padre wrote:
In terms of Ladder Position?
It's hard to see us getting off the bottom. Brisbane were hit harder by injuries than us this year, Gold Coast I think are more talented than us and Melbourne and St Kilda are a couple years more advanced in their rebuilds. Essendon* though, well who knows what could happen with them.
In terms of game plan?
I thought Barker made attempts to modernise it and I expect Bolton to extend this further. The game evolves so quickly that I won't even bother to guess what a 'modern' game plan will look like by the middle of next year, but we'll know when we see it, just as we knew that Malthouse's plans had become outdated. I believe we'll at least be an attacking side and play a more free flowing style.
in terms of Player development ?
The young guys need game time and need to show signs that they can cut it at this level. We've learned a lot about Cripps, but not much else in 2015. Weitering, Rice, DVR, Boekhorst, Menzel, Jaksch and any other early draft picks from this year are the ones I want to see most from. They're early picks and should therefore be the most talented on our list. For mine, Jaksch, Casboult and Weitering is at least the start of a spine, but we're still lacking in genuine ball winners through the middle.
If Bolton can develop Graham and Whiley into consistent B grade contributors then that would help.
In terms of fitness?
We'll be a young team. A competitive fitness base that allows us to compete for all 4 quarters will satisfy me.