6 minutes ago, drysdale demon said:

I don't have any emotion in football, the only things I have feelings for is family, friends and the Australian Military. Every time you post something there is always criticism or pessimistic remarks attached.

I realize you are entitled to an opinion but as far as I am concerned your opinions are meaningless.

Nothing in my original post was pessimistic but I’m highly optimistic that you’re an [censored].

 

We are in mix but how much improvement is left in our mid and back, to win another the difference will need to come up fwd.

We can absolutely do it next year. 
 

Hunter replacing hunt is a huge upgrade. 
 

Grundy replacing Jackson is (on current abilities) also a huge upgrade. I got sucked into the ‘what’s happened to Grundy?’ in the midst of his form decline after his big deal… but even after his decline, he’s still easily in the top 5 ruckman in the game. 
 

Schache is a like for like for Weed but is more versatile in my opinion. If anything he’s also an upgrade. 
 

I feel personnel wise, we have only strengthened the team. 
 

Make some tactical tweaks, get back to the selfless 2021 style (I felt like at times this year we had players go for glory instead of the best thing for the team) and bring back in T-Mac to bolster the forward line. 
 

I believe wholeheartedly that our best still beats everyone else’s. Just got to get the recipe right with what we have to make that happen. 
 

Good as gold. 

6 hours ago, NoFap said:

No. Window closed . Main rivals have been strengthened this trade period. We have a stubborn coach who won’t change game plan. We have played the trade period poorly .

still no key fwd. traded cabbage for lettuce

2 hours ago, Scipio said:

So what do we expect the ideal balance between Max and Grundy? I've not seen a lot of Grundy over the last few years to be honest, so not sure how he fares up forward. Maxy can obviously clunk a few marks but his kicking is suspect. 

Personally I thought Maxy and Jackson worked really well together when Max was floating back and intercepting pretty much everything that came his way. Will they try something like that?

I Was speaking to a very experienced Collingwood supporter – who has access to their inner sanctum – who said that Brodie Grundy is an absolutely top bloke and plays as a ruck rover – in other words, exactly like Luke Jackson only better. I am very excited about him coming. I see them sharing the tap work in the middle, but Grundy playing forward while Max drops back to intercept defend.

The discussion about our players should never overlook this - not only do we have “good” players, we have extraordinary players in our top three, Clarry Tracc and Max.

 

I also see Petty going forward after his unbelievable cameo against Brisbane, with TMac going back if necessary. The weak link I think is BBB, who helped us get a premiership but has too much downside. If JVR is ready and good, then we are fine, with key position players of May, Lever, Petty, TMac and JVR as well as the marking ability of Max and BG, not to mention Fritta.

 

I can’t wait.

5 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Nothing.

VFL results are largely determined by injuries, VFL listed players and age of your AFL list.

We had very few injuries, we had the strongest core of VFL players for an afl side and whilst our list isn’t old a good bulk of guys who played in the VFL players were veterans. 

Casey had their share of injuries as did MFC - IMVHO a big problem was that we didn’t give the Casey performers a run when the MFC guys were NQR.  

5 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

If Petty goes forward it looks shaky very quickly. 

Not so sure.   Petty certainly is a top grade tall defender, but remember Tommo was a lock in before his ACL.   Usually takes a season or more to make a full recovery. And of course there is Disco.  
Neitz only became a forward, a Coleman winner, from necessity when Ox went down again. 
Alternatively Tommo should at least be given a look at being a tall forward.  

8 hours ago, kallangurdemon said:

We have probably improved the list slightly .However our issue last year was the forward line especially the 2 key forward positions and that remains unsolved .The only clear change is Schace for Weideman which is underwhelming .A lot of pressure is now unfairly on JVR but if he doesnt come on it is difficult to see a premiership in 2023.

I think its more to do with delivery i50, if we tweak the game plan to hit up some targets and get decent shots on goal, we will put most opposition away by 3/4 time.. we were 2nd on the ladder and won the flag with the same forward line, so adding JVR and Shane can't hurt. We are definitely a chance of top 4 again 

7 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

I vote that Petty stays back

I see a (hopefully) fit TMac filling that forward void

Agree. Backline has been very solid so don’t rob it to fix issues with the forwards.  
Mids also very solid when not plagued by injuries.  Just need to avoid getting  injured (luck plays a big part) remain fit, and rediscover their killer / domination instincts.  Win the contested footy and deliver it to our forwards quickly. 

Our forward line was our Achilles heel last year but not totally their fault. The delivery of the footy to them was not great. Appeared to be very one dimensional and slow.

Fingers crossed for TMac and BBB to overcome injuries and play out year. Time for JVR to strut his stuff on the big stage.  I believe Lachie Hunter is a blessing in disguise. Someone who has smarts and can deliver to the forwards.  Schache hopefully gets a new lease on life and becomes another forward option (or at worst a backup). And then lock it in there!

I think I’m an exception but I always liked big Max filling holes in the defence rather than playing forward.  I would even keep Grundy out of the forward line.  Just imagine our two big ruckmen either getting intercept marks or bringing the ball down to our advantage from the half back to half forward line.
Can we bring home the bacon? Bloody oath we can! Bring on 2023, I can hardly wait.

