2 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

It is well documented that the sort of foot injury he sustained in late 2023, takes 18-24 months at a minimum to recover from. It is one of the worst and most debilitating injuries to sustain, especially if you're someone who needs to be able to jump off the ground at the contest. It is 10 times harder to come back from than a standard ACL. Petty is now 2 years post injury and it looks like he has gained some confidence in his body as a result.

Thank goodness someone is talking some sense on here. Tmac suffered the same injury and was quoted saying how long it took to recover fully.

I’d argue petty has always been capable but the thing that’s improving is he’s now getting better looks at it with better and more aggressive ball movement

Starting to move like a forward, just in time for a move down back again 😛

18 hours ago, Ted Lasso said:

I’d argue petty has always been capable but the thing that’s improving is he’s now getting better looks at it with better and more aggressive ball movement

Agree. I've always felt is was primarily confidence - I've noticed a definite uptick all year in his forward aggression - he's clunking them more often now, and some of the tackles he's prepared to lay are pretty elite. Now, if some of that could rub off on JVR...

18 hours ago, Howard_Grimes said:

Still would much prefer him in defence.

Hopefully we move May on over the off-season and play players in positions that they're natural in.

We can't keep playing two swingmen at CHF and FF. It's ridiculous.

Gunston gave our side a master class on leading patterns and forward craft. Yes it can be improved upon but we miss a natural key forward with great leading patterns. It does so much more for the functioning of the forward 50..

Van Rooyen for all his great athletic traits is not a natural forward. He doesn't have natural forward craft, he is an average contested mark at best and his positioning in contests is all over the place. And Petty looks twice the player when he's playing D50.

Whoever comes in as coach needs to completely rejig this part of the ground because it is detrimental to our entire forward 50 function having those two playing as our main kp players.

I reckon you've nailed it.

There seems to be a prevailing attitude on this site that he's just not a very good footballer. I disagree. Although I can see there's a chance the constant stop-gapping has held him back and that, even if he does return to defence, he won't be the player he was.

But I'm more hopeful. Yes, he played his best footy when May and Lever were at their absolute peak. But I think he can develop a strong partnership with Turner and perhaps Adams. Amidst all my negativity about the future, Turner and Petty as long-term defensive partner (and Kossie and Langford as centre bounce midfield partners) give me hope.

I like van Rooyen. I want him to succeed, but as someone else put it recently (sorry for forgetting your handle), he has a very hard ceiling. We need to find a genuine number one KPF as soon as we can and stop the wishful thinking about band aids and swingmen.

19 hours ago, Howard_Grimes said:

Still would much prefer him in defence.

Hopefully we move May on over the off-season and play players in positions that they're natural in.

We can't keep playing two swingmen at CHF and FF. It's ridiculous.

Gunston gave our side a master class on leading patterns and forward craft. Yes it can be improved upon but we miss a natural key forward with great leading patterns. It does so much more for the functioning of the forward 50..

Van Rooyen for all his great athletic traits is not a natural forward. He doesn't have natural forward craft, he is an average contested mark at best and his positioning in contests is all over the place. And Petty looks twice the player when he's playing D50.

Whoever comes in as coach needs to completely rejig this part of the ground because it is detrimental to our entire forward 50 function having those two playing as our main kp players.

I agree. If I were the new coach I would be building my team from defence with Turner and Petty in the key posts. Surround them with aerobic types who can hit a target like McVee, Bowey, Lindsay, Howes and perhaps AMW. Then some utility types like Rivers.

We need to move away from May, Salem (Salem should play forward) and never have Windsor in the backline ever again.

I am 50:50 on Lever only because he needs continuity and hasn’t shown the ability to stay on the field. When healthy he deserves a spot.

So, while I am happy to see Petty finally show glimpses of form and taking front position, I’d rather he go back next year.

