Season Review Part 2: 'Cause I can't believe the Swans are Premiers

Quite a sickening end to a disappointing season. I honestly believe the Swans victory is emblematic of the level of competition this year: mediocre.

Anyway, back to us and reflections on our season, based on predictions I meekly made in February.

Read Part 1 here.

5. President Kennedy will Kick 65 Goals+

This is JJK's 7th year in the league and his performances and numbers have continued to rise. In each year since his rookie year he has kicked more and more goals; 5, 6, 7, 31, 41, 52.  Though I can't seem to verify these numbers the point is still valid; despite his Flinstone-esque run up and his checkered past (He played for Carlton!!!) he has the potential to be our greatest forward. Importantly, he hasn't reached his ceiling yet so we can expect his goal tally to continue to rise. All the way with JJK!..I would still take Buddy for the Coleman though.

....Painfully wrong. JJK did have an amazing start to the season, continuing his dominance over the Dogs with 7 majors. He had 12 goals before suffering an ankle injury during a win over Richmond in round 5. His absence was costly, but it also contributed to a great season for Darling who kicked 55 goals in the Home and Away Season. Let's just hope JJK can get a full preseason under his belt and recapture his form from a season ago.

6. Mark to the Midfield

Again not very bold. Lecras has stated that he's been working with the midfield group and has never been fitter. I do like the idea and we did see it at times last year. But I don't see him as a permanent fixture there unless our forward line is really functioning well. We also need to find a small forward or two. But he's a very skillful player and given the right circumstances could be very effective.

Even more painfully wrong. He's the best mid-forward in the game kicking 57, 55 and 59 goals between 2009-11.  Hill may have done a good job as a kind of replacement, but Lecras is irreplaceable.

7. Biggest Improver?

I was going to put Chris Masten but I'm not hopping on that band wagon. No sir, no more. He may have teased us towards the latter part of last season but that was an anomaly in an overwhelmingly disappointing career. Plus, if he does improve who will I vilify? Ernie's friend has departed and E-Mac is actually fairly decent now despite the whole 'kicking' thing. No, we all need a good scapegoat.
Instead I predict the Gaffer will improve. He showed some great signs last season but perhaps ran out of legs a bit towards the end. He's very talented and he has good skills and class our midfield really needs.

I should have gone with Masten because he did actually become a 'viable' player. His skills have improved to a level where he is no longer a liability and he pops up with some nice goals. However, he will never be a star, which is disappointing given he was the No. 3 pick in the 2007 draft.
Gaff also did improve, but not to a great extent. I think it's clear who he is, he's a superb carrier of the ball on the wing with sublime skills and great endurance but he's a little slow.
But who was the greatest improver? I have to give it to Darling who really exploded this season in JJK's absence. He still can do better, his accuracy is sometimes questionable and he sometimes drops easy marks. But he's now a real force for the future.

8. The Biggest Disappointment of the season will be...?

Several.
The fact that it may be Mr Glass's finale.
The umpires will be all colourful and annoying.
Brian Taylor.
The hideous facial hair that some Eagles will insist on maintaining (this is related to Brian Taylor).
Subiaco Oval, in general.
We will only beat the Dockers twice.
Ross Lyon's press conferences.
Pavlich being all Pavlich.

You could go several ways on this one; the amount of injuries we suffered, failing to make top 4, the semi-final loss to Collingwood. Personally, I think the biggest disappointment is that I don't believe we are any closer to winning a premiership after this season. We still have difficulty winning away from home and our midfield is still lacking depth and class. I don't think these things will magically improve next season.