 

 

Edited October 13, 20222 yr by Wodjathefirst
Forgot about JVR!

12 hours ago, monoccular said:

Casey had their share of injuries as did MFC - IMVHO a big problem was that we didn’t give the Casey performers a run when the MFC guys were NQR.  

Not so sure.   Petty certainly is a top grade tall defender, but remember Tommo was a lock in before his ACL.   Usually takes a season or more to make a full recovery. And of course there is Disco.  
Neitz only became a forward, a Coleman winner, from necessity when Ox went down again. 
Alternatively Tommo should at least be given a look at being a tall forward.  

Tomlinson might be ok as a May replacement (if needed), but I don't think he has the tools to offer what Petty has (ability to play on the really tall forwards) or Lever (intercept marking and elite reading of the play). Not writing Tomlinson off but he would need to really improve his mobility and reaction time to get a regular game in the 1s

Lots of people have made a case for Petty forward through necessity just like Neitz. Fact is we don't have a tall forward who can take contested marks, kick reliably, and compete strongly if the ball is on the ground - Petty can do all those things as he has shown. No doubt we lose something if we take him away from the back six - I think he is our best defender in fact I think he is massively under rated and he would be one of the first 5 or 6 picked if I was a selector

I think BBB is pretty much cooked - Goodwin has openly admitted his knee will never be 100% and just gets managed. JVR may help next year providing another tall target (probably in the Melksham role) but we need to temper our expectations of what he can deliver in what will be his first year in an AFL team. 

If we can't get Petty out of a KPD role, then I think we are back to trialing J Smith as a forward option - obviously they tried this at the end of the season with limited success however Joel had just returned from a long period on the sidelines with injury (again 😒) in a role that he was unfamiliar with - I'm still hopeful he can make the transition to the forward line and stay on the park  

Edited October 13, 20222 yr by Sydee

9 hours ago, Wodjathefirst said:

Agree. Backline has been very solid so don’t rob it to fix issues with the forwards.  
Mids also very solid when not plagued by injuries.  Just need to avoid getting  injured (luck plays a big part) remain fit, and rediscover their killer / domination instincts.  Win the contested footy and deliver it to our forwards quickly. 

Our forward line was our Achilles heel last year but not totally their fault. The delivery of the footy to them was not great. Appeared to be very one dimensional and slow.

Fingers crossed for TMac and BBB to overcome injuries and play out year. Time for JVR to strut his stuff on the big stage.  I believe Lachie Hunter is a blessing in disguise. Someone who has smarts and can deliver to the forwards.  Schache hopefully gets a new lease on life and becomes another forward option (or at worst a backup). And then lock it in there!

I think I’m an exception but I always liked big Max filling holes in the defence rather than playing forward.  I would even keep Grundy out of the forward line.  Just imagine our two big ruckmen either getting intercept marks or bringing the ball down to our advantage from the half back to half forward line.
Can we bring home the bacon? Bloody oath we can! Bring on 2023, I can hardly wait.

 

 

Most of the Dees people I trust most also think Max is best dropping back and helping with intercept marks. Very much like the great Jim Stynes use to do week in week out. 

He can then at times run forward of the ball and be a key target on the wings. Much depends on whether TMac gets back to his running best though. 
 

14 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

I don't have any emotion in football, the only things I have feelings for is family, friends and the Australian Military. Every time you post something there is always criticism or pessimistic remarks attached.

I realize you are entitled to an opinion but as far as I am concerned your opinions are meaningless.

@DeeSpencer posts interesting football related content. I don't always agree but it's always well thought out and researched.

Your major contribution seems to be to stomp on any slight perceived criticism of any aspect of the club. I'm a well known optimist and generally a supporter of club decisions so if I feel this way it definitely says something.

Maybe take up the challenge and try to contribute some original football content like DeeSpencer does.

Edited October 13, 20222 yr by old55

I think we are well placed to have a solid tilt next season. The biggest piece in my opinion was getting a second winger in place with good decision making and sharp foot skills. Lachie Hunter is certainly that. Improving our ball movement and delivery is significantly more important that getting a contested marking beast into the forward line.

Last season there were a couple of serial offenders for killing ball movement and momentum, what makes it super hard is that they are not bad players, they have other great skills. When you can't get enough speed on the ball  though, you are always going to face into a cluttered forward 50. In those instances we have a simple, high percentage strategy that everyone constantly complains about but is absolutely effective if you want to play a forward half game... bomb it in to the left forward pocket and bring it to ground. This strategy will be even more effective when it is always either Gawn or Grundy at the tap, so grit your teeth DLers because even if you don't like it, it is a solid strategy.

If we have some ball users like Hunter, Bowey and Salem in the possession chain we may not need to resort to this strategy. We can risk the corridor and play with some more dare. It is not just foot skills though, which is why I mention those 3 in particular, it is speed of decision making.

