On 10/06/2025 at 13:10, Deespicable said:

Just thought everyone had a real dip in defeat yesterday and it's very hard to make changes.

Against that is the fact that we will be coming off a six-day break so a few boys will be a little sore I reckon.

The one compulsory change is that Viney comes in if deemed fit and I suspect that means one of Lindsay or Tholstrup should get a rest with a view that they come straight back in after the bye.

Then we have to have a really close look at our ageing group to make sure that they are all fully recovered and the one player who seems to be struggling the most as he regains fitness is Lever. With T-Mac coming off an 8-day break, it should be a straight swap if Jake's remotely sore. That way Jake can get a couple of solid weeks preparing his knee for the run home.

The Power are still playing fairly small by their usual standards - Visentini in the ruck with Georgiades and Finlayson (he'll probably be dropped), Aliir, Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher their talls. They may add Sweet to try and combat Gawny or Lord to extend our defence.

But our hardest job will be deciding who to use on negating Butters - I imagine Jack will get the job if fit, if not it will be tempting to go Ed again. Trac will be tagged again by Drew, but just has to stick at it.

If we play like we did on Monday we will win, but it's hard backing up from your grand final.

As to JVR, he deserved his spot on Monday after a couple of solid weeks in VFL and like Petty he found the going tough against Moore and Howe, who are elite. But if you seriously think Jefferson is ready for that kind of mauling-style defence, then you have not been at training.

JVR is no thin weakling why was he so poor as a forward. He will no doubt play against port as we wait for Johnson to finish his suspension. If you think Jefferson could not do better on monday then will he ever?

Just now, 48 Year Now said:

Well he can only run in a straight line at any speed- just a fact, so you would think the backline but May Turner Lever is working well.

I'm for Goody taking care of business by pulling the Lever on Backman Turner Overdrive come what May.

Edited Thursday at 05:013 days by Tarax Club

1 hour ago, old dee said:

JVR is no thin weakling why was he so poor as a forward. He will no doubt play against port as we wait for Johnson to finish his suspension. If you think Jefferson could not do better on monday then will he ever?

We simply have to persevere with JVR for the next 3-4 weeks.

If it doesn't work we can give Jefferson a game but then we need to also play a second ruck/forward such as AJ

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

We simply have to persevere with JVR for the next 3-4 weeks.

If it doesn't work we can give Jefferson a game but then we need to also play a second ruck/forward such as AJ

DJ he has played poorly all year. I have zero confidence that will change. He only played 60% of the game on Monday. That suggests he spent approx 30% of the game as a forward. Looks like the coach has a low opinion of him to me.

In: Viney, TMac, Sharp

No outs yet.

Viney named in the 18. Bench is JVR, Windsor, Tholstrup, Langdon, Howes, Rivers, Sharp, TMac

In: Viney

Out: Windsor

sweet back in for port, hoping he would stay in the sanfl. their second ruck is dog [censored]

Petty and JVR keep there spots as KEY Forwards contributing 1 goal between them. Yeah seems about right!☠️

Just wondering what the plan is with Max resting and Jvr or AJ rucking in the middle.

Could we rest him up fwd or does this not give enough recharge time.

I know his goal.kicking is suspect but having a great contested marker there does wonders.

43 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

In: Viney, TMac, Sharp

No outs yet.

Viney named in the 18. Bench is JVR, Windsor, Tholstrup, Langdon, Howes, Rivers, Sharp, TMac

Interesting.

I wonder if they'll rest Lindsay and play Sharp instead.

Reckon R.I.F. has it 🤔 👍

55 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Petty and JVR keep there spots as KEY Forwards contributing 1 goal between them. Yeah seems about right!☠️

If only Jeffo could ruck

Even the Weid could ruck

Good to see Jeffo not part of the squad. He can play at Casey against decent opposition and see if he can perform.

and great to see Vines back!

1 hour ago, jaydenh10 said:

sweet back in for port, hoping he would stay in the sanfl. their second ruck is dog [censored]

Every ruck is basically dog [censored] compared to Max.

Xerri is the only ruckman who hasn’t comprehensively smashed this season.

I am much more annoyed that bloody JHF couldn’t wait another week with that hamstring.

5 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

I am much more annoyed that bloody JHF couldn’t wait another week with that hamstring.

hopefully jack takes care of him quickly he is a [censored] loser

Viney back 💪💪💪

6 hours ago, Roost it far said:

I’d prefer him back as well but the backline is sorted

Do you agree Petty belongs back.

Thank you for this acknowledge.

And I know Turner has been a rock down back and it ain't broke and all that.

Bit can you acknowledge our fwd line is broken. And as such would swapping Turner and Petts be such a howler.

Yes we may lose a fraction of our defense but we would gain more fwd.

No?

6 hours ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

It's a good question and thanks for the lack of irony or criticism.And I'll admit I may be off base on this but I feel he is a natural defender with his athletic nature.

