CHANGES 2022

[JimmyGadson 3,455]

I want to see an injection of players who possess genuine finishing, composure and goal kicking in our forwardline next year. Even if it means it's at the expense of a couple of mainstayers like ANB.

The thought of Joel Smith getting regular minutes up forward is also nightmarish imo.

We need to completely reset and rejig the forwardline next year and reshuffle some midfield spots if we want a threatening side all over the field.

 

 

[Wodjathefirst 2,265]

Out - Hunted

In - Hunters

Big year coming up

[kev martin 8,817]

I'm more likely to emphasise changes in style, than players.

If players, I want those who are, clean at handling the ball (golden hands), take one bite marks, are good at disposal, have endurance and speed.

As for style, I'd like to see the head coach up in the box, so they can see what is needed and not rely on the assistant. We need plans A B C D, etcetera. More shuffling of the board and restructuring the playing style. Plans that create, quick, or slow, or maintain the lead, or get goals, or change the momentum, or reset, types.

Not so sure about the lines. Need more players being able to move between forward, mid and back. Therefore, at training they should swap a variety of players into their lines position, so they understand what is being done in the lines, and gives flexibility and possibly creates greater connection and cohesion.

The Forwards need to be constantly moving, opening, closing, creating space, separation, and mismatches. Not necessarily, up and down the field. Creating space to lead into is an aspect we should develop ground wide.

Too often, we get closed down, and it limits our ability to play with freedom, and we tend to panic under pressure.

Still need greater trust and connection between players. A couple of times in the semi, we went fast, but had no-one to deliver too. Perhaps the players lose focus on the match as they attempt to get on with their roles and set structures. 

Where has our swarm gone?  We used to run and hunt in packs.

Our players rarely looked like we were desperate.

Only a few of the best seemed to play with freedom.

Our timing seemed off, we lose rhythm and don't seem to hold the ball till the right moment, or shimmy/baulk to delay the disposal. We became easy to read, have to have the oppo guessing.

Our smalls attempt too many hangers and get in the way of our talls instead of crumbing and holding the ball in as they lose positional advantages.

We require more drive of halfback.

We need to be able to perform under pressure. 

Have to, punish teams with scores when we force turnovers and mistakes.

Edited September 10, 2022 by kev martin

[titan_uranus 22,219]

1 hour ago, JimmyGadson said:

I want to see an injection of players who possess genuine finishing, composure and goal kicking in our forwardline next year. Even if it means it's at the expense of a couple of mainstayers like ANB.

The thought of Joel Smith getting regular minutes up forward is also nightmarish imo.

We need to completely reset and rejig the forwardline next year and reshuffle some midfield spots if we want a threatening side all over the field.

Agree.

We need players forward of centre who can pressure and use the ball well. We have very few players who can do both (think Fritsch, Spargo, Melksham and Brown for players who can kick but don't apply enough pressure, and think ANB, Viney, Petracca, Oliver and Gawn for players who can apply pressure but are unreliable in front of goal or when delivering inside 50).

Edited September 10, 2022 by titan_uranus

[dees189227 10,700]

I know we got yze in last year but do we need to get fresh voices in and get some new assistants in? Not sure who but someone just recently out of the game.

[loges 6,002]

4 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

I know we got yze in last year but do we need to get fresh voices in and get some new assistants in? Not sure who but someone just recently out of the game.

A new forward coach

[WERRIDEE 5,198]

14 hours ago, MadAsHell said:

I think there's still a lot of raw emotion floating around (understandably), but suggestions Salem should go etc are laughable. 

TEAM CHANGES

Retired: Daw

Delist: Mitch Brown, Baker, Melksham, Rosman (re-rookie)

Trade: Bedford, Tomlinson, Jackson (keep if he wishes to stay)

Free Agent Departure: Hunt (offer contract, but let walk if price too high)

Trade Bait: Weideman, Neal-Bullen 

Forward line structure to consist of Fritsch, Pickett, Tom McDonald, Van Rooyen and then don't be afraid to trial Laurie and Chandler ahead of Spargo and Neal-Bullen.

