On 25/05/2025 at 19:49, Gibberish said:

I'm happy we're winning, but I'm still not convinced. Seems like we've just found a different way to waste inside 50s.

They say that to be a good game plan it needs to hold up in finals.

To me it just looks like Ross Lyons St Kilda and Fremantle teams where they won a majority or the game a majority of the time but never made enough scoreboard pressure to withstand the minority game when the pendulum swung the other way.

The previous game plan never looked far away, it was the forward line and forward entries that let us down. Call me the pessimist but I don't see that much has changed.

Apt username.

The old game plan was entirely territory based and would generate 72 Inside 50s in a final against Collingwood that would produce 60 points. The team had no space and just hoofed it in there hoping for a different outcome in line with the definition of insanity.

Now the team is making the ground bigger, moving it with more boldness off the backline and we are generating better looks with a maligned, if effective, forward line.

51 minutes ago, binman said:

Never made enough scoreboard pressure?

You're a hard marker given the 131 points we put past the Swans is our highest score since 2018.

Binman, we have had at least one game since 2018 with a higher score. In 2021.

52 minutes ago, Watson11 said:

Binman, we have had at least one game since 2018 with a higher score. In 2021.

Would you believe.... home away

On 26/05/2025 at 11:54, greenwaves said:

I tend to agree because most of the teams we've beaten are rubbish but it could also be possible that the game plan is starting to click.

Don't read this greeny but it's not for you anyway. FOOTSCRAY AND Brisbane ain't rubbish

Another high amount of uncontested possessions (244) emphases how we're becoming a share-the-ball-first team

16 marks inside 50 highlights the space we are creating forward as nearly all of the 16 marks would have been uncontested

20 inside 50 tackles is another big plus

We turned the ball over 70 times against the Eagles but only 53 times against the Swans ... we are getting better at keepings-off

To the eye we're often playing the boundary until we get to about 70 metres from goal and from there we go direct to a player making position in the created forward line space or to a 1 on 1 ... but more so away from the boundary line

So our forward 50 entries are becoming more efficient, match by match

11 hours ago, binman said:

I think I heard that in the last six weeks we are top 3 for scores per inside 50.

we need to win 8 from 12 to ensure finals we play CW twice Bulldogs and gold coast

if we get in we will have deserved it

Its gonna be very challenging run home. We need all our forwards to start chipping in, I mean 17 behinds is just not going to cut it against some of these top 8 teams

Credit to Selwyn for our teams fitness. Despite our fitness bei g poor for the first 9 rounds and struggling to run out games he has weaved his magic the past couple of weeks and got us 25% fitter. Only a few weeks ago vs Hawthorn we ran out of steam at 3/4 time (75% of all game) and the last couple of weeks vs Brisbane and Sydney we dominated the 4th quarter making up an extra 25% fitness. Give it a couple more weeks and he may get our fitness to 125%.

57 minutes ago, Dee Boys said:

Ta.

On a semi related topic, that article comes close to echoing an irritating narrative that some in the media are running with, one i hope dees fans push back on when it's parroted to them by football nuffies.

Sure, we've made some tweaks, most notably with selection, and we have adapted our tactics in individual games to negate oppo strengths (something goody has been criticised in the past for NOT doing yet is getting zero kudos for doing so this season).

But we didn't change our method after our first 5 losses.

I mean, that's just dumb - as if we are going to change a game plan and method that has been 2 years in the making (I maintain we began the process of moving to a more transition based game plan in the 2024 preseason) five games into a season.

What we've done is improved how well we are implementing the game plan, and key to that has been two interrelated factors:

• Improved capacity to run out quarters and games

• Massive increase in our pressure and contest (which has driven an increase in scores from turnover, particularly forward half turnovers which in turn has driven higher scoring)

Edited May 27May 27 by binman

4 minutes ago, binman said:

Ta.

On a semi related topic, that article comes close to echoing an irritating narrative that some in the media is running with, one i hope dees fans push back on when it's parroted to them by football nuffies.

Sure we've made some tweaks, most notably with selection, and we have adapted our tactics in individual games to negate oppo strengths (something goody has been criticised in the past for NOT doing, yet is getting zero kudos for doing so this season).

But we didn't change our method after our our first 5 losses.

I mean, that's just dumb - as if we are going to change a game plan and method that has been 2 years in the making (i maintain we began the process of od moving to a more transition based game in tge 2024 preseason) five games into a season.

