Really excited by the quality of our youngsters.

Any thoughts on Dunns return to forward line.

Is it a once of or a permanent change of direction?

I think Dunn is a better foil/decoy than Dawes up forward Chook until we can find alternatives.

Can kick the ball a mile and take a good contested mark. 2 very required traits when playing a high half forward role. Especially when trying to hit Hogan one out as often as possible from outside 50. Some players can play the role ok but dont have the boot to get it to the top of the goal square quickly from well outside 50.

Has a huge tank as well and rarely loses his feet now. Strong over the contest. Bit of a plodder and not sure he knows where to lead/patterns etc as well as Dawes might (in a decoy high HF role anyway). No reason why he couodnt learn and improve on this aspect though. Can also find the goals on occasions, even from 55 or so, which is handy. Having this asset ensures his opponent will respect him on the lead and not drop off early trying to fill the hole behind. In theory this allows Hogan/Jeffy more space to run into on the lead.

Watching Billy Stretch jeez he impresses me. I can see him playing all 22 games next year his hard running and pace is something we have really lacked over the years.

What surprises me the most is that for such a slight player he goes in really hard and doesn't shirk a contest.

Edited September 6, 20159 yr by dazzledavey36

Watching the replay on FOX with a huge smile.

Salem is n absolute beast. Him Viney and Brayshaw hurting blokes is gonna make me cry.

DD when/if we have blokes who start doing this to the Hawks/Freeo/Swans etc then I will probably join you

If anyone has instagram go check Christian Petraccas photo.. Its a great shot!

Wish I could copy and paste it on here but it won't let me.

This one?

His tackle on Cameron was enormous.

He was never, ever, going to let him go.

Baby faced assassin.

My favourite moment of the day

This one?

Petracca1.jpg

Yeeep!

Looks like a big night on the sauce.. Even toddy might join in by the looks of it LOL

Kind of looks like Toddy's already joined in a few times.

Depends on the Trade Chook. We need leaders.

A win in a dead rubber doesn't change the situation we watched in the previous month.

Can Jonesy lead us up the ladder when he hasn't been there himself?

I seem to recall the last time we moved on a respected Captain of the club before his time it apparently didn't go down so well amongst the playing group and the whole club SWYL.

Not sure it would be a wise move to repeat that episode

Edited September 6, 20159 yr by Rusty Nails

Is Petracca is fancy dress?

Denim and a girls hat?

Average age of team today 23y 175d

Missing from a 'best' team are possibly:

Watts

Lumumba

Dawes

Pederson

Tyson

Vandenberg

Frost

Kent

Jetta

Plus

Trengove

Petracca

Interesting there wasn't much tagging today so Jones, Vince and Viney played with a fair amount of freedom. The attack when they moved the ball quickly certainly seemed better.

Umpires are still a disgrace at this level.

Where do we see the Prince next year?

Is he best 22?

Is he best playing wing or half back?

Are both Howe and Garland gone?

Was disappointing this year.

Watching the replay is reminding me of how terrible the umpires were.Surely we had to be the most persecuted team this year.

I think Garland showed all the doubters today how valuable he is. He and Tom McDonald were critical in the win today because the GWS forward line is potentially dangerous.

He was composed and assured and read the play beautifully

Edited September 6, 20159 yr by chook fowler

Is Petracca is fancy dress?

Denim and a girls hat?

You want to ask him that face to face AD?

Braver man than me.....

What a great Father's Day.

Mother in law ended up coming over and taking the kids to the park.

A very pleasurable 1/2 dozen Pale Ales consumed,

The missus sorted me out at half time, and;

The Dee's won at Etihad.

Post of the day.

Champion missus gets a gold medal.

You want to ask him that face to face AD?

Braver man than me.....

I'll have you know jumbo I've lost 5kg in 6 weeks, down to 101kg.

But my right knee is stuffed and I can't run so I can't getaway so it's a no.

White was good, love his skill set. Hope he becomes a regular in 2015. 3 rookie upgrades would be a first

Only three? King is starting to play well enough to be considered also! Vanders and Harmes are both locks, White and King will both be ready after another pre-season!

I'll have you know jumbo I've lost 5kg in 6 weeks, down to 101kg.

But my right knee is stuffed and I can't run so I can't getaway so it's a no.

Well, on the knee front, you're both even.....but, if he catches ya.....

5kgs in 6 weeks? Great effort!

Where do we see the Prince next year?

Is he best 22?

Is he best playing wing or half back?

Are both Howe and Garland gone?

Was disappointing this year.

For mine

Prince not best 22

Garland has re-signed

Howe is most likely gone

Dawes not best 22

Aside from Jones, Cross, Vince its the young guys have led the way this year. That makes me sad but gives me hope.

If Tommy Mac can get his disposal right he will be the number 1 backman in the league.

Watching the replay on FOX with a huge smile.

Salem is n absolute beast. Him Viney and Brayshaw hurting blokes is gonna make me cry.

I'm watching the replay as well. In the flesh I felt like White's kicking was decent, but not great. I haven't seen him miss a target yet.

It just gives the whole team a positive springboard for the off-season. Would've hated to end on a loss.

Funny to read all the Saints fans wetting themselves about possibly getting Parish now. Yeah, until your list management decide to skip the best midfielder for extenuating circumstances again.

It'll make us a more attractive destination too. We said 7 wins at the top of this season. We did it. We said finals for next year. Not saying we'll get there, but we're not far off at least pushing it. A year or two and we will be playing finals. We've got the premier young KPF in the league and a couple of beauties in Brayshaw and Salem. Hoping Petracca can deliver on his promise too.

I think Dunn can play a variety of roles next year if all goes well. If Frost and Oscar step up he can play off a half back flank instead of full back, he can swing forward when required as that is where he started and importantly as a member of the leadership team he should be able to go into the middle as a big body clearance player when we are getting smashed early if required.

Great point this. Dunn and Salem off half back. That'd be nice.

Today's side had Viney, Gawn, Salem, Michie, Harmes, White, OMac, Newton, Stretch, Hogan, Brayshaw, JKH and ANB.

Most experienced of these players is Viney with 49 games.

Tyson, Kent, Frost, VDB, Toumpas and Petracca also on the list, none with more than 50 games experience.

(Minus Toumpas) The list of players you mention will take us to finals, especially with a fit Jack Trengove!

I know I'll be howled down but apart from that horrible dropped mark and 1 poor hand pass I thought Grimes was effective and deserved his place in the side.

What a brilliant Father's Day.

Demons win and Pies lose!

Agree Rod.

even better if the recipient wasn't Essendrug

Well, on the knee front, you're both even.....but, if he catches ya.....

5kgs in 6 weeks? Great effort!

Ha....

Cheers mate, I'm 183cm so I'm getting to where I want to be, aiming for 95, that will do me.

here's where stats really confuse me

viney gets 29 disposals and a whopping 12 tackles bursts into and thru packs yet is credited with ZERO 1%ers