I think the answer is yes purely because we proved in 2017 that anything is possible. But the Bulldogs in 2017 also proved that anything is possible a year after winning a flag.
I am confident about next season. If Cotchin, Martin, Riewoldt and Rance stay healthy and in the same form, then we could well move forward from 2017.
Prestia will be better with a full preseason under his belt. Guys line Graham, Broad and Townsend might develop further with another preseason and the opportunity to cement a spot in the side. And we have a number of very capable players who will be desperate to force their way into the team like Short, Bolton, Miles and Lloyd. I am really hoping Bolton shows us what he can do, he looks to have enormous potential, and Stengle fits that bill to less of an extent as well.
To top it off, we drafted two kids who could play next year in Higgins and Coleman-Jones, the later in particular who fills an important capable tall forward ruck pinch hitter need.
The question is will other teams work us out. They might, but then it is one thing to know how to stop a team, and an entirely different proposition to actually doing that. I think that if we can stick to our game plan and bring the same intensity in 2018, we are going to be a very difficult proposition because our gameplan is built on footy fundamentals. There is nothing fancy about the way we play or our set-up.
There are only two things that concern me. The main issue I have is that we didn't really get coverage for Nankervis. We have ruck options on our list, but none strike me as having the competitive streak he has, and the around the ground ability to influence the contest.
And I will really worry if Kane Cornes starts tipping us for big things.