What we've done is improved how well we are implementing the game plan, and key to that has been two interrelated factors:

• Improved capacity to run out quarters and games

• Massive increase in our pressure and contest (which has driven an increase in scores from turnover, particularly forward half turnovers which in turn has driven higher scoring)

I agree with your post and can’t be bothered reading the 1000 earlier ones. The last two recruiting sessions have concentrated on quality of disposal. The bunch of youngsters ,recruited for last year or this year, on top of McVee , Bowie and Chandler, offer a much greater chance of the new gameplan, compared with the previous . In retrospect, the first 5 rounds were not a surprise. Langford and Lindsay were new, McVee was out, injured, Bowie still recovering from his long term 2024 injury. Windsor, such a success last year on a wing, was turned into a HBF. We are now seeing the benefit of first rate, well planned recruiting which has enabled the new game plan

4 minutes ago, Farmer said:

I agree with your post and can’t be bothered reading the 1000 earlier ones. The last two recruiting sessions have concentrated on quality of disposal. The bunch of youngsters ,recruited for last year or this year, on top of McVee , Bowie and Chandler, offer a much greater chance of the new gameplan, compared with the previous . In retrospect, the first 5 rounds were not a surprise. Langford and Lindsay were new, McVee was out, injured, Bowie still recovering from his long term 2024 injury. Windsor, such a success last year on a wing, was turned into a HBF. We are now seeing the benefit of first rate, well planned recruiting which has enabled the new game plan

100% agree about our recruitment - and we probably still need to bring in at least one more gun runner with elite foot skills (trade one in?).

And as you suggest, the improved ability to implement the game plan is also a function of time and practice. Rome wasn't built in a day.

On 26/05/2025 at 13:53, GS_1905 said:

This isnt a topic to discuss week-by-week. We are quick to forget the poor start against teams that we had no business in losing to (North, Bombers). Yes we were expecting a less than ideal start and to be fair, we probably came up against them at a rather unfortunate time for us.

Goody clearly hasn't lost the players - i myself doubted that at one point, but we still have a forward line issues that have been glossed over by some out-of-this-world individual performances in the past couple of games. Playing a CHB (Petty) and 34 yo (Melksham) is not a sustainable go-forward plan. The F50 connection appears to be improving, but need a few more scalps in the top 8 before we can conclusively say we are legitimate condenders again. We have much to improve in this area.

To keep the monkey off his back for the rest of the year and in the off-season, he needs to finish strongly. Finals will be difficult but at least a positive ledger in the second half i think is fair. i'd still hold off contract negotiations until after next season though, where a finals berth is a must.

Collingwood sitting on top has 3 main forwards aged 32..31..32..a midfield consisting of a 37 yr old & 32yr old..I could go on ..they kicked 7.17 to 3/4 time with those 3 forwards playing …so a few of your points aren’t that valid …We still have 2 young forwards at Casey building form & I’m convinced they will be part of our team going forward . There were a myriad of different reasons for our poor start …

27 minutes ago, binman said:

Ta.

On a semi related topic, that article comes close to echoing an irritating narrative that some in the media is running with, one i hope dees fans push back on when it's parroted to them by football nuffies.

Sure we've made some tweaks, most notably with selection, and we have adapted our tactics in individual games to negate oppo strengths (something goody has been criticised in the past for NOT doing, yet is getting zero kudos for doing so this season).

But we didn't change our method after our first 5 losses.

I mean, that's just dumb - as if we are going to change a game plan and method that has been 2 years in the making (i maintain we began the process of moving to a more transition based game plan in the 2024 preseason) five games into a season.

What we've done is improved how well we are implementing the game plan, and key to that has been two interrelated factors:

• Improved capacity to run out quarters and games

• Massive increase in our pressure and contest (which has driven an increase in scores from turnover, particularly forward half turnovers which in turn has driven higher scoring)

I’d add a third critical element, the return of Picket, McVee and Windsor, all of which had delayed/interrupted starts to the season.

Kozzie outright gun but our kids are all recruited for this new game style. Langford and Lindsay have slotted in seamlessly.

1 hour ago, Dee Boys said:

The last 6 weeks is a top 4 profile. Let's give it another 6 weeks, and if our profile keeps tracking like this by the end of Round 17, we'll be playing finals, and could do some real damage.

On 26/05/2025 at 06:15, dees189227 said:

Look you can tell the players love him & I guess he's broken bread with tracs family.

He's gone back to coaching from the boundary again which I think he enjoys

Did you see him with his arm around tracs dad in the rooms after the game.

Yesterday on the boundary line he was getting around his assistants.

We'll see how we go in the next few weeks.

I swear one of the reason we lost the first 5 was Goody was upstairs in the box. Once he returned to the bench, it all turned around. I rest my case :)

9 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

I’d add a third critical element, the return of Picket, McVee and Windsor, all of which had delayed/interrupted starts to the season.

