How did you rate our season all up?
4/10. No finals for the 11th year in a row. Lost matches we were expected to win and couldn't "put away" teams that were below average.
What went right?
Cotchin was injury free. Maric's hitouts to advantage were good which we haven't had since Simmonds. We have found a very good tall defender in Grimes, Morris very hard and fearless which is great!
What went wrong?
Our game plan STILL doesn't suit us, our entry into the forward line was a disgrace and literally cost us wins! Foley's injury was the beginning of the end for us. We never looked the same in the midfield despite Cotchin's wonderful individual efforts. Our lack of composure and confidence in the backline cost us easy, very easy goals.
Who surprised/stepped up this year?
Morris, couldn't see that aggression in him.
Cotchin, new level now and he knows he is the leader of this team.
Maric, didn't realise he could take a contested mark.
Grimes, took his game to a new level too, he knows he belongs now!
Who disappointed?
Deledio, don't worry about the 2nd B&F, all the possessions and in the All Australian squad, this guy is meant to be better than Cotchin and meant to win matches on his own like Cotchin and Riewoldt can. this guy always goes missing when we are down and out!
Fremantle at the MCG, Gold Coast, Carlton twice, GWS, Melbourne twice, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Adelaide. I expected him to move from B to A with Cotchin and Riewoldt, but he will always be a "B".
Conca, not as damaging as we all hopes for. Disposal is still a problem, seems a bit slow too.
Hardwick's inability to adjust to "on the spot" match tactics. eg: leaving Pavlich, Walker, Petire one on one and leaving our forward line crowded.
No winning mentality, loosing matches when we have been infront in the last quarter, no killing attitude to WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN!!! this could psychologically fudge us up!
Game plan, we fight way to hard to kick goals and good teams make goals look effortless. this contested plan of ours will not last to long and we need to use skills and run to beat teams.