Don't be afraid to give Blake Howes a go if his form warrants it and a review into our fitness base and last quarter fade outs is also paramount.

I'd be [censored] if Bedford was traded, will be a player. Hunt has to be let go, been around too long and has offered us too little.

[COOLX 138]

If Jackson stays, I would like to see him play as a winger opposite side to Langdon. Schwarz ended up as a winger, he was 196 cm from memory.  Perhaps Weid could become a ruck/forward type of player only if we don't get Grundy otherwise we should delist. Players who hold out on contact signing should be dropped.  Petty needs to play as a forward next year along side JVR  which includes T.Mac.  Players who lose form need to be dropped no matter who they are ! Players doing well for Casey need to be rewarded not overlooked.

[BDA 19,978]

Gameplan and mindset is too conservative. We’ve got to loosen the shackles and give the players some latitude. I think we started to see it in the latter part of the year with May and Gawny (from memory) going the corridor kick but because it’s not second nature we didn’t execute well.

I think we have the players to do it. Salem, Bowey, Spargs all very good users. Maybe we have more in the ranks. And maybe we have players at Casey with the attributes? We have a great development coach in Chocco so let’s focus on the skills. We need to find out because the same approach next year will deliver the same results.

Strength and conditioning program needs to be thoroughly reviewed. We were so banged up at the pointy end. Our approach clearly didn’t work. Injuries are part and parcel I know but did we control the controllables well. I don’t know. Was Salem properly managed? I’m not saying we should have known these things, there are always alternative approaches, but we’ll have to assess in the cold light of day and implement changes.

And freshen up the coaching team. an injection of new blood with new ideas is never a bad thing. It's no surprise to me that Collingwood are doing so well after adding Bolton and Leppitsch to their panel

[—coach— 3,466]

One thing that rarely gets mentioned is how often our handballs go to the feet of the intended recipient. This causes then to slow down to collect the ball rather than simply keep running at full pace. As such they end up under pressure and then have to give of a quick kick or hand pass which invariably is misdirected further causing turnovers or lost opportunities. 

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,132]

The number 1 thing that needs to be fixed is our ability to run out second halves. 6 of 8 games we lost we led by 4+ goals in first halves. That says the game plan stacks up until we can no longer apply it offensively and defensively. We either need to have fitness or players that can sustain it or change the plan to one less taxing. 

We then need to improve our bottom 6-8 in the side either by their own development or more-so by personnel change. Too often it has been left to Gawn, Oliver, Trac, May to play out of their skin to get us the W. Last year it was constantly team effort with those 4 putting the cherry on top. 

Edited September 10, 2022 by Lil_red_fire_engine

[Jontee 3,631]

10 hours ago, Wodjathefirst said:

Out - Hunted

In - Hunters

Big year coming up

@Wodjathefirst speaking of Hunted/Hunters watch out for Wodjathesecond

[Lou C. Fur 912]

19 hours ago, Nascent said:

Prior to list management decisions and the trade/draft period this is how I could see us lining up for round 1 next year.

*I have assumed Jackson will request a trade.

FB. Turner   May    Bowey

HB. Rivers   Lever  Salem

C.  Langdon Oliver  Brayshaw

HF. Spargo  JvR     Sparrow

FF. Pickett   Petty  Fritsch

R. Gawn  Petracca Viney

IC. Harmes Hunt Jordan (2nd ruck, via trade or Weideman)

With the absence of any key forwards on the trade market we will have to look within to find a competitive tall foward structure which I believe should involve two genuine talls. BBB may still fill this role but I think Petty has proven to be one of our best contested marks. Swung foward late in our semi final loss, he immediately impacted with a strong contested mark and goal before having hands in another. JvR with another preseason under his belt should be ready to play the majority of the year in the senior team. Having both play forward will provide significant aerially threats that will be more suitable to the current gamestyle we play.

For this to happen, a competent replacement for Petty in the backline needs to he found and I believe we have one in Turner who has been a dominant figure in Casey's backline this year.

