PREGAME: Rd 01 vs GWS

[Young Angus 875]

10 hours ago, nextskipclaz said:

 

On Billings ...
Can someone please explain the logic behind this series of events 

2024: 

- Billings proves himself miserably limited in all of intent, execution and sacrificial team play including pressure on the ball carrier (literally just meanders about), not to mention his body just isnt really made for AFL footy.

2025 preseason: 

- no apparent change in Billings. In fact, he is still finding himself space in the forward line for a cheap shot because until those moments he hasn't won the respect of the opposition. Not to mention his kicking for goal is atrocious, but not because it's an off kicking day, simply because he doesn't have any sign of really wanting it and earning it. You can tell from his demeanour, he just sort of kicks, without meaning, trying not to [censored] up (a terrible attitude to have and unfit for AFL) when he should be going for broke instead - afterall his spot in the team requires him to 'prove' himself rather than 'save' himself. 

- Billings fills Langdon's wing position (a role Langdon has mastered and one that is pivotal to our success in game), even when Sharp could fill it instead, OR Windsor ( we dont NEED Sharp forward, nor Windsor back, nor Langdon suddenly the panacea midfielder(!!) - a position already stacked with clarry trac viney sparrow rivers etc) 

2025 preview of round 1 

- Now fans are just accepting that Billings will be selected for round 1 with apparently very little interest in this catastrophe. 

  

  

  

WORD OF ADVICE - it literally takes 1 weak link in the chain in a single play to cause opposition dominance  

I'm going out of my head here 🤬 😖😓 

I too would like to know why we persist...I have wanted Billings to be awesome the whole time and he kinds of looks like he could be, but just doesn't come to the party.  Looked good in pre-season but then in the actual pre-season game he kind of looked the same, with poor goal kicking.  

Now more than ever we have more options and surely he and Bowey just should find it a bit harder to get a game, if not now then definitely when we get our currently injured players back.

I would love him to have a killer season and kick goals, just never looks like it will actually happen.

[brendan 3,458]

1 hour ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Is anyone else having trouble getting the E-ticket from the club app? Mine keeps saying there’s an error… hope this gets fixed by the weekend!

Yea I had the same log out and log back in and then mine showed up

[Willmoy1947 4,261]

22 hours ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

Howes has been something of a disappointment. Looks the goods but hasn't delivered so far. However, with McVee out he's the obvious replacement. Fingers crossed for improvement.

That Bedford bloke at GWS ... he looks an OK player!! He's the type of player we could use.

I hear that Bedford said three hail mary's Kossie wasn't playing

[Willmoy1947 4,261]

3 hours ago, Deestar9 said:

Gawn alluded to that ..said you become The Target ..& Kingsley has stated that they play with violence & sometimes cross the line …

Well i think its about time Max either developed that asset a little bit more too, or we brought JVR up the ground after the bounce a la Brownie.

[Deemania since 56 6,809]

On 11/03/2025 at 10:49, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Rivers more down back until McVee is back from injury.

yep

[Slartibartfast 18,122]

22 hours ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

Howes has been something of a disappointment. Looks the goods but hasn't delivered so far.

I have a different view to many on DL and think Howes was quite good against Freo.  He had one howler in the first quarter but did well after that.  He had 9 possessions in the first quarter when the game was hot and he beat Walters one on one on three occasions that I saw, unlike Salem who got turned around when Walters kicked a goal.

His 15 possessions, 5 contested, were from 74% game time.  Further Switkowski and Frederick didn't kick a goal so their small forwards were kept well under control.

I think too many expect him to shoot the lights out whereas the FD probably want him to play solid defensive footy.  To me he's a lock in the best 22 because he's tall enough to play on taller forwards and agile enough to go the the crumbers.

Time will tell but I do think he's getting a bad rap from many here.

