On 23/01/2025 at 09:56, Gator said:

He averaged 23.

And it was a poor year by any gun mids standards, not just his.

And a broken hand, injured knee PCL and 3 fractured ribs, with an interrupted pre season are no excuse.

Edited January 23Jan 23 by Redleg

4 minutes ago, Redleg said:

And a broken hand, injured knee PCL and 3 fractured ribs, with an interrupted pre season are no excuse.

Non sequitur.

3 minutes ago, Redleg said:

And a broken hand, injured knee PCL and 3 fractured ribs, with an interrupted pre season are no excuse.

Obviously all of these things impact but its rare that any player is ever 100% - or even close to it.

One of the best senior coaches I have ever had mentioned a saying which has always stuck true in that, "you'll always find an excuse if you look for one."  

I'm possibly Claytons biggest fan.  But truth be told, injured or not injured, he was very poor last year.  Unfortunately, there was no one really kicking the door down in the twos who would have been better.

Just like last year year, he started this preseason looking a lot heavier.  I was very worried thinking he may only be a niggle or slight injury set back which could see another poor season in which he wouldn't be able to catch up aerobically to impact on games.  

We're very fortunate he's gotten through nearly ever session so far and gets solid 2 months of hard training completed, he's going to be exciting to watch come round 1.

8 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

I'm possibly Claytons biggest fan.

Sorry mate, but that title has already been claimed.

19 hours ago, binman said:

Apologies for calling Lindsay Francis. 

I can assure you that's not his nickname - ive just got some weird version of football dyslexia and he's my new Swallow.

To avoid calling Lindsay Francis I usually call him X if that helps.

It's all good. My brain immediately guessed you meant Lindsay (though I quickly confirmed with Google the blurred memory of the name Xavier Francis being famous.) I sure hope XL ends up with a better nickname than X. There must be something at least those initials could lead to (e.g. Jumbo - xtra large, Spreadsheet - Excel or Gunner or Rose - Axl Rose) Then again most nicknames end up being uninspired such as Smithy or Bluey.

BTW love your work. I wait patiently for the next podcast.

3 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Sorry mate, but that title has already been claimed.

Please, no. Clarry's problems were bad enough last year without him being stuck at a typewriter with broken ankles.

Fritsch will play deep forward and I'll be shocked if he plays anywhere else and absolutely flabbergasted if he plays any kind of link up role. If he builds his tank and his running power he could roam but he's at his most damaging within 40 of goal.

5 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Fritsch will play deep forward and I'll be shocked if he plays anywhere else and absolutely flabbergasted if he plays any kind of link up role. If he builds his tank and his running power he could roam but he's at his most damaging within 40 of goal.

Can only go by current match sim data.. of course he may play his traditional role but I like that they are exploring it, nothing bad comes of testing out such things its a vibe all of its own! I think these types of things are always good to look at, Fritta has many tools to offer and we KNOW what he can do deep fwd, it'd be an err in judgement if we simply pigeon-holed him in that role without exploring what else he can still offer up-filed like he did early days!

20 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

I personally have him 6th in line as a forward behind JVR, Turner, Jeffo, Johnson and Petty as a swing man.

He’s very much depth in my mind.

Sure, but he is only ever 1-2 inj away from being in frame, that is what depth is for! Good signs shown earlier in the pre-season for sure!!!

On 23/01/2025 at 07:22, Freddy Fuschia said:

Agree, it was a very positive article but why do they highlight it with a video interview with Eric Gulden?

There’s a direct connection between the about to be meteoric rise of the Melbourne Football Club and the forthcoming demise of the Sydney Swans who have been appalling in two of the last three grand finals. 

Their midfield is about to fall apart with their champion midfielder Chad Warner about to return to WA. Chad has purchased a new residence in Perth and will be off to Fremantle next season as a free agent. I can reveal that today he went haywire at training and got involved in a fight with his brother. With an expensive contract heading Chad’s way, the Dockers won’t be able to offer our Kozzy enough $s to entice him away from home - unless they cough up a couple of players in return like Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong. 