 

I like the look of this team lineup!

[WERRIDEE 5,198]

Changed my changes

In: Grundy, Chandler (promoted), 4 draft picks and 2 rookies

Out: Hibberd, Melksham, Baker, Rosman (rookied), Hunt, Jackson (traded), M.Brown (rookie), Daw (rookie)

 

B: Lever, May, Bowey

HB: Brayshaw, Petty, Salem

C: Langdon, Petracca, Jordon

HF: Neal-Bullen, van Rooyen, Pickett

F: Fritsch, McDonald, Gawn

FOLL: Grundy, Oliver, Viney

IC: Harmes, Bedford, Chandler, J.Smith

SUB: Rivers

 

Casey

B: Tomlinson, Turner, D.Smith

HB: Rivers, Recruit, McVee

C: Howes, Dunstan, Woewodin

HF: Spargo, Recruit, Rosman 

F: Moniz-Wakefield, B.Brown, Recruit

FOLL: Weideman, Sparrow, Laurie

IC: Recruit, Recruit, Recruit

 

With the recruits I'd like to see us rookie Ellison and he can take over CHB.

Our first 2 picks in the draft should be key forwards.

2 running half back\wingman

1 clever half forward

 

 

[Demon Dynasty 15,192]

Posted this in the Post Game thread in response to PF who suggested we won't make the 8 if we just roll into 2023 as is with very few changes.  Probably better suited here...

...Absolutely agree although we might just scrape in to the finals with another ordinary result (eg;  one win then out the next week, no PF appearance).

Anything other than a PF this season should be viewed as a severe Fail mark for the club as a whole.

We were just beaten by a visiting club in a semi (a level down from the PF) that hasn't won a game at the G since 2014 with a massive home crowd advantage, who had no genuine serious ruckman and their best KF AWOL.

Anyone (Club Land Goody & the FD included) thinking we will just reset and pretty much go around again next season as we are, with just few tweaks to personnel and/or minor or no tweaks to game style, are kidding themselves.

We failed to make a PF as predicted and at least three of the top four clubs have passed us in a convincing manor.

This club needs to do a full review of game style, offensive methods and defensive methods as well as serious additions, especially at least one other tall key forward coming through either through the draft or trade and an attempt to pick up a very classy ball user deliverer through the middle or off HB.

In addition the forward line plus inability of mids to connect with it has been a massive fail all season and are the two areas that need to come under the most scrutiny.

Only my view and may not be available anyway, but i'd be going after Gary Ablett Jnr big time as the new forward line/mid field connect coach OR at the very least as an additional specialist forward craft/kicking coach.

If we also roll into 2023 with same set up up here (forward coach) we will be doomed to another year of no PF and a back to back fail with further teams, like the Blues and potentially others like the Dogs and Freo, passing us by.

There's a worrying 'she'll be right' complaceny creeping in and it needs to be hit on the head with a serious review then action required if we're to adjust, make approrpiate fixes/tweaks/list changes, before heading into the 2023 campaign.

I hope Kate is seeing it this way also and not still basking in the 2021 glory with her rose coloured glasses on.  Fingers crossed!

Edited September 10, 2022 by Demon Dynasty

[Lord Nev 13,511]

Looooong way out, but I reckon our 22 could look something like this by about mid-year in 2023. JVR and Howes are big watches for me next year. I reckon Howes might make it as a winger eventually, so that would mean Gus rotates around more when Trac goes forward.

B: Lever, Petty, Rivers

HB: Bowey, May, Salem

C: Langdon, Petracca, Brayshaw

HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Pickett

F: Fritsch, Grundy, van Rooyen

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

IC: Spargo, Sparrow, Howes, Jordon

 

[WERRIDEE 5,198]

15 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

Looooong way out, but I reckon our 22 could look something like this by about mid-year in 2023. JVR and Howes are big watches for me next year. I reckon Howes might make it as a winger eventually, so that would mean Gus rotates around more when Trac goes forward.

