Rubbish about it being a transitional year, we should expect to make finals and win finals..anything less is Not acceptable.

we lost one player from our side. We have a midfield reaching its prime and a defence that is underrated. Why should it be a 'transitional' year. Any mug can mark and kick a goal if our mid field dominates like it should do.

I'm with you.

Well, only 4 more sleeps until Round 1....

I'm feeling the usual mixture of joy, dread, anxiety, anticipation, apprehension, fear and excitement.

I like your outlook Chelodina, but I see it differently. It's not JUST that we're without Fevola this year, it's also that we're obviously changing our game style. Ratten effectively confirmed to the world last week that we are undergoing some significant game plan changes (good thing we had all those closed training sessions! ). I've got a feeling these changes were trigged as much (or more) by our loss to Brisbane in the finals last year as by Fev leaving. ie. I think we were always going to see changes to our game plan, even if Fev stayed. The time it will take for our players to become well-drilled in a different game style, combined with our young list AND no Fevola, is why I realistically will be pleased with 11 wins in 2010...

We won 13 games last year, but I think we'll have some post-Fev (and new game style) teething problems in 2010. Plus, no Judd in the first 3 rounds, and Waite & Murphy coming back from injury, means I think the Blues will struggle early in the season. I'm not even particularly confident we'll beat Richmond this week (FWIW, I don't think the Tigers will be complete easy beats early in the season, although I predict they will fall away and probably 'win' the wooden spoon).

I reckon we'll try to finish the season strongly and set ourselves up for a charge at it in 2011, but I think it's a "one step backwards to go two steps forward" situation for us in 2010. I interpreted Ratten's recent media comments as something akin to "an appeal for patience". He added a reference to what Hawthorn did in '08 etc simply as a way of selling hope to members that want short term success...

Personally, in 6 months time, I'll be content if - we've had about 11 wins; if we've seen incremental improvement from all our young players; a couple of players have had 'break out' seasons; we've seen evidence of a game plan that the players understand and are committed to; everyone associated with the club (on and off field) has kept to a higher standard of professionalism and dedication; and we've avoided any long-term injuries. A finals birth would simply be a very welcome bonus, IMO (11 wins might be enough anyway!).

Who'll make the 8? I see no reason why the top 6 from last year (Geel, St K, WB, Coll, Adel & Bris) shouldn't make it again. The question is - can Carl & Ess hold out the likes of Haw, Syd, WCE & North for the remaining 2 spots? Sadly, I don't think the Blues can. I notice most of the 'experts' are tipping we'll finish around 10th-12th....I reckon that's about right.

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

Hope we can make the 8 -nervous about beating Richmond is a must -so is Essendon* round 3

Look forward to continuing development of gibbs murphy kreuzer and bower

Lets build backline that is solid and plays most games together

Want 206 to play solid season

Hope one of hendo aj yazz gartlett robbo armfield hampson have a break out year and be the next big thing and the rest become regular good senior players

Scotto thorton carrazzo mclean waite simmo hadley need to be leaders -come out of shadow of fev stevens judd


More judd run and less judd grunt

Lucas/davies et al one of at least become senior player

A multi-dimensional forward line looking to the future

Less pressure on this year everyone thinks we are going to be ordinary

With most of the likely Thursday night line-up having at least 3 preseasons under their belts I'm not sure we can use the 'young list' reference any more. We might have a couple of players in the 1st 2nd or 3rd year but so does every other side.

My expectations are higher than yours in that I think 13+ wins should be achievable, however I wouldn't be surprised to see less wins.

Excellent post. Agree with pretty much all of this Frank.

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

Only Melb, North & Rich have younger lists than us.

And most clubs that are striving for a top 8 spot this year have experienced (ie. have done more than 3 preseasons) leaders that are key players for their team. Aside from Judd Waite and Simmo, our most important players are still 23 or under.

I take your point that we can't hide behind the tag "young" for much longer, but most of our key players haven't hit their prime years yet, or are just coming into them - ie. Murph (23), Gibbs (21), Kreuzer (20), Jamo (23), Bower (22), Betts (23), JR (23), Hendo (20), Hammer (22), 206 (23), Tex (23), Yarran (19).

And let's not forget, these guys are not surrounded by premiership players who are over 25+ and who are natural leaders that can show them the way. Judd is the only one. There is no Southby, Doull, Johnston, Fitzpatrick, Silvagni, Dean, McKay, or Hunter out there with them. Instead they have Carrots, T-Bird, Scotto and Wiggo (no disrespect to those guys, but you can see what I mean).

We might have to wait until our real blue chip players like Gibbs, Kreuzer and Murph have played 100+ games before we have quality leaders to support Judd at our club - ie. THEY will be the leaders for the likes of Lucas, Kerr, Dylan Buckley and co. It's hard to expect them to do it now while they are still in the process of establishing themselves as AFL players.

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

I suspect that's an average age statistic?
I'd be interested in seeing a breakdown and comparison of talent by age group with other teams.
Where's Jarusa when ya need him??



That's true, but guys like JR Jamo Murph Bower Simmo share a couple of qualities with Judd and all those greats you mentioned that won premierships... intensity and application, which is leadership.



IMO, while Gibbs, Kreuzer and Murph have a maturity and an approach to professionalism that has them ready to shine this year.

An open question to any one who believes "youth", "losing fev", "inexperienced coach" is an excuse for not playing finals (finishing 8th in a 16 team comp) what is an exceptable finish, what are your time frames for finishing top 8, top 4 and winning a premiership?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/c ... 5843903005

Carrotts thinks we're better placed this year than this time last year and I agree.

Our major playmakers have another preseason under their belts and have entered the prime years of their career.

No excuses.

GO BLUES!!!!!!

I'm with both of you.

Now if we only have the gameplan right.

And only 3 sleeps to go.

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

I have changed my mind, I think we will finish 11th.

We will be horrible early in the season, possibly 3-8 at Round 11. As long as we don't get injuries, we will improve second half of the year when we get some structures sorted.

i don't like your Carlton.
I like mine where we win quite a lot of games in the 1st half of season...then quite a lot more in the 2nd half....
then we make the finals..and win a bit there too.
Go blues!

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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.”

If we don't finish in the top four, we're not really, really, really in the hunt for the cup.

finishing 5-8 this year is no different to finishing 9-12, so let's all kick back and enjoy 2010 for what it is ... one very long pre-season

next year ... top 4, maybe

if not there's always next, next year

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NG
S M C , S F L

Rocco!!!!!
go and wash your mouth out with blues soap.
5-8 is a few weeks of extra joy and excitement...it's part of the buid up...
its.....
well......its a HUGE difference!!

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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.”

Oh bluegirl72, don't let those first-weeks-in-September types turn your head ... your too good for that, best wait a little bit longer

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S M C , S F L

Oh bluegirl72, don't let those first-weeks-in-September types turn your head ... your too good for that, best wait a little bit longer [/quote]
Rocco.....
I bet you LOVE soccer...right?
(not that I don't!)

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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.”

Oh bluegirl72, don't let those first-weeks-in-September types turn your head ... your too good for that, best wait a little bit longer [/quote]
Rocco.....
I bet you LOVE soccer...right?
(not that I don't!)[/quote]


just the Blues dear bluegirl72, just the Blues

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S M C , S F L

I would love that as well, I am trying to be realistic though.

Could be better than what I say, lets hope it is

I think we will lose games people think we will win, and also win games people think we are absolutely no chance (ie. could lose to Richmond then beat Brisbane at the Gabba).