2021 may be the best yet

[Tigerfan]

It’s rarified air to go 3 flags in a row.

And to do it we’ve got to get from 10th to 8 in the next 21 days

Win 4 in a row
If Covid doesn’t interfere
We have to Survive an interstate elimination final
Have a 50/50 of an interstate semi
In all likelihood play the last two on the MCG

Our best performance will need to appear quickly

So in our favour

Fresh legs from experienced players returning
Our experience of the big stage and
Finals game style
A history of producing a winning streak when it matters
Almost Our best team could be available
Momentum and confidence and ability if it returns.
We do have it but it’s gone behind the couch

We need it back ASAP
We need our best players available

And it would be a hell of a story

 

[spook]

Can this be another 1969?

DS

Royce's kidney was fine in '69.

 

[Carter]

And so it’s done. Probably still have a fluker’s chance of making finals, but the way we played against mediocre opposition suggests we’re done.

I was alarmed at how many battlers we have our there today. The onus is on polish right now. Possession chains are where we are headed.

With that in mind, the following players are already redundant :

Ross
Garthwaite
Aarts
Castagna
Parker
McIntosh

With Graham and Pickett on notice (depth at best in 2022).

Astbury and Houli are probably done. Riewoldt, Caddy and Cotchin need to have a think.

If we get a top 6 pick in the ND we will have serious currency in the off-season.

Most importantly, Hardwick needs at least two accomplished assistants who excel in the area of ball movement and cohesion.

I’d also look at a serious stoppage/clearance coach and smash stoppage setups all summer with our bevy of new / old mids.

 

[Carter]

The Freo game was terrible, worst I’ve seen us play for some time.

But

Ya know, I still have hope. We’re still in this, people.

Folks have fatalism as a defence mechanism. I get it after so many years in the cold.

But the club’s current stock in trade is flags.

Is it such a stretch to consider that we may scrape into 8th and regroup from there?

Unlikely, yes. This is hope more than anything. We are still a capable team at the end of the day.