That time of the year already!

I bought their season review book for the 2021 season, highly recommend it (Im not affiliated with it, just sayin) - might be due for a re-read to get me in the mood for this season, after this preview.

Edited January 9, 20241 yr by John Demonic

Excellent article. 

And written with a good in-depth analysis of what is already known, but without the red-and-blue eyes, that we all have.

Makes some excellent points about the Petty forward option and how it affects others, and in fact, the whole team.

And also makes a truly relevant point about our wingers, and importantly not using statistics as pure numbers, but points out the relevance of the numbers when compared with Collingwood wingers.

 

Where do I read it if I don't do X?

14 minutes ago, tiers said:

Where do I read it if I don't do X?

https://themongrelpunt.com/

But if you want the full article, you have to join up and subscribe ($6.60 p.m. but you can unsubscribe)

Great article.

I think that the stats around Max are a little misleading.

Last year he missed quite a few games and also shared Rick duties a lot of the time.

 

He is always a good writer, but I agree, he didn't take into account with Max, the effect of injury and sharing ruck duties in 2023.

 

But ultimately, he concludes what I think we all know: we CAN do it, the question is whether we WILL.

4 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

https://themongrelpunt.com/

But if you want the full article, you have to join up and subscribe ($6.60 p.m. but you can unsubscribe)

I read the first few items. Too wordy for me - it's like reading a book on each issue.

Can some please precis the main ideas?

Came down to injuries in the end, just a kick in it, to win the cup everything has to roll your way.

Written by a Hawthorn supporter FWIW.

Enjoyable piece.

Very good article 

Kane Cornes should read it 

Edited January 10, 20241 yr by Sir Why You Little

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Very good article 

Kane Cornes should read it 

"Good article could have been great but let down by lack of rhetorical questions. What could be the fallout between author and editor? This AFL Champion has the inside word."

And this from the Age’s footy writer Jon Pierik

Melbourne

Improve goalkicking accuracy
The Demons are desperate to atone for successive finals flame outs. Christian Petracca says the Demons have tinkered with their gameplan. One area in need of attention is connection in the forward half, as well as accuracy. The Demons produced the worst shot at goal accuracy (31.4 per cent) during the finals of any finalist since the measure was first recorded in 2002. Petracca’s shot at goal accuracy of just 32.2 per cent was a case in point.

Melbourne season preview: Who steps up to support Max, watch on Clarry - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1076441

Afl season preview for melbourne

20 minutes ago, Nascent said:

Melbourne season preview: Who steps up to support Max, watch on Clarry - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1076441

Afl season preview for melbourne

I do find the use of 'well documented' referring to Oliver's issues interesting. They are not at all well documented. There is no clear public insight into what his 'issues' are and there has only been enormous waves of speculation. Ask yourself; do I actually have any real knowledge of Clayton Oliver's personal circumstances?

It irks me that there's this atmosphere of 'we all know about Clayton, mm-hmm.'

I mean, at this stage the only thing we really know is that he has been an absolute professional with training standards while away from the group and has come back in excellent condition and full touch, ready to win a Brownlow in 2024. 

The 'Bailey Laurie watch' part of the article confuses me as he was canned on here in the match sim thread and multiple clear examples were given... could it be the AFL website people might be mistaken about him "impressing in Sunday's match simulation with his strength inside the contest and clean ball use."

15 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

I do find the use of 'well documented' referring to Oliver's issues interesting. They are not at all well documented. There is no clear public insight into what his 'issues' are and there has only been enormous waves of speculation. Ask yourself; do I actually have any real knowledge of Clayton Oliver's personal circumstances?

It irks me that there's this atmosphere of 'we all know about Clayton, mm-hmm.'

I mean, at this stage the only thing we really know is that he has been an absolute professional with training standards while away from the group and has come back in excellent condition and full touch, ready to win a Brownlow in 2024. 

The 'Bailey Laurie watch' part of the article confuses me as he was canned on here in the match sim thread and multiple clear examples were given... could it be the AFL website people might be mistaken about him "impressing in Sunday's match simulation with his strength inside the contest and clean ball use."

Re Oliver, I'm glad his personal issues haven't been published as I can only see that as being detrimental to him. The constant reference to it is unfortunate but won't go away until he plays consistently and shows stable behaviour off the field.

