We are the pies bunnies. its a horrible fact to acknowledge. makes me sick actually.

we can't beat them. they are rent free in our heads.

Outside of max, we don't have leadership. the number of close losses clearly demonstrates that.

you can be positive about the good work to get us into positions to win but if you can't close, it's all for naught.

it's up to the younger brigade now to take on the mantle. Langford will be a star, lindsay, windsor. kossie of course. hopfefully Max can hang in there for 2 more years to guide them

we need significant list turnover, move on the panic merchants (my god langdon) and find players to execute when the whips are cracking

I'll leave to others to be positive (ball movement intent, if not execution, a positive) but i just feel deflated after that season.

Here is the Stats File post for the game:

Also, that was our 11th loss of the season when winning the inside 50 count:

9 minutes ago, WheeloRatings said:

Here is the Stats File post for the game:

Also, that was our 11th loss of the season when winning the inside 50 count:

Symptomatic of Goodwin's era, look at the years 😅😅😅

Well thank god the season is over!

Langford and Lindsey have been wonderful for first year players.

I do not want to see May playing next year unless injuries. I’m okay with May and Lever not playing for us again.

10 minutes ago, Demongirl35 said:

Well thank god the season is over!

Langford and Lindsey have been wonderful for first year players.

I do not want to see May playing next year unless injuries. I’m okay with May and Lever not playing for us again.

Swap May and TMac perhaps.

May playing VFL and as a backup just in case.

Give TMac one last year to help cement the new backline of Adams, Disco and Petty.

I wouldn't be letting go of May. He may de done in the FB role but he can do the TMc role who set an example of coming back to form when everyone thought he was done.

We need one or the other on the field to support the inexperienced players and add some rigour to the backline.

Of course it will help them if the midfield gets back to 2021 level two way running and rolling back type defence patterns- different players now but a similar idea.

I woke up this am and started reading this thread. SO MUCH NEGATIVITY. I couldn't bring myself to read through all the posts.

But I wonder if I'm in the same universe as some of you. We all expected to be absolutely flogged after the year, the Hawks match and playing a team desperate for a double chance. And yet we matched them, almost won. All the carrying on about we don't know how to defend a lead - may be true but lots of matches are won by a team only 10 points behind at 3QT. Why focus on that when we expected to be flogged?

So yes, there are a LOT of things we need to fix but why can't some people take some pleasure from how we played last night. I know I did.

(I presume some of the posts which I skipped may have said similar things.)

Why was Sharp the sub? He was not up to it, would have rather seen Billings or Kolt or a handful of others, Sharp did not do anything when brought on and I don’t know why anyone expected he would from the coaches? I don’t mind the guy, but I feel like others should have been there instead of him this week.

good effort for some of that game, shame couldn’t win but at least we went down swinging. Some great moments, proud of them and looking forward to starting 2026 prep!

2 hours ago, Pipefitter said:

Can’t question effort. Gotta say it was pretty disappointing to see the lack of support last night. It felt like I was supporting GWS.

My thoughts too.

The last 2 weeks at the G it’s felt like supporting an interstate side, such was the lack of noise after a goal. It got a bit better in the second half last night, but the supporters have unsurprisingly called it a day the last fortnight.

13 minutes ago, Young Angus said:

Why was Sharp the sub? He was not up to it, would have rather seen Billings or Kolt or a handful of others, Sharp did not do anything when brought on and I don’t know why anyone expected he would from the coaches? I don’t mind the guy, but I feel like others should have been there instead of him this week.

good effort for some of that game, shame couldn’t win but at least we went down swinging. Some great moments, proud of them and looking forward to starting 2026 prep!

Probably didn't want to risk injury for the Casey list.

Interesting way to finish the year - bit to chew on.

Thought May was abysmal despite what the stats sheet now says...for all the good he did, I counted probably 4 goals that were directly his fault. His judgement is shot, he seems to start games on another planet and I'm not sure his body is coping anymore.

