Nathan Buckley.... and I think the same :)

[cityslick1]

We are a slightly better side than last year, despite being younger, which is a good thing, but other sides have also progressed - more so than us - like the Bulldogs, GWS, Richmond, West Coast and North Melbourne. We've also had a lot better run with injuries... which is the worrying thing, and is what has most likely helped mask the following problems...

- cloke has been ordinary and now looks like a forward on his last legs, rather than the guy who is going to help deliver our next flag. Dermie and Carey were past their best at his age, so I'm not confident in his ability to dominate again.
- a lot of other young and mid tier players have also failed to deliver. White slipped further back, Goldsack has dropped off, Toovey is diminishing, seedsman finished the season outside of the best 22, Kennedy hasn't developed enough to be an AFL regular, freeman was a no show and has long term ? marks over his ability, Karnezis has failed to live up to expectations, Witts didn't step up as much as the club would've hoped, elliott couldnt maintain early season form, broomhead didn't progress as much as we would've hoped, and greenwood struggled after injury. That's a massive list of under achievers that Buckley and the club will be bitterly disappointed about.
- the game plan is also a worry as we have again leaked easy goals in transition and from kick-ins etc. malthouses coaching protégés seem to be found wanting in the modern game, whilst Clarko's have impressed. I honestly thought that Bucks was smart enough to implement a cutting edge game plan and be at the forefront of tactics etc, but he has instead been slow to react at times and has been beaten by opposition coaches too many times. His lieutenants have also raised question marks, as Harvey seems more a good ex player that he wants to have around, and we are devoid of an experienced head / director of football to assist bucks. Balmey is no strategic genius, or Choco type visionary. I'll always love the guy, but Bucks has another year to impress or the wolves will be barking at the door.

- on the positive side, Varcoe and Crisp have been excellent pickups, De Goey looks the goods, but needs to build his tank, Darcy also impressed and will only get better, Grundy reasserted himself as the number one ruckman, Adams delivered and looks set for a long and promising career, Williams also re asserted himself, Langdon continued to impress under constant pressure, and Brown and Frost proved to be a reliable and impressive double act down back.

All in all, another disappointing year in the end, with loads of improvement required from the list and the coaching staff. & with the dogs, GWS and Tigers looking better than us with young lists, We're going to have to recruit well and improve in every area if we are to genuinely threaten for a flag in 2017.

Go pies

[AnthonyC]

Ok, not to pick at your analysis but when we went to the Bye, Cloke was looking a million dollars and having just about his best season.

No doubt he was carrying a little just before he missed a couple of games and I doubt he is 100% now.

[John Wren]

[Piesnchess]

The Dali Lama, Buddah, and Indian Maharishis all preach that patience is a virtue, we must be patient folks, calm, serene and patient, its always darkest before the dawn, a great big, new Pies dawn, a golden era of prosperity for all, and our beloved club. So it is written, so it shall be done.