Rating our first third of the season

[mightytiges]

The first 7 rounds is the end of the group of teams we'll be playing again later on in the year. We've finished 5-2 for the first third of the season.

How would you rate our year so far?

The Saints and Cats appear to be the teams to beat this year and both flogged us. Haven't played the Eagles or Dees yet which look like the other strong sides this year. We've knocked off Freo and Port comfortably and both haven't lost after playing us. Port thrashed the Roos today who were 5-1. The Doggies are up and down. Had a good win last night although the Lions are a shadow of the 3-time premiership teams. Hawks and Blues will finish near the bottom.

The ratings below are just where I think these sides will finish at the end of the year.

Top 4 sides: 0 from 2  (Geel, St K)
Top 8 sides: 2 from 2 (Freo, Port)
Bottom 8 sides: 3 from 3 (Haw, Dogs, Carl)

A bit like 95 and 2001, I'd reckon 4th-5th is a pretty accurate reflection of where we are at but we're a long way off challenging the top sides. Wallace is right to keep a lid of things.   

[the_boy_jake]

I'm feeling very cautious - we've seen this before. My observations:

* It is very clear that Terry following team rules and the system he has established is as important as the end result. The players have been pretty good at this - I'll put geelong down to teething problems.

* Youngsters doing very well. Especially Deledio. Probably 2 or 3 young KPP prospects short of a good balance.

* We lack skill against real quality. We have a few very good players. Brisbane had a dozen.  We have another eight or so good players. The problem is that N. Brown is IMO the only one of our top echelon who doesn't need to improve for us to take the next step. I'm talking about us beating Geelong or St. Kilda in a finals environment. This isn't bagging these players, it is simply that these weaknesses get exposed by the good sides. Gas' disposal, Richo's set shots and leading wide, Cogs kicking (both feet) etc etc things are going well but our skill level still needs to improve.

* You can excuse the players for this, because it been a long time between drinks, but besides Port, we havent really run an entire game out. I was hoping that we might beat Carlton by 120 yesterday. The second half was reasonably tight score wise. The great sides are hungry, and a hungrier side would have really driven the nail in.

Are doing as well as we could have hoped. Still think we are a good 3 or 4 years away from being in a position to play in a Grand Final

[mightytiges]

* You can excuse the players for this, because it been a long time between drinks, but besides Port, we havent really run an entire game out. I was hoping that we might beat Carlton by 120 yesterday. The second half was reasonably tight score wise. The great sides are hungry, and a hungrier side would have really driven the nail in.

That's true jake but we did outlast the Hawks and Dogs in close games as well. The last quarter on Saturday was junk time so although I would've liked us to win by over 100pts I'd still take a 85 point percentage booster anytime if it meant no unnecessary injuries late in a game.

Agree with everyhting else you've said Jake especially the bit about Terry being concerned as much about the "process" as the result. Shows he's a coach who knows what needs to be done.