Just saw that there is a greyhound called Van Rooyen running at Healesville. Unfortunately that's not a glamorous venue and he came last. But he probably wouldn't have had this honour in his first year. 😄

His success will play a huge part into us making finals this year

 

Despite our recruiting I feel our fwd line is still suspect.

I feel we need a really big year from Roo this year.

Petty has the talent but doesn't seem to have the mindset to be a successful fwd. Also I don't think he is strong enough.

If we had the luxury of playing Trac permanently and constantly fwd it would also make a huge difference. Same with Kozzie.

All eyes on Roo.

Maybe a fit and firing Spargo may help too.

8 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

His success will play a huge part into us making finals this year

 

Despite our recruiting I feel our fwd line is still suspect.

I feel we need a really big year from Roo this year.

Petty has the talent but doesn't seem to have the mindset to be a successful fwd. Also I don't think he is strong enough.

If we had the luxury of playing Trac permanently and constantly fwd it would also make a huge difference. Same with Kozzie.

All eyes on Roo.

Maybe a fit and firing Spargo may help too.

Leave it to deever Don’t forget Disco, Fritta and an improving Mathew Jefferson plus Aidan Johnson, Kozzie, Chin, Langford and Tracc. We have options galore not counting our two swing men TMac and Petts. I no longer view our forward line as a weak link I wonder how we fit them all in.😁

needs to be kept out of the ruck

To me the real wildcard is Disco. He has so much raw athleticism. Hopefully stays fit. Very hard match up. 

2 hours ago, GS_1905 said:

To me the real wildcard is Disco. He has so much raw athleticism. Hopefully stays fit. Very hard match up. 

Very much uninformed view, hopes mostly,  I see Disco and AJ, as wildcards in our forward line this year. 

Disco is just talented, 

AJ,  raw, rough, brash, from the lower leagues,  if he can become fit enough, might make opposition defenders look around with just a hint of doubt. About what might happen,  a bit like Viney or in the past Avd berg. 

 

Go Dee's 

I FEEL  I should agree with the optimism. And in a very long interview with Clarry Oliver last year, he also expressed the view that the team had plenty of decent forwards— it was up to him and others to deliver to them. This has apparently been an issue during preseason, better delivery to Van Rooyen, Turner and others, but has it really improved? Nate Jones, great chap that he is, doesn’t inspire me with confidence. Great delivery to the forward line was not exactly his forte 

So I still don’t get the impression the problem is solved . I’m certain JVR will end up a very good player but IMV just yet he is not. We really have no idea whether Jefferson will. I don’t get the impression Turner is starring in the match sims. So, who will be the key forwards? I don’t believe the club yet knows . It does seem that Fritsch is training impressively . I would love to believe that the match Committee has a clear handle on all of this but I see no evidence it has

2 minutes ago, Farmer said:

I FEEL  I should agree with the optimism. And in a very long interview with Clarry Oliver last year, he also expressed the view that the team had plenty of decent forwards— it was up to him and others to deliver to them. This has apparently been an issue during preseason, better delivery to Van Rooyen, Turner and others, but has it really improved? Nate Jones, great chap that he is, doesn’t inspire me with confidence. Great delivery to the forward line was not exactly his forte 

So I still don’t get the impression the problem is solved . I’m certain JVR will end up a very good player but IMV just yet he is not. We really have no idea whether Jefferson will. I don’t get the impression Turner is starring in the match sims. So, who will be the key forwards? I don’t believe the club yet knows . It does seem that Fritsch is training impressively . I would love to believe that the match Committee has a clear handle on all of this but I see no evidence it has

Clarkson was an average footballer but a brilliant coach. It is too early to judge Chunk at this stage. 

6 minutes ago, Farmer said:

Nate Jones, great chap that he is, doesn’t inspire me with confidence. Great delivery to the forward line was not exactly his forte 

 

Tbf Jones is the stoppage coach now, so his job is focused on stoppages not forward 50 delivery. Plus the coaches aren’t the ones who are kicking, so their skills as a player is completely irrelevant.

