2016 Will Be Worse Than 2015

[bergholt]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

[LTN16]

Well that's a negative way to look at things...

[Saint wagga]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

It's a sobering but good point you make Bergholt. It could be touch and go weather we get as many wins next year, but I'm optimistic we have a lot more depth and solid amounts of games into enough players to hold our own. We have a very exciting forward line IMO, more depth thru the middle and hopefully bigger stronger bodies across the board thru our younger players. JB could really light it up next year and become an A grader straight up. Acres could put it all together and become a regular pick...so many possibilities...but I agree with the sentiment of the post, it's a tough comp and everyone wants to head north on the ladder!!

[GSG]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

Wow - that's positive thinking.

[Bunk_Moreland]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

you forgot none of our kids will have any natural improvement and we wont draft or recruit anyone.

You are correct, we should just fold

[samuraisaint]

We will get a high pick in the draft this year - I predict 4th. Our younger players entering their third year will mature and improve. There are a few sides showing signs of dropping off. Some of the guys at Sandy are showing real potential. I actually think the year we may slip backwards is 2017 or 2018, when Dempster, Roo and Joey retire, not while they are still playing. That's why we won't make finals again until about 2019.

[magnifisaint]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

you forgot none of our kids will have any natural improvement and we wont draft or recruit anyone.

You are correct, we should just fold

+1

[Enrico_Misso]

I think the message is that the climb up the ladder will not just happen.
It is going to be hard work.

If the players fall for the trap of believing that "all we need is a good pre-season and we will be knocking on the final eight" then the OP is right we will go backwards.
Richmond did this two seasons ago when they got ahead of themselves.

But I have every confidence that Richo has a wise head and will keep their feet on the ground.

[FQF]

In theory you're right but this year has proven once again that it's impossible to predict. You think Bulldogs fans thought they'd be on top of all the teams that they are now?

But, I do think that we need to bring in a few ready made starting 18 players to make sure we don't go backward in the next two years. I'm sure we will do that.

[WellardSaint]

Backline: Fisher will be a year older, but Goddard should be able to learn off him and begin to fill his shoes.
Dempster, as always, will be Mr Reliable. Roberton will hold the fort well, and maybe Delaney can get some more games.
Mids- our youngies will benefit from a preseason in the gym, so maybe our clearances may increase.
Forwards: Rooey getting older, missing goals as usual, ruining all the good work of the guys upfield; as well as getting monstered with no help from blind umps.
Brucey could get better, although he dropped off after a purple patch; bombers game was his last good one with a decent return.

Accuracy could be a killer, getting into the F50 a lot, but not scoring, will lose games.
I don't expect us to win any more than 6 or 7 next year. The power sides like Hawks will keep on belting us.
I don't think we'll be worse than this year, but we definitely cannot win any more than 7.

And that 100 point win over Bombers- that sort of margin will not occur again in the next few years, against anyone. It was a really lucky day where they were just a rabble and fighting themselves.

[Long Term Injury]

I hoping to be pleasantly surprised again. I thought 3 this year max. So this far out, I'd be happy with 6-7 again. Developing a winning culture cannot be underestimated.

[saintspremiers]

I hoping to be pleasantly surprised again. I thought 3 this year max. So this far out, I'd be happy with 6-7 again. Developing a winning culture cannot be underestimated.

Likewise. I thought 2 wins this year.

It's easy to be Negative Nelly at this stage of a long season when we are playing good sides one after the next and our youngsters are all cooked.

[bergholt]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

you forgot none of our kids will have any natural improvement and we wont draft or recruit anyone.

You are correct, we should just fold

Classic Bunk! I know you don't really believe that.

[plugger66]

About 6 wins again next year but a fraction to early yet to guess. Depends on retirments and if we get any good trades. Still think we aren't playing finals till 2019 but then you look at WB. The more you look at their performance the more amazing it is.

[Life Long Saint]

In 2014 most were predicting that 2015 would be worse than 2014 as we hadn't bottomed out yet.
Good trading, good drafting and natural improvement will see us improve more next season.

Currently, we are a better team than Carlton, Essendon, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast...we split two very close games with the Bulldogs.
We have been competitive in most games we've played winning key statistics but not being able to translate those into wins (mostly due to inaccuracy early in games).

Another pre-season into the young mids like Sinclair, Lonie, Dunstan, McKenzie and Billings, the development of the young forwards in Bruce, Membrey and McCartin and the development of Goddard will see us naturally improve at the same rate as the other teams. We are also getting games into two very young ruckman. At 24 and 22, Hickey and Longer are still babies compared to the blokes they're competing against each week. Their improvement over the next few seasons will be significant.

But what I have been impressed with is the game plan. It works becuase it generates us enough inside 50's to win games and pressures the opposition into giving us the ball back leading to repeat entries inside 50.

I am more bullish about next season than I was about this one.

[Darth Vader]

Reasons we'll finish closer to the bottom next year:

- Gold Coast won't be so bad (assuming they keep some good players)
- Essendon won't be so bad (once suspensions are complete, admittedly a risk for them)
- Melbourne should be a bit better again (especially with Petracca)
- Hard to see which teams will be worse: Port and Collingwood should be better, maybe Geelong will be a bit worse?
- Rooey will be another year older (he's almost 33 now)
- We'll have more injuries (very good run this year)

Yes, our kids will be better but so will everyone else's. Probably Carlton and Brisbane the only ones I'd feel confident finishing above at this point.

