2 hours ago, Deelectable said:

Problem is Fullarton is not a ruckman. He's just a VFL standard ruckman. In actual fact I'm not sure what he is. Goody's presser was damning . In as many words said Fullarton wasn't up to it ie no ruckman on the list to replace Gawn. Indicated Fullo had a lot to learn. That's being generous.  Unless we get a genuine ruckman with some AFL experience in the off season forget about it. Nick Bryan springs to mind. Gawn is rising 33. Unlike the time with Grundy coaching staff need to be firm with him and insist he has weeks off. Give the likes of Bryan as much exposure as possible ready to take over in the next couple of years. Do nothing and we're doomed. If he's out of favour I'd settle for Two Metre Peter.  Not in form atm but has runs on the board.

Bryan’s going so well they brought in Goldstein instead. 
He won a lot of hitouts against Casey last week, however 99% were against Fullarton. Bryan had 13 contests with Verrall in the first half - Verrall won 8 of them. I’m sure they’re giving Fullarton every opportunity as he is more experienced but he cannot control the centre square.
As no1 ruck this week Verrall had 45 hitouts, 7 clearances and 20 possessions. I don’t think he’s quite ready for a regular role yet but he’s damn near the same as Bryan, and as good or better than several who are masquerading in AFL at the moment.

7 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Petty re-signing is a game changer.

Now for next year and the end of season draft pick.

Play Jefferson for 2-3 games.

Petty down back. Manage May (we need him for 25/26)

Let's face it this season is over from a GF perspective and probably was when we lost to West Coast

You would have to drop tmac in order to play petty down back. 

11 hours ago, Supdeano said:

Where's the champion Goody nuffies this week?

[censored], some of those praising Goody's selection and coaching decisions this week are out for him this week.

If you decide to paint over cracks, this is what you get

Why wouldn’t we have praised his selection and coaching decisions this week? His selection and coaching decisions resulted in three consecutive wins before today.

Hashtag you need to park your hindsight. 

11 hours ago, Deebymistake said:

Why take Kolt off? Nice way to pee off a young player playing in his home state.  Where was Kozzie?  Will Langdon ride home?  That is all from me.

Kolt was injured. That’s why he was subbed out. 

11 hours ago, DubDee said:

don’t think anyone will stick up for Goodys coaching this week. horrible defence. 

 

Sticking up for Goody’s coaching is one thing, being called “champion Goody nuffies” is another. 

My observations, some of which may have already been posted:

* Salem, and to a lesser extent Oliver, have not "come up" after their respective health crises.  Throw an injured Max and Trac into that mix and there is around 4/5 goals per game or maybe 8/10 shots at goal as a result of their influence.  Fritta, for one, relies on their ball winning/setting up skills.  Further, don't forget Charlie Spargo, a premiership forward.

* Tholstrup needs to think about playing football before he starts trying to thrown his weight around.  Mouthing off and pushing and shoving oppo players off the ball doesn't make you a hard man.  Put your head down and your body on the line son and get some credits in the bank. (Young Brown a better prospect at this stage)

* Billings is a better footballer than Chandler.  (I think Laurie is a better footballer than Chandler)

* It's time to trial Judd McVee through the middle.  Rivers has gone well but Judd is a classier player.

* We need to persevere with Turner and Petty. Despite the knockers, they can take a mark and at the very least, make a contest.  Keep JVR at FF.  Don't play him in the ruck FCS.

* Play Jack Viney as a lock down defensive forward to keep the ball in the forward half. 

Essentially, we are a team right out of balance.  My concern is that the coach either doesn't know how or is too stubborn, to right the ship.

 

11 hours ago, Abyssal said:

And if you had seen the game you just might understand what people are saying.

 

I saw the game (live) and I agree with Kev. But had I not seen it I’d still agree with Kev. The misery and abject hopelessness and despair is suffocating. We lost a game of footy today. We won the previous three, we may win the next three. And just as the venters are entitled to vent, so too are the folks who find the venting stifling and uber-negative and an overwhelming drain.

Everyone/entitled/opinion etc.

PS you’ve yet to show me where I potted Tom Fullarton. You accused me of such, remember? So… show me. 

13 minutes ago, Old Time Demon said:

* Play Jack Viney as a lock down defensive forward to keep the ball in the forward half.

I think we need him in the middle to try and get the ball in our forward half in the first place. Clearances would become a bigger issue if we pulled him out of there.

 

Some thoughts to consider…

We’re a rabble - 2 games and % off second.

