I know the season isn't over yet, but I think there are a few lessons that can be learnt from our journey thus far:
1. We can't just expect the late-season surge to happen every year.
2. There's no substitute for consistent, four-quarter efforts. For a few years we have relied much too heavily on our ability to finish games well. Last year we got away with it, this year we weren't quite as good or as lucky.
3. Our game plan only works when the playing intensity is high and most (if not all) players on the ground pull their weight. This year there have been far too many passengers.
4. Opposition coaches have worked out how to beat us. Ironically, to beat the Swans it seems that you need to use a similar game plan - put pressure on the ball carrier and push numbers back into the Swans F50. It might be time for Roos to be more flexible with his game-day tactics.
5. We have some decent young players, but they're either being wasted, or not being played. We found out in the second half of the season that Jarrad McVeigh can actually play football. Perhaps Roos should think about giving him more freedom to do his thing.
6. We need a new key forward. Hall is probably past his best, hopefully he can get himself right for next year. O'Laughlin will not play much longer. IMO O'Keefe should be our next FF or CHF. We saw how damaging he can be against West Coast when played up forward.
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