1 hour ago, JJJ said:

I agree. If I were the new coach I would be building my team from defence with Turner and Petty in the key posts. Surround them with aerobic types who can hit a target like McVee, Bowey, Lindsay, Howes and perhaps AMW. Then some utility types like Rivers.

We need to move away from May, Salem (Salem should play forward) and never have Windsor in the backline ever again.

I am 50:50 on Lever only because he needs continuity and hasn’t shown the ability to stay on the field. When healthy he deserves a spot.

So, while I am happy to see Petty finally show glimpses of form and taking front position, I’d rather he go back next year.

This is me, pretty much, although Salem ain’t a forward

Key defenders - Turner, Petty, Adams

Midsize - Howes, Rivers

Runners - Rivers (can play both roles imo), Bowey, Salem, McVee

The issue we have is that May and Lever both remain senior players under contract

Can’t play them plus Turner plus Petty / Adams / Howes then the runners

2 hours ago, JJJ said:

I agree. If I were the new coach I would be building my team from defence with Turner and Petty in the key posts. Surround them with aerobic types who can hit a target like McVee, Bowey, Lindsay, Howes and perhaps AMW. Then some utility types like Rivers.

We need to move away from May, Salem (Salem should play forward) and never have Windsor in the backline ever again.

I am 50:50 on Lever only because he needs continuity and hasn’t shown the ability to stay on the field. When healthy he deserves a spot.

So, while I am happy to see Petty finally show glimpses of form and taking front position, I’d rather he go back next year.

I like it JJJ.

Lever as the third tall back with Petty and Turner in the key posts makes sense to me.

I like the fleetness of the other backs you've named.

Riv-dog I think we need in the middle. He was excellent there late 24, has a step or two and a long boot.

I've been of the view we should have tried Salem in the forward line since the end of 23. He's too slow transitioning back to defend the goals these days. Realistically though he would only fit in the role that's Melk's ATM.

31 minutes ago, Dee*ceiving said:

I like it JJJ.

Lever as the third tall back with Petty and Turner in the key posts makes sense to me.

I like the fleetness of the other backs you've named.

Riv-dog I think we need in the middle. He was excellent there late 24, has a step or two and a long boot.

I've been of the view we should have tried Salem in the forward line since the end of 23. He's too slow transitioning back to defend the goals these days. Realistically though he would only fit in the role that's Melk's ATM.

I think Salem could play forward. He’s smart enough and skillful enough. Plus I would be happier watching him kick 15-20m kicks to advantage in the forward half rather than him pumping up his DE% in the back half. Not to mention his inability to run at full pace these days.

On 18/08/2025 at 15:51, Jaded No More said:

It is well documented that the sort of foot injury he sustained in late 2023, takes 18-24 months at a minimum to recover from. It is one of the worst and most debilitating injuries to sustain, especially if you're someone who needs to be able to jump off the ground at the contest. It is 10 times harder to come back from than a standard ACL. Petty is now 2 years post injury and it looks like he has gained some confidence in his body as a result.

Just look at Hogan

10 hours ago, JJJ said:

We need to move away from May, Salem (Salem should play forward) and never have Windsor in the backline ever again.

7 hours ago, Dee*ceiving said:

Lever as the third tall back with Petty and Turner in the key posts makes sense to me.

I've been of the view we should have tried Salem in the forward line since the end of 23. He's too slow transitioning back to defend the goals these days.

Agree on Petty as a back in the long term and the sooner we can bed in our new generation backline the better.

I'd like to see Salem as the regular sub in 2026 - he is a good kick, he has some positional flexibility, and maybe his fresh but slow legs won't be such a liability against tired opposition.

No he is not ...gifted a zillion games how can he not improve?? Um 6.00 pm here in Ireland BELFAST CAAAREYST what a town.. local history with Protestants and Catholics as told through the eyes of a cab driver, brought a tear to my eyes!

Just tragic.. and we moan and groan on Demonland¡? Hey Uncle hows it going? Dazz man and Ghosty, and other favourite Demonlanders would luuuve it over here!

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by picket fence