Viney needs to be demoted to sub. We need to get more pace and skill around the ball. Oliver, Langford and Viney together in the midfield is killing us.

Kossie, Chandler, Petracca and Windsor need to be given time through the midfield.

20 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Viney needs to be demoted to sub. We need to get more pace and skill around the ball. Oliver, Langford and Viney together in the midfield is killing us.

Kossie, Chandler, Petracca and Windsor need to be given time through the midfield.

Never going to happen with Goody .

Play Jeffo and Fullarton both close to goal to drag their key defenders to the goal square. Make Freo defend height - Lions select Hipwood for that reason alone

I think we turf the new game plan and give the players licence to just go ballistic at the ball and have fun with plenty of run and support.

Play with spirit and excitement!

Play Windsor and Lindsay forward of centre as go to players to kick and run it into the forward line.

Put May at full forward with TMac, Petty and Turner as key backs.

Viney as a pressure forward with Kozzie trac and clarry on ball .

In fullarton, McVee , Jefferson

Out JVR , Sparrow, Henderson

36 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Viney needs to be demoted to sub. We need to get more pace and skill around the ball. Oliver, Langford and Viney together in the midfield is killing us.

Kossie, Chandler, Petracca and Windsor need to be given time through the midfield.

There is no defensive accountability with that setup. We will get absolutely murdered with front of stoppage type stuff..especially with Freo's stoppage dominance. IMV we need to setup 2 defensive mids and one attacking mid at all stoppages and have equal numbers on the outside that don't commit to the contest.

We should play with a view to neutralize post-clearance as much as possible. Now who are best 2 defensive mids? It used to be Viney and Oliver. Which is why the famous trio worked a treat. But both of these guys are out of form. Sparrow has brute strength but is often caught out of position. Rivers is out of form so no idea how we approach this, but going all out attack is insane.

10 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

There is no defensive accountability with that setup. We will get absolutely murdered with front of stoppage type stuff..especially with Freo's stoppage dominance. IMV we need to setup 2 defensive mids and one attacking mid at all stoppages and have equal numbers on the outside that don't commit to the contest.

We should play with a view to neutralize post-clearance as much as possible. Now who are best 2 defensive mids? It used to be Viney and Oliver. Which is why the famous trio worked a treat. But both of these guys are out of form. Sparrow has brute strength but is often caught out of position. Rivers is out of form so no idea how we approach this, but going all out attack is insane.

Obviously there needs to be a balance (and I did not say that those players should play in the middle at the same time, but they all should go through there). I think our lack of speed around the ball and lack of skill is killing us. Viney and Oliver are the main culprits.

Viney is ranked as the 336 best player in the AFL this season. (Last season he was ranked 78.)

9 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Obviously there needs to be a balance (and I did not say that those players should play in the middle at the same time, but they all should go through there). I think our lack of speed around the ball and lack of skill is killing us. Viney and Oliver are the main culprits.

Viney is ranked as the 336 best player in the AFL this season. (Last season he was ranked 78.)

Sadly says it all

32 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Obviously there needs to be a balance (and I did not say that those players should play in the middle at the same time, but they all should go through there). I think our lack of speed around the ball and lack of skill is killing us. Viney and Oliver are the main culprits.

Viney is ranked as the 336 best player in the AFL this season. (Last season he was ranked 78.)

100% agree that they should run through there as the attacking option. You may run 2 at the same time if we are on a roll (hard to see that happening). Its why having a hybrid player is so key. Serong, Merret/Neale are all examples of players who can punish you both ways in stoppage.

Viney's drop in form is out of this world. I do wonder if he is carrying something because gong from 78 -> 336 in one season is not explainable even if he is one year older.

lets shake it up a touch, and try a few things....

Out - Melk, Fritsch, TMac, Langford, Henderson

In - Jeffo, Fullerton, McVee, Kolt and Adams

out - age and poor form

in - good form and pace

If only we had a functioning forward line!

Also we love to play a lot of our of form players.

2 hours ago, BScotti said:

lets shake it up a touch, and try a few things....

Out - Melk, Fritsch, TMac, Langford, Henderson

In - Jeffo, Fullerton, McVee, Kolt and Adams

out - age and poor form

in - good form and pace

BScotti Frittata, TMac and Langford were not in our bottom eight players Melk, Henderson and Rooey were. However I like your Ins.

