Who can beat us next year?

[Paddywhackers]

I don't know too much about Adelaide to be honest. I think they had some stars in Edwards, Mcleaod, Goodwin, etc that kept them in finals and challenging this decade that have now gone. Whilst they have some talent, I think they maybe a year or two away. I think they are more likely to challenge than say Geelong, who were exposed badly in the prelim by the Pies not to mention losing Ablett and other key personnel.

Bris, WC and Port should be terirble, the GC have no chance, and Essendon are a real chance for the spoon. Terrible list.

 

[Snag Breac]

The only ones I'd worry about atm would be St Kilda - wounded bulls, but perhaps too late for them - and Hawthorn - so much talent there.

 

[Paddywhackers]

The only ones I'd worry about atm would be St Kilda - wounded bulls, but perhaps too late for them - and Hawthorn - so much talent there.

I really think this was the Saints last chance. Similar to the Pies in 03, they will be psychologically scarred. I also think they have made some mistakes, getting Lovett, losing Ball, etc.

The Hawks should really challenge though. However they still have soem glaring weaknesses, weaknesses that are not present on our list.

We lack a back up if Jolly goes down heavan forbid. Other than that our list is a wow. And they all have premiership medallions around their necks.

 

[sr36]

We lack a back up if Jolly goes down heavan forbid. Other than that our list is a wow. And they all have premiership medallions around their necks.

It's hard to believe but Leigh Brown would be bloody hard to replace too - a bloke who can be extremely competitive when not in the ruck, and also competitive in the ruck.

 

[didaka]

Someone will sneak up on us no doubt and challenge. I mean look at how much we developed during the season let alone the pre-season. Teams can improve so quickly these days with the ways they develop.

I think Fremantle will improve over the summer and by September 2011 will have improved further and will give us a challenge.

The more games these young sides get into their kids the quicker they'll come.

Look how quickly we overtook Geelong this year. Early on they were in front of us and by seasons end we were well and truly infront of them.

I don't think it'll come from the same olds of the last 3-4 years.

I think Sydney and Adelaide will surprise. Adelaide may hit back really hard if they can get it together.

 

[westernrangers]

Could Guy McKenna and Gary Ablett take Gold Coast Suns to the flag?

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Technically there should be no team we should fear. The issue isn't them, like the GF it's us.

If we apply ourselves the same way next year, we'll win it again. You can't beat a game plan based on elite fitness levels.

It takes YEARS to build that kind of fitness in a team, it can't be done in one season.

 

[Ant85]

Also should point out how our game plan and structures will be affected should the AFL impose their ridiculous new rules, particularly limiting our rotations.

Dane Swan, I recall, said during the season that he needs his breaks and rotations so he can maintain his bursts.

If his impact is reduced, for example, then we will definitely have to rejig a few things.

 

[Bosk]

Collingwood went well beyond expectations (of supporters of other clubs at least) this year and without doubt deserved to win the premiership.

After saying that, I see Collingwood as having a number of vulnerabilities next season.


Firstly - the gameplan. This will be picked apart in great detail by every other club in the leauge over the summer.
To suggest that Malthouse can come up with another, equally effective gameplan and implement it to the same level of perfection with the current crop of players in a single preseason is absolute folly. More the point why would he want to? That gameplan has just won your team a premiership and your players know how to play it very well. To switch to something else would be an uncessary risk, and yet the current gameplan cannot be expected to be as effective next season.
Catch 22? Of course it is. Why do you think so few teams go back-to-backs in the first place?

Second - Many of Collingwood's "lesser lights" have not convinced me. Guys like Dawes, Beams, Macaffer, Shaw, Wellingham and others looked great this year, playing in an extremely settled side.
They will come under an intense amount of extra scrutiny next season. Ever premiership team comes under the microscope, yours will be no different. Will these guys be able to consistenetly perform to a similar level under vastly increased pressure? I guess we'll see.

Third - I'll simply mention Collinwood's *extremely long* run of games at the MCG to finish the season. To suggest that this did not aid Collingwood's September performances would be rather naive.

