Re: What are your expectations for 2017?
Reply #120 –
Everyone likes to point at hawthorn regarding how quickly it can change, and that feels great, but let's re think this a little.
The Bulldogs started rebuilding their list for last year's flag about seven years ago.
Richmond have finished top 4 this year but the foundation for that started getting laid ten years ago where they cut deep and went to the draft heavily picking up blokes like Ben Nason for a late draft pick, looked impressive in his first season and then vanished.
A few years later some of these guys were delisted even though they played and looked ok early.
Rising star nominations are grand but they give one out every week. That's 22-23 a season. Over five years 120+ players are nominated with 5 winners and I reckon half probably don't go on with it.
That's just to temper the arguments and expectations a little. We have a little way to go, and how we develop from here is more important than anything else.
I'm acutely aware that much of our good form this year has been on the back of seasoned veterans.