The big question I have is how we are going to refresh our Mid after going with essentially the same combinations since 2020. Looking forward to finding the next batch of elite mids for us :)

On 23/01/2026 at 09:40, stinga said:

Even if Mihocek only plays 70% of games he will kick more goals than Petty and Petracca (terribly innaccurate) kicked last year. Pickett will still be a goal scoring midfielder as will Culley and Langford - something we haven't had for years. (even Steele kicks the odd goal). It's the first time I've looked at the side and haven't questioned where more that 10 goals a game are going to come from.

Seems optimistic, we will still largely be reliant on young talls who will fluctuate in form.

But even more than that scores largely come from how good the midfield are and we at least had 1 clear advantage with contested ball dominance over other sides.

Now we might have to play both Viney and Steel at times to even break even at the contest.

We don’t have any idea whether Culley, Langford, Rivers, Windsor etc. can consistency impact at the contest.

14 hours ago, darkhorse72 said:

The big question I have is how we are going to refresh our Mid after going with essentially the same combinations since 2020. Looking forward to finding the next batch of elite mids for us :)

You're almost answering your own query... almost.

Part of the quality to any reply I think.firstly needs to revisit what our midfield was really like. Not the mythical invention... not once was etc... but just how good and effective we were.

I deliberately left out 'efficient'.. this is where a lot of 'data' gets recycled....and for mine its often only represents SISO.

Much is made of the 'loss' of Tracc and Ollie. Tbh in their recent guise and form for us I see no real loss at all. Sure a lot of 'numbers' there... I hate number's. I watch the ball.. and that ball got murdered more times than not. Our ability to bring the ball out effectively and deliver was atrocious .

So back to where you were heading... the new midfield. Expect more from the likes of Windsor, Kozzie.. maybe Bill ( maybe not... interesting one that lad ) . Steele will be there and dare I sat less wasteful than Viney ( though tbh he has improved... [censored] he's had to ) I think well utilise a hybrid swarm . Look to see some bigger players with explosive abilities coming through the guts.

In reality the only time the 'traditional' midfield concept really is used is at centre ball ups... so our real 'midfield ' ability brings in the runner on the respective wings.. and extractors ball users off/on the hf/hb lines.

Im not the least concerned about the 'midfield' .. it'll be how EVERYONE runs and connects. This requires a team of 'lieutenants' out there directing traffic.

I think we have a few.

Interesting year ahead

Go US !! 👍

Edited January 24Jan 24 by beelzebub

On 22/01/2026 at 13:05, DubDee said:

The author mentioned playoffs and no one batted an eyelid

thanks AFL, you’ve officially americanised the game we loved

Time-outs and shooting T-Shirts into the crowd are on the agenda midseason.

Times have changed, if people don’t like it they should simply not turn up to games, but we know that won’t happen.

Starting to get interesting from training reports and injuries

On 22/01/2026 at 23:40, stinga said:

CJ more than compensates for McVee (who didn't play the whole season). AMW compensates for Bowey

I'd be surprised if CJ can match McVee of 2024 as a lockdown/stopper defender, also very different players. It's not for nothing that Hawthorn let him go. And AMW is still unproven, he's miles off what Bowey brings - Bowey was/is emerging as an elite half-back.

Not to say that both those players can't play a role and in the longer term nail down a position, but we shouldn't underestimate the quality of McVee (at his best) and in particular, Bowey.

16 minutes ago, bing181 said:

I'd be surprised if CJ can match McVee of 2024 as a lockdown/stopper defender, also very different players. It's not for nothing that Hawthorn let him go. And AMW is still unproven, he's miles off what Bowey brings - Bowey was/is emerging as an elite half-back.

Not to say that both those players can't play a role and in the longer term nail down a position, but we shouldn't underestimate the quality of McVee (at his best) and in particular, Bowey.

McVee was big ordinary in 2025, good in 2024.

11 hours ago, bing181 said:

I'd be surprised if CJ can match McVee of 2024 as a lockdown/stopper defender, also very different players. It's not for nothing that Hawthorn let him go. And AMW is still unproven, he's miles off what Bowey brings - Bowey was/is emerging as an elite half-back.

Not to say that both those players can't play a role and in the longer term nail down a position, but we shouldn't underestimate the quality of McVee (at his best) and in particular, Bowey.

My take... CJ is a line breaker.... wont be his job to hold down anyone... he can take a mark... he'll be the first 'explosion' off the backline.

One thing in particular I've been noticing as a major point of difference to how we USED to play... we used to 'stop'... maybe only a second or a handful, uncertain of where the next kick or play went. We seemed to want to 'know' it was safe before proceeding. This gave all opponents that extra time to setup and/or cover.