Fourth - Much of Collingwood's success this year was a direct result of the pressure they were able to exert on their opponents, particularly in the forward line. Their tackling in particular was amazing.
To maintain this kind of pressure over 25 weeks demands an awful lot from the players. I question weather the hunger will be there next year for Collingwood's younger players in particular to sustain it throughout the season.
Like it or not, winning a premiership has often been the downfall of many a promising player's career as they fail to recapture the desire & hunger after achieving "the ultimate". I'd be shocked if at least a couple of Collingwood players don't have down years in 2011 purely for this reason as it's something I've seen before so often.

Last - Collingwood had a charmed run with injuries this year. That makes a MASSIVE amount of difference to a team's chances. Being able to field a very settled side each week and having the luxury of playing each player in their ideal position (rather than covering for someone who is missing) not to mention how it generates extra pressure on those in the seniors to perform because they know blokes in the 2's are playing well but not getting games are all huge advantages.
Had Riewoldt done his hammy St.Kilda would probably have finished on top. Not that it it may have made much difference in the end, but it demonstrates the importance of being lucky with injuries.


So to sum up Collingwood is going to have a very difficult time of it next year as all premiers do. This is why winning back-to-backs is VERY difficult, and usually requires no small degree of luck as well as a champion team.

I'm not ruling Collingwood out from winning it again next year or at the very least making another GF, but to suggest at this stage that "2011 is in the bag" strikes me as utter foolishness and arrogance.

 

[ThePheonix]

I know 2011 is far away but I can't see any strong sides other than Collingwood.

Cats, Saints and Dogs will be passed it, and than who will be the next challenger. Blues, Swans, Freo I can't see being a serious challenger, Hawks maybe able to regroup and challenge.

Outside of that, NM, Rich and Melb have promise but are a few years away.

Essendon is my tip for the wooden spoon.

Hope your right and to me this is what it looks like as well. But I won't be holding my breath as anything can happen.

 

[ThePheonix]

Also should point out how our game plan and structures will be affected should the AFL impose their ridiculous new rules, particularly limiting our rotations.

Dane Swan, I recall, said during the season that he needs his breaks and rotations so he can maintain his bursts.

If his impact is reduced, for example, then we will definitely have to rejig a few things.

Yeah I forgot about this.

 

[Forgotten Legend]

Once again, LOL at Carlscum supporters trolling here.

Collingwood went well beyond expectations (of supporters of other clubs at least) this year and without doubt deserved to win the premiership.

After saying that, I see Collingwood as having a number of vulnerabilities next season.


Firstly - the gameplan. This will be picked apart in great detail by every other club in the leauge over the summer.
To suggest that Malthouse can come up with another, equally effective gameplan and implement it to the same level of perfection with the current crop of players in a single preseason is absolute folly. More the point why would he want to? That gameplan has just won your team a premiership and your players know how to play it very well. To switch to something else would be an uncessary risk, and yet the current gameplan cannot be expected to be as effective next season.
Catch 22? Of course it is. Why do you think so few teams go back-to-backs in the first place?

Second - Many of Collingwood's "lesser lights" have not convinced me. Guys like Dawes, Beams, Macaffer, Shaw, Wellingham and others looked great this year, playing in an extremely settled side.
They will come under an intense amount of extra scrutiny next season. Ever premiership team comes under the microscope, yours will be no different. Will these guys be able to consistenetly perform to a similar level under vastly increased pressure? I guess we'll see.

Third - I'll simply mention Collinwood's *extremely long* run of games at the MCG to finish the season. To suggest that this did not aid Collingwood's September performances would be rather naive.

Fourth - Much of Collingwood's success this year was a direct result of the pressure they were able to exert on their opponents, particularly in the forward line. Their tackling in particular was amazing.
To maintain this kind of pressure over 25 weeks demands an awful lot from the players. I question weather the hunger will be there next year for Collingwood's younger players in particular to sustain it throughout the season.
Like it or not, winning a premiership has often been the downfall of many a promising player's career as they fail to recapture the desire & hunger after achieving "the ultimate". I'd be shocked if at least a couple of Collingwood players don't have down years in 2011 purely for this reason as it's something I've seen before so often.

