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I’ll get the thread back on track. My username is inspired by Melbourne wingman Ed Langdon.

Yes, he can play andI mean seriously play. Game sense is good, awareness is above the norm and his potential is unlimited so it’s a big yes from me and has no off field issues I’m aware of so it’s a big yes from me

I feel it's time that Clayton Oliver lived up to expectations. 4 B&F's, 3 All Australians, 2 AFLCA Player of the Year Awards, 1 Premiership Medal. The guy has clearly been coasting throughout his career to date.

Dees are so lucky to have got such a wonderful footballer as a replacement for Luke, but honestly, there’s not a better person in any footy club than Brodie. Ben Brown is a beauty, but Brodie is something special. We had very influential people at Collingwood telling us all the time, that there was no better trainer at Collingwood than Brodie, and one of their Physios recently told me that in his seven years at the Club, as long as you didn’t want to talk footy, because he’s not a footy head, you couldn’t meet a more interesting and engaged person with whom to talk. Also said that he’s so good with the young blokes. I can also assure you all that there are no doubts at all about lingering effects of last seasons injuries, Brodie 100% fit and ready to go.

Watching footy for 40+ years and never been so nervous during a 12-goal thumping. Oh well, no point ruing what might have been, we’ve clearly got the talent to win the thing. Funny to think that had they been able to do it, the women, like the men, would have snatched the minor premiership right at the death, albeit by vastly different margins.

Great home and away series by the MFC AFLW team. Even a blow out game like today had plenty of drama and entertainment value. One point, loved that they got themselves into a place where they nearly did it. How was Taylor? Nearly made it happen, Lauren with her snap out of the ruck, the same, and Daisy going for the percentage play instead of aiming to bring home the chocky's. We have so much to like about our team. Our ball movement is aggressive, and must worry the other teams. Skills by foot and hands, our attacking back-line who intercept and trust each other. If not Birch, then it's Gillard, with support from Lampard and Gay. The engine room with Purcell, Hanks and West. Our talls doing lots of ground play and the one percenters. We take marks all over the ground (Birch, Taylor, Zanker, Hore) and we have a few who take it on with run and pace (Bannan, Goldy, Zanker, Lampard, Heath). Then there's Paxy who has grown as an outside runner, Heath is just getting better and her role play along with Mithin continues to stop the opposition. We tackle hard and give others very little space, that pressure ensures turnovers. The kicking of Taylor, Gay, Hore and Gillard is beautiful. There's still growth as we are a young team with, Chaplin, Fitzsimmons, Macklin, Sherrif, holding their own Get our goal conversion right and we dominate. Finals footy now, Go Dees.

Personally I’m going to blame Collingwood and their putridly poor effort last night for us missing out on top spot. They were shothouse.

thynks fyr lyttyng ys knyw, ythyn 🤣

That is all very likely. I'd hope, at the same time, that he quickly adapts to the Red'nBlue, and becomes a stalwart onfield leader, a very loyal teammate and a developer of improving young guns across the team - and at Casey. He has enormous experience and perhaps, some influential characteristics for the betterment of the team.

Seek help

Sounds like Gold Coast are locked in with Ginbey at pick 5 (6 after Ashcroft) as he's seen as the prospect with the least go home factor for them. If that rumour is true I wonder if it's Tsatas we're targeting with rumoured speculation of him sliding. Would make sense his outside midfield nature would compliment our inside bulls very well. If we were to move back I'd be okay with it if we were able to nab George. I wouldn't be against taking George with 13 as it is a similar outlook to Jefferson anyway with likely not playing next year. George just looks like that game changer who could become anything, a potential mid/fwd swing with Trac could be devastating. Jefferson's lack of physicality in marking contests and in general really worries me.

Lachie Hunter...back to his best with us.

You'd think the AFL might be privately disappointed that they're now looking at a Queensland GF with the likely venue being Metricon in front of two girls and a dog. They'd get 10+k at Marvel.

Not sure Nascent, I only seen him play PSA footy and on both occasions he played as a loose rebound defender. He was pretty impressive and it’s what he’s good at so he’s never been required to when I watched. He tackled well, was strong in contests and reads the play so I think he would be able to play it with some coaching but his asset with intercept marking and his kicking is why he will be drafted

Really proud of the girls...what a great season they've had. Well coached and well led on field. Some real pluses are Goldy running into some form, Zanker starting to realise her ability and Heath on ball and as a tagger. Special mention to Makin who is getting better by the game, really works hard back and forward from her wing. We're set up for a good finals campaign, let's hope we can go all the way this time.