That's gone. We move quickly now with a kind of if " if you move it, it will come" approach.... IT being the next link. The players are being shown to believe and trust that the next play is there, whether it be an actual player or possibly just space. Conversely players are expected to BE that next link or get to that space.

All this starts somewhere and I can see a lot starting from the likes of CJ.

McVee was very over rated imho.

Bowey comes in and out of 'very good'

We played apples, we're moving to oranges.

Well look and play like a very different this year.... it might take a few games to mesh .

20 hours ago, D4Life said:

McVee was big ordinary in 2025, good in 2024.

Just shows the importance of an uninterrupted pre and early season for younger players.

Watch him in 2026 (unless he's played out of position ...).

On 25/01/2026 at 10:24, Dee Zephyr said:

Time-outs and shooting T-Shirts into the crowd are on the agenda midseason.

Times have changed, if people don’t like it they should simply not turn up to games, but we know that won’t happen.

Timeouts would end the game as we know it. And end my love of it. Blurting supposed music or air raid sirens after goals is bad enough

Ohhhfence and deeefence are hard enough to listen to

On 26/01/2026 at 18:58, bing181 said:

Just shows the importance of an uninterrupted pre and early season for younger players.

Watch him in 2026 (unless he's played out of position ...).

Why are we still talking about that traitor Crudd Muck sheeit

On 25/01/2026 at 10:24, Dee Zephyr said:

Time-outs and shooting T-Shirts into the crowd are on the agenda midseason.

Times have changed, if people don’t like it they should simply not turn up to games, but we know that won’t happen.

It actually does happen, I haven't been to a game since before COVID.

I may go to some this season but it's no longer a must do so then again I may not.

I believe we can win more games by something very simple. We need to stay in the football mindset for the entire game.

We lost 2 games in 2025 by a kick after the siren, we shouldnt have lost either. First game against GWS, had the game won with 30 seconds on the clock. Ball in forward pocket, turn off time for a lot of the players. Ball goes down other end unapposed goal after the siren. Loss.

Against St Kilda unloseable we just turned off and coasted. Loss.

If we can stay in the moment we will be a much better team with the players we have.

Every season “experts” like Dwayne Russell gets things wrong all the time.

As a tennis fan, I see this so often. Back in 2023, Just analyzing their lead up and form and what they did in 2022, I was only one of a few who tipped Rybakina and Alcaraz to win Indian Wells. A lot of “experts” got it wrong and I capitalized.

In the same vein, I wholeheartedly believe we still have the list to compete and with luck and a system that suits our players, I believe we can shock a lot of people.

I firmly believe we can have a sharp rise. I even put my money where my mouth is. A lot of the media these days is sheep follow sheep, incapable of critical thinking, searching for the instant clicks.

Melbourne are not that bad. I have a feeling we are in for a top 6 tilt. May and Lever as examples, looked average for the most part of last season not because they are finished as players, but because of system. The midfield was diabolical and that builds pressure on the defense.

Steven King, I trust that bloke.

Edited yesterday at 00:111 day by VNightCityLegend

On 24/01/2026 at 16:14, 3KZ is Football said:

Everyone has completely written us off..It's both predictable and expected. What nobody has mentioned, is that the main problems we had have been removed.

So where the Club ends up in 2026 is entirely reliant on whether the whole Club has bought in to a totally new System. Yes our midfield looks a little vulnerable, and could be our downfall short term, The Midfield and Coaching style we had in place before was horrible and mostly unwatchable.

If the new Coach wants a Career in this position, then we have to be Competitive from Round 1 onwards.

Agree with most of this except perhaps the last sentence. The first 4 or 5 rounds are unpredictable but he appears to have us fit (ie those that aren't on the injured list!) and playing fast and loose footy

The last bit is the most challenging aspect because King is new. If we have focused so much on attack and ball movement then there will probably be some issues in our defence

I imagine there will be a few holes or gaps to plug in our game style and this may see us struggle early on at least. New coaches often struggle with game day and scoreboard pressure until they hit their straps. The fact he is a very experienced Assistant may negate that but I see that area as where we may struggle. And if we get scored against heavily everything is then questioned and the pressure flows down from the top. It is hard for a new coach to 'hold the line' as it were.

But I'm optimistic overall we are on the right path. It will likely take a bit of time to sort out.

On 26/01/2026 at 09:50, beelzebub said:

My take... CJ is a line breaker.... wont be his job to hold down anyone... he can take a mark... he'll be the first 'explosion' off the backline.

CJ's 2024 highlights exposed his defensive weaknesses. Yes he's a line breaker with iffy kicking at times but he's not a lockdown defender