I've seen enough from AJ to give him a few more games.

We were crying out for a pack splitter and someone who gets it to ground for so long, he's not the perfect solution but I'd take his endeavour over others without it right now. I can see him giving Max a bit more of a chop out as we get into the mid year dead of winter games and I have faith he'll hold his own.

A goal a game would be nice but let's stick with it for now.

22 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

People saying Swans were putrid but in that first half they were pouring on the pressure.

They got sloppier as the game went on (I think our pressure was excellent), but they had a decent first half, as you said, and in the third they built some momentum. I thought we did well to wrest back control after a good ten to fifteen minutes of not having it our way.

7 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

You're kidding yourself if you think contested marks is a benchmark. Very few fwds take more than 1 or 2 a game for a shot on goal. Its great when it happens but its not that often

No I’m not, less contested marks is a reflection on how some teams are playing the game today offensively and defensively. Daniher was massive for Lions last year as is Cameron, Darcy, Thilthoroe etc. I also said goal kicking, Turner imo has been one of our best set shots during the little time he’s spent fwd. Just because contested marks aren’t as common as in years gone by doesn’t mark them less important. Ball coming to ground will happen after a failed marking attempt, give me the player who’s the best chance of taking the mark and converting anytime.

4 hours ago, Oxdee said:

You would be a riot at a party.::

Yeah I get where you’re coming from, just to clarify I’m positive love the build and transition we’re making.

That post was more directed at those who will find a negative in any performance, whether they want to be correct about Goody being the wrong guy or team selection so it was literally to state we ticked almost every box the coaching group would have wanted going into the game.

At the same time we’re getting more cohesive each week with the game plan, games into the younger players and the likes of Clarrie and Trac building back to their best but it not being if they don’t perform it impacts the outcome.

We are building nicely, will still get the odd bump in the road but heading in a positive direction. That’s all without mentioning Kozzie who has entered serious A grade status in the last 5 weeks

Im of the opinion that AJ's performance is being a bit overrated in this thread, and that his fumbles and errors were probably more significant than his pressure and physical presence, BUT, I think our forwardline is looking a lot better when we are putting a defensive focus on the oppositions best defenders like AJ does. Our forwardline and inside 50 quality has an issue for years, but if we can just turn that area of the ground into a messy, 50/50 scrap, then I think our elite backline and seemingly reinvigorated midfield can take us to victory against anyone.

1 hour ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

He was even channelling his inner Dusty - and one stage attempted the 'don't argue'.

I have been a strong Fritch critic - and he deserved it IMO - but he is getting better.

But WTF has happened to his set shot kicking? His left foot has a massive left to right swing - he used to kick his leg much straighter.

What does Choco actually do for hte club if he's not fixing this stuff. Same for petracca and Gawn. Its U12 stuff at the moment

11 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

No I’m not, less contested marks is a reflection on how some teams are playing the game today offensively and defensively. Daniher was massive for Lions last year as is Cameron, Darcy, Thilthoroe etc. I also said goal kicking, Turner imo has been one of our best set shots during the little time he’s spent fwd. Just because contested marks aren’t as common as in years gone by doesn’t mark them less important. Ball coming to ground will happen after a failed marking attempt, give me the player who’s the best chance of taking the mark and converting anytime.

tilthorp and Hogan are pretty rare players is what I'm saying. They are hard to find. We don't have one of those and have to rely on players who can bring the ball to ground if they don't mark it

Sorry if already mentioned, but did anyone see McVee chucking up several times out on the ground, immediately after they came out for the 3rd quarter?

What were they doing down in the rooms?!

Poor fella was down on his haunches looking very unwell, but then just casually rejoined the huddle and got on with it

12 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Spargs to have scans on his shoulder tomorrow morning.

I noticed he hurt it a few minuted before the bump, in the swans F50 just before the ball went over the boundary line.

1 minute ago, JTR said:

Poor fella was down on his haunches looking very unwell, but then just casually rejoined the huddle and got on with it

Oh geeze. That happened two weeks ago as well!

Is he a nervous spewer or has he had a weirdly long stomach illness?

Edited Monday at 01:502 days by The Taciturn Demon

2 hours ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

The problem (well, at least one of the problems) is he wants Jefferson on the team. I'm not convinced it isn't Jefferson's mum.

Anyway, he/she wants Jefferson there so bad that he will pot anyone else to help get him there (not that he/she has that sway)

Funnily, while having a crack at 6 possies, his/her hero, Jefferson, had 5 possessions in game 1, and 4 against the Hawks before being subbed off. And he doesn't do any rucking.