[Deemania since 56 6,809]

1 minute ago, Slartibartfast said:

I have a different view to many on DL and think Howes was quite good against Freo.  He had one howler in the first quarter but did well after that.  He had 9 possessions in the first quarter when the game was hot and he beat Walters one on one on three occasions that I saw, unlike Salem who got turned around when Walters kicked a goal.

His 15 possessions, 5 contested, were from 74% game time.  Further Switkowski and Frederick didn't kick a goal so their small forwards were kept well under control.

I think too many expect him to shoot the lights out whereas the FD probably want him to play solid defensive footy.  To me he's a lock in the best 22 because he's tall enough to play on taller forwards and agile enough to go the the crumbers.

Time will tell but I do think he's getting a bad rap from many here.

Particularly in the early stages of the game, Howes really does need to stay in perpetually close contact and coverage of his opponent. He has a tendency to create a flankish gap, straying just that little bit too far from his attacking opponent when attempting to 'space-make' in the possible progressions of Demon possessions. Man on man, he is quite effective, a good spoiler and has the mobility to break to our advantage. 

[Demonland 74,431]

 

[DeeSpencer 26,680]

11 hours ago, nextskipclaz said:

 

On Billings ...
Can someone please explain the logic behind this series of events 

2024: 

- Billings proves himself miserably limited in all of intent, execution and sacrificial team play including pressure on the ball carrier (literally just meanders about), not to mention his body just isnt really made for AFL footy.

2025 preseason: 

- no apparent change in Billings. In fact, he is still finding himself space in the forward line for a cheap shot because until those moments he hasn't won the respect of the opposition. Not to mention his kicking for goal is atrocious, but not because it's an off kicking day, simply because he doesn't have any sign of really wanting it and earning it. You can tell from his demeanour, he just sort of kicks, without meaning, trying not to [censored] up (a terrible attitude to have and unfit for AFL) when he should be going for broke instead - afterall his spot in the team requires him to 'prove' himself rather than 'save' himself. 

- Billings fills Langdon's wing position (a role Langdon has mastered and one that is pivotal to our success in game), even when Sharp could fill it instead, OR Windsor ( we dont NEED Sharp forward, nor Windsor back, nor Langdon suddenly the panacea midfielder(!!) - a position already stacked with clarry trac viney sparrow rivers etc) 

2025 preview of round 1 

- Now fans are just accepting that Billings will be selected for round 1 with apparently very little interest in this catastrophe. 

  

  

  

WORD OF ADVICE - it literally takes 1 weak link in the chain in a single play to cause opposition dominance  

I'm going out of my head here 🤬 😖😓 

Can you dial down the font size and desperation?

1. We need fresh wings.
a)We have no raw speed down back and if we want to speed up our game plan it requires it. Windsor is also a repeat burst speed player more than pure endurance. Half back suits him. 
b) we absolute need fresh run in the midfield. Sparrow has just about failed as a mid, doesn’t accumulate the footy and uses it terribly. Viney is getting old and slowing down. Clarry isn’t at full fitness. Tracc is hardly a gut runner. Someone has to provide the run if we want to run the ball through the middle.

2. We definitely need speed in the forward line especially without Pickett. Hence Sharp starting there. Sharp is also a bad decision making and ball user, plus a relatively low possession player. He’s more use trying to kick a goal than making decisions up the field.

3. Billings IS noticeably fitter and stronger this preseason. Plus is coming off a full year of footy where as he’d had a stack of set backs at St Kilda the 2 years prior.

I share you concerns about his lack of physicality in his game but he’s playing wing not CHF. And you’re totally right he can’t kick for goal to save himself.

Mostly the other options for the wing are Lindsay and Taj. I hope they both claim the spots but I’m fine with accepting Billings has a better tank and more experience in the role so might start the year.

[DeeSpencer 26,680]

Jeffo and Langford in white jumpers.

Sharp and Taj in blue, from the clips shown on Instagram 

Not that it necessarily means anything 

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,736]

1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

Jeffo and Langford in white jumpers.

