The rabbi
Brownlow Medallist
- May 13, 2007
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Prediction How Will The Cats Fare in 2025?
- Thread starter The rabbi
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6th to 8th.
We had a decent year last year - one where we were good but not consistent, and then had a very very very good QF.
Our three major x-factor players are all well into their thirties, and so I do have us sliding a little before we bounce.
We had a decent year last year - one where we were good but not consistent, and then had a very very very good QF.
Our three major x-factor players are all well into their thirties, and so I do have us sliding a little before we bounce.
That makes sense… of course it was exactly what I hoped for in 2024 and we did much better by making top 4 and putting ourselves in position to pinch a flag. I thought we could go backwards by missing 8 again but guessed bottom half of the 8.
So I suppose have similar view going into 2025 but with an inkling we can surprise again…We still need Danger and Stewart to be as good as 2024 and I think they can. No reason in my mind Jezza can’t be… And then we need improvement from the younger guys - not impossible
Flag.
CHAWKTS: Far more LIKELY than - not impossible...... therefore we will do exceedingly well, excluding bad injury run !!!
- Jun 17, 2010
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I think it depends on how we start, we have a difficult run of 10 odd games then the 2nd half of the year is much easier.
If we have a good start, then I can see us being top 4 again otherwise a slow start could see us 5th- 8th.
If we have a good start, then I can see us being top 4 again otherwise a slow start could see us 5th- 8th.
Read the vibe of the article and disregard the ending...we've broken them.
Nobody dares proclaim we're about to hit the cliff anymore. Hundreds have fallen on their swords over the years and they've lost their appetite for getting it wrong.
But on a more serious note, it feels the team (and list) is in a pretty good place. It's been a master-class of phasing out the senior players and either having a younger player who's served their apprenticeship (Neale and COS right now), or someone who adds a new dimension (Smith, Mannagh).
Our system is set up to take pressure off our draftees, who can all spend a year or two learning the ropes in the VFL without us feeling the need to throw them in the deep end. Maybe one or two will get a small taste of senior experience (like COS did last year) but unless injuries strike, we don't need them until 26/27.
But that's a bit of a tangent.
Like most teams, injuries will play a part in determining how we go but I think we're well-placed. There's enough discussion on the ruck and midfield in other threads, but they feel like our biggest two hotspots and aren't raging out-of-control fires at this point.
I think what will have a bigger say on where we finish is how other teams go. I can see Freo shooting up, and there's always a surprise or two. For ourselves, I'm not sure about top 4 but wouldn't be surprised to finish 5th or 6th.
Nobody dares proclaim we're about to hit the cliff anymore. Hundreds have fallen on their swords over the years and they've lost their appetite for getting it wrong.
But on a more serious note, it feels the team (and list) is in a pretty good place. It's been a master-class of phasing out the senior players and either having a younger player who's served their apprenticeship (Neale and COS right now), or someone who adds a new dimension (Smith, Mannagh).
Our system is set up to take pressure off our draftees, who can all spend a year or two learning the ropes in the VFL without us feeling the need to throw them in the deep end. Maybe one or two will get a small taste of senior experience (like COS did last year) but unless injuries strike, we don't need them until 26/27.
But that's a bit of a tangent.
Like most teams, injuries will play a part in determining how we go but I think we're well-placed. There's enough discussion on the ruck and midfield in other threads, but they feel like our biggest two hotspots and aren't raging out-of-control fires at this point.
I think what will have a bigger say on where we finish is how other teams go. I can see Freo shooting up, and there's always a surprise or two. For ourselves, I'm not sure about top 4 but wouldn't be surprised to finish 5th or 6th.
The reason there's no cliff talk is because many outside the club are now aware of how many good young players we actually have (see Magpies list for opposite). In fact, this is the best crop of young players since our dynasty and if we have good run with injuries (which is in the lap of the footy Gods) then top 4 is more likely than NOT and GO CATS !!!
As always, a good vs bad injury run can give about a 6 position split on finishing position. It makes these predictive exercises a bit futile, but I'll just assume an "average" run of injuries.
I see us finishing top 4 and being around the mark again.
Smith and (more) Holmes in midfield will address a weakness. Bruhn could have a much better season. Stewart pinch hitting should still work well.
Our forward line is really good but I see improvement in it as a unit.
Backline somewhat reliable without being dominant. Would love for a small defender and another smooth operating rebounder to emerge.
We need better seasons from ideally both Conway and SDK, but at least one of them.
If Dempsey, Mannagh, Neale and Humphries can all step it up another gear there's a fair bit of skill and talent to keep us going.
Danger, Stewart and Cameron probably have one more decent year together so we need to push hard for a flag.
I see us finishing top 4 and being around the mark again.
Smith and (more) Holmes in midfield will address a weakness. Bruhn could have a much better season. Stewart pinch hitting should still work well.
Our forward line is really good but I see improvement in it as a unit.
Backline somewhat reliable without being dominant. Would love for a small defender and another smooth operating rebounder to emerge.
We need better seasons from ideally both Conway and SDK, but at least one of them.
If Dempsey, Mannagh, Neale and Humphries can all step it up another gear there's a fair bit of skill and talent to keep us going.
Danger, Stewart and Cameron probably have one more decent year together so we need to push hard for a flag.
Top four.
Older brigade will stay relatively the same, stewart has already declined same with blicavs duncan etc and the losses of tuohy/hawk i feel will improve us with who is replacing them.
In a nutshell older brigade will stay relatively the same. Danger and stewart will just be solid contributors playing a role.
Bruhn holmes clark and or knevitt will go up a level, SDK and Neale will improve.. Humphries will go another level.
Dempsey will push AA selection.
Smith will improve us drastically as an inside mid with explosion.
Conway will be a regular b22 ruck getting 15-20 touches a game.
I have huge ambitions for 25. Bigger than 24. We will be nore well rounded
We need significant improvement from Conway and De Koning to become a premiership contender in what will be a tougher competition next year.
If De Koning plays to an All Australian calibre, the snowball effect is substantial.
I reckon we finish short of top four but certainly in contention again.
If De Koning plays to an All Australian calibre, the snowball effect is substantial.
I reckon we finish short of top four but certainly in contention again.
