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Oh FFS...

What numbers? A slight dip in uncontested possessions, hardly a surprise given the team couldn't move the ball nearly as well this year as last. AFL players to average 20 disposals, 10 contested possessions and 1 goal a game this year: Dangerfield and Gray. Petracca was next best. That's rare company. His disposal efficiency improved - in particular his field kicking was far sharper. His goal kicking got better after an awful start and he might be working towards a long term fix. He doubled his inside 50 tackles. His score involvements only dipped from 6.7 to 6 which is actually a great achievement given how much the rest of the sides score involvements dropped off. There's plenty of stats to back up his improvement as well as just watching the games.

Thought this thread was about Carlton for a second

I for one welcome our new communications minister to the club.

I'm hearing that we may sign Tomlinson as a RFA. GWS will receive an end of first round pick as compo. GWS will then trade Picks 11, 13 and Compo pick to us for Pick 3. Can't remember where I originally heard it, but it does sound plausible.

Trac averaged 20 touches and a goal this year, was in the top 5 general forwards in the league, not a bad effort in a team that couldn't score and finished 17. Petracca is a very good AFL player with the potential to make the jump to being a superstar and it's not far off. I wouldn't be trading him under any circumstances.

I guess we were all wrong. It was a good year after all. Go Dee’s! Defensive kings!

At the risk of flogging a dead horse our shocking preseason prevented drilling in things over and over gain. Introducing new systems require all team availability for a high proportion of training sessions. Goodwin acknowledged that perhaps he overreached in terms of trying to implement new systems. That same disrupted preseason is the reason why we were not fit enough (and Lewis has said pointedly that some, presumably young players didn't come back fit enough, which if true would not have helped). On new game style we absolutely tried to implement a more chip and hold system. This was particularly evident after the bye. it perplexes me that so many DL posters don't seem to have noticed this. Of course all game styles require two way running but this approach requires multiple players offering multiple leads and options when their team has the ball. And when they don't multiple players running to cover outlet kicks. Together that demands huge aerobic fitness - and i said we newer got fit enough. It is for this reason that we got smashed in last quarters so regularly. We ran out of gas and couldn't stop the switch and run it out of defence style teams like WC are so good at. The interesting thing about this game style is i reckon it is one that is built for the home and away season. Contested ball is still super important but the keeping of style means there are less collisions (and much to the chagrin of the AFL less scoring opportunities - hard to score when you kick 4 or 5 times across you half back flank and then chip it slowly down the ground) and therefore hopefully less contact injuries and not as hard for players to get up and recover week after week. Very taxing aerobically but less physical toll. More than ever we have two different seasons. Home and Away and Finals. I suspect that this finals we will see much less chip and hold, quicker ball movement, an emphasis on getting it forward, high presssure around the ball, more big contests and the sort of game the dees played last year because in most games there is no tomorrow. This suits teams like the Tigers, Giants and bullies i reckon.

He had a better season than 90% of our list. Absolutely no need to consider trading him. I do agree that, for him to have more midfield time, that he needs to build on his tank and midfield craft a little, but that can be worked on.

Not like he hacked Jones' phone to get it.

It might be easier to have a thread for players we aren’t going to trade.

I've gone over this in the - is Goodwin the right guy thread. But put simply, yes it was a massive f up. 2019 as a whole was a massive f up. Most people don't agree with me, but our stoppage, high press based game from 2018 was completely void in the 2019 version of the game. We were required to run more and to put it simply we couldn't. We were either injured, unfit or too slow. I am no expert nor do I claim to be 100% correct, but my observation were that teams (the good ones for 2019) are the ones who organised well defensively behind the ball and rebounded well from turnover and defence. There are some otherr teams like the lions have offsensive flair, speed and a strong midfield. Teams that can run and carry from defence or create turnovers form pressing back defensively have been the most successful this year, and if you had to summarise our year we couldn't defend or score in 2019. The ball was in motion more in 2019, there were less stoppages and lack of stoppages took away Gawn and our mds strengths. We won our fair share of the ball but butchered it often. When we butchered it we had to run to defend and we weren't fit enough or fast enough to stop teams. For whatever the reason (lack of speed, injuries, lack of skill, poor structure or all of the above).we lacked organisation and the ability to execute. if you don't believe me go and rewatch the opening rounds where we tried to press and lock the ball in our F50 like in 2018 but continually turned it over and were unable to defend teams on the rebound. All year teams torched us when we turned the ball over, it didn't matter what the structure was, there was no pressure on the ball carriers and teams picked through the lack of pressure and scored easily. I think I looked at roughly round 12 and we were worse then GC defensively. When we did go ultra defensive we couldn't score - it was a really bad year. We simply didn't have the fitness, skill or structure to compete in 2019. Hence why the game plan changed on the run - think back to the mid season break and the clubs restructure, we all knew the style wasn't working. Once the game plan evolved to match to what was evolving in the game our season was already over. Our players were not conditioned to play that way and we battled with injury and form all year. Hence the article above, we got smashed in most areas of the game. You can point fingers at whoever you like, the players, the coaches, the club itself and even the supports have gotten a mention. its all been raised and discussed elsewhere. You can do all the finger pointing you want Im interested in what they do to fix it. The article above is an indication they've addressed some issues - us Demonlanders won't really ever know the inside story but I think its a good sign. Like I've said in the is Goodwin the right guy thread - I don't necessarily think a new coach would solve all of these issues from the 2019 failings. I think club stability and the overall plan are the most important for success, but I do agree win loss is important as well, it can't be ignored. So 2020 is a big year for Goodwin and co. He can't afford another 5 win season, changes will need to be made, and they've started already.

