Gents another excellent podcast as always appreciate your time and effort!

Tommo — so happy for him, he’s far inferior to Lever in terms of reading play & first-step but he did a great job to show he can play May-type role but he’s not an interceptor as Binman adroitly pointed out! Likely gone at seasons end esp if Battle is target (battle would be an upgrade from an intercepting standpoint). Gameplan is as I said lw, clearly designed to not be as banged-up physically come finals and Binman has referenced this long-ago and is spot-on, players have confirmed it in the media so anyone not across this needs to be aware of it and factor it in! We’ve finally changed, it is the definition of insanity to repeat the same thing and expect a alternate result or outcome — I can’t wait to see us go hell-for-leather come August-September! 
 

Salem — Couldn't be more impressed with how we used him, on lvl2 view it was super clear that the strategy was to find him and his 13 marks reflected it, other teams might start to play him defensively but we have Bowser, Mcvee whom can play a similar role albeit not to same extent, but it adds another gear to use when needed & my only feedback was his lack of penetration on kicking inc the shot he didn’t take, he is def not able to flush the ball atm or perhaps ever based on recent evidence, but let’s see. 

Just on Hunter, I like both he and Billings similarly they play a role but that’s just the point, it’s a role.. but some things are intangible inc per player rating and first game back Hunter absolutely added enough per his role & Goody has been crying out for players to keep playing their role & both do that fairly well but Hunter can finish so I give him a slight edge. Very interrupted pre-season for Hunter so think it’s slightly unfair not to call that out as well but it’s a role that requires experience and Ed is the cream of the wing crop certainly, however his rating was far less than even Hunter’s yet again, he added intangibles, played a great neg role as a fwd as did Hunter filling space defensively. Neither got a tackle but both also stayed wide in their roles & didn’t get a heap of opportunities for tackles either. But this happens, player go weeks without tackles all the time outside of inside mids and rucks.

McAdam is finding fitness and touch, seriously ppl are just so ridiculously critical of players it’s quite startling to be fair — 6 tackles and ran his guts out all day, he’ll show his wears just wait and see & watch the eeyores backtrack! Kick he didn’t make distance was a stab Andy, absolute stab!
 

McAdam and Kos are TOLD to fly for marks, it’s part of our entry strategy for goodness sake haha! And McAdam has FAR more runs on board for high-marks than Kos, that’s for sure — he looked exhausted and I love that cus it means he gave everything & his tank will build as a result that’s how it grows exponentially and why GAME exp is needed to get that tank elongated. 
 

Petty one is a tough — I think Jeffo is far from ready although he couldn’t be any less perf wise based on many other thin slight fwds ie Jones, Amiss! JVR was held cus he had other options so think that comparison fails scrutiny somewhat — he’s close! 
 

Petts undoubtedly adds much needed presence, he brings ball to ground, takes best def and WILL start clunking them although yes, it’s wearing then to defend him but I suggest he’s going nowhere, as JVR is better for Petts being there it’s that simple. He’s such a bloody star I can’t wait to see him in a couple years he’s so sublime & that goal when being tackled was just beyond good, it was strength personified!!!  

 

 

Edited May 28, 2024May 28 by Tolstoys Nudge

Not quite finished the podcast but enjoyable again. 

@binman added this weeks tracker numbers.

 

Edited May 28, 2024May 28 by Watson11
Replace table with image to help phone display

Very interesting and enjoyable listening as always guys.  Love your work! Thanks.

Terrific podcast guys.