Toast Reasons for Optimism

[Mr Cheese]

You may think it’s “unadulterated horse shit” but the facts show the hawks won more games than us and were a better team in 2024. The ladder just doesnt lie. The best 8 teams across the season won the most games and deservedly played finals. The Hawks were a kick away from a prelim against a flaky Sydney team in the end.

I get your point about Pearce and Treacy but that’s not dissimilar to most other clubs.
I can’t stand the injuries excuse. Every bloody team gets injuries. Brisbane were missing some absolute guns though injury for large chunks of the season.

To be honest - I felt we had a better than average run with injuries this season.
We will be doing well if we have a similar injury rate in 2025.
Darcy being counted as a massive out through injury in 2024 is more debatable as he was unavailable most of the season and we had ample time to devise an alternative strategy but didn’t land on one till round 23 when Reidy debuted. That is 100% on the coach and match committee.

So if Pearce and Treacy and Darcy miss large chunks of next season does the coach again get a pass if we finish 10th?
I hope not.

Also - Pearce and Darcy have been shown to be much more injury prone than the average afl player across their careers, yet we have still built our structure and gameplan around them. That a risk we take as a footy club, and it’s a high risk high reward strategy (which I can understand as they are both excellent players when fit).
However if they break down in-season again, we can’t accept that as an excuse for yet another failed campaign.
We could have easily traded Darcy out but chose to keep him. Thats fine and I support the decision for what’s it worth - but if he’s unavailable yet again though injury in 2025 the club doesn’t get to use that as a mulligan.

Fair enough 'unadulterated horse-shit' was harsh, but this is the optimism thread. Yes we did underachieve (but in an incredibly close season - adds to the frustration for sure), and yes, we likely won't get the same run with injury this year, but it was a valid excuse for the run-in last year (not the shit-shows vs the Eagles et al). However, we were a very young side, with not a huge number of cumulative games together, which gives me reason to think we weather injuries better this year. Darcy was actually pretty hardy until the last 18 months or so, and Pearce had put a long run together; I'm backing them in this year, or at least for Reidy to come in and compete more effectively. You're right about the pass mark. This is a top 4 side, even with injuries we should be making finals this year.

As for the ladder, it lies its arse off. The Hawks had an objectively easier draw. It will always lie unless it's a 'play each other twice' home & away season. Even then, travel will always favour Victorian sides. Not complaining, it is what it is, but let's not pretend it's an even playing field. That's why winning it from over here would be so sweet.

On SM-G988U1 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[mightymouse75]

Bigger than Bolton.
We didn't have players waiting to jump ship at the end of the year.
Not having that kind of disruption in your best 22 is very important for a young team.
2025 here we come.

 

[kuhni]

So many of our players have more to give, just need to see them step up this year.

Amiss, Jackson, Frederick, Chapman, Johnson, Cox, Darcy all with real scope to improve on their 2024 season.

 

[Minz]

So many of our players have more to give, just need to see them step up this year.

Amiss, Jackson, Frederick, Chapman, Johnson, Cox, Darcy all with real scope to improve on their 2024 season.

Add O’Driscoll to that IMO

 

[Dockeroo]

Fair enough 'unadulterated horse-shit' was harsh, but this is the optimism thread. Yes we did underachieve (but in an incredibly close season - adds to the frustration for sure), and yes, we likely won't get the same run with injury this year, but it was a valid excuse for the run-in last year (not the shit-shows vs the Eagles et al). However, we were a very young side, with not a huge number of cumulative games together, which gives me reason to think we weather injuries better this year. Darcy was actually pretty hardy until the last 18 months or so, and Pearce had put a long run together; I'm backing them in this year, or at least for Reidy to come in and compete more effectively. You're right about the pass mark. This is a top 4 side, even with injuries we should be making finals this year.

As for the ladder, it lies its arse off. The Hawks had an objectively easier draw. It will always lie unless it's a 'play each other twice' home & away season. Even then, travel will always favour Victorian sides. Not complaining, it is what it is, but let's not pretend it's an even playing field. That's why winning it from over here would be so sweet.

