I haven’t been this nervous since the 21 preseason. Thats surely a good omen?

On 07/03/2025 at 08:23, Roost it far said:

I actually thought we hit the 23 finals in great shape but losing Gus, Petty and Melk royally fceduk us.

Nothing’s been clearer to me than us going on to win the flag if we stayed healthy. We were just about ready to peak into the finals. Then losing Gus emotionally became a bit too much for entire club really… that’s what it felt like anyway.

Reckon we might’ve been cooked even if we did end up getting past Carlton. Was a brutal ending 2023

Our “One that got away” story.

We don’t know how good GWS are going to be, how good we’ll be or for all we know, Collingwood could be bottom 6.

I can’t wait for next week in all honesty. I have belief in the entire club to give best account of themselves in 2025 become a really good side again. 

We can beat em. 

Lessons to be learnt by our coaches.

GWS ball movement, they swarm with handball and run, our runners better be ready. GWS play with endeavour, they want to win.

We are a more sophisticated (system and technique) and disciplined team than the Woods, hoping we go with GWS, can't let them get their noses infront. We will need to take our opportunities. 

There is a 50% chance of rain next Sunday, they will need to adjust to Melbourne conditions. 

A game to see how we match up early this season against a strong club.

Go Dees, points to prove.

Edited March 9Mar 9 by Kev

As I posted prior to our Freo game, my tip is Lions v GWS or Freo GF.

All three teams have depth, something we lack 

1 hour ago, M_9 said:

As I posted prior to our Freo game, my tip is Lions v GWS or Freo GF.

All three teams have depth, something we lack 

You're brave if you are picking GWS against us, if I read correctly between the lines.

No depths in some areas, backline and forwards. We are loaded with mids. It's a mids game, get ball, move it quickly, kick a goal, defend the spaces, and get back to help the backline. 

We match up well, and our system is getting tweeked. My worry is, can we adjust the system within the quarters so as to deal with the opposition when they get a run on.

I have faith in the players, the coaches instructions and implementation during the game, is my big question mark.

First up GWS, plenty of possibilities, and so interesting. 

Edited March 9Mar 9 by Kev

No one seems to be talking about it, but is there a chance that Toby Greene won’t be available for our game? That shoulder charge was a very deliberate act and not in the play. It also had enough force to knock the pies player to the ground. 

Edited March 9Mar 9 by hardtack

3 minutes ago, hardtack said:

No one seems to be talking about it, but is there a chance that Toby Greene won’t be available for our game? That shoulder charge was a very deliberate act and not in the play. It also had enough force to know the pies player to the ground. 

When he knocked Schulz over?

Don't see how we win this. Maybe Pickett in would have been enough to tip the scales, but I just don't see that we have the speed to go with them - either speed in the legs or with ball movement.

9 minutes ago, hardtack said:

No one seems to be talking about it, but is there a chance that Toby Greene won’t be available for our game? That shoulder charge was a very deliberate act and not in the play. It also had enough force to knock the pies player to the ground. 

Wishful thinking there. If that’s reportable I won’t watch football ever again. 

12 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

When he knocked Schulz over?

Yes, I think so.

Just now, hardtack said:

Yes, I think so.

Thats not reportable

11 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Don't see how we win this. Maybe Pickett in would have been enough to tip the scales, but I just don't see that we have the speed to go with them - either speed in the legs or with ball movement.

If we can’t beat them at home with the number of best 22 they have out we aren’t a serious contender.

5 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Don't see how we win this. Maybe Pickett in would have been enough to tip the scales, but I just don't see that we have the speed to go with them - either speed in the legs or with ball movement.

I thought it was Taylor who intercepted early in the game, that got them going. Turner to compete against that.

As for their speed, they broke out the front, with frantic handball, even under pressure they found themselves free.

Our tackling, and defensive ability to keep the player under pressure, has to be good.

Collingwood kept on getting tackled, or corralled. We need to find that outside runner.

Plenty of set shots, close to goal will help.

Go Dees!

Going to be tough they are a high octane, high pressure team with plenty of skill…but I think we will provide a tougher midfield challenge than the Pies did and with the home ground advantage on our side, we’re a chance.

Didn’t the GWS ruckman Briggs get injured in the first qtr.. only managed 1 possession. Last year he had the better of Gawn. Huge out of that’s the case.

does anyone know the update? 

1 minute ago, Oxdee said:

Didn’t the GWS ruckman Briggs get injured in the first qtr.. only managed 1 possession. Last year he had the better of Gawn. Huge out of that’s the case.

does anyone know the update? 

He will miss with concussion protocols at a minimum

Just now, adonski said:

He will miss with concussion protocols at a minimum

Huge out… they’ll be playing with a second string ruckman. 

also shows how weak Collingwood were. They played with a team without a ruckman and still lost for 50 

50 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Don't see how we win this. Maybe Pickett in would have been enough to tip the scales, but I just don't see that we have the speed to go with them - either speed in the legs or with ball movement.

I think we need to make it a high stoppage game. Gawn, Oliver, Petracca and Viney did some of the best clearance work I've seen since 2021. If we win it at the source, they won't be able to get their run and carry game going. 

The Pies also play a very aggressive press, so once you get through the initial numbers, you have paddocks of space. I can't see us being opened up like that. 

I'm actually expecting us to win by 4-5 goals with the outs the Giants have.

Any idea If Bedford’s more likely to tag Clarry or Trac? One of these 2 might be having a tough day at the office to start the year.

13 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Any idea If Bedford’s more likely to tag Clarry or Trac? One of these 2 might be having a tough day at the office to start the year.

Viney I reckon 

they will be went to stop our inside ball winner

24 minutes ago, Oxdee said:

Huge out… they’ll be playing with a second string ruckman. 

also shows how weak Collingwood were. They played with a team without a ruckman and still lost for 50 

Gawny to have a ripper

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

No one seems to be talking about it, but is there a chance that Toby Greene won’t be available for our game? That shoulder charge was a very deliberate act and not in the play. It also had enough force to knock the pies player to the ground. 

If anything schulz should be fined for a dive! Pathetic. 

54 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

Viney I reckon 

they will be went to stop our inside ball winner

I hope it is Viney because Toby will know what annoying Jack will bring. It wont be pretty. 

The only worry I have is the run-on that Freo seemed to have against us and GWS, looking at today's game, had in spades. We didn't seem to manage that against Freo. I know, I know it was only a practice game.