When you look at it, when injury free we should be a contender - at least as a side to be pushing into a Grand Final.
We have genuine quality across all lines - Rance and Vlas across the back 6, Cotchin, Miles and Dusty through the guts and Jack, Lids & Titch up forward.
That top end quality is as good as any other team - these players would be key players in all teams.
It's the best since our last flag.
While it does fall away after that, what clubs doesn't? - apart perhaps from the Hawks
We have shown that we are highly competitive against the best in the competition- beating Hawks, Freo, Sydney and while we have our bogey sides - who doesn't?
My question here is what is missing?
Our ability to stand up in finals and start the season strongly are the missing elements.
While some might argue its list talent, why can't the same players perform at those key times of the year?
We seem to nail say 16 weeks of the year but struggle in the other 6-8 weeks.
On finals, why can our top end talent rise to the occasion collectively in finals?
Am I over rating them?
Is it the coach?
Is it our culture?
Logically we should play finals and go deep into 2016 (barring injury to our key players)
Why am I nervous that the opposite will happen ?