2025 Draw - hoping for MUCH softer

[Scorpus]

I want Nicks to stand on his own two feet and not be propped up by bulk wins against shitty bottom 4 teams

His record is inflated enough as it is by being able to beat up on teams like North and West Coast but being unable to beat teams slightly higher on the ladder

The worst outcome would be making 8th off the back of six wins against North/WC/Richmond or equivalent bottom sides, getting smashed, but that "performance" leading us to retain Nicks again

 

[ams4crows]

I bet we get Collingwood and Freo twice next year and they'll end up both being top 4 even though they both missed the 8 this season

 

[ams4crows]

Of the 6 double ups

Probably get
Port
Collingwood
Richmond
Fremantle
Melbourne
GWS

 

[Coopers]

Should get a home game to kick off the season I think

That will help ALOT , early season momentum is vital

First round home game loss vs richmond is not going to do us much good I think

 

[SugarShane]

Given Richmond have gutted their list I do hope we get them twice.

I'd rather get some winnable double ups.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

First round home game loss vs richmond is not going to do us much good I think

Even we won’t stuff that up this time

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Of the 6 double ups

Probably get
Port
Collingwood
Richmond
Fremantle
Melbourne
GWS

Freo will be red hot next year IMO

Weren’t far away from top 4 in reality this year

Choked a bit , they will be tough to beat next year . Throw in shai and their other high draft pick too

 

[Scorpus]

I'd rather get some winnable double ups.

Based on Nicks coaching record we should be requesting double ups against Carlton, St Kilda, West Coast, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide

The worst double ups would be against the unbeatable teams. Sydney, Collingwood, Melbourne, Geelong, Essendon, Richmond, Brisbane and Fremantle. Maximum of 1 win in Nicks history against those teams.

 

[DJ75]

Nah. If we're going to be a good team, we need to beat good teams. Bring em on, if we're good we'll beat them and play finals on our own merits. If we're not then we won't and we'll sack the coach.

What I don't want is for a soft draw to cover up the cracks and have us slink into 7th or 8th off the back of beating up on some cellar dwellers. Then the club screams "IMPROVEMENT! SEE??!!" and probably extend Nicks again before the start of 2026 when we will then crash and burn again.

The only way to get a real assessment of where you sit is to test yourself against decent yardsticks. If Nicks is going to keep his job, I want him to bloody well earn it.

I get what you are saying, but the inequity of the draw is an outrage and needs to be addressed. It is being used to artificially boost certain teams and is being used to punish others. All you want is a fair go.

 

[DJ75]

A “soft” draw is meaningless and I’ll explain why. Every year a team that wasn’t a top four team the year before surges into top four form. Likewise a team that has been fairly consistent can bottom out. A soft or hard draw can’t be determined until the season is in full swing. All I want is at least 2 games at the G, no Tassie games and not finish the year in WA

That's not true though.
Yes a team might jump up and make it look a bit different in hindsight, but it is clear that if you are constantly given extra games against the competitions top teams, then you are going to struggle.
Again, all you want is a fair go. We aren't getting that right now. The AFLW one is very clear. They have been desperate to hold us down and stop the dominance.

 

[jackster83]

Freo will be red hot next year IMO

Weren’t far away from top 4 in reality this year

Choked a bit , they will be tough to beat next year . Throw in shai and their other high draft pick too

Weren't they sitting third with three games to go?

Fair to say they completely shit the bed.

 

[Crow till I die]

I'd rather get some winnable double ups.

We always get 2 showdowns...

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Soft draws just end up making you look like Port in finals.

Came here to post this. The draw is a weird thing to get worked up about. You can't pretend your way to a flag.

(I do get a bit shitty about playing on a suburban ground in the middle of nowhere though)

 

[spenze]

kirky hopes it doesn’t get much softer, he won’t get an invite to his own parties if that is the case

 

[cleanhands]

kirky hopes it doesn’t get much softer, he won’t get an invite to his own parties if that is the case

Have you seen his cook ups?

 

[Jarman3]

Came here to post this. The draw is a weird thing to get worked up about. You can't pretend your way to a flag.

(I do get a bit shitty about playing on a suburban ground in the middle of nowhere though)

Yeah. To be fair, I haven't been paying much attention so maybe they do and I missed it, but I don't recall hearing Geelong or Sydney or Brisbane complaining about their draw. Good teams and they just get on with it because they know they can beat anyone.

 

[kirky]

kirky hopes it doesn’t get much softer, he won’t get an invite to his own parties if that is the case

Speak to me in 5 weeks.

 

[ams4crows]

Freo will be red hot next year IMO

Weren’t far away from top 4 in reality this year

Choked a bit , they will be tough to beat next year . Throw in shai and their other high draft pick too

Which is exactly why they'll be one of our double ups.

I hope we get the Giants in Canberra if we have to have a regional ground game, I love going there

 

[FR0GGY]

Has served port well.
Would be the worst thing to get a soft draw.
Anyway you can’t manufacture something with so many variables.
I’d be more concerned with where we play our games.

 

[Shifty Crow]

Next year will be a tight comp - teams like GC, Freo and Collingwood who all finish outside the 8 have recruited well and Melbourne will be healthier

Even WV will be harder to beat at home

Not sure there is anymore easy fixtures, what is assessed as easy round 1, may not have the same assessment in round 23


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Thylacinus]

I want Nicks to stand on his own two feet and not be propped up by bulk wins against shitty bottom 4 teams

His record is inflated enough as it is by being able to beat up on teams like North and West Coast but being unable to beat teams slightly higher on the ladder

The worst outcome would be making 8th off the back of six wins against North/WC/Richmond or equivalent bottom sides, getting smashed, but that "performance" leading us to retain Nicks again

I agree with your post in general, but could North spike a bit this year with emerging talent and players, as well as including proven performers such as Darling and Parker?

 

[Thylacinus]

If we are good enough, we will be there or there about, regardless of the draw. The only thing I would want is for us not to be overdone with travel compared to the other clubs. I also agree that last years form is not a true indicator of how clubs will perform the following year. There are always a few surprises both ways.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Next year will be a tight comp - teams like GC, Freo and Collingwood who all finish outside the 8 have recruited well and Melbourne will be healthier

Even WV will be harder to beat at home

Not sure there is anymore easy fixtures, what is assessed as easy round 1, may not have the same assessment in round 23


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Think this is an important point as the competition is quite even & easier draw could be the difference in several ladder spots... though an actual v perceived draw are usually different things.

Some clubs have improved their depth, whilst others have weakened theirs making them more susceptible to injuries.

Without seeing the draw...

1 GWS
2 Brisbane
3 Collingwood
4 Fremantle
5 Geelong
6 Adelaide
7 Sydney
8 Hawthorn
---
9 Gold Coast
10 Western Bulldogs
11 Carlton
12 Port Adelaide
13 St Kilda
14 Essendon
15 Melbourne
16 North Melbourne
17 West Coast
18 Richmond

 

[CrowMike]

That wasn't an away game.

You are correct. My bad sorry.

 

[1970crow]

Should get a home game to kick off the season I think

That will help ALOT , early season momentum is vital

Is it? How were Hawks and Brisbane early?