So it’s looking more and more like we keep Kozzy and the Swans rely on Gulden in their midfield going forward.

7 hours ago, Redleg said:

And a broken hand, injured knee PCL and 3 fractured ribs, with an interrupted pre season are no excuse.

I suppose I should expand, because a couple of posters don't appear to understand my reply.

My comment was sans excuses.

Firstly, I corrected the notion that Oliver averaged 25 disposals, he didn't, he averaged 23.  Maybe facts don't count.

And secondly, it wasn't a year that required lauding in any way.  Oliver was fat, couldn't tackle, and just threw the ball on his boot at every opportunity.  All round, it was a horrible year by his, or any gun's standards.

Now, if you want me to come up with excuses for such a year I'm sure could oblige equally as well as you.  But that wasn't the purpose of my post. 

Excuses for Oliver have been done to death and I didn't see the need to add to the pile.

Edited January 24Jan 24 by Gator

7 hours ago, Redleg said:

And a broken hand, injured knee PCL and 3 fractured ribs, with an interrupted pre season are no excuse.

Excuse or reason ? 
it has to be one as he was hampered by the injuries and clearly was not able to attain fitness. 

IMO he is entitled not to be judged and if it’s not an excuse it’s a reason. 

Some of the comments here are seemingly upset by Clarry no being able to produce his usual stellar form.

The guy was clearly not himself and fitness started his problems exacerbated by the injuries mentioned. 

Very salty to not concede the truth after his magnificent contribution to our team since 2016. 

Fortunately he seems well conditioned and fit ready for a return to his champion status. 

18 minutes ago, Gator said:

I suppose I should expand, because a couple of posters don't appear to understand my reply.

My comment was sans excuses.

Firstly, I corrected the notion that Oliver averaged 25 disposals, he didn't, he averaged 23.  Maybe facts don't count.

And secondly, it wasn't a year that required lauding in any way.  Oliver was fat, couldn't tackle, and just threw the ball on his boot at every opportunity.  All round, it was a horrible year by his, or any gun's standards.

Now, if you want me to come up with excuses for such a year I'm sure could oblige equally as well as you.  But that wasn't the purpose of my post. 

Excuses for Oliver have been done to death and I didn't see the beed to add to the pile.

And that is exactly where we differ.

I was being sarcastic.

I believe his injuries and lack of proper pre season affected his season heavily and for that reason, I am not prepared to criticize my favorite player and expect him to play to a standard of someone without those restrictions that he dealt with.

3 minutes ago, 58er said:

Excuse or reason ? 
it has to be one as he was hampered by the injuries and clearly was not able to attain fitness. 

IMO he is entitled not to be judged and if it’s not an excuse it’s a reason. 

Some of the comments here are seemingly upset by Clarry no being able to produce his usual stellar form.

The guy was clearly not himself and fitness started his problems exacerbated by the injuries mentioned. 

Very salty to not concede the truth after his magnificent contribution to our team since 2016. 

Fortunately he seems well conditioned and fit ready for a return to his champion status. 

Agree completely.

7 hours ago, Tolstoys Nudge said:

I think he's got assets to do a more attacking version of that role, remember its NOT the same role as Nibbler, the gameplan has changed and having Fritta further afield helps him score more easily running towards goal & losing his opponent and brings his kicking back into play in a more damaging sense. 

You have got to look at it as more of an offensive ball-movement type role, not defensive, those elements get covered by others like Sharp, Sparrow, Spargo when fit and others - Whereas Fritta/McAdam might be more link-up types which is DEF something we need if our ball movement is going to improve in both speed and efficiency.