Sharp and Taj in blue, from the clips shown on Instagram 

Not that it necessarily means anything 

That video of Langford's run and goal was a thing of beauty.... 

[Demons11 7,148]

-

Edited 20 hours ago by Demons11

[Demons11 7,148]

11 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Jeffo and Langford in white jumpers.

Sharp and Taj in blue, from the clips shown on Instagram 

Not that it necessarily means anything 

It does seem like the 1’s are in the blue and red tops? We’ll see I guess

[sisso 2,627]

3 hours ago, brendan said:

Yea I had the same log out and log back in and then mine showed up

also worked for me to solve the same issue

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,552]

At this stage Sunday is looking like the wettest day we've had in a month.

Not sure if that helps or hinders GWS...or makes no difference.

[WERRIDEE 5,638]

I think we will need more run that’s why I haven’t put AJ in and put in Woewodin

[GS_1905 352]

Does a wet day help us play the Giants? Its a real conundrum 

1) It will stop their fast transition - suits us

2) it will become a stoppage type game - suits us

3) we cant play in the wet - suits them

[adonski 13,271]

No debutant news yet a bit surprising 

[titan_uranus 25,255]

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

At this stage Sunday is looking like the wettest day we've had in a month.

Not sure if that helps or hinders GWS...or makes no difference.

It certainly doesn’t help us attract a crowd. 

We were already up against the Grand Prix, now with the rain the crowd’s going to be thin, I fear. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,552]

1 hour ago, adonski said:

No debutant news yet a bit surprising 

Maybe they’ll announce it tomorrow given we’re the Sunday game and they may not have finalised their squad until late today.

OR, no debuts. AJ and Sharp to start at Casey and Langford and XL not AFL ready??

[jaydenh10 88]

11 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

Rain looking increasingly likely...

was a great game last time we played them in the wet...

[nextskipclaz 4]

Just now, DeeSpencer said:

Can you dial down the font size and desperation?

1. We need fresh wings.
a)We have no raw speed down back and if we want to speed up our game plan it requires it. Windsor is also a repeat burst speed player more than pure endurance. Half back suits him. 
b) we absolute need fresh run in the midfield. Sparrow has just about failed as a mid, doesn’t accumulate the footy and uses it terribly. Viney is getting old and slowing down. Clarry isn’t at full fitness. Tracc is hardly a gut runner. Someone has to provide the run if we want to run the ball through the middle.

2. We definitely need speed in the forward line especially without Pickett. Hence Sharp starting there. Sharp is also a bad decision making and ball user, plus a relatively low possession player. He’s more use trying to kick a goal than making decisions up the field.

3. Billings IS noticeably fitter and stronger this preseason. Plus is coming off a full year of footy where as he’d had a stack of set backs at St Kilda the 2 years prior.

I share you concerns about his lack of physicality in his game but he’s playing wing not CHF. And you’re totally right he can’t kick for goal to save himself.

Mostly the other options for the wing are Lindsay and Taj. I hope they both claim the spots but I’m fine with accepting Billings has a better tank and more experience in the role so might start the year.

I'm afraid this IS a matter of desperation and here's why:

1. remember what makes a good team these days: insistent pressure, putting 1 percenters first, sacrifical play, and then the 'space' opens up on the offence as a by-product of doing that well. Does anyone watch Billings in those aspects or are folks on this thread just concerned with who gets a kick?? Football is about what fills the negative spaces if you know what I mean. 

there is no great value in being a hard runner (which by the way I really don't see Jack Billings as a great example of) if you don't also have speed for the clinches (which billings does not - he is actually slow guys), 

...and yes you do need speed (windsor) on the wing too, windsor held his own completely last year, with no significant endurance issues.