On SM-G988U1 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Yeah fair enough. Accept it’s not the correct thread and all that but can’t let the “hawthorn had an objectively easier draw” comment slip though to the keeper.
Its just not true.

Hawks double ups:
Richmond
North
GWS
Geelong
Collingwood
Adelaide

Fremantle double ups:
Richmond
West coast
Sydney
Port Adelaide
Western Bulldogs
Melbourne

There is no difference between those two sets of fixtures in 2024.

Both of us played two of the comps three also rans.

Melbourne and Adelaide cancel each other out as well.

We each played 3 decent teams twice.

 

[Joao]

Yeah fair enough. Accept it’s not the correct thread and all that but can’t let the “hawthorn had an objectively easier draw” comment slip though to the keeper.
Its just not true.

Hawks double ups:
Richmond
North
GWS
Geelong
Collingwood
Adelaide

Fremantle double ups:
Richmond
West coast
Sydney
Port Adelaide
Western Bulldogs
Melbourne

There is no difference between those two sets of fixtures in 2024.

Both of us played two of the comps three also rans.

Melbourne and Adelaide cancel each other out as well.

We each played 3 decent teams twice.

Take it to one of the other threads.

 

[Purple Suit]

Yeah fair enough. Accept it’s not the correct thread and all that but can’t let the “hawthorn had an objectively easier draw” comment slip though to the keeper.
Its just not true.

Hawks double ups:
Richmond
North
GWS
Geelong
Collingwood
Adelaide

Fremantle double ups:
Richmond
West coast
Sydney
Port Adelaide
Western Bulldogs
Melbourne

There is no difference between those two sets of fixtures in 2024.

Both of us played two of the comps three also rans.

Melbourne and Adelaide cancel each other out as well.

We each played 3 decent teams twice.

They are though.

Hawks had 2 finalists twice, we played three. Our finalists made GF, Prelim, Knockout. They had Prelim & semi.

It’s a fact that they had an easier draw than us just on opponents alone. It’s not even subjective.

 

[greatgatsby]

They are though.

Hawks had 2 finalists twice, we played three. Our finalists made GF, Prelim, Knockout. They had Prelim & semi.

It’s a fact that they had an easier draw than us just on opponents alone. It’s not even subjective.

We had one H2H, a tough contest that we lost. Win it and we finish above Hawthorn. We had our chance and there's never any point whining about fixturing.

 

[Purple Suit]

We had one H2H, a tough contest that we lost. Win it and we finish above Hawthorn. We had our chance and there's never any point whining about fixturing.

I’m not whining, just stating facts.

It was the story of our year, Just missing out.

 

[Piggy Smalls]

I'm optimistic that Hawthorn had a soft draw and we'll be better than them this year.

 

[Piggy Smalls]

 

[poshman]

Back to reasons for optimism, 1-4th year players come back Thursday. I am expecting sharp improvements from Ras, Draper and Johnson this season. Simpson could be anything if he starts to build through pre season. I am looking forward to him coming and and playing next to Bolton. Drool....

 

[Purple Suit]

I'm optimistic that Hawthorn had a soft draw and we'll be better than them this year.

I’m optimistic that next season will be fun to death ride the Hawks & Carlton. If they continue to win, WC get shafted with their pick choice and the arrogance of the Hawks will at least have some silver lining. They could have held pick 3.

If both Hawks & Carlton shit the bed, we still get to watch it. WC will waste their picks anyway like usual.

 

[Sully90]

Back to reasons for optimism, 1-4th year players come back Thursday. I am expecting sharp improvements from Ras, Draper and Johnson this season. Simpson could be anything if he starts to build through pre season. I am looking forward to him coming and and playing next to Bolton. Drool....

The thought of Simpson carrying the ball at top speed and delivering to a one-out Treacy or Shai. I'll need to invest in kleenex

 

[Piggy Smalls]

Just randomly came across JT's Gold Coast game highlights from Optus Stadium this year.

Pack mark and conversion ️

Bone crunching bump ️️

Spearing pass to leading forward I50 ️

I50 tackle and conversion ️

Honestly could be in the conversation with Sandilands as our best ever rookie pick within a couple of years.