So, at least for now, Jefferson is not good enough at his forward craft (he just isn't. he may one day. but not for now) - and he does not ruck, which AJ does help out with. AJ brings mongrel, 1%ers, and did some nice little things yesterday which actually contributed to goals. We need that right now. Does he have a role in the team forever? Probably not. Maybe. Who knows. He lacks polish and genuine skills - but until we find someone who provides more in his place (it's not Jefferson) (it will probably be JVR when he finds his feet again on a sustained basis), he should stay as he works hard and does some nice things, and helps out in the ruck.

Wrong on two levels

1 I don't know the Jeffersons

2 I didn't agree on his selection a few weeks ago on zero form!

Edited Monday at 02:112 days by picket fence

12 hours ago, Bozo said:

An ok (but wasteful) win against a weakened opponent. Many players and coaching staff playing for their careers and it shows. The true tests are ahead. Having said that, there are some encouraging fundamental signals. Critical is evolving competition for spots in the side.

You give clowns a bad name, Bozo

29 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

I noticed he hurt it a few minuted before the bump, in the swans F50 just before the ball went over the boundary line.

Yeah he actually said this, that it wasn’t the Mills bump that caused the pain, his shoulder was already an issue shortly before the bump.

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

Wrong, I didn't like playing him on no form and yes the result was minimal possesions, and knew he would be dropped and was! I MAINTAIN Goodwin does this a lot, plays out of form players for an eternity or players who have come back from a long layoff, thus setting players up for failure. I have put up suggestions for a better functioning forward line without Jefferson, and until he kicks multiple bags should stay at Casey. JOHNSON should not be in the team based on his meagre possesions in the last two games and I dont care if he is the incredible Hulk!

Clearly no one agrees with you, including the selection team, and yes we all know how you feel about them too.

Unless you are in the meetings where they discuss what is expected of each player in a game, you, like the rest of us, have no idea if the club thinks a low possession game is a pass or reason for them to be dropped.

Like the rest of us, you are entitled to your opinion but remember it is just that, an opinion, not gospel.

Can we move on please?

3 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Yeah he actually said this, that it wasn’t the Mills bump that caused the pain, his shoulder was already an issue shortly before the bump.

Did he? Sorry I din't see the interview.

Loved Max rag-dolling Grundy to take it out of the ruck and snap truly. Perfect start and set the tone for the day.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1790882/gawn-v-grundy-max-banks-early-win?videoId=1790882&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1748152740001

16 hours ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

I didn't notice him until he coughed up the ball for one of our goals in the last quarter. At least he's getting a game every week now I guess.

And didnt we tackle him. Nice to see all his ex teammates and coaches give him a hug after the game.

5 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

Did he? Sorry I din't see the interview.

It wasn’t an interview. He said this to one of our DA stalwarts.

3 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Poor old sub, always left out.

27 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Wrong on two levels

1 I don't know the Jeffersons

2 I didn't agree on his selection a few weeks ago on zero form!

That's exactly what Jeffo's mum would say!! 🤣

16 minutes ago, Fritta and Turner said:

And didnt we tackle him. Nice to see all his ex teammates and coaches give him a hug after the game.

Yeah, I saw that when fast forwarding the replay to the post-game interviews after I got home. He only left for better job security. Life is too short to be spending it in Casey.

I said this in the game day thread but Salem's little dinky kick to set up Trac's goal was my favourite moment of the day. It was basically a carbon copy of the first goal of the 2021 grand final.

The nostalgia I felt watching that piece of play was next level.

Anyone notice how Trac and Clarry only got 4 of our 40 clearances?

We have changed our game style so much

1 hour ago, jaydenh10 said:

from an article on afl.com :

Champion Data shows that since score involvements started in 2003, only four players have had 24 or more disposals, six or more clearances, 13 or more score involvements and five or more goals: Jason Akermanis in 2015, Patrick Dangerfield in 2014, Matthew Pavlich in 2010 and Pickett on Sunday.

And I bet none of them also had NINE scoring shots!!!

With every passing week, the price for a Kosi trade goes up. I’m thinking Jackson, plus 3 first round picks, and Longmire’s first born.

Alternatively I suggest we throw the sort of ludicrous money at Kosi that would make you weep, so he has no choice but to stay.

I dare anyone to find a 23 year old who impacts the game as much as Kosi when he’s on. So damaging in the midfield, so damaging going inside 50, so damaging forward. Just so so good and still so young, and the most fun player to watch as well. When he’s having a day out you just have a smile on your face.

2 hours ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Sorry, I meant both our games. Have we done both in a year before? Not sure, was just pleasing to see :-)

(And absolutely!!)

This was the first double, pleasingly! I've posted the record in the Podcast thread so it can be read out by @Demonland, to clear up the confusion people have about Narrm's success