The conditions here are not conducive for high scoring footy. We are doing pretty well considering the wind and now the rain…nonetheless a few good opportunities went begging that first half.

"I don't think he will be an embarrassment in our midfield" - WTF the guy is a two time AA. What has Jacko shown? Except for the H&W game against Brisbane his year was very ordinary. He might turn out alright but at the moment a fit BG would take him to the cleaners.

Agree completely Kent. This obsession with the 2021 heroes even with injuries proves that even they are not superhuman. Lessons must be collectively learned from Goody down ( or up to the medics)

Heart Beats True the unexpected clubhouse leader of the 'username' thread. I spoke to a member of the Wu-Tang once on the phone, still no idea which one. I've also spoken to Sean Connery on the phone. And was once swallowed up in a hug from Chali 2na, who insisted on buying me drinks all night. Writing an article for Penthouse and on the phone to a Melbourne-based producer when Wu-Tang rocked up to the studio. It sounded rowdy, and then one of them grabbed the phone and started gabbing away, super-excited he was on the phone to Penthouse. Sean called the music store I was running to see if I could send him a Billie Holiday cd. Took a while to convince me that he was Sean Connery (I was acquainted with his ex-wife so he managed to persuade me) - said that people not believing he is him was the curse of his life.

Darren Kowal

More than any player I have ever seen, Salem is a shadow of his best self as soon as he loses confidence in his body. His attack at the contest drops off markedly, and he reverts to safe, short kicks instead of taking the game on. The initial injury was hugely disappointing and costly for both player and team, but bringing him straight back in for round 12 was a mistake in hindsight. We should have given him a couple of weeks at Casey leading into the bye and then brought him back for the Brisbane game. With a bit of form and confidence, he should have been primed for a big second half of the year. More significantly, there is no way he ever should have played in either final. He was basically a passenger in both games, which was hugely costly in a couple of close contests. Hopefully he gets himself right in the break and has a big 2023, because his best football is excellent.

I’ve already heard rumours about Pick 13’s mum being a handful.

Should have been rested in my view but playing crocks instead of using our depth is our way unfortunately Here's hoping he is back fully fit next year

In terms of a breakout - ie shown potential but not put it together consistently - Tom Sparrow for mine. Has all the tools, needs a bit more composure and needs to nail his disposal more often. Does that and he becomes a bona fide weapon.

Disco Turner and Petty. Petty forward, Disco back with May and Lever, all saluting on the last day in September!

Yeah, it’s weird getting old. I’m 44. I’m currently doing this program with people mostly in their 20’s and it’s really obvious they think I’m not that cool. It’s the first time I’ve really felt judged for my age. The only good part is that when I make jokes about f*#king their mums they look terrified, because it seems plausible.

Tom Sparrow for me.

Jaydy and Ryger. Not even joking.

My daughter assured me the modern term is "chonky". At 185/87 I'm not implying George is fat. He's likely muscle bound at a young age and that would give him a big advantage in U18 that may not translate.

Sparrow really does have some qualities to go up two levels ... the coaches need to take him there. Skilled, keen, toughnut standard. Could be lethal onfield.

Yes, and at 25 he is running out of time.

What about the knee surgeries? Both knees, dislocated shoulder and broken clavicle. Not looking too bright at the moment, I must say - plus, he's been confirmed as a very active 'party boy' who is out on the town most nights. Are we talking about the same fella? The pick number (13) already sums him up pretty well in terms of longer-term potential, does it not?

He would definitely want to get some games next year given he was a highish draft pick and it’s year 3 in the system. Looking forward to seeing what’s he’s capable of offering the side next year.

Should have come back through Casey with 2-3 managed games

I would have thought we addressed quite simply and efficiently on losing Jacko this year. Or have you forgotten the name Brodie Grundy. Yes thats the new 2nd ruck with some mid field skills better than most his size. And I haven't closed the door of him developing forward craft to say get 15/20 goals if he is rested up front. Maxy's only done this really once and he was a waste in the last 10/12 games banged up ( thanks to that disgracefully deliberate jump by the American Pie into his back on QB afternoon starting his demise). Maxy was purely up front to test the oppo defence and stop it's marking of our pretty impotent forays forward or to the LH pocket and prevent our hopefully Gawn mark and goal as well which did not eventuate. We can address specifically the KPF next draft with one of our four picks along with a future ruck prodigy and Jacko May be a mostly distant memory, (except our