The problem for me having him playing fwd is his lack of contested marking and goal kicking.

I don't think I'm alone in this. I just think he's often slow to get in front of his opponent. He may do well in using his defending skills to punch the ball and get it to ground but we need more marks i50s.

He also gets out jostled in situations and struggles to take a pack mark.

But I do acknowledge we are probably short in replacements.

So you have me here.

I suggested the possibility of May but he was brilliant against the pies and I admit I'm wrong here.

Tmac claims he's done fwd. Jvr is not delivering.

If Petty goes back we still have him, May Lever and Tmac. Not too shabby.

This would free Disco who is stronger in my humble opinion.

Or we just hope AJ omes good.

That's pretty much it. But it's two options.

I just think we can't win games with our main tall constantly kicking well under a goal a game.

I don't think anyone can claim Petty has been very good in his fwd role. Credit to him for playing in a role he's not great at but something has to give.

Fritta and Jake stay fwd.Jvr or AJ for ruck. Maybe Jeffo for someone not performing.

That's all we have ATM.

I was really excited when Petty after only a few games fwd scored six v the tigers many moons ago but those days have faded. I was excited about Jvr too but despite another ordinary day, I'm not sure. Still hold some hope.

Maybe if we move Petty Jvr will help better with Turner.

Disco is a strong mark and a good set shot so that is why I want it tried.

It's not like what we have been doing with Petty for a year has worked. Surely that means it's time for a change.

Just the facts maam.

Turner has been our best backman since he has come back in.

8 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Turner has been our best backman since he has come back in.

Yea he's good. But I think people have forgotten that Petty was one of best before being moved. As good as Turner I think. Probably better

He set up our 21 flag down back.

People have short memories.

Not saying you are forgetting.

And surely between May ( who proved on Monday that he is out best) or at least finally back to it, and with Lever getting slowly better is pretty damn strong .I mean you have to admit Lever in the past has been one of the best in the comp. And he's not over the proverbial hill. So if he returns like May did. People have forgotten Lever too. Then those three are the best choice.

And Tmac to use as well.

And yeah you have to play on form except in the case of dropping Tmac......you also have to consider our fwd line form.

I don't see why it's so hard to see that the latter has been the weak link. So roll the dice.

Season probably over and we may just discover a new fwd line that dominates.

We all have favorites but I'm just looking at the facts.

And Turner has only really played cameos fwd so we haven't really seen what he can do which I really feel would be a lot.

Especially if he had as much time in the role Petty has or even half of it.

And at he end of the day it really is fwd lines that win games not back lines, no matter how water tight they are.

And for those who dispute this claim look at the pies games and a plethora of others.

How many times have we dominated the i50s count and lost compared to other teams.

Can we all at least admit our fwd line is broken and something needs to change?

Surely.

Edited Thursday at 10:253 days by Previously known as LITD.

4 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

We simply have to persevere with JVR for the next 3-4 weeks.

If it doesn't work we can give Jefferson a game but then we need to also play a second ruck/forward such as AJ

We 'persevered' with him for 5 rounds at the start of the season and his performance was, frankly, embarrassing. It matched some of the poor showings last year. His game last Monday was similarly poor - looking lost, never being where the ball was to have an impact on the scoreboard as a forward, and unable to cause any turmoil in the packs (much less take a contested mark).

So what do you expect to happen in the next 3-4 weeks? I predict just more folly and the liability will continue.

2 minutes ago, William said:

We 'persevered' with him for 5 rounds at the start of the season and his performance was, frankly, embarrassing. It matched some of the poor showings last year. His game last Monday was similarly poor - looking lost, never being where the ball was to have an impact on the scoreboard as a forward, and unable to cause any turmoil in the packs (much less take a contested mark).

So what do you expect to happen in the next 3-4 weeks? I predict just more folly and the liability will continue.

Who else is going to ruck. Petty?

Maybe.

1 hour ago, jaydenh10 said:

hopefully jack takes care of him quickly he is a [censored] loser

Send langers to him.

36 minutes ago, binman said:

Send langers to him.

On a scale of 1 to Nick Daicos, JHF is about a 7 on the whiney cry baby scale.

35 minutes ago, binman said:

Send langers to him.

Hey Binman,just wondering what your interpretation is when someone is outta form,does that mean not many touches or a small defender taking on the most dangerous small forwards in the AFL(some are all Australian)and I would say,hasn't been beaten yet

11 hours ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

I reckon I'll be chucking a tenner on Kozzy for 5 goals this week.... nothing surer.

He has past form, DAJ...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/801505/pickett-masterclass-propels-demons-to-down-power&ved=2ahUKEwiL74bs5-uNAxXgsFYBHbq4GDQQFnoECBoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ek1qq5Kuh7lIYj9VXa416

...and the spotlight, this personally momentous week, to repeat it!