Sadly, the game has become too fast for him (& Lever) to play in front and read the cues. Especially when they have slow teammates upfield who can't go with ball carrying teams to apply pressure.

There is a reason Turner looks like our best defender - he is mobile.

Honestly, I am angry that we didn't try May as a forward this year. We play a bombing game style, he's hard to beat in the air and it could have extended his career.

Thought Tom was also poor. He was poorly treated this year and I hope he goes again and gets to 250...but he probably shouldn't be getting games next year.

For all the forward woes I actually have more worry about the backline because it is so immobile and has so much to do with how teams score in the modern game.

Bowey had a great year but is not reliable in 1v1s. Howes shows glimpses of a player, but struggles to defend mobile forwards and gets beaten on the lead frequently. Adams isnt hugely mobile either and whilst I still think Petty is May's obvious heir, he's not too mobile either.

Adding a mobile marking defender to partner Turner for the next decade should be a priority - as should finding a line breaking sharp kicking HBF. I'm ok for Salem to go on - but he too is quite immobile. AMW has promise. Will be a shame if that's the last we see of Judd...he's had a poorer year but has the tools to play the modern game.

We are just beaten for run and speed in so many situations.

Up the ground I'm pretty much done with Sparrow. He let us down in some big moments and was horrific last week in particular. He's not improving - I think he's hit his ceiling. Played a role in a great team but we need more from him now. Good clubman - keep for culture but he should be playing at Casey. Poor Bailey Laurie has so many more tricks to his game and has never had a proper look - for his own sake Laurie should be traded and I think he'll do ok elsewhere.

Clarry was great, hope he stays. Trac I'm happy to cash in a little to keep the list ticking over.

Rivers has to be a mid but needs to learn how to kick on his left. It's costly.

Our slow-tall wing combo is interesting. Langford a total weapon...26 touches off the wing is bloody hard. He shows a lot of leadership too - gets on with things and shows composure when more senior players do not. Culley has something....has some rough points in his game (ball watches/flat footed) but could also be a very handy player with some more experience I think. Strong team first attitude.

Sharp - just amazing he's played as many games as he has. Good in space but has no idea what to do in an AFL contest. Total liability when it's tough.

JVR - not sure. There has been growth in his game but he needs a 1 wood....and it has to be marking or leading. He's just not dangerous enough.

Thought Melk made some costly decisions when he could have released teammates.

No concerns with Koz....type of player not to burn himself if he knows there's nothing to play for.

Excited to see some change next year. See you then.

One thing I noticed was how poor our defensive setup was. We played well in front and allowed Collingwood to get out the back goal side so many times. We tempt the kick, but can’t stop it.

Without even paying much attention you knew we'd lose it at the end.

Well that’s done

We at least turned up to play.

iMO just not fit enough. Mentally and physically. Selection of players to play against various teams has been deplorable.

Absolute zero management of players to rest at times during the year.

We have had done success with other clubs players but far more were let go for valid reasons NQ good enough.

Billing’s would have been a better sub last night but maybe he needed to qualify for the finals with Casey. Any Grand Final you win is worth the effort. It’s also important to the other listed players at Casey.

I do not think the new coach (whoever) will sack half the side. Maybe half the support staff.

But if will be a new chapter, I am looking forward to the demolition of many houses leading to Xmas .

Thanks to the track watchers . I enjoy all the comments, not every player tells the truth! Go Dee’s

9 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

My thoughts too.

The last 2 weeks at the G it’s felt like supporting an interstate side, such was the lack of noise after a goal. It got a bit better in the second half last night, but the supporters have unsurprisingly called it a day the last fortnight.

When you know you're going to lose and tired of watching players butcher the footy I guess that happens

I’m not angry at this loss - as so many on here are - (we were expected to lose comfortably) I’m just disappointed that we got so close and couldn’t put them away.

It’s too easy to list all the things we did wrong - particularly our backline mistakes, our forward bombing and our woeful disposal - but with so much wrong, why / how did we get within 6 points?

