anything.

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The problem will be made. for the solution to be sold, to your face before your eyes, tolerance is now the new danger

IMHO Doggies and Saints should be the favourites this year.
Hawks are a chance but I still feel backline is a real issue for them.
Geelong will fall away this year, well atleast start the decline. How far is the ?

I rate the young players of North Melbourne, but I think their window will start to open after ours is beginning to close up. They are a few years behind us in terms of developing young players, as when a lot of our now 'older' guys came on the AFL scene, such as Thornton, Waite, and Judd, North Melbourne were still pretty flush with players from their 1999 premiership, most of which are now retired. If the Kangaroos have a window opening, it will be towards the end of this decade rather than early to mid.

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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 think that you will all see that the window opens next year and will start to close by about 2016.

We certainly have the personnel - who are also rapidly gaining experience

People were all talking about not having enough midfielders, KPP's etc - but this issue is of course nowhere near as relevant now.

Effective gameplan and strategy is the number one topic for dicussion - much more so than in previous years.

More discussion sometimes leads to bold descision making - where people break with established patterns.

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My Blue Heaven

West Coast and Hawthorn are two sides who will make the finals this year. Carlton will do well to hold its ground and repeat its 13 wins from 2009. Carlton's window is 2011-2013 IMO

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You heard it here first!

I can really only see one team dropping out of the eight this year, and that team is Essendon*. Making the finals after winning only 10 games and having a draw is not what finals sides are made of- and this is evident in their massive loss to Adelaide in week one. Hawthorn should take their place in the finals this year.

Not sure our window is that narrow though, Hotcox. Not too sure if it starts that early either. Hope it starts early and goes on well beyond the mid part of this decade.

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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 blame DRUGS if the Cats decline in 2010, because they are still a youngish and talented list.

They will meet their foe Carlton during the year, so I guess there's more to their decline than just drugs.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

West Coast shmest coast. They simply don't have the runners to compete regularly against good sides. Not absolutely convinced that Carlton will make the 8. But almost certain we'll finish above WC.

I think we'll finish above WCE aswell. Hoping they make the 8 as it means we will end up doing pretty well because we'll finish above them.

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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."

Ive said that we will finish outside the 8 - but Id certainly prefer us to make the 8 and gain finals experience.

It all depends of course on the midfield and how well the new forward structure comes together.

A midfield that works will of course mean that Judd plays more time in the forward line.

Football synergy at work.

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My Blue Heaven