For me it's a positive barely.
The positives I saw were mainly,
Astbury looking like he could be a real player for us
Benny G starting to get some confidence and showed us more of what he can do for us.
Ellis' second half of the year
Foley getting some good touch again
Grimes getting some good touch again
Emergence of Miles
Dustin Martin having his most consistent season and kicking some great clutch goals
Alex Rance absolutely killing it
Lids potency in attack (although he should've been on ball against Port)
And the change in Cotch's playing style in the second half of the year. I think he's no longer concerned about "being a good captain" and trying to include people in it and instead he is more inclined to take the game on (like that roving goal against Adelaide)
And of course the win over Port, Essendon and Swans.
Negatives
Still no back up for Maric
No real 2nd forward to assist JR. Lloyd has shown glimpses and so has Gordon but they're hardly Jack Gunston.
Another year of not beating Collingwood and North Melbourne
Losing to Melbourne and WB
Vlastuin's 2nd year blues
The persistence with Newman
Chaplin being absolutely awful without Rance as backup
Dimma lashing out at JR and saying "the good players have to play better"
As slow as a 3 legged turtle when it comes to outside run.
And on Neutral ground
Dan Jackson. On one hand he wasn't as good as last year. But on the other hand, would Dimma have played Miles if Jackson was fit to play? So I think his form slump is a blessing in disguise.
JR's year. He didn't come close to winning the Coleman but I really feel for him because he isn't allowed to play his natural game often because Dimma wants him to be a running goal kicking wingman like Richo/Sydney Franklin
For me the feeling I get is (and I'm begin optimistic ) is that 2014 is the year we took one step backwards so we can take 2 steps forwards. At Punt Road, when I was watching the Tigers get slaughtered a fellow supporter chimed in with we have to make the 8 firstly to be competitive and then if the foundation is right then we can charge for a flag. The example he used is West Coast. From 2002, they finished 8th, then 7th, then 7th, then 2nd and a premiership. That's why I don't think making finals back to back should be completely overlooked despite getting a spanking from Port and I am willing to give RFC a pass mark but just barely.
