8 minutes ago, picket fence said:

As a key forward JVR has not kicked a solitary goal in 4 matches, surely he must be dropped?? Has reverted back to running under the ball again. Needs to go back to casey and play CHB!

He kicked one against Gold Coast

34 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

Petty is Petty. I know I'm in the minority on here, but you're effectively playing without a man with him on the field. He's one of the softest big-men I've seen play the game. I was hopeful a return down back would rejuvenate him and get him back to his 2021 form but this just hasn't eventuated. He's lost; he's not a backman, nor a forward and he needs to be more than a secondary stop-gap as a ruckman.

McDonald was another who was taught a lesson. I'm a little bit on the fence with that to make of it, but I think it's fair to say the passage of time may be catching him.

I still think there's a backman in there, took 3 contested marks on the weekend so can do some good things. Would like him to have a run of games where he's in the D50 only.

McDonald a little out of sorts at the moment last 2 weeks, are we lacking May's voice/leadership at the back?

57 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

I've sat on the fence about posting since the game finished, I can't say I really have much individuality with my insights and I likely echo a lot of what's already been posted, but here goes.

The result on the weekend was almost inexcusable; not that we lost, but the manner in which we did. I always genuinely felt it was a danger game, and I texted a mate beforehand and said I had a bit of a feeling that Essendon might knock us off. Their improvement against the Doggies in the last three quarters was palpable, and I thought the signs were there (albeit, not on the scoreboard) that they could probably extend that form and knock us off. Essendon's intent at the contest, will to move the ball with precision, speed and rigour, and their desperation to just win was a stark contrast to Melbourne.

Disappointingly, we never really looked firing a shot which at least based on the limited form we've seen under King, was not what we should expect. I'm really hoping this game is an aberration and not the beginning of the norm.

In terms of outs, well, you could probably put on a blindfold and throw darts at names and you'd be justified in the outcome.

Lindsay's form is concerning. Yes, he's young. Yes, it's his second year. But he looks lost and lacking in confidence. Personally, I feel that he also seems to lack the intensity at the contest he had in his first couple of games for us, up until he injured himself in a marking contest against GC in R3 last year. He just doesn't seem to have the confidence that he did in those first couple of games IMO. Potentially, he's not overly suited to the role he's playing or he's struggling to adjust to the new speed. I don't know what to make of it.

Windsor continues to mystify. Yeah, he has pace; but his disposal is woeful and once again he's not impacting games at all.

Petty is Petty. I know I'm in the minority on here, but you're effectively playing without a man with him on the field. He's one of the softest big-men I've seen play the game. I was hopeful a return down back would rejuvenate him and get him back to his 2021 form but this just hasn't eventuated. He's lost; he's not a backman, nor a forward and he needs to be more than a secondary stop-gap as a ruckman.

JvR played an absolute pearler in R1 and I thought the signs were beyond impressive in the preseason, but what he's displayed from R2 - R5 show that R1 JvR is a pipedream and aberration.

Culley failed to look anything like an AFL footballer on the weekend, though I largely like what he's produced previously. I'm also pretty firm that we're not in a good position if Salem is still a walk-up start in the 23 end of year.

Melksham didn't look right at all. We all know what he can offer and I think we should rest him if he's not right for this weekend. McDonald was another who was taught a lesson. I'm a little bit on the fence with that to make of it, but I think it's fair to say the passage of time may be catching him.

I suspect we'll go again with JvR and Mihocek, thought I wouldn't be at all disappointed if JvR was out and either Kentfield or Jeffo is given a run. Personally I'd role the dice with AMW and bring him in for Lindsay. I really think you could make about six changes based on the output from the weekend, but I'm trying to be a little balanced between what I'd like and what I expect.

Strangely, I'm more confident we'll get a win this weekend against Brisbane than I was heading into the Essendon game. I'm backing the effort to return and here's to hoping that the Essendon game is an outlier, as disappointing and aggravating as it was.

Spot on. You nailed it all.

I think it will be hard to see JVR keeping his spot and with TMAC and Lever down back we have a backline without confidence.

So Salem, Melksham, JVR and TMAC are out for me.

AMW, Kentfield should come in, not sure on who else.

4 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

That's when I was angry at the performance

Why get angry? It's a game of footy.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by lorn

If JVR gets a game this week I'll self destruct!

46 minutes ago, lorn said:

Why get angry? It's a game of footy.

Some fans clearly would endorse former Liverpool soccer manager Bill Shankly's famous comment that "football is not a matter of life and death. It's much more important than that".

We talk about bid men being soft due to lack of tackles. (subject to personal view). Compare GRUNDY 36 hit outs , 7 tackles SWANS 97 to SUNS 52 tackles. GAWN 34 hit out 2 tackles

Petty 2 tackles DEES 54 to BOMBERS 45 tackles. Is it lack of tackles that make us weak or is this the style of footy we play ? OR Both. Cannot wait to see the axe falling or if you prefer the guillotine. On a note ... Hopefully King has b.lls to drop players, not to keep his favs in , like the previous coach.