Re Laurie, his game was nowhere near as bad as some made it out to be and he showed signs he has the tools to make it at AFL level. He's running has improved and is making it to more contests and winning more of the footy, as well as transitioning into defensive 50 on the turnover. He's just becoming the new whipping boy because he's a first round pick that has barely played and isn't collecting 30 touches and kicking 2-3 goals a game on the hff. He had a couple howlers and a humorous side step against no one when he thought a player was bearing down on him. Otherwise he used the ball cleanly, particularly by hand in the first half, and kicked well into the forward 50 that a couple players dropped or were defended well by the Tigers defence. Would have liked to see him go back and kick the set shot rather than attempt to spot up Fritsch in the goal square.

Windsor butchered the ball, McVee had some howlers, Lever and May's kicking were shocking (as was Mays marking), Sparrow was dropping easy marks, Howes was outpositioned multiple times in defense, langdon was barely sighted, anb was ineffective in the centre square... I could go on. But no, Laurie is the whipping boy.

 

3 hours ago, Nascent said:

Windsor butchered the ball, McVee had some howlers, Lever and May's kicking were shocking (as was Mays marking), Sparrow was dropping easy marks, Howes was outpositioned multiple times in defense, langdon was barely sighted, anb was ineffective in the centre square... I could go on. But no, Laurie is the whipping boy.

 

Nas, do you think he might be a "whipping boy" because all the others you mentioned - except Windsor - have proven themselves at AFL level, whereas Laurie, after 3 full seasons with the club - and a first round pick to boot - simply hasn't?

41 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

Nas, do you think he might be a "whipping boy" because all the others you mentioned - except Windsor - have proven themselves at AFL level, whereas Laurie, after 3 full seasons with the club - and a first round pick to boot - simply hasn't?

I think this is the year he needs to start proving himself and he has a real challenge ahead given the number of small/medium forwards on the list.

I think being a whipping boy currently is unfair given he was drafted into one of the strongest AFL teams. He's doing what he's supposed to be doing, developing in the twos before earning himself a chance. He's now had 3 full pre-seasons, allegedly putting his best foot forward and impressing the club, and should be looking to be in the starting 22 come round 0 or play a good chunk of the season in the seniors. I'm getting behind him and hoping he cements himself in our team because he has clear skills that can make our forward half better.

 

 

1 hour ago, Neil Crompton said:

Nas, do you think he might be a "whipping boy" because all the others you mentioned - except Windsor - have proven themselves at AFL level, whereas Laurie, after 3 full seasons with the club - and a first round pick to boot - simply hasn't?

And Howes

On 10/01/2024 at 16:36, Sir Why You Little said:

Very good article 

Kane Cornes should read it 

That's an assumption Cornes can read. 

3 hours ago, He de mon said:

And Howes

Typical reaction about Howes. Yes he was poor but give him another go please. He may not be a defender so release him to the wing or half forward but don’t  cruel him as without ability and stamp his potential. 

Howes is much better as a wing or half forward.  I’d prefer him at half forward when he gets a chance. He can kick a lovely goal, mark and do something special.  Mercurial is a word.  

Didn’t they play Howes on Bolton? He had no chance but I bet he learnt plenty about what it takes to make it. It’s all upto Blake. McVee looked just as out of place against both Bolton and Dusty last year but he had a fantastic season. 

1 hour ago, Roost it far said:

Didn’t they play Howes on Bolton? He had no chance but I bet he learnt plenty about what it takes to make it. It’s all upto Blake. McVee looked just as out of place against both Bolton and Dusty last year but he had a fantastic season. 

My memory was Juddy gave a good account of himself on  Dusty. 
Blake may not be. Defender he may be better off on a wing or FFlank where he can run free and express himself. 

Let’s see how it goes and what transpires. 

22 hours ago, 58er said:

Typical reaction about Howes. Yes he was poor but give him another go please. He may not be a defender so release him to the wing or half forward but don’t  cruel him as without ability and stamp his potential. 

If you look closely at the sentence I was quoting, I was pointing out that Howes, like Windsor, hasn't had an opportunity to prove himself at AFL level.  I was not bagging him.