I think JVR will see some game time next season and I am really interested to see Howes on the big stage. He has some great traits but I have no idea about his ball use and decision making skills. The VFL final gave us a sneaky look at Wowoedin (sp?) and he looks to be made of the right stuff so anyone trying to lock down that half forward,  occasional midfield rotation spot best look out.

I'm excited for next season, it will come down to fitness and injury as always but we should be in it up to our eyeballs.

We finished second on the ladder with the hardest draw, have a ‘seconds’ team who dominated the competition, have just recruited the 2nd best ruckman in the league, and a B&F winner at a recent Premiership club. Up to our necks in it. Outside of injuries, the burden of expectation is our biggest hurdle to winning 1 or 2 more in the next 3-4 years. 

13 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

key position players of May, Lever, Petty, TMac and JVR as well as the marking ability of Max and BG, not to mention Fritta.

Yep I agree and this proves that the continued dissatisfaction from people thinking we lack a tall/key forward is delusional.

We have: JVR, TMac (little banged up), BBB (little banged up), Petty (potentially a key forward in the making with his contested marking ability), Tommo, Smith, and both our Ruckman if needed... oh and of course Schache if we become incredibly desperate.

We should be alright for next year, in fact next year will be the start of our three-peat 😉

Edited October 13, 20222 yr by Deenooos_

15 hours ago, drysdale demon said:

I don't have any emotion in football, the only things I have feelings for is family, friends and the Australian Military. Every time you post something there is always criticism or pessimistic remarks attached.

I realize you are entitled to an opinion but as far as I am concerned your opinions are meaningless.

I would argue anyone who consistently posts on a football forum, has huge emotion for football. Just because you may not be aware of that emotion doesn’t mean it isn’t there. 
 

Edited October 13, 20222 yr by 1964_2

18 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

 

Can they find another gear: Brayshaw, Harmes, Sparrow, JJ, Chandler, Spargo, ANB 

 

I’m quite happy for Brayshaw to remain in the gear he’s in, thanks. 

The Club has put itself in a great position to finish in the Top 4 again. Do that and we're every chance to challenge for another Flag. With a little luck we don't run out of legs like this year so for me Season 2023 can't come quick enough. Remember when the draft held all the intrigue, now it's all gravy.

I still think we can squeeze one more good year out of Ben Brown if he can stay healthy and we have help around him. 

1 hour ago, Deenooos_ said:

Yep I agree and this proves that the continued dissatisfaction from people thinking we lack a tall/key forward is delusional.

We have: JVR, TMac (little banged up), BBB (little banged up), Petty (potentially a key forward in the making with his contested marking ability), Tommo, Smith, and both our Ruckman if needed... oh and of course Schache if we become incredibly desperate.

We should be alright for next year, in fact next year will be the start of our three-peat 😉

So JVR, a bunch of players who play a different positions, Tommy facing a long rehab and here’s a look at Ben Brown (little banged up)

 

Edited October 14, 20222 yr by DeeSpencer

If we're to win the flag next year, our MCG form against the best in the business needs to improve dramatically.

This year we were 1-6 against the top 6 sides at the MCG.

19 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

I vote that Petty stays back

I see a (hopefully) fit TMac filling that forward void

If we have our full compliment of KPF ie. Tmac, BBB, JVR and SHAQ ATTAK 😂😂😂 then i would suggest Petty is remained stationed to the backline.

But and i mean BUT, if there is no plan for scenarios that happened in 2022 regarding our KPF then its just amateur league hour from our Coaching staff.

If there is no tinkering of postions for a certain player who we know would make a right old fist of it as a "FORWARD" then i will be as alot of forceful questions of our Coaching staff.

Edited October 14, 20222 yr by YesitwasaWin4theAges

25 minutes ago, layzie said:

I still think we can squeeze one more good year out of Ben Brown if he can stay healthy and we have help around him. 

I was thinking we should just target for him to be fit after the bye. Back in JVR/Petty for the first 10 or so rounds. 

I concur with the points that @DeeSpencermakes. BBB and T Mac are critical to our structure, and we can't pretend that we'll see the best of them again. And I think the same applies to Grundy. Coming off consecutive long term injuries, I want to be convinced that he will be an asset, and not eat into the 1st ruck minutes where Max excels.

We have plenty of scope for improvement through the growth of our kids like JVR, Turner, Howes, Laurie and Woey. Some players struggled when they returned from injury, so player management could be an area of improvement.

The players tried their guts out, but had nothing in the tank in 2nd halves of games.Our game plan is taxing on the forwards and mids.   Goody and the coaching dept will need to tweak some things with our game plan depending on personnel.

Overall. anything other than a top 4 finish after the H&A is a failure. We have the talent to win another premiership.

29 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

If we're to win the flag next year, our MCG form against the best in the business needs to improve dramatically.

This year we were 1-6 against the top 6 sides at the MCG.

The widening off Gosch’s hopefully makes an impact here.

The game plan has to change to be prepared to switch the ball, use the corridor and not be so afraid of turning the ball over. 

2 hours ago, 1964_2 said:

I was thinking we should just target for him to be fit after the bye. Back in JVR/Petty for the first 10 or so rounds. 

Wouldn't hate it.