I'm 100% with @binman at the moment, there i bs just so many exciting points about the upcoming season, putting aside Premiership aspirations etc (that'll come if we are good enough, have some luck, gameplan change turns for better etc) but the incredible amount of player excitement is epically poised: Clarry redemption, Petty back/swingman, Lindsay/Langford are super exciting, Kos poised for a HUGE year imho once he returns, JVR poised to breakout big time, Jeffo on the prowl, AJ looks like a true bolter, Adams learning from his comrades & taking a step fwd, May looks & shares he feels fitter than EVER, Windsor giving me some total Tulip vibes so I am trying to tone that down.. but honestly kid is SPECIAL!!! Kolt looks like he is going to be a 200-gamer, Trac looks invested & seems much of what went on was perhaps a little column B, C & D rather than being what many thought it was & then there is Rivers, McVee whom both could be ready to go from exciting to STAR level.. I cant recall a time where there was so much potential growth in our list -- Other teams may improve more & a new gameplan might take time, but I am extremely excited to see how these players can go in 25' and beyond... No guarantees but I could name 3-4 more I think have significant growth in them, Sparrow turns out was hampered much of LY, I think Ed is going to be a better player this year, McAdam I haven't given up on.. 

I can't remember a year I have had nearly as much as this to look fwd too, so I'll take that & if it corresponds to finishing top 4, even better but irrespective I think our list is sitting in a good spot as it stands right now with some luck on the injury front etc it is exciting times!!!

I love this post and I completely agree.

However others will say pre-season is like "dancing with your sister"

It's early days but I also feel TN's vibe.

This post will bring in another 10K signed members. Unfortunately I'm not an addition - b/c my mobs already signed up.

Go Dees

19 minutes ago, Gator said:

I suppose I should expand, because a couple of posters don't appear to understand my reply.

My comment was sans excuses.

Firstly, I corrected the notion that Oliver averaged 25 disposals, he didn't, he averaged 23.  Maybe facts don't count.

And secondly, it wasn't a year that required lauding in any way.  Oliver was fat, couldn't tackle, and just threw the ball on his boot at every opportunity.  All round, it was a horrible year by his, or any gun's standards.

Now, if you want me to come up with excuses for such a year I'm sure could oblige equally as well as you.  But that wasn't the purpose of my post. 

Excuses for Oliver have been done to death and I didn't see the beed to add to the pile.

But why be so stroppy about it and distort the truth? 

Makes no sense just because mostly all others got it right.

Clarry deserved better than a free blow to his cheek given he did try IMO despite your assertions. 

1 minute ago, 58er said:

But why be so stroppy about it and distort the truth? 

Makes no sense just because mostly all others got it right.

Clarry deserved better than a free blow to his cheek given he did try IMO despite your assertions. 

haha Pot / Kettle / Black

11 minutes ago, Redleg said:

And that is exactly where we differ.

I was being sarcastic.

I believe his injuries and lack of proper pre season affected his season heavily and for that reason, I am not prepared to criticize my favorite player and expect him to play to a standard of someone without those restrictions that he dealt with.

Firstly, you're stating the bleeding obvious as to why he performed the way he did.

Secondly, I didn't criticise Oliver.  I simply stated facts.  He was fat and horrible and he'd agree.

Yes, I didn't provide any explanation, because one wasn't required.  We all know why he was bordering on awful. 

The fractured thumb was the biggest reason of all.

Edited January 24Jan 24 by Gator

 

1 minute ago, adonski said:

 

Enjoyed that. Rivers and Oliver look primed. Billings looks ultra fit and wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in the round 1 team. Also great to see mcadam moving really well

3 minutes ago, Gator said:

Firstly, you're stating the bleeding obvious as to why he performed the way he did.

Secondly, I didn't criticise Oliver.  I simply stated facts.  He was fat and horrible and he'd agree.

Yes, I didn't provide any explanation, because one wasn't required.  We all know why he was bordering on awful.

Then why post the bleeding obvious, we all saw how we played?

Next topic.

Was trac back to contact training? 

10 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Then why post the bleeding obvious, we all saw how we played?

Next topic.

Because I corrected a post that asserted he averaged 25 disposals and was poor for ''his standards''.

Both assertions were wrong.

It's not hard to work out if you read the post.  

1 hour ago, adonski said:

 

i know it's wrong to get excited based on 4 mins of edited highlights but i'm going FULL BIG KEV

 

8 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Sorry mate, but that title has already been claimed.

LOVE this movie. She’s an inspiring woman is Annie Wilkes. 😁