Seriously, if you’re up in arms about Goodwin or the team, you’re not one to take on context of how tight the season is, or the industry is - nor the factors of significant injury and retirement to effectively 4 of our top players for significant amounts of the season (Petracca Lever Brayshaw Gawn). if you were to be told we’d be missing those players at the beginning of the seasons - I’d imagine you’d adjust your expectations… but perhaps not…
 

Id say it’s Swans, Freo then Carlton then the rest. Freo are a very good team, and they match up well with us in midfield even when we have our best 22.they have done for 3’years now 

I remember watching Voss, Black, Brown etc absolutely beating up on Ablett Jnr, Chapman, Scarlett etc - fast forward 3 years later and the tables had turned.

This is where Freo is at with their midfield. And this is the cyclical nature of footy.

not to say things don’t need tweaking, but sometimes you’re hands are tied with personnel… 

we may make finals in ‘24 but I’d be looking at ‘25 and giving the team the best opportunity.

Edited July 21, 2024Jul 21 by Engorged Onion

1 hour ago, Old Time Demon said:

My observations, some of which may have already been posted:

* Salem, and to a lesser extent Oliver, have not "come up" after their respective health crises.  Throw an injured Max and Trac into that mix and there is around 4/5 goals per game or maybe 8/10 shots at goal as a result of their influence.  Fritta, for one, relies on their ball winning/setting up skills.  Further, don't forget Charlie Spargo, a premiership forward.

* Tholstrup needs to think about playing football before he starts trying to thrown his weight around.  Mouthing off and pushing and shoving oppo players off the ball doesn't make you a hard man.  Put your head down and your body on the line son and get some credits in the bank. (Young Brown a better prospect at this stage)

* Billings is a better footballer than Chandler.  (I think Laurie is a better footballer than Chandler)

* It's time to trial Judd McVee through the middle.  Rivers has gone well but Judd is a classier player.

* We need to persevere with Turner and Petty. Despite the knockers, they can take a mark and at the very least, make a contest.  Keep JVR at FF.  Don't play him in the ruck FCS.

* Play Jack Viney as a lock down defensive forward to keep the ball in the forward half. 

Essentially, we are a team right out of balance.  My concern is that the coach either doesn't know how or is too stubborn, to right the ship.

 

We have been getting smashed all season with our clearances before Gawn /petracca injury … Freo mids were walking through & you don’t need a good ruck to stop that! Is this on Macqualter ??  

Winners are grinners, and we can all vent. 
a couple of wins and we think we are great again, thoughts of the finals and winning a game,  no way, not without Max or a facsimile, and I think it would not be great in any case. 

out in straight sets three years in a row.

Play for 2025 .  Plan for 2025 recruit for the future etc. Leave JvR forward just get the ball there better. Viney forward might help but then the centre is stuffed.

we have some older players that need resetting. But we have some youngsters that with a bit more time could be AA.

There might be other gems, but we have duds as well.

Why get rid of some players only to put other NQR in the club. Some not getting a game some not worthy or not next year.

oh well another week another game but another wasted year and personally speaking.

the club wasted 57 years, I don’t have that long to wait anymore. It would be nice . 
one more,

2 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Why wouldn’t we have praised his selection and coaching decisions this week? His selection and coaching decisions resulted in three consecutive wins before today.

Hashtag you need to park your hindsight. 

Hmm ... not sure if you meant Rounds 16/17/18 ... or earlier rounds in the season. In any event, we won v Essendon and WC in Rounds 17 & 18, but lost v Brisbane in Round 16. 

I feel for you and others who made the effort and expense of the trip to WA to watch what apparently a pretty one sided match. As Americans say to their vets "thank you for your service". 

It's kinda amusing to read posts on here post bad losses. It's a battle between the Negative Nancies and the Pollyannas. FWIW I'm somewhere in between. 

I couldn't see any real possibility of our boys winning this match, and slapped a fair bit of cash on Freo. But from all accounts (mainly on DL) it was a pretty poor performance, especially from the more experienced (older) players. I couldn't watch the match, and certainly won't be watching the replay.

The outcome presents a good opportunity to use the quote "Things are never as bad as they seem." (From To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee.)

Somewhat surprisingly, Sportsbet have the Dees as favourites v GWS on the Sat-dy. I know it's at the G, but it seems odd. 

Anyhoo, enough of my ramblings ... or at least for now.

 

Edited July 21, 2024Jul 21 by Winners at last

Bit harsh on the defenders.

If the midfielders all go missing.. you lose.

How many times did Young run round the back of the centre bounce, with no pressure, and deliver wherever he liked.

11 minutes ago, GM11 said:

Bit harsh on the defenders.

