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ANB and Petty get selected on the ground so guaranteed a game? WTFFFFFF! Young Baker must have run over Goody’s cat and it appears JKH then threw it on the BBQ!

Selecting 2 x Wagners ??

Rounds 18 to 21 should show what we have learnt and how far we have progressed this year. We have return games vs Eagles, Saints, Tigers, Pies. They beat us this year with better game plans or better tactics or straighter kicking. But we will have most of the preseason/early season injured players back. We have had 2-3 months to apply lessons learnt and a new coaching structure. So we should perform better this time round. Hoping for a few wins! A benefit of the return matches is coaches can test different tactics/plans. If they work against arguably 3 of the best 4-5 teams then we can be optimistic of a successful 2020. If they don't it is back to the drawing board. I'm looking forward to these games to see how we have adjusted and what 2020 may bring.

I have it at 500% Is it a wombat?

Is that a German WW2 Kruzer tank? But re selections -IF Gawn plays and aggravates his injury I will seriously not renew, especially as we recruited Preuss exactly for this contingency and this is a meaningless match as our season is over.

Clearly we are making decision based on the long term future.

If the rest of the season is about preparing for next year, this is a crazy decision. Baker has shown signs of being a very good long term player, and we are crying out for speed. Hard to believe either of the Wagners are a better solution to giving this kid another run. You can only shake your head.

Gawn still in doubt. https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-04/star-demon-still-in-doubt-as-final-fitness-test-looms Ankle still very swollen. Will be tested again on Saturday. Lever will play VFL. Goodwin: "We just want to ease him back into it." Should have done that a month ago rather than bring him into AFL on barely a full game in over a year.

It’s so easy to see isn’t it. The only Club who doesn’t get it is us. We made Nathan Jones a September Video in 2017 and it was released before the Finals had been made!!! Stand Up Comedy....

Just wondering if it's worth us having a central place to discuss our thoughts on a reasonably feasible coaching lineup for next season? It's not that far away from when the pieces start to move as contracts finish during August. Happy for other posters to put forward their own potential vacancies/options, but as it stands now from a mix of rumour, intuition, club situation and 'the good word' the following is a list of spots that could be open followed by some suggestions on who is realistically 'gettable' and could suit our specific needs: Senior Assistant/Mentor: Brad Scott, Brendon Bolton, Michael Voss, John Barker, Cameron Bruce ('good word'). With all the rumours flying about McCartney, there's definitely a feel he may not be around next year. Forward Coach: Leigh Adams, Brad Miller. No source, but just a feeling Rawlings could be annoyed by having to move from coaching his own outright team. May move back to Casey, may move on. Development Coach (at least 1 spot probably): Brendon Bolton, Brett Kirk. With McCartney possibly gone from this area, you could also add Rooke to the list who may not be around next year. Midfield Development Coach: Dean Solomon, Jordan Lewis. Would think Plapp could be in danger of not being renewed. Strategy Coordinator: Adem Yze, Brett Montgomery. A usually good source has surprisingly told me Jennings will look to move on end of season. Goal Kicking Coach (Part Time): Brad Green, Nick Riewoldt, David Neitz, Matthew Lloyd. New position, clearly needed. What do you think Demonland? Any rumours floating around? Anyone you think the club should be talking to for a specific role? Or any roles we don't have that we should? NB - No former Demons were included solely on the basis they are former Demons.

All i want from this game is for Goodwin to not talk to the press. His corporate speak makes me want to stick a chopstick in my ears.

After seeing Goodwins presser I would really like to know what he puts in his bong. Or maybe it’s medicinal THC.

Does he need to turn up his sarcasm meter?

The 2 Wagners and Lewis are our long term future?

Well, in all fairness, if he had run over my cat i would have dropped him as well.

Analysis of the week award right there.

Smith is sadly injury prone. Both Wagners named ? our depth is laughable. Lock it in, Carlton will touch us up. But according to Goody we are wanting to improve every week! I say get players who hate to lose. This group seem to comfortable and are hugged too much.

I’m really pleased that it looks as though we will have our list fully fit and rare’in to go by Round 23......

I'm no medico but when I saw the angle that Gawn's ankle was bent to and ,considering his weight, I immediately figured he was a scratching this week. FMD, I cannot fathom how he was ever any chance of being considered!!

I think they'll bring in OMac and Spargo - just out of habit Ugh

I would have Jones over Garlett, Hannan or Spargo any day of the week. At least you know Jones is going to provide a contest and he can win his own ball. And he is a more reliable kick for goal. Not exactly a small forward per se but why do we have to follow convention?

It never occurred to me that players will not play out the season as if we were in the finals race. In 2019 they have taken the respect for our beloved demons back several years. They have 8 weeks to get some of it back. They can shape the final 8, play for pride and their own self respect. I just can't digest the thought that they will not do their best in every game. If they just put the cue in the rack it will be a poor way to enter the 2020 preseason. Where will the hunger come from in 2020?

If some things don't change it is unlikely the results will. I don't mind too much if we don't win but the club most show it has improved in this year and what better way to do that than these four return games. If some things don't change we will miss the opportunity to test different coaching ideas against teams that in recent years have generally had the wood on us and are successful teams. To me it is now all about preparation for 2020 so I expect the club to play to win but not to squander the opportunity the rest of the season provides for experimenting and show that we have learnt and improved.

interesting ... had we done well this year and the Carlton "new coach" impact was minimal it would have been realistic to think we could have surpassed Carlton in raw membership terms next season. What a missed opportunity

Had a good chat to Pedo on the long weekend minutes after the Phillip island vs Cora Lynn blockbuster finished in a draw. He was BOG alongside the CL full forward. Played Ruck all day for PI. Lovely guy.

