Toast Reasons for Optimism

[CapitalA]

If we weren’t robbed in the Carlton game we would be 6th before Sundays game.
We win Sunday we will be 5th a third of the way through the season.
People bang on about our scoring but our fwd line isn’t near prime time yet.
We have 1 player over 23 named in our fwd 6 on Sunday
Port had 1 player under 25 named in their fwd 6 to face the crows.
Cats have 1 player under 25 in their fwd 6
Swans have 2 under 25
Giants have 4 under 25

We won't be 5th if essendon beats the eagles today, I think we'll be 6th.

 

[DocT]

We are in a once in 15-18 years season as a supporter base.

Having endured a long rebuild, without having a bunch of crap seasons in the bottom few teams. We are now positioned with an abundance of current and soon to be A grade players. And the vast majority of those players are 25 and under. There are a couple of players on our list who will be in the argument for top five players in the league and at least four others who should be in discussion for top twenty five.

Backs:

A Pearce will need to be replaced but looks like he will play at this level or close for 3 seasons and it could be more.
A core of Ryan, Cox, Clark, Chapman are all at least close to A graders or are A graders. Chapman fit changes the ball movement for the entire team. I am bullish. Long hoddl!

Walker, Warner and Draper look like they can all at the least play a role and not hurt the team. The Ceiling for Draper is unknown but he seems to have all the tools for a modern KPD who could play for the next 10-13 years.

Aish is a solid B grade contributor with the occasional A grade in him. A glue guy who plays his role and is dependable in big games and under pressure. Valuable.

Midfield:

I would back our core mids to win or break even with any group in the league. The new ruck rule is a great advantage for Darcy and will limit his knee issues. He rarely runs and jumps in the CB anymore. He moves into position and uses his bulk to neutralise or direct the tap. Look at this list:

Brayshaw, Serong, Young, Darcy and Jackson. They have a long time to play together.

Sharp was pretty much a freebie and looks like he could lock down a wing long term. While we can improve in this area we have some glimpses in the side (discussed later) and can recruit or trade to solve.

Oh and we have Fyfe, fit and in form as a year to year proposition. Last week he was dominant and historically he is an all time great! Relish his every game while you can. Watch him strip the ball and glide away, take pack marks, tackle, bump and accept contact to release Brayshaw and Serong to the outside. All hail Lord Fyfe!

Forwards:

The triple J's are possibly the most talented group of young talls in one side in the league. All complimentary, all with huge upside physically, skillset and understanding.

All have skills when the ball hits the deck. Amiss and Treacy are great field kicks. And all find the goals. None are lumbering slow players either. And Treacy and Jackson are physical threats now. Amiss has more size to put on his frame, and will only get stronger.

Who matches up on them?

Crumbing smalls are a concern, however I think this can be addressed by trade of the draft.

Mid to Attack Link players:

Currently this is Freddy, Emmett and Switta. Freddy looks like a long term lock and we know Switta can at least play the role at a solid level. Freddy's ceiling is the highest of the three and as his fitness and understanding grows he will be very damaging.

Simpson is the biggest news in this area of the ground and perhaps the skinny side wing. He freaking has it! The forwards will love leading to him and he can go from stoppage or open play. A damaging burst runner with finish... He has future AA written all over him. I keep finding myself saying I haven't been as excited about a player since... with this team we can see class on every line and in most cases, more than once on every line.

Draft:

We have three first rounders at the end of this year.

Let that sink in.

I back us to find at least one A grader out of that. If we trade it should be for a mid twenties (or younger) A grader.

___________________

All this development and we should be playing finals this year. Enjoy every win. Savour all the development. Cheer the youngsters on. Watch in awe at the moments Simpson tears teams apart. Enjoy our young forward nucleus before they are known league wide as the best in the league.

What a time to support Freo! There won't be another time like it for another decade and a half. We will be too busy winning flags and going deep into September for the next decade.

U R an elite poster. Thx a mill.

 

[pK75]

We won't be 5th if essendon beats the eagles today, I think we'll be 6th.