If the midfielders all go missing.. you lose.

How many times did Young run round the back of the centre bounce, with no pressure, and deliver wherever he liked.

The reality is viney, Oliver and rivers are very poor defensively. They continually allowed young, serong and brayshaw goal side

9 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

This absolutely sums up what I've been saying for years on Tom Sparrow. Absolute nothing player that supporters are still asking the same old question each week on why on earth is he getting a game based on what exactly?

I don't want to hear that he plays as a defensive midfielder because he simply doesn't, its the biggest myth i have heard on here. He doesn't tag, he doesn't play as a sweeper, nor does he actually defend in transition. 

His season alone this year.

 

He is regularly in our top handful for pressure acts (4th yesterday). We know we’re a nothing side without pressure. So I assume it’s that side of his game which is keeping him in the side. Because I otherwise agree that his game on offence is nowhere near good enough. 

That same post also mentions Bowey as a player who is underperforming. I agree. Of all parts of the ground, we have depth in that part (unlike the midfield), so I’m not sure how much longer we can keep playing Bowey on current form. 

7 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

Only when we play them Dr.

Other middle rung teams are capable including the Hawks last week and the Doggies by 10 goals five weeks ago.

Ridiculous take. 

Sydney aside, everyone has lost games to everyone else on the ladder. At any rate, Hawthorn is, on form, a top 4 side, the Dogs aren’t far off. Fremantle also beat Sydney a few weeks ago.

I wonder what John Northey thought of yesterday's effort?

Apologies to May

Freo looked fantastic. We lacked concentration and class all over the field. 

Would've loved a win, but our youthful resurgence was probably due for this. No answer for Darcy and the raw running power of their midfield. They really have an incredible group in there. If they can keep everyone together they're going to be very strong for a long time.

I have no less excitement for 2025 though. We have so much talent to either come in or that I would expect to improve. 

Such a tight and strong competition. I really think this is the strongest it has been in my time following footy. So many teams full of guns. 

Has looked very unlikely for us for a while now but will still enjoy our games week by week and hope we can give ourselves the best chance to be amongst it next year. 

Regardless of getting smashed in the rucks which Goodwin has conceded apart from Gawn we have zip after we had 2, AA …. Our mids continue to allow opposing mids to walk through so easily & no defence can compete agains that & if I were lever & May I would be filthy on this! Questions on both Goodwin & Mcqualter as it continues to happen 

4 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Kolt was injured. That’s why he was subbed out. 

Do you know the nature of the injury?

55 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Ridiculous take. 

Sydney aside, everyone has lost games to everyone else on the ladder. At any rate, Hawthorn is, on form, a top 4 side, the Dogs aren’t far off. Fremantle also beat Sydney a few weeks ago.

They've had our measure since Rnd 11, 2022 and nothing's changed TU.  We still can't work them out and if anything they've gone streets ahead this season.

We'll agree to disagree.  We are generally a poorly coached side in a tactical sense.  Going in to a game against a team with two of the best rated rucks in the league with no ruck is suicide.  At least give the boys a slim chance and play one of Verrall or Fullo.

Don't go into a match like that with your pants already down and then bend the boys over a barrel.  Terrible coaching.

4 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Kolt was injured. That’s why he was subbed out. 

Yet Goodwin has said only Salem was a potential injury, hamstring. You'd think he would have remembered mentioning Kolt, who he subbed off very early.....

I mean he may be injured, however looked like a good old fashioned dragging to me.

We made Sean Darcy look like the best Ruck in the game LOL

 

Not sure why we kept letting Treacy, Amiss and Walters get behind us

45 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

They've had our measure since Rnd 11, 2022 and nothing's changed TU.  We still can't work them out and if anything they've gone streets ahead this season.

We'll agree to disagree.  We are generally a poorly coached side in a tactical sense.  Going in to a game against a team with two of the best rated rucks in the league with no ruck is suicide.  At least give the boys a slim chance and play one of Verrall or Fullo.

Don't go into a match like that with your pants already down and then bend the boys over a barrel.  Terrible coaching.

This is a different tangent to what you said before, which was that they’re not that good given their recent losses to Hawthorn and the Dogs. 

Yes, they play us exceptionally well. They match up against us brilliantly (eg even when Gawn and Trac play they match us at stoppage) and play a style that we struggle to combat. 

The ruck point’s been done to death already. FWIW I disagreed pre-game with the argument that, because it worked vs Draper in the wet, it would work again vs Darcy/Jackson. The issue, as Goodwin said in the presser, is that we don’t have anyone else on our list who was going to offer much more. That’s poor list management, not coaching.