Part of the forward connection is the skills of the players kicking to the forwards, but the other part is the forward line working together to create space.

10 hours ago, Go Ds said:

Just saw that there is a greyhound called Van Rooyen running at Healesville. Unfortunately that's not a glamorous venue and he came last. But he probably wouldn't have had this honour in his first year. 😄

There’s a band here in Sydney who’s lead guitarist and vocalist’s name is Phil Van Rooyen; I should ask him if he is related as it’s not a particularly common name. Anyway, the name of the band is Van Ruin… hopefully that is what he will do to the opposition backs this year.

I am ready for JVRs 50+ goal season, Go Dees!

On 10/02/2025 at 00:09, hardtack said:

There’s a band here in Sydney who’s lead guitarist and vocalist’s name is Phil Van Rooyen; I should ask him if he is related as it’s not a particularly common name. Anyway, the name of the band is Van Ruin… hopefully that is what he will do to the opposition backs this year.

I’m sorry to say that he is no relation. However, I think ‘Van Ruin’ could make a handy backup nickname; always good to have a little depth.

Edited February 10, 20251 yr by hardtack

8 hours ago, hardtack said:

I’m sorry to say that he is no relation. However, I think ‘Van Ruin’ could make a handy backup nickname; always good to have a little depth.

Is Van Ruin a Blue Ruin cover band:

 

 

4 hours ago, binman said:

Is Van Ruin a Blue Ruin cover band:

 

 

Not really… more in the vein of the Celibate Rifles if any comparison could be made, I suppose:

 

This is Van Ruin's touring bus.

 

5 hours ago, binman said:

Is Van Ruin a Blue Ruin cover band:

 

 

A Van Halen/Skid Row cover band? (Not that i know if Skid Row had more than one hit)

Anyone remember Troy Wilson at the Eagles? 

A meataxe full forward from the WAFL who made a big impact for a short time at the Eagles.

If AJ could emulate TW for a season or two we'll have some fun!

2 hours ago, Dee*ceiving said:

Anyone remember Troy Wilson at the Eagles? 

A meataxe full forward from the WAFL who made a big impact for a short time at the Eagles.

If AJ could emulate TW for a season or two we'll have some fun!

Gosh! I admire your comparison but pre AFL Wilson averaged 3 plus goals per game . Our bloke, from memory averaged about .5 goals per game . Tho I accept that one year in the O and M League when he was very young, he did better .

On 09/02/2025 at 13:55, DeeZone said:

Leave it to deever Don’t forget Disco, Fritta and an improving Mathew Jefferson plus Aidan Johnson, Kozzie, Chin, Langford and Tracc. We have options galore not counting our two swing men TMac and Petts. I no longer view our forward line as a weak link I wonder how we fit them all in.😁

With the exception of Johnson  all the bigs  were with us in 2024. I’d love to hear of determined work on lowering the eyes when entering the Forward Line.  I would also love to hear that JVR, Turner and Jefferson are being taught   by a specialist in leading . There is real skill in leading. I saw an undersized FF at school , turned into a real gun once he learnt timing etc . He was barely six ft yet went on to a great career as a FF in Amateur A Grade

17 minutes ago, Farmer said:

Gosh! I admire your comparison but pre AFL Wilson averaged 3 plus goals per game . Our bloke, from memory averaged about .5 goals per game . Tho I accept that one year in the O and M League when he was very young, he did better .

Would be a fever dream, but dreams can come true 😄

On 09/02/2025 at 13:55, DeeZone said:

Leave it to deever Don’t forget Disco, Fritta and an improving Mathew Jefferson plus Aidan Johnson, Kozzie, Chin, Langford and Tracc. We have options galore not counting our two swing men TMac and Petts. I no longer view our forward line as a weak link I wonder how we fit them all in.😁

Thanks DZ.

MJ in my book is still a complete unknown quantity based on the fact he hasn't played a minute of AFL.

I here others hold high hopes for him.

I' ll certainly pay Turner and it's a big oversight on part.