Physically and mentally elite.

 

[poshman]

Just randomly came across JT's Gold Coast game highlights from Optus Stadium this year.

Pack mark and conversion ️

Bone crunching bump ️️

Spearing pass to leading forward I50 ️

I50 tackle and conversion ️

Honestly could be in the conversation with Sandilands as our best ever rookie pick within a couple of years.

Physically and mentally elite.

If he goes close to that it will be amazing for us. And I think he will. Watch for him and Amiss to take another step forward this season. Amiss will take a couple. There will be games this year when they kick ten between them.

One of the polls we need is:

How many 20 goal games will we have this season?

A) 1-3
B) 4-5
C) 6-8
D) 10+

 

[Dockeroo]

If he goes close to that it will be amazing for us. And I think he will. Watch for him and Amiss to take another step forward this season. Amiss will take a couple. There will be games this year when they kick ten between them.

One of the polls we need is:

How many 20 goal games will we have this season?

A) 1-3
B) 4-5
C) 6-8
D) 10+

We have kicked 20 goals in a game six times in the last 11 seasons.

• Melbourne 2024
• West coast 2023
• North Melbourne 2019
• Brisbane 2016
• Essendon 2016
• GWS 2014

Modern defences don’t allow AFL teams kick 20 goals too often nowadays. Unless you are playing one of the outlier sides like west coast or Richmond or north over the last 3 years it’s a pretty rare occurrence for most teams.

 

[dont bowl there]

I'm positive that we are about to get the best fixture Fremantle has ever had. Not sure people realise how massive this North Melbourne deal is to the club.

 

[dominguez]

Just randomly came across JT's Gold Coast game highlights from Optus Stadium this year.

Pack mark and conversion ️

Bone crunching bump ️️

Spearing pass to leading forward I50 ️

I50 tackle and conversion ️

Honestly could be in the conversation with Sandilands as our best ever rookie pick within a couple of years.

Physically and mentally elite.

Will get more attention next year which creates an opportunity for Jackson to really take his game to the next level.

 

[dominguez]

I'm positive that we are about to get the best fixture Fremantle has ever had. Not sure people realise how massive this North Melbourne deal is to the club.

Agree 100%. 13 games in Perth, Richmond who should be bottom 2 at a neutral venue, WC twice without Barrass and are a McGovern injury away from having no backline....just checked the odds unfortunately no top 4 market on sportsbet just yet but I'm hopeful.

 

[poshman]

We have kicked 20 goals in a game six times in the last 11 seasons.

• Melbourne 2024
• West coast 2023
• North Melbourne 2019
• Brisbane 2016
• Essendon 2016
• GWS 2014

Modern defences don’t allow AFL teams kick 20 goals too often nowadays. Unless you are playing one of the outlier sides like west coast or Richmond or north over the last 3 years it’s a pretty rare occurrence for most teams.

I agree to an extent. This is the optimism thread and we have managed it once in each of the last two seasons. I think we will do it three times next season and have a percentage above 120 end of season.

 

[poshman]

Agree 100%. 13 games in Perth, Richmond who should be bottom 2 at a neutral venue, WC twice without Barrass and are a McGovern injury away from having no backline....just checked the odds unfortunately no top 4 market on sportsbet just yet but I'm hopeful.

It is a thing of beauty!

Wait for the vics to complain when we win premiership number two. And no, they won't see the irony in their complaint.

 

[88mph]

This talk about the fixture is tracking pure Freo.

Surely we get shafted, the AFL wouldn't want it any other way.

 

[dont bowl there]

Fixture is a ****ing WINNER for us. So many long period at home. Lets GOOOOOOOO

 

[Purpleheart_56]

So many of our players have more to give, just need to see them step up this year.

Amiss, Jackson, Frederick, Chapman, Johnson, Cox, Darcy all with real scope to improve on their 2024 season.

Everybody under 25 except Bray,Serrong and Clark should and must improve...

Over 25s who should improve McDonald,Cox,Wagner,JOM,Brodie,Darcy,Fife?