Nigel Lappin and Blake Carecella are two coaches i would be talking to. If the rumours are true that we will be trying to lure Brendan Bolton then that would be a huge get! I like Ben Matthews as our midfield coach, i think he has shown with our young on ball brigade that he is capable of developing good midfielders. I would add someone like a Brett Kirk next to him.

Bolton and Goodwin, would be like two learner drivers at an intersection wondering who should turn first.

Lose this and we will lose all confidence and probably finish second last. win and we COULD get on a bit of a run and end up on ~8 wins and save some embarressment and have something to build on for next year so I think it matters.

Just be sure to check the fine print on the invitation @dazzledavey36, there's a world of difference between 'free alcohol' and 'alcohol free'.

is he a roaming leading small forward you suggest ? amazing myself by thinking thats not the worst thing that could happen But the bar is set low at present.. who knows...his mates might just kick it to him

Pity, was looking forward to the Tigers and Pies home games at a near capacity MCG at the start of the season. Was picturing noise levels of last year’s finals. Want to see some fight from here, don’t want other teams penciling in 4 points when they see our name.

Collingwood... last round of 2017 if they want to look for a role model

Completely agree about it being a test and being about preparation for 2020, I'm just very concerned about how much we gave up in the Brisbane game and that it may be an indication of how a lot of the players will treat the rest of this year.

Hate to be doomsday but I’d be surprised if we see anything different from what’s been dished up so far. I’m expecting plenty of the ball, good amount of hard ball gets and more i50s than the opposition. I’m also expecting scrappy i50 entries leading to poor score returns. Also expecting poor skills leading to turnovers and easy scoring opportunities for our opponent.

Because Hogan has proven to be such a great player for Fremantle? Note: Hogan and Jayden Hunt this year both have 1 goal 1 point per game average. Hunt has played more games had more tackles, more inside 50's, better disposal efficiency, more metres gained and more intercepts than Hogan, and many people think Hunt should be dropped. What about Hogan compared to May? May has less games and averages more disposals, more tackles, better disposal efficiency, more 1%ers, more metres gained and more intercepts. May is a better leader (not hard) Hogan has potential to be a very good player, May is a very good player.

Would have worked better as a sledge if you knew how to use the quote function

Another player we discussed today, he's an interesting one who has certainly raised his stocks after his carnival games. Tough call is was it a sign of an upward trajectory performing under pressure ir has he just put 4 good games together I think the former but think he lacks real x factor, although if anyone can ever show me Simon Blacks Xfactor outside of having great vision and calmness under pressure(which many don't see as xfactor, but I do) Robertson comes from a family of endurance athletes, I'd thought before this year he was very vanilla but he's developed a decent side step and acceleration in traffic, which is a plus I think he'll be a good player by all accounts he's a driven individual but I see him as pick 10+ at best. If as I expect we have pick 5-7 if all available in order I would take Ash, Greene, Kemp, Young, Gould, Serong & Flanders. I am ruling out Anderson and Rowell who will go top 2 or 3 if there's a late bolter.

Neeld.

squad should be cherry ripe for the finals period!

Jaryd Roughead forward coach? Lewis will stay on in a coaching role next season so we might be a chance to lure Roughie over. I like the idea of getting former players back. Yze and Green are my preferences. Brad Scott anyone?

Any chance Pedersen may be available?

It's not exactly party time at the moment Red.

Calm down and play the ball mate. Let's discuss your points: "You seem impressed by May getting stuck into a team mate" - I'm never "impressed" when this kind of thing has to happen, but I'm glad we finally have a leader not willing to just cruise through games/his career and actually wants to win. Nathan Jones has described May as one of the best directors of play he has ever played with. "this attitude did not win games for the Suns" - This is a facetious comment surely? You don't think development, coaching, resources, culture and more had anything to do with the Suns lack of success? You're blaming it all on May's "attitude"? Gee wiz. "like May he has not established himself as a consistent player" - Actually, through his 127 game career he has done just that. Frost has not. "Suns were pleased to get rid of May because he is not good leadership material" - He was literally a captain of their club. "May's attitude sucks" - What exactly is your source for this? Know him personally? Every single person from the club has praised his "attitude", are you saying they've all lied? Where is your proof? "May seems lazy and keen to blame others for his deficiencies" - Again, where exactly is your proof of this? What deficiencies does he have and whom as he blamed for them? My sources are the facts of his career and direct quotes from players and coaches of the club. What are yours?

Wins do matter ... both to the playing group, coaches, admin & the board. And importantly, the supporters & members. Just imagine how we'd all view it if we finished at 4 & 18. Sponsors, prime-time games, membership, destination club, Goodwin and numerous other factors would be at stake I understand that you want to win as many games as possible t_u as I've read your posts on the subject so I'm not directing the above comments at you And given our history ... when we go down we stay down. For years. So make no mistake, we need to finish the season well but if we play like we did against the Lions, we'll be lucky to win another game. So it is all to play for as far as I'm concerned. Those eyeing off a top-end draft pick need to realise that there are many other factors at play. More important factors in my opinion.

I think our entire forward line is a shambles. We may have kicked less goals in other games this year, however last week (V Brisbane) our forward line was at it's most dysfunctional. Our entire forward line is a real concern going forward, and certainly agree with the OP that our list is sorely lacking a competent small forward.