Last - Collingwood had a charmed run with injuries this year. That makes a MASSIVE amount of difference to a team's chances. Being able to field a very settled side each week and having the luxury of playing each player in their ideal position (rather than covering for someone who is missing) not to mention how it generates extra pressure on those in the seniors to perform because they know blokes in the 2's are playing well but not getting games are all huge advantages.
Had Riewoldt done his hammy St.Kilda would probably have finished on top. Not that it it may have made much difference in the end, but it demonstrates the importance of being lucky with injuries.


So to sum up Collingwood is going to have a very difficult time of it next year as all premiers do. This is why winning back-to-backs is VERY difficult, and usually requires no small degree of luck as well as a champion team.

I'm not ruling Collingwood out from winning it again next year or at the very least making another GF, but to suggest at this stage that "2011 is in the bag" strikes me as utter foolishness and arrogance.

No Collingwood supporters are saying we have the 2011 premiership bagged or that we are going to start a dynasty. All we're saying is we have the potential, like many teams before us, to possibly have the same success like this year and into the future with the list we have. We definitely need to learn from the failures of many sides, such as the Baby Bombers, Hawthorn, WCE and other teams who have faulted when going back-to-back.

It is so hard to think who can possibly contest us next year. Many believed we didn't have a chance this year to win the flag and would finish 4th. So much can change in a few months that anything can happen. My personal opinion is that teams such as the Hawks and Freo will be pushing into the top 4 with Geelong, Saints and Bulldogs also in the mix trying to hold their spots. Really depends how the teams bounce back over the break.

However I can't really give a crap atm on how things pan out, I'm still celebrating and savouring our win THIS YEAR and will re-focus on next year in the coming weeks when the team also refocuses on next year.

 

[shanman]

No way to tell. Game plans will change after malthouses innovations, and hawthorn are an example of how long the strategic jump lasts..

Plenty of improvement in our team accross each line is possible, so lets wait and see.

Its just good to know we have the best people on the job and a proffesionally run club, the benchmark of the competition.

I personally think that non victorian clubs are about to experience some time in the cold and with the exception of essendon and perhaps geelong, ,2011 will see some great victorian club performances.

 

[The Magnificent Seven]

There was a lot to like about Freo, Melbourne and North Melbourne this year. Probably not in 2011, but 2012 will be a massive year for 2 or 3 of those clubs. Particularly North's midfield.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

The biggest difference I can see between us and Hawthorn of 08 is that Collingwood of 2010 didn't come out of nowhere.

We've been Top 4 or thereabouts since 2006. And that's only after a couple of years out after losing in 02 and 03.

Hawthorn almost literally came out of nowhere, pinched one, and then seemed to disappear back from whence they came. I admit, I was shocked. I was one of those who truly believed Hawthorn were destined for amazing things.

But who knows.

As to injuries, we had more than most supporters of opposition clubs realise. We just had the depth to cover them so no one noticed. We had a worse run of injuries than St.Kilda as a matter of fact.

Our draw was our hardest in 10 years, and we ALWAYS play a shitload of games at the G at the tail end of the season. I'm surprised you all only noticed that now, or is it just convenient to mention it now because we're premiers?

 

[Suspense]

freo and melbs will push us imo. st kilda will still be thereabouts; see how they trade/draft in the off-season. can't see geelong being as strong next year. sydney have some quality youngsters but they be our bitches. hawthorn; i have nfi.

that said, as with the bounce of the ball, nothing is certain (except that carlton and essendon will be shit. )

 

[Alexander323bc]

The AFL will, by introducing new roles to ensure we can not dominate and have to delist a few players because they will no longer be able to apply their trade, I.e. Steve McKey with the introduction of the centre circle and line a few years back. This year will be capping of the interchanges.

 

[Scodog10]

I think that we'll be right in the hunt next year mainly because of how ruthless we've already been at stripping the dead wood away from the list with so many players being cut already.