Depends on what happens with the Dees vs Cats, they have a much better % than us now, but that could change by the end of the weekend

 

[poshman]

FTFY

After a long day of work this is the type of post you have to LOVE coming back too!

The decade of dominance is upon us!!

 

[poshman]

Add Young building in his role and kicking two to the list of things to be optimistic about!

The second one from 45m on his right was stunning!

 

[Spirit Level]

Josh ****en Treacy

 

[Purple Jesus]

Sooo i noticed some interesting body language with the biffo and Baker…

 

[poshman]

Josh ****en Treacy

Keep clunking marks and kicking snags! YOU BEAUTY!

The way he, Amiss and Jackson work together bodes incredibly well for a long time.

 

[dropbear101]

Sooo i noticed some interesting body language with the biffo and Baker…

whats that, i listened. didn't watch

 

[Purple Jesus]

whats that, i listened. didn't watch

Him and young looked at each other like ‘what are we doing lol’ ‘shh just pretend’

 

[Sully90]

1 game clear in the 8 now.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Josh Draper just kept an elite goal kicking small forward goalless. He is an absolute gun.

 

[Sully90]

Josh Draper just kept an elite goal kicking small forward goalless. He is an absolute gun.

After doing a mild hammy last week as well.

 

[Raz]

No increase in optimism this weeek/ next week a win will build confidence againt a top team.

Sadly we only beating the bottom 8 so far and lost one to a bottom 8 too

 

[dropbear101]

jye amiss is interesting. having a down year.

but has kicked 12 goals off 6 games (west coast one doesn't count).

so still ontrack for a 40 goal a year average.

shows at his minimum hes still useful.

 

[dockshark]

jye amiss is interesting. having a down year.

but has kicked 12 goals off 6 games (west coast one doesn't count).

so still ontrack for a 40 goal a year average.

shows at his minimum hes still useful.

Without Tabs he is getting a lot of attention from the number 1 defender most weeks and getting double teamed on slower forward entries.

These forwards need time to develop the core and upper body mass and strength to consistently win one on a me contests let alone two or three on one.

 

[Raz]

Without Tabs he is getting a lot of attention from the number 1 defender most weeks and getting double teamed on slower forward entries.

These forwards need time to develop the core and upper body mass and strength to consistently win one on a me contests let alone two or three on one.

Hopefully AFL look into a few of Justin Longmires concerns about Amiss treatment off the ball.

 

[Purple Jesus]

Hopefully AFL look into a few of Justin Longmires concerns about Amiss treatment off the ball.

5 years and still getting our coaches name wrong.

 

[Raz]

5 years and still getting our coaches name wrong

more just laziness when typing...

Sorry Justin.....

 

[south beach]

Josh Draper just kept an elite goal kicking small forward goalless. He is an absolute gun.

And certain peeps keep wanting to replace him with Coxy when he’s due back. Make him earn his spot back no need to rush anyone given our current list. Great management today with Fyfe as sub.

 

[ilikepotatoes]

Josh Draper just kept an elite goal kicking small forward goalless. He is an absolute gun.

Who? You aren't talking about Bolton are you?

He played most of the game in the middle - unless I'm mistaken.

 

[King Huskii]

The emergence of Draper has been amazing

Ryan and Pearce in AA contention

Serong and Young elite

Imagine if Brayshaw could find his best form?

 

[mattis117]

Without Tabs he is getting a lot of attention from the number 1 defender most weeks and getting double teamed on slower forward entries.

These forwards need time to develop the core and upper body mass and strength to consistently win one on a me contests let alone two or three on one.

Yes, JL again making mention of the bullshit he's having to put up with in his presser.

Jye is getting beaten up as it's the last resort tactic from defenders to stop him. He's too quick and smart to be played fair. It's on the umpires to look after him.

It's clearly affecting his game too. Thankfully Treacy is looking after him and stepping up as well.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Who? You aren't talking about Bolton are you?

He played most of the game in the middle - unless I'm mistaken.

He played the entire first half forward and a significant part of the second half too.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

The emergence of Draper has been amazing

Ryan and Pearce in AA contention

Serong and Young elite

Imagine if Brayshaw could find his best form?

I'd add Clark being AA contention too.