We're (still) in the FOUR.

[perthmagpie]

From my point of view the season so far is very similar to last year around the same time. We have more wins than expected and the majority of people have under rated us. Our young defence is playing tight tough footy and making it hard to score. We are winning with pressure whilst still kicking the ball back to our opponents. We still have trouble scoring.

This year we have an easier draw and if we can have a good run with injuries you could argue more than eleven wins is probable. With so many young players there will probably be a drop off at some stage. Port went through the same thing in 2013. Their season started with the draw from heaven and they built confidence through that period. They fell right away in the second half of the year but recovered some what to win a final. Last year they started well again and sustained the early form for much longer before falling away again. They recovered once again but last year they found their second wind earlier and came flying home.

We will gradually introduce kids as the year goes on and I am hoping with a good injury run we can be consistently competitive through at least two thirds of the season. Clearly when we come up against classy, experienced teams on dry decks we will struggle but maybe snatch some surprise wins here or there. But until we have some of our most talented recruits and kicks integrated into the team with games under their belt we won't get to the top four.

As a long time supporter I have always held to the theory there are two phases that makes being a supporter worthwhile. One of those was obviously during times like 2010 and 2011 when you go each week and expect to win and have strong hope of ultimate glory. The other phase is the phase we have begun since this pre season. When your list and development has turned the corner and the only way is up. When watching the young players show glimpses of the future is what gives you hope. When you know your team better than supporters of other clubs and you can see what is coming. We are in good hands.

[Dave The Man]

[Damien]

Yes we have a great draw on paper for the first half of the season but the reality is we'll drop one or two that everyone on here now expects us to win. Injuries have hit us but no worse than several other clubs really. The positive here is that if we get our injury bad-luck out of the way before the turn and have a reasonable run in the second half it gives us no excuses when we come up against the big guns, hopefully with a very close to full strength list that's chock full of confidence.

[pablo]

[Skids]

And freo are April premier 👏👏👏

[Mossi]

And the Tigers are 9th!!

[loki04]

Hope our easy draw doesn't mask the cracks.

Also I hope by getting these wins we don't half cock our rebuild I would of preferred to get another top 5 pick this year and expose as much talent to AFL footy as plausible.
This also would of allowed us to get Weideman in the early 20s which from what I have heard is about where he is rated.
Next year is the year I would of tried to stabilise a best 22 which should include 5 top 10 picks.

[3rd degree]

isn't it nice to be looking down on the dawks for this week at least, suck it you glenferrie leaf blowers.

[jackcass]

[princem007]

Who would have thought after 5 rounds hey. maybe short lived as freo yet to play but let's enjoy for a day.

Beamsy must be happy at Brisbane ??? Lion's rock bottom on ladder! Hahahahahaha

[yin-YANG]

Yes a great sight.

Ok we have beaten the 3 bottom sides - but we beat them well and have given our percentage a healthy kick along. We also beat the Bummers who were in good form and are a finals contender.

The draw has been good to give the young guys a feel for what is required. The next phase over the next month is to carry that form on against teams who fancied at the start of the year to make the 8. We can win them all but as long as we bring the intensity we will be int he mix.

Beams has not been missed which is a credit to the other players such as Crisp, Seeedsman, Oxley and others who have stepped up, especially given the absence of Greenwood and Sidey!

[Wokko]

Time to get under the nana blanket, make some soup and politely with a slightly raised voice say "Go Dees".

[John Wren]

freo only has two on the bench with pav and walters off, the latter subbed in the first quarter. there is a glimmer of hope for the dees.

[Pies4shaw]

^^^ The Dees had better start making their run, soon, JW - they're 5 goals behind half way through the third quarter. I think we may have to content ourselves with being second at the end of the round.

[Donny]