We will probably have up to 5 picks in the national draft so we may go into season 2011 with a side one year older but the list as a whole will probably be younger. Too often premiership teams get caught up in the moment and don't move players on when the time is right.

Also to the people who are comparing us to Hawthorn the reason they struggled is because they lost there CHB and Ruckman virtually straight away plus and more significantly IMO the players they drafted in the 2005 draft never kicked on. That was the draft that was supposed to set there club up because they had 5 picks in the first 22. Ellis will never reach the heights expected of a pick 3, Dowler will be gone by the end of the year, Birchall is a good contributor but not what I'd call a star, Bailey has struggled with knee injuries and Muston see Bailey.

Our equivilent draft was 06 when we took Reid, Brown, Dawes, Dick and Goldsack. If Dick had have been fit on the w/e he would have been in the team as well so I feel its most important that these players improve in the future or we run the risk of stagnating like Hawthorn did in 2009.

 

[4#Didak#4]

Do not discount Geelong. They may just regenerate now with a new coach, they still have an awesome list. Change of game plan & they will be more than competitive.

St Kilda will come again, because they have to. They will still be competitive and around the mark.

Hawthorn will be my main concern. They have the weapons to hurt us. Their depth is their main concern.

Melbourne probably not next year but the year after they will be hard to stop.

A mention to Fremantle, not sure what to expect from them one year to another, such a strange club, but logic suggests they are going to be up there with a reasonable run of injuries.

 

[lgarth80]

Who can beat Collingwood next year?

Collingwood


I'm thinking here is where the true genius of the 2 year handover to Buckley is.

Malthouse will bust a boiler to get another flag. Players will want to impress the new coach. Buckley will complete his education.

These are the factors that will hopefully keep Collingwood ahead of the horde of chasing teams.

I'm thinking Hawthorn, Fremantle and maybe Sydney have the arsenal to mount a challenge in the 2011 season, ahead of the other perennial top 4 teams which will be still good enough to challenge at key moments.

Certainly there are others who have skills and talent to build on their great youth. Melbourne and Fremantle have dipped into the well of talent and taken a good drink. In future, the class edge they possess, along with that from Gold Coast and West Sydney, could prove telling.

That's why winning 2011 is such a huge priority, because the challenge only gets tougher in future years.

Well done Collingwood on an awesome 2010 season, and good luck for 2011, let's give Mick a bigger send off than Merv Hughes.

 

[The Panther]

Hawthorn will be my main concern. They have the weapons to hurt us. Their depth is their main concern.

Hawthorn have some bonafide topend talent but they are severely overrated. They changed their gameplan in the last half of 10' & are a team full of indecision.

They will finish around the same mark next year.

 

[HARKER]

Everyone can beat you next year.
It doesn't take long these days for a counter game do be countered by another one.
Just the way it goes.

My one and only post on the Collingwood board, so I can't pass by the opportunity to say that the best team desreved and won the Cup this year.

Well done to Collingwood FC and to all their faithful supporters

 

[Swooop]

Everyone can beat you next year.
It doesn't take long these days for a counter game do be countered by another one.
Just the way it goes.

My one and only post on the Collingwood board, so I can't pass by the opportunity to say that the best team desreved and won the Cup this year.

Well done to Collingwood FC and to all their faithful supporters

This, i believe, is exactly how we have to think.

That way our preparation will be meticulous, which it will need to be.

Sure we have a great list, coaching staff, president, facilities...but there are so many other variables, some of which are in our control and others that are not.

Well said Harker.

 

[indieswan96]

Anyone else reminded of Hawthorn circa September 2008? But your key players are much better than the Hawks and your youth much more proven, which is why instead of fading like the Hawks you'll be up there again next year.

 

[TRAWP]

You played a smart calculated style of Football this year, taking a page out of the playbooks of old... Every year there is a team that uses a left of centre gameplan and thrives. You'll still be a strong team next year and will do well, time will tell if it will be Collingwood 2011 also.