In a season of wasted opportunities what are the positives that we can take out of it?

I'll start with a few

1. Murphy's improved leadership
2. Judd back in scintillating form
3. Emergence of Sam Rowe
4. Some games into the kids - Cripps, Buckley, Graham, Holman, Johnson
5. Menzel improving
6. Everrit a good pick-up
7. Simpson still strong
8. Gibbs consistency

Lets keep this thread positive - someone else can start a negatives thread

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

Sheehan looks like he will be good.

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dane's trolling again

Bell .... Either side of his broken thumb showed plenty.
White .... I had him delisted last year. Shows how much I know.
Doc .... Had a couple of forgetful moments, BUT, as a 20yo

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Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth. ~Ludwig Börne

I thought there weren't any positives?

Nah in all seriousness - in addition to the ones listed, I'd add:

- minimal off-season surgeries required
- turn around in attitude in the last 2 months
- beating Adelaide & Norf (hate them both)

A new CEO.

Mick devised a game plan for our team instead of us trying to play like Collingwood!

1) We've found a quality CHB in Rowe
2) Docherty a bargain basement pickup
3) Everitt - astute recruiting
4) Menzel should be a gun
5) Cripps looks promising
6) Gibbs more consistent
7) Ditto Yarran
Murphy leadership improving
9) Buckley showed a bit before getting injured
10) Wood a good pickup and offers more than Warnock

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There is no footy god

New president.

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The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect

#DopeThenStash

Club gave me a heritage jumper.
Marc Murphy signed said jumper.
All members of KISS signed said jumper.
Gene said "Go Blues!"
...and finally...

GIBBS!

He's now the player I've long wanted him to be.

When we lost a match we didn't get smashed as much as did a few years ago...

Although our forwards could be flashy, our backline used to leak badly with Bower, Anderson, Thornton, Austin etc

Our highs were too high and our lows too low.

Under Mick we have become more consistent with our performances.

Our greatest weakness has been our reserve grade players failing to develop and push up.

Last draft, we cleared out many under achievers and this draft we will do it again.

If we draft well, the future looks ok...

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"...that's the thing about opinion - you don't have to know anything to have one..." Andre Agassi commenting on Pat Cash 2004
"...the less you know - the more you believe..." - Bono 2006

We get a pretty handy draw next year because we are in the bottom 6 pool

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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

If nothing else it will e good for memberships.

Unless we suck again.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

- Gibbs becoming elite
- Yarran becoming consistent
- Rowe becoming a solid AFL defender
- Murphy becoming a captain
- Sticks becoming an ex-president
- Buckley and Menzel showing where the future lies
- A big move away from boundary-hugging longball shite
- Another year off some of our dud contracts

it's over?

Yarran becoming a hard bastard (no, I'm serious, really). Minor lapses occasionally but worked his a off this year, and despite some niggling injuries at the end.

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'People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.'
Soren Kierkegaard

Gibbs elite
Judd elite
Everitt incredible swing man who can play as a mid too. He makes things happen.
Yarran stepped up
Docherty stepped up after a couple of shockers
Sam Rowe proved me wrong
Thomas improved towards the end and expected to be better in 2015
Bell added strength grunt and pace to midfield. Kicked goals
Buckley arrived albeit short term.
Wood saved us from more Warnock. Astute selection
Mick got the game plan working, unless it was player driven.
Add Kreuzer Henderson Everitt Walker Thomas Buckley maybe Robbo and an in form Garlett to the team that just drew against Bumbers
Look forward to a good FA, Trade or 2 and great pick 6 and 26 27 28 29.
A good preseason and another list turnover to come.
Look forward to finals next year.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

New Prez
New CEO
New outlook
Emergence of some quality kids in Doc, Buckley, Menzel and Cripps
Improvement in Rowe and White
Gibbs staying, and finally playing to his potential
Murphy's improved Leadership
Cam Wood turned out to be an ingenious bargain basement pick up
Not rushing Kreuz back late in the season
Yazzamatazz.

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

Rowe has really showed a lot this year seeing him outmark Roughy 1 on 1 has me sold. He has learnt to back himself if in the best position and spoil if not
Gibbs has shown he is a class midfielder
A lot of choices for running backmen / wingmen - Sheehan , Buckley, Docherty, Yarran, Simo, Everitt
Add to that list Walker and Touhy who both had ordinary injured years and Daisy, who I expect to improve next year
Robbo improved his disposal, not sure if he will be there next year, but ok for me if he is
Big improvement in Judd's absence of Murphy and Gibbs to lead the team and run the midfield, Judd definitely past his best, but a passage of about 5 handballs in the centre last week leading to a uncontested clearance showed this group is improving
Hopefully sometimes have to go back to go forward and we have "crossed the Rubicon" in our attitude
Glass half full for me

Oh yes forgot Yarran - line breaker that has massive impact and has improved consistency
With Bettsy gone my son's new favourite player

Funnily enough I am more optimistic than I was before R1.
I think making the 8 is a realistic aim. At least as a club we know where we are at now.