2. ANYONE can kick a goal, or get on the end of one, or find space... ANYONE. And i would rather see trac kick a goal when he is in range rather than pass it off to Billings just because the little guy 'found some space'. Trac kicking goals is infinitely better of the trajectory of this teams success (not least because he is a barometer of the teams energetics - Billings has zero influence on galvanising team energy.

3. Billings, along with Taj and perhaps others exhibit a different intent as AFL footballers - it is not something they are dying to do, it is not their raison d'etre like an Angus Brayshaw, a Bailey Fritsch or even a Charlie Spargo. And my desperation is founded on this contention: the more players in a team you have who don't really live and breathe footy (and I would go as far as to say if you have even 1 or 2 players in that state of mind - sort of content just to 'get a run'), the closer you are to failure as a group - no matter how good your top tier players are. 

 ---- This is also why Charlie Spargo is the better option than Chandler, because he is not 'goal happy', and he doesn't fake-play a role of team play which often chandler does very demonstratively. Charlie just gets down to business and shuts his mouth, but boy is he intent, and boy is his heart and gut RIGHT IN IT.

Addendum: Fine, if Pickett is out it makes undesirable selection options, and maybe Billings has to play. But by round 4 with Mcvee and Pickett back, there should be no reason for Billings to play. 

 

 

[pitmaster 3,592]

21 hours ago, bobby1554 said:

Yes. Plenty of the football media have given their predictions for the year. Want to have a go at them too?

As for my age, I rode that 57 year bus, and then STILL missed seeing us win one! So spare me your patronising attitude champ

Then I reckon you'd be happy to be called 'kid'.

My point stands, round one is a famously misleading pointer to full season performances. The Mark Neeld years notwithstanding.

[dees189227 12,512]

Anyone see goody on 360 tonight? Gee I reckon McClure & morris are dying to know what what was said on that camp in bright. 

Sounds like a lot was gotten off  peoples chests

[picket fence 18,187]

1 hour ago, nextskipclaz said:

I'm afraid this IS a matter of desperation and here's why:

1. remember what makes a good team these days: insistent pressure, putting 1 percenters first, sacrifical play, and then the 'space' opens up on the offence as a by-product of doing that well. Does anyone watch Billings in those aspects or are folks on this thread just concerned with who gets a kick?? Football is about what fills the negative spaces if you know what I mean. 

there is no great value in being a hard runner (which by the way I really don't see Jack Billings as a great example of) if you don't also have speed for the clinches (which billings does not - he is actually slow guys), 

...and yes you do need speed (windsor) on the wing too, windsor held his own completely last year, with no significant endurance issues.

2. ANYONE can kick a goal, or get on the end of one, or find space... ANYONE. And i would rather see trac kick a goal when he is in range rather than pass it off to Billings just because the little guy 'found some space'. Trac kicking goals is infinitely better of the trajectory of this teams success (not least because he is a barometer of the teams energetics - Billings has zero influence on galvanising team energy.

3. Billings, along with Taj and perhaps others exhibit a different intent as AFL footballers - it is not something they are dying to do, it is not their raison d'etre like an Angus Brayshaw, a Bailey Fritsch or even a Charlie Spargo. And my desperation is founded on this contention: the more players in a team you have who don't really live and breathe footy (and I would go as far as to say if you have even 1 or 2 players in that state of mind - sort of content just to 'get a run'), the closer you are to failure as a group - no matter how good your top tier players are. 

 ---- This is also why Charlie Spargo is the better option than Chandler, because he is not 'goal happy', and he doesn't fake-play a role of team play which often chandler does very demonstratively. Charlie just gets down to business and shuts his mouth, but boy is he intent, and boy is his heart and gut RIGHT IN IT.

Addendum: Fine, if Pickett is out it makes undesirable selection options, and maybe Billings has to play. But by round 4 with Mcvee and Pickett back, there should be no reason for Billings to play. 

 

 

If Billings had of kicked 3 we would all be singing his praises. Give the guy a break...FINDS the footy and is a very good player!

In the side this week easily!