What are everyone's expectations in 2024, believe we'll make finals? or more of a development year?
I'm hanging for the footy, I can't wait to see the team under Yze. The game style. Will we see a return of the full-on pressure on the opposition that was our trademark and has since been copied by Copywood and Kingsley's giants.
Also, taking the game on through the corridor, overall setups, and team dynamics. What youngsters can break in? Exciting times.
People like Josh Jenkins and Cam Mooney have NFI. They wouldn't know about our youngsters and think we will be the same as in 2023. Pies in 2021 finished 2nd last and in 2022 under a new coach played in a prelim. GWS no finals in 2022 but in 2023 with a new coach played in a prelim. Let's not write this team off, if we stay healthy yes a big if but if we do, we will surprise many and make the 8. Heck in 2023 which let's face it was a disaster we were still in the hunt for a top 8 berth with 4 rounds to go.
Had tom lynch played we would've played finals but wouldn't have gone far as overall the team was cooked. The key is the game plan going into 2024, just look at the Pies they have some really average players in that team but geez I thought they played our game style really well, their players bought in superbly under McCrea.
Going down memory lane well not that long ago In 2022 we were the highest-scoring team. Lost 5-6 games under 10 points to North, freo, GC, swans, and Cats when Prestia went down. Win 3 of them and we make the top 4.
2023 was a write-off in many ways but now with Yze, there is a new lease of life. A new voice, players rejuvenated, and from what I've heard players are hungry, competing for spots and loving their footy again. So many players have trimmed down, achieved new PBs, and looking super fit. Just on Graham, it's the best shape I've seen him in.
As we know last year many players got too comfortable, and standards dropped not only by the players but the whole coaching fraternity.
Keep hearing too many times about our older players, look at the Cats who won the flag in 2022 with the oldest list and 2023 pies second oldest. They will have around 10 players over 30 in 2024.
I am confident in our midfield, it bats deep with Taranto, Hooper, Prestia, Bolton, Dusty, Baker, Dow, and Graham (Sonsie and McAuliffe will get their chances).
I also feel equally confident with the forwards, it looks very strong with Lynch, Balta, Kosi, Martin, Bolton, Taranto, Cumberland, Coulthard, Baker, Graham, and Clarke with Mansell and Junior getting their chances. Need to see Seth Campbell play some ressies and reassess as he has speed, a good tank, and is a very smart player.
Not 100% on the backline, well more so the talls, Gibcus we shouldn't expect too much he has bulked up but hasn't played for a year. Grimes, can he stay fit? Need his experience and smarts to help Gibbo and Young.
Tylar Young looks bigger than last year and will shoulder a lot of the responsibility on oppo key forwards due to Balta going forward. Vlustuiin, Short, Broad, and Rioli are all guns. Brown and Tresize will get their chances.
The wings likely will come from Pickett, Macca, Ross, Ralphsmith, Banks, and maybe Clarke. Need speed and run. Which two get the nod, I'm guessing Ross, and a flip of the coin on one of the others.
Bring on 2024
I'm hanging for the footy, I can't wait to see the team under Yze. The game style. Will we see a return of the full-on pressure on the opposition that was our trademark and has since been copied by Copywood and Kingsley's giants.
Also, taking the game on through the corridor, overall setups, and team dynamics. What youngsters can break in? Exciting times.
People like Josh Jenkins and Cam Mooney have NFI. They wouldn't know about our youngsters and think we will be the same as in 2023. Pies in 2021 finished 2nd last and in 2022 under a new coach played in a prelim. GWS no finals in 2022 but in 2023 with a new coach played in a prelim. Let's not write this team off, if we stay healthy yes a big if but if we do, we will surprise many and make the 8. Heck in 2023 which let's face it was a disaster we were still in the hunt for a top 8 berth with 4 rounds to go.
Had tom lynch played we would've played finals but wouldn't have gone far as overall the team was cooked. The key is the game plan going into 2024, just look at the Pies they have some really average players in that team but geez I thought they played our game style really well, their players bought in superbly under McCrea.
Going down memory lane well not that long ago In 2022 we were the highest-scoring team. Lost 5-6 games under 10 points to North, freo, GC, swans, and Cats when Prestia went down. Win 3 of them and we make the top 4.
2023 was a write-off in many ways but now with Yze, there is a new lease of life. A new voice, players rejuvenated, and from what I've heard players are hungry, competing for spots and loving their footy again. So many players have trimmed down, achieved new PBs, and looking super fit. Just on Graham, it's the best shape I've seen him in.
As we know last year many players got too comfortable, and standards dropped not only by the players but the whole coaching fraternity.
Keep hearing too many times about our older players, look at the Cats who won the flag in 2022 with the oldest list and 2023 pies second oldest. They will have around 10 players over 30 in 2024.
I am confident in our midfield, it bats deep with Taranto, Hooper, Prestia, Bolton, Dusty, Baker, Dow, and Graham (Sonsie and McAuliffe will get their chances).
I also feel equally confident with the forwards, it looks very strong with Lynch, Balta, Kosi, Martin, Bolton, Taranto, Cumberland, Coulthard, Baker, Graham, and Clarke with Mansell and Junior getting their chances. Need to see Seth Campbell play some ressies and reassess as he has speed, a good tank, and is a very smart player.
Not 100% on the backline, well more so the talls, Gibcus we shouldn't expect too much he has bulked up but hasn't played for a year. Grimes, can he stay fit? Need his experience and smarts to help Gibbo and Young.
Tylar Young looks bigger than last year and will shoulder a lot of the responsibility on oppo key forwards due to Balta going forward. Vlustuiin, Short, Broad, and Rioli are all guns. Brown and Tresize will get their chances.
The wings likely will come from Pickett, Macca, Ross, Ralphsmith, Banks, and maybe Clarke. Need speed and run. Which two get the nod, I'm guessing Ross, and a flip of the coin on one of the others.
Bring on 2024