I’m going to give Chaplin much of the credit for us getting so close. We saw a free flowing game style (despite the skill errors) that we haven’t seen before - and one (minus the turnovers) that could well take us to the finals next season. It’s a shame Troy isn’t applying for the coaching role.

So, disappointed yes, but so excited for next year.

12 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

My thoughts too.

The last 2 weeks at the G it’s felt like supporting an interstate side, such was the lack of noise after a goal. It got a bit better in the second half last night, but the supporters have unsurprisingly called it a day the last fortnight.

Their fans also weren’t as loud as usual, the ones who turned up anyways. Prematch on the big screen was their announcement that they now have 112,000 members. 60,000 attended (incl. our supporters). Where the hell were the rest of their people?

Fun fact: you know the expression about shifting/moving the goalposts? Well, it’s a real thing. Last night the goalposts weren’t in the usual place. They’d been moved about 12-18 inches to one side. Kinda amusing watching regulars who sit in the same seat every week discombobulated for the first quarter, ‘til they got used to it 😅

20 minutes ago, SPC said:

One thing I noticed was how poor our defensive setup was. We played well in front and allowed Collingwood to get out the back goal side so many times. We tempt the kick, but can’t stop it.

Even against West Coast we saw quite a bit of out the back and coast to coast goals.

For some reason, even against horrendous opposition, we always seem to give up easy goals way too regularly. Need some sort of system back and I’ve no doubt the new coach would be watching as realize how easy we have become to score.

Good names in defense on paper, but as a unit, everyone needs to get better. Fritsch as an example isn’t an overly physical player but had a decent defensive game last week with 6 tackles just staying in contests and attacking when needed. Was also really good against St Kilda 5 weeks ago.

We surely can’t get worse next year, only improvement with the new coach coming in.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by VNightCityLegend

At least Kossie wasnt reported ( yet) for a stupid bump at miss first 3 rounds of 2026

11 hours ago, Coobs said:

Feel sick that only 4 years ago the Dees were gearing up to play a home final in my Adelaide then lucky enough to travel to Perth to see the ultimate.

Now we have premiership hero's that couldn't even put in a 2nd [censored] effort in a close game.

Petracca, May please leave.

You should be pretty happy mate

41 minutes ago, sue said:

I woke up this am and started reading this thread. SO MUCH NEGATIVITY. I couldn't bring myself to read through all the posts.

But I wonder if I'm in the same universe as some of you. We all expected to be absolutely flogged after the year, the Hawks match and playing a team desperate for a double chance. And yet we matched them, almost won. All the carrying on about we don't know how to defend a lead - may be true but lots of matches are won by a team only 10 points behind at 3QT. Why focus on that when we expected to be flogged?

So yes, there are a LOT of things we need to fix but why can't some people take some pleasure from how we played last night. I know I did.

(I presume some of the posts which I skipped may have said similar things.)

I’m with you Sue. We took it up to them and tried hard the entire game. They had everything to play for and TBH I wouldn’t be feeling at all confident with the Pies ability to go much further in the finals. There are much better teams than them.

I think we have some amazing young talent and with a new coach and some stability at the top I believe we have a lot to look forward to ❤️💙

13 minutes ago, jane02 said:

I wouldn’t be feeling at all confident with the Pies ability to go much further in the finals.

You’re hoping like hell they won’t. Your husband would be insufferable, amirite?! 😅

I watched that second half and thought - well I don’t know which way a new coach would go…

Rebuild and start again around the 25 year olds or run it back with better instruction and commitment.

All the maudlin nonsense on here is a bit much.

Oh well, back to waiting on training sessions for next year. See how our new recruits are going. I do so hate the pies, hate them I say, always have. Hope Clarry keeps going forward over the off season, hope the injection of the “all new people” can freshen us up. Pretty sure the high performance team needs a flush out. See no future for May or bless maybe forward, a bit too much yelling and pointing not backed up by performance like it used to be. Random thoughts