My dog often says that on his morning walks. And proud of it.

Trac was one player who could say he improved and can hold his head up after the year Would be ridiculous to entertain any trade deal yes he needs to build up his motor to play more midfield time but I feel he will still be a burst type midfielder and not a Josh Kelly or Tom Scully marathon running midfielder pure madness to even consider trading out Trac, or even Brayshaw or Viney

Laird would be the first player I’d take from the Crows if it was at all possible. Jetta and Hibbo aren’t getting younger and he would be perfect back there next to his old mate Lever and May for the next 5 years.

Than the Captain at the snow in September. ?‍♂️

Family photo and a great day at the snow.........so what, its a great pic.

He hosts ‘Grandstand’ - a radio program on ABC Radio Perth and commentates games for the same station. He’s also the Senior Coach of North Fremantle.

This board is starting to lose the plot.

Spot on on fitness. It doesn't matter what style used fitness is critical. But the chip and hold style that is in vogue definitely requires a a great deal of running. It was interesting to read quotes from May that the dees wanted him to run a lot more up and down the ground than was the case at GC where he stayed in the back half as a lock down defender ans that this was a factor in him not being fit enough for the game style we wanted to play. Suggests we were looking to do more running style game. Perhaps given our preseason and injuries we in fact might have been better to stay more with our existing game style than trying a new one players weren't fit enough to execute.

Looks good in a Dees jumper.

If there areTrade Brayshaw and Trade Viney threads then there can be a Trade Petracca thread. Just depends on whether you believe he’s genuinely going to get any better or not. Purely statistically he is treading water season upon season: https://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=2626 Those are average numbers. Disappointing really for a number 2 draft pick after his fifth season. I’ve seen cases made where some of our supporters put him in the top ten forwards in the competition, which is plainly ridiculous. From my vantage point he’s a player who continues to operate off the unearned hype of media adulation, a player with serious flaws (especially with his kicking action) which may never correct themselves. I say sell now while he still has value. We’d get a pick from 8 - 15 for him which we could use on a classy outside runner ... or maybe even young Fischer McAsey to bolster our key forward stocks. Something has always been a bit off key about Petracca IMO. Work ethic, attitude, drive to succeed ... can’t quite put my finger on it but something has never quite sit right looking on.

Two things. One, Steven May proved when he was fit that he'll be a massive asset in our backline. True, he could have been more professional in his approach to pre-season training which then hampered his year, but I've seen enough to be convinced that getting him is the right move. Two, it's not as if Hogan set the world alight at Freo. His foot looks to be a long term injury concern for him so it's not as if he went and kicked 60 goals for the season. And Dean Kent did what we all knew he would - play decent footy and then get a long term injury. Regular as clockwork.

Keep an eye out for this son of a gun. Made his under 18's WAFL Colts debut a couple of weeks ago as a 16 year old which is a fantastic effort. Also in the under 16 State WA Academy squad.

Can we trade TMac's toe for a working one?

In the cold light of day, I suspect You’re probably right Binman. except that he would have been ridiculed by all and sundry, told he was too stubborn/ stupid to change and risked further alienating a supporter base already baying for blood. He possibly might have risked his position as coach too.

If they get their hands on pick 3 it means that they will be able to take green with a second round selection as their first selection will be in before the bidders. They are essentially (indirectly) gaining an upgrade of their second round pick to another top 5 selection by doing the deal. So yes they will pay overs for pick 3.

I don’t disagree but your use of the word “almost” is operative. I think we need to squeeze/manage whatever we can from those blokes for another two years. Jetta was cruelled by injury this year but is still one of the best small/medium lock downs we have. Between Lever and May we’ve blown (‘used’ maybe a better choice of word) 3 top 15 draft picks so I’m pretty averse to consuming another in defence where I don’t really see the need right now.

That's not why they want pick 3, they want it so they don't lose their first round picks (which they would if they got an early bid). They want a player at pick 3 and Green, otherwise they wouldn't bother trading.

Totally different player and nothing like Silvia, Trac is a very good AFL player now. He doesn't need the big breakout year. Your bias is blinding you 'Matsuo'.

