Would a top 8 finish mean much for the bombers?

[North Melbournes Finest]

Top 8 almost certain, hoping for a top 6 finish. Next year I think top 4, and maybe a premiership. My bulldog mate thinks we'll win the flag next year, hopefully he's right.

First of all you're a complete biased fan if you think that Essendon can win the flag next year.... Sure they're a very good team, and my favourite to watch in the AFL atm. But saying that they can win a premiership is just beyond next season totally.

I'm not totally under the assumption that you won't make top next year, I certainly do think top 8 this year. The experience you get from playing a finals series is worth 10-20 games for AFL players. It's about taking it to the next level, there's no point finishing 9th. You might aswell finish 14th instead of 9th, get the better draft pick. There's no prize for just finishing out of the 8, that flying under the radar stuff is complete garbage, it hasn't worked for anyone. The last time flying under the radar worked for anyone was the Crows in 1997. Ask the Bulldogs how much bull flop flying under the radar is, it hasn't seem them make one grand final in the last 4 years.