Kozzie outright gun but our kids are all recruited for this new game style. Langford and Lindsay have slotted in seamlessly.

Great call - i completely overlooked that.

Having Koz in particular, but also Mcvee, Lever and Windsor back in the team, and having so few injuries atm, is probably the single biggest factor in both our capacity to implement our method and our improved performance.

Rome wasn't built with second string architects and engineers.

Edited May 27May 27 by binman

20 minutes ago, binman said:

100% agree about our recruitment - and we probably still need to bring in at least one more gun runner with elite foot skills (trade one in?).

And as you suggest, the improved ability to implement the game plan is also a function of time and practice. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Yep, I've been saying we need to draft one or two more elite ball users, but you're right, perhaps free agency is the pathway to those players.

The problem we have, I think, is I expect us to land LJ, so it's likely we'll have to give two future firsts and won't be able to trade into the first round this year.

Does Simmena have the capacity to play straight away next year? Because his ball use sounds like it's right in the sweetspot for us.

If Simmena can hold down a wing spot in 2026, Windsor can stay back, Langdon can keep playing the Nibbler role with Chandler/Spargo, and we can start rotating Lindsay and Langford more regularly through the midfield.

Likewise, I think we need another dynamic small to complement Kozzy. Could this be Prassad in 2027?

Interestingly, both Langford and Lindsay have seemed to fit in seamlessly. I wonder if it is because they haven’t been exposed to the old game plan.

9 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

Yep, I've been saying we need to draft one or two more elite ball users, but you're right, perhaps free agency is the pathway to those players.

The problem we have, I think, is I expect us to land LJ, so it's likely we'll have to give two future firsts and won't be able to trade into the first round this year.

Does Simmena have the capacity to play straight away next year? Because his ball use sounds like it's right in the sweetspot for us.

If Simmena can hold down a wing spot in 2026, Windsor can stay back, Langdon can keep playing the Nibbler role with Chandler/Spargo, and we can start rotating Lindsay and Langford more regularly through the midfield.

Likewise, I think we need another dynamic small to complement Kozzy. Could this be Prassad in 2027?

I’m hoping Sinnema is the next smooth moving, good kick who can become best 22 in his first season. If that’s the case then it’s really only May who will likely need replacing, although maybe he’ll keep improving his movement and go again next year. We have the luxury atm of very few injuries and if AMW can continue to improve he’s another asset.

I like your confidence of a returning Jackson and I’d take him back in a heartbeat, 2 future firsts would be unders I think so we may need to find a way to grease that wheel.

Just now, He de mon said:

Interestingly, both Langford and Lindsay have seemed to fit in seamlessly. I wonder if it is because they haven’t been exposed to the old game plan.

That, and in their junior footy career they were probably playing in teams using a transition-based method, one that puts a premium on kicking skills (which is a factor i reckon in how many of the high-end draft picks in the last 2 seasons are elite kicks).

Edited May 28May 28 by binman

5 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

I’m hoping Sinnema is the next smooth moving, good kick who can become best 22 in his first season. If that’s the case then it’s really only May who will likely need replacing, although maybe he’ll keep improving his movement and go again next year. We have the luxury atm of very few injuries and if AMW can continue to improve he’s another asset.

I like your confidence of a returning Jackson and I’d take him back in a heartbeat, 2 future firsts would be unders I think so we may need to find a way to grease that wheel.

may has signed an extension to play on in 2026; clearly still in our best side

i love the idea of dogga returning, but i just don't know how the deal gets done

20 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Some very odd ( poor ) choices of kicking.

Now that's not at all on Simon.... but it might prove prudent should he get in the ear of some 😉

We did hit the post 4 times. Split that and it looks a lot better

9 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

may has signed an extension to play on in 2026; clearly still in our best side

i love the idea of dogga returning, but i just don't know how the deal gets done

I just look at how May moves and think he’s getting less and less mobility. Perhaps he can continue to improve his mobility as full fitness returns. Time will tell.

The Jackson trade really hangs on one thing, does he want to come bad enough. If he does then a deal will likely get done.

6 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

may has signed an extension to play on in 2026; clearly still in our best side

i love the idea of dogga returning, but i just don't know how the deal gets done

May is a big worry for mine. Not moving anywhere near what he needs to. There were a few instances where he misjudged the flight of the ball, came off his man at the wrong time, missed tackles he would normally gobble up and dropped marks he would normally take. He's not the player he was clearly

Big watch for me. I said last week he should be rested and they chose TMac to rest instead - probably to see May and Lever play together for the first time this year but I can't see him playing on next year at this point