Burgess, a bit of a look in the mirror and some adjustments on the track will hopefully fix that. Should be a gun by now and showed he is close on occasions this season. 2020 is the year we need to see a big break out from the Traccattack in the mid field! Potential game changer if he does. Gus, Clarry and Tracc in the mid field! Yes please. Defensive lock down work from Viney on some of the Opp's big stars like Dusty, Danger, Pendles and the Bont and we get ourselves competitive once more. Up and firing at their best with some game style and structural adjustments with some outside run added to the mix and could take us into a finals series. But then there's always our abysmal forward line / craft. Boy do we have some work to do on list and other factors. Should be a very hectic off season!

There is one stat that stands out to me re: Jack and his importance to our side. In the three finals last year, he averaged: 23 disposals, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 16 contested possessions and 4 inside fifties a game. When the pressure was on, he rose to the occasion, and that was off the back of an injury interrupted year. He didn't set the world alight this year, but then who did? Not many to be honest. I want blokes in my side that can step up on the big stage, and Jack has shown that he is more than capable of doing that as a leader of our club.

But isn't this exactly the point?? Say we delist him, aside from the ugly look it would be, who replaces him on the list? Pick 78 in the draft. I'm sure whoever he is he'll be as reliable depth as Jones. Chunk might play 2 games next year or he might play 22 I don't know. But I can guarantee that at his age he has more to offer than late draft pick. So we keep him.

“Maybe it’s what needed to happen for us to improve. It’s been lineal improvement year on year for four to five years now. This year we took a hit, a big one, but one that makes everyone internally reflect and get a true indication on what it is going to take to get to the level we long for. “I’m positive we will find our way back.” Jones signs on for 2020

Can we start the 'Trade Everyone' thread and be done with the club?

Agree with Binman and particularly your 2nd para Unleash Hell. I think all of Brayshaw, Oliver, Harmes & Viney had surgery or injuries over pre season that made our two way running in midfield much worse. Add in Jones who just wont run two ways and Lewis too slow and you get caught out a lot. Then have back line sitting too high and you have big defensive problems, Dees in 2020 unfortunately. Forward line with TMac not fully fit and out of form, Weideman not kicking on from 2018 and not one nippy forward, the forward line didn’t function. Add pre season woes and then injuries during the season and you have a crap year. After 50plus years on watching Demons, seems like we’ve rarely if ever been a good two running team, and our best football is when we keep the ball moving quickly. Round 6-11 last year we started to really move the ball and play with confidence and it was electric! Hopefully after nearly all our players get a full pre season under Burgess and they train two way running and spread, stop all going for ball at same time, with a soft draw, 2020 offers some hope!

Re OP Not sure whether to laugh or cry....drink is a given....

Agree on all points It's funny that one of the rumours on here about his supposed discontentment was that he he was being asked to rein in his nstural attacking flair. Who knows if that is true (being asked to curb his flair, not the rumour of discontentment) but personally I think they should encourage him to he more selfish and go for more goals.

I’ve heard a few things. Can’t name sources sorry.

I get the impression the MFC thinks it’s all just going to happen again Mind Blowing really and i hope i am wrong But the whole teams 2 way running in 2019 was atrocious compared to other teams...

Healthy dose of fantasy in that comment.

i think it is quite simple - he doesn't have the tank to play 4 quarters. If he wants midfield time that will need to change.

I understand your perspective on this however after seeing Green take part in the EJ Whitten it should be revisited. Green should be sought out for a role as little as two days a week for a couple of hours a day to help the players with their kicking. When Green played he was such an accurate shot on goal from multiple angles. A great player I really enjoyed watching play.

Glad that Jones has another year. Hope it motivates him to get fit and consistently play well enough to make 300. I hope he has the selflessness to step down as co-captain, as others have: Boake, Murphy (and Prendlebury has signaled the same). I'm sure he likes the privileges of co-captaincy but time to hand it over. Hope he relinquishes it without a fuss.

If we could split the pick and give up a pick in the early teens for Laird, that is an absolute no brainer imo. However, I think Adelaide will be wanting something in the top 10, or a couple of picks in the mid-teens.

What a magical time that was. Feels like it was years ago now.

He is a 25 year old 2 X all Australian who is contacted until 2021... I really think a first rounder is this absolute starting point if we had a chance of getting him. I'd say a pick between 8-15.

Judd on Classified mentioning that we should trade pick 2 for Ben King and helping them draft Rowell + Anderson, followed by Caro saying we think GCS will get pick 2" Judd: "Well "we" don't. My professional opinion is that I think they'll get pick 10" - It was his response to Lloyd after he asked if Judd knew anything.

Your continual digs at Spargo are getting wearisome Spirit. We get it, you don't rate him. He's a 19yr old second year player that has signed an extension for the 2020 season. So get used to the fact he'll be on our list next year and please move on.