Based on all that, I have a feeling we need to harden up and prepare for a tougher year in 2016. Hopefully there's a strong draft class to make up for it.

2017, on the other hand, we should start to rise properly. Just don't hold your breath for next year.

You could well be right, but as long as we keep showing development, effort and improvement of kids, won't be too fussed.

[devil saint]

No offence to the OP but this is a ridiculous post and completely insulting to our players and coaches.
Of course they are going to improve.
Too much pride at the Saints for that not to happen.
They are excited about the future. We need to be, also.

[saynta]

No offence to the OP but this is a ridiculous post and completely insulting to our players and coaches.
Of course they are going to improve.
Too much pride at the Saints for that not to happen.
They are excited about the future. We need to be, also.

And I am. Excited about the future that is.

[magnifisaint]

We won't be worse in 2016 than 2015, we will be better. Why, because I think so!!

Lardy da da da!

[bergholt]

No offence to the OP but this is a ridiculous post and completely insulting to our players and coaches.
Of course they are going to improve.
Too much pride at the Saints for that not to happen.

Of course we will. So will every other team. Let me try again:

- Essendon, Gold Coast and Melbourne all have classier and more experienced lists than us. They're below us for various reasons (WADA, injuries, poor coaching) most of which are likely to be fixed next year.

- We had very, very few injuries this year. Next year we'll have more because that's the way it works.

- The top 10 of our B&F this year will contain at least three 30 year olds: Riewoldt, Dempster, Montagna. These guys are going to get worse at some point.


Feel free to argue the facts but just saying "of course they are going to improve" isn't very compelling.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

2016 will be tougher for sure but our team will be tougher as well the pleasing part of this year is we have been in games for longer then last year I hope that trend continues into next year that might not mean more wins but it will mean longer periods of us playing stronger

[evertonfc]

I agree with the OP and think it's a really important point.

We're going to improve next year, but so too will plenty of others, especially those who yielded surprise ground this year.

I reckon the Bulldogs are probably 18-24 months ahead in their rebuild. Last season, they didn't improve ladder position, but they did improve their depth and technical ability (and a new coach has added excellent tactical nous).

In that sense, I don't think we'll make finals next year, but I would like to see an attack on the top four in 2017.

Bear in mind that gives us two windows of trading and drafting to bolster the list, especially with the top-end, early-mid 20's talent we need.

[Locals322]

Every year is a tough year at the Saints, bring back Thommo and tiny penis Dal Santo.

[Life Long Saint]

No offence to the OP but this is a ridiculous post and completely insulting to our players and coaches.
Of course they are going to improve.
Too much pride at the Saints for that not to happen.

Of course we will. So will every other team. Let me try again:

- Essendon, Gold Coast and Melbourne all have classier and more experienced lists than us. They're below us for various reasons (WADA, injuries, poor coaching) most of which are likely to be fixed next year.

- We had very, very few injuries this year. Next year we'll have more because that's the way it works.

- The top 10 of our B&F this year will contain at least three 30 year olds: Riewoldt, Dempster, Montagna. These guys are going to get worse at some point.


Feel free to argue the facts but just saying "of course they are going to improve" isn't very compelling.

What facts have you argued?
Whether or not Essendon, Gold Coast and Melbourne have classier lists than us is a matter of opnion.
I'd conceed that Gold Coast does due the sheer number of first round picks they were given.
Melbourne...No! They have some talented youngsters but so do we...We seem to match up on them pretty well too.
Essendon...pfft! Carlisle, Hurley and Heppell are class but the rest of their list are either on the wrong side of 30 (or nearly 40) or is massively overrated. Losing Ryder was a huge blow to them. They are heading for an epic rebuild.

Very few injuries?
Billings, Ray, Ross, Saunders, Roo and Gilbert have all missed games...some of them have missed many games. All of them are in the starting 22 if we are trying to win games.

Given the gap we have in our list of mid-20's players it is not unexpected that Roo, Dempster and Montagna will be in the B&F. We have transition plans in place for all of them...Joey will be the easiest to cover as players can rotate through the middle much more easily.
Yes the 30 year olds will get worse at some point. That point is probably not next season. Rather than look for a one-to-one replacement for Roo we are developing three effective key forwards. Bruce, Membrey and McCartin will provide three targets going inside 50...It's one of the reasons the Doggies have improved so much. Stringer, Dickson and now Redpath provide options and unpredictability. That's what it looks like we are developing.

As previously stated, I am more bullish about 2016 than I was about 2015...

[St Chris]

To be honest, I thought the exact same thing before this season started.

I looked down the fixture and didnt think we could beat any of the teams we were up against.

I have faith in the club to make good decisions with the list. I have faith in Richo to keep building on our "high pressure" game plan, and improve the skill level to better execute the offensive side of our game. I have faith in Matt Finnis to build our sponsorship income and our membership base. And I will enjoy the ride.