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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: Name your team for Opening Round
Last post by Baggers -We are more susceptable to injuries this year, than any year in the past. With a large amount of luck, we might be ok. With an average amount of luck, we'll be lucky to match last years efforts.
I'd argue the opposite.
That we're better placed to deal with injuries than we have been.
With greater depth and more versatility.
That shows through when we try to construct the various lines and players are missing out.
A lot will depend on who gets injured though.
So we'll agree to disagree.I feel for others who don't follow the same logic as they are the ones who will jump up and down, pitchforks in hand demanding more from the club. That cycle will hurt the club, like it has in the past.
Carltons biggest issue is impatient supporters, forcing our hand before it needs to be forced, perpetuating cycle of unending rebuilds.
If the results don't flow then there will be changes.
So folks won't need to jump up and down.
The writing will be on the wall.
And most likely it will be the coach who will depart.
His contract is for 2026.
That was the allotted time.
We won't be sacking him, we just won't be extending him.
But he doesn't need to have dramatic improvements.
It just needs to be seen to be moving in the right direction.
The team coming together, youngsters developing, a springboard to 2027... and he may get his extra time.
A lot of that will take place behind the scenes in terms of 'goals and targets' and we don't even know if some wheels might not already be in motion for change...that wouldn't surprise.
Bottom line.
With a bit of good luck we will improve and the coach will get his extension.
That's what I hope for and expect.
If things go pear shaped we won't...and then there will be changes.
And then it will be a case of looking ahead to a better year in 2027.
But that's just football seasons.
Put the bad ones behind you and look forward to the next one.
Crystal balls, intuition, logic and hope amount to precious little when attempting to predict the fate of the 18 clubs in the AFL.
This time last year, no crystal ball foresaw the Croweaters heading to the top last year. Logic said the runners up for season 2024 should go one better in 2025... Oh dear, Fluffy Ducks, what happened! I don't think anyone predicted Rottingwood winning the flag in '23... sheesh, they didn't have two A grade, 200cm plus forwards! And so it goes.
Lady Luck has a big say in the fortunes of AFL clubs.
Every season the so-called experts predict the top 8 (now top 10)... Seldom does anyone come close to predicting how it eventually turns out. And they use stats, logic, reason, experience, whispers, 'gut' feelings, how clubs are tracking pre season and star player (A graders) stocks at each club. That's one of the beauties of our sport.
Hope springs eternal for many clubs this year.
For moi, hopes are high, expectations are tempered until I see what unfolds after a half doz games or so. Regardless of hopes and expectation, I'm excited for the return of footy in 7 weeks or so. Yummy.