He's definitely showed enough that he's a real wildcard. He's very strong and plays bigger than he is . He's also a dead eye at goal kicking. Like Roo and Kozzie seems to have a have a little bit of mongrel in him which some of the elites have. Although it's a fine line with Kozzie. I think Fritta displays the correct of " controlled mongrel.'

I most completely can't add Tmac and Petty into the mix like you have. Tmac has been quite outspoken regarding this and his body has supported his position. He's done very well returning to a defender and age doesn't usually allow the reverse of this.

As for Petty he it's his body that has spoken volumes about his sojourn up forward. He's not strong enough and he's not experienced enough. Chin has showed cameos of brilliance but doesn't keep the runs on the board. Seems to start with a bang.

As for Tracca, he's required to play in the middle, especially if we play Kozzie in his best spot. As for the others Langford and Johnson it's early days at a new club so I'll hold off.

In summary I don't think its really a big stretch to argue that not a great deal has changed. In fact it's pretty clear to me and a few media pundits that this, with the one of the greatest midfield duets about having some issues, could cost us a final' s spot again.

That's why a lot depends on Roo and Kozzie for me. But yea, again tx for putting Disco into the equation. MJ is a bonus player for me. No expectations but he could year things up.

Also I'm really expecting a big year from Fritta. He seemed to be playing well below his best last year. I want more energy and intensity with a lot more chasing, tackling and other pressure acts. He seemed to be jogging after way to many players last season.

So technically while here is some great talent, it's an issue of it combining, and the coach commandeering the best from them all.

Cheers.

 

On 09/02/2025 at 13:55, DeeZone said:

Leave it to deever Don’t forget Disco, Fritta and an improving Mathew Jefferson plus Aidan Johnson, Kozzie, Chin, Langford and Tracc. We have options galore not counting our two swing men TMac and Petts. I no longer view our forward line as a weak link I wonder how we fit them all in.😁

Thanks DZ.

MJ in my book is still a complete unknown quantity based on the fact he hasn't played a minute of AFL.

I hear others hold high hopes for him.

I' ll certainly pay Turner and it's a big oversight on part.

He's definitely showed enough that he's a real wildcard. He's very strong and plays bigger than he is . He's also a dead eye at goal kicking. Like Roo and Kozzie seems to have a have a little bit of mongrel in him which some of the elites have. Although it's a fine line with Kozzie. I think Fritta displays the correct amount of " controlled mongrel.'

I most completely can't add Tmac and Petty into the mix like you have. Tmac has been quite outspoken regarding this and his body has supported his position. He's done very well returning to a defender and age doesn't usually allow the reverse of this.

As for Petty, it's his body that has spoken volumes about his sojourn up forward. He's simply not strong enough and he's not experienced enough. Doesn't bring his skills of reading the ball like he did defending.

Chin has showed cameos of brilliance but doesn't keep the runs on the board. Seems to start with a bang. Thought he was going to be a gun. Still some time left I suppose 

As for Tracca, he's required to play in the middle, especially if we play Kozzie in his best spot. As for the others Langford and Johnson, it's early days at a new club so I'll hold off.

In summary I don't think its really a big stretch to argue that not a great deal has changed. In fact it's pretty clear to me and a few media pundits that this, with the one of the greatest midfield duets about having some issues, could cost us a final' s spot again.

That's why a lot depends on Roo and Kozzie for me. But yea, again tx for putting Disco into the equation. MJ is a bonus player for me. No expectations but he could tear things up. I hope so. But in terms of improving and impact I'm putting my Euros on Van Rooyen.

Also I'm really expecting a big year from Fritta. He seemed to be playing well below his best last year. I want more energy and intensity with a lot more chasing, tackling and other pressure acts. He seemed to be jogging after way too many players last season and it's not just poor playing, it doesn't inspire his mates.

So technically while there is a good mix of some great talent, it's an issue of it combining and the coach commandeering the best from them all.

Let's hope Goody and his staff have enough juice in them to get us another sweet flag.

Cheers.

 

Edited February 12, 20251 yr by leave it to deever

personally i think the proof that jvr has 'made it' is that he's front and centre for all the promo shots that involve the club for the afl, c7, and daz n (foxtel / kayo)