B: Lever, Petty, Rivers

HB: Bowey, May, Salem

C: Langdon, Petracca, Brayshaw

HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Pickett

F: Fritsch, Grundy, van Rooyen

FOLL: Gawn, Oliver, Viney

IC: Spargo, Sparrow, Howes, Jordon

 

Gus has played his best football off half back that's where he should be.

[Lord Nev 13,511]

7 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Gus has played his best football off half back that's where he should be.

That's not where he best serves us though. We have plenty of good half backs and Gus' turnovers (he ended up averaging the 2nd most for us for the year) hurt us more in the backline. We traded and recruited specifically to address scores from back half turnovers so I don't think you'll see Gus there next year. Was far more impactful for us as a team on the wing, and is a good clearance winner, so for mine his best role in contributing to the team is wing/mid.

 

[titan_uranus 22,219]

14 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Gus has played his best football off half back that's where he should be.

I don't know if that's correct. I think, role-wise, his wing football last year was really strong.

[Lord Nev 13,511]

Just now, titan_uranus said:

I don't know if that's correct. I think, role-wise, his wing football last year was really strong.

And turnover wise:

2022 - Was 3rd for us for turnovers playing in the backline, lifted to 2nd by end of year after going into the middle.

2021 - Was 10th for us for turnovers playing on the wing.

 

[Kent 2,574]

1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

I don't know if that's correct. I think, role-wise, his wing football last year was really strong.

definitely agree Uranus

[titan_uranus 22,219]

Fixture-wise, I'm hopeful of the following:

1. Travel being spread out through the season - I don't want three road trips in the first 14 games and then four road trips plus a Geelong game in the last 8 games
2. Home games being spread out through the season - I don't want 10 of our first 14 games at the MCG but then only 2 of the last 8
3. Tough games being spread out - I don't want 2 of our first 10 games to be against finalists (and the two worst ones at that), but then 10 of our last 12 games being against finalists

[titan_uranus 22,219]

Injury/fitness wise, I believe only four players played all 24 games for us: Petracca, Brayshaw, Spargo and Fritsch.

Last year we had 10: Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Brayshaw, ANB, Lever, Rivers, Jordon, Pickett, Spargo.

We weren't beset with long-term injuries as badly as some other sides, but we had much less stability in our 22 this year than we did last year, and with a coach/FD who want us to be stable and predictable for one another, I reckon that really hurt us.

[Lucifers Hero 36,983]

10 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Fixture-wise, I'm hopeful of the following:

1. Travel being spread out through the season - I don't want three road trips in the first 14 games and then four road trips plus a Geelong game in the last 8 games
2. Home games being spread out through the season - I don't want 10 of our first 14 games at the MCG but then only 2 of the last 8
3. Tough games being spread out - I don't want 2 of our first 10 games to be against finalists (and the two worst ones at that), but then 10 of our last 12 games being against finalists

Yes, a more balanced fixture would be good.  Things working against it:

In the past the club has requested lots of early games at the G to get fans to games and sell memberships early in the season which means travel gets pushed to the back half of the season.

The AFL deliberately schedules the prior year's finalists against each other in the latter rounds of the season.  Of course this doesn't allow for the rise of some (Freo, Pies) and the fall of others (Port, GWS, Eagles).  Nonetheless, it wants 'blockbuster' games close to the finals.

So sadly, I'm not sure we will get the balanced fixture.

Edited September 11, 2022 by Lucifers Hero

[titan_uranus 22,219]

1 minute ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Yes, a more balanced fixture would be good.  Things working against it:

In the past the club has requested lots of early games at the G to get fans to games and sell memberships early in the season which means travel gets pushed to the back half of the season.

The AFL deliberately schedules the prior year's finalists against each other in the latter rounds of the season.  Of course this doesn't allow for the rise of some (Freo, Pies) and the fall of others (Port, GWS, Eagles).

So sadly, I'm not sure we will get the balanced fixture.

Do we really ask for those early season MCG games? I wish we wouldn't. At least, not to the extent we had them this year.

I'd much rather see us get the majority of our road trips out of the way in the first half of the season (no matter the difficulty of the opponents).