On 13/04/2025 at 19:31, John Crow Batty said:

I take some heart in Josh Treacy coming of age at Freo and hope for JVR. Virtually a carbon copy for JVR in the way he plays. It took him until his 4th season to become a regular player. The difference is Freo had the luxury of playing him in the WAFL during his first three seasons when his form was inconsistent. JVR is getting regular games without performing because we have no other option.

JVR is being killed off by our FD by playing as the sole tall forward AND being made to ruck as well.

35 minutes ago, monoccular said:

JVR is being killed off by our FD by playing as the sole tall forward AND being made to ruck as well.

Many were hoping that Goodwin would give JVR some relief this season to concentrate exclusively on his forward craft. Does not appear to be the case.

6 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Viney needs to be demoted to sub. We need to get more pace and skill around the ball. Oliver, Langford and Viney together in the midfield is killing us.

Kossie, Chandler, Petracca and Windsor need to be given time through the midfield

Just now, Demon Dynasty said:

Just now, Demon Dynasty said:

Edited April 14Apr 14 by Demon Dynasty

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Edited April 14Apr 14 by Demon Dynasty

Mentha or Seston to debut as sub is my prediction of the week 🔮

3 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

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Sorry Andy but this new update has MFCSS feels 🤮

Any word on May? If he has plantar fasciitis then surely there must be some doubt around him. I have had it and it is brutal, takes ages to heal and can often warrant surgery.

Just now, Older demon said:

Any word on May? If he has plantar fasciitis then surely there must be some doubt around him. I have had it and it is brutal, takes ages to heal and can often warrant surgery.

I got it - in one foot only - starting to load up during Gold Coast marathon training last year

A total bastard!

Endless rolling feet on baseballs and stretching calves

On 12/04/2025 at 23:29, Random Task said:

Goodwin stating he's more likely to back the senior players in to turn their form around than make changes to the team.

I'll be going along, if only because I feel the back row MCG seats don't get kicked often enough and am willing to step up and do my part. I'll honestly be relieved if it's less than a ten goal margin at this point.

7 hours ago, DeeZee said:

I think we turf the new game plan and give the players licence to just go ballistic at the ball and have fun with plenty of run and support.

Play with spirit and excitement!

Play Windsor and Lindsay forward of centre as go to players to kick and run it into the forward line.

Put May at full forward with TMac, Petty and Turner as key backs.

Viney as a pressure forward with Kozzie trac and clarry on ball .

In fullarton, McVee , Jefferson

Out JVR , Sparrow, Henderson

Voss out suspended upsets their forward and back up ruck structure with Jackson already out.

Not that it matters at this point time.

5 things to work on to achieve success

1. Man up. The zone does not work. The zone does not work. We guard grass. Other teams sit back and then pick it apart.
   Also allowing teams to play 1-2 behind the ball in our forward line is sporting suicide. Do not continue.
   

2. Forward 50 entries. Forget the soccer ball [censored]. Work transition drills until the lights have to go out. Work and work. Lower your eyes. Kick to space even. Make forwards work. And crumbing and forward tackling must improve to kick it in.
   

3. Tackling. How bad? Slipped tackles. Missed tackles. Trac. Spargo. Windsor. Clarry. Perhaps are the worst offenders. Opposition get the ball clear and push past all together. Lock it in. Lock arms. It’s been poor for a while. Horrendous now.
   

4. Transitions. Be brave. Use the corridor. Overlap running (but not overhandballing). Simple but effective is to demand the footy. Standing still doesn’t work. Waving arms next to your opponent doesn’t work.

5. Clearances. Better v bombers but often the Dees are all bees to a honeypot. 3 in. Not one player available to spread. Little handballs to each other. [censored] statistics. Burst and run. Energy must lift.

I think there will be minimal changes. Goodwin flagged that at his post game press conference. The other issue is that the VFL had a bye last week so I just can’t see him doing it as it would be an admission that they got selection wrong last week. As much as I would love McVee to come straight back in we have a habit of rushing players back from long term injury with no exposed match fitness, hasn’t worked for us. Let’s get him right to play out the season so for me at best use as the sub. If a change is made it will be minimal and a deck chair shuffle so I’ll go Laurie for Henderson.

A journo posed the question “Will you go the shock treatment at selection” . If it was up to me then yes, yes I would.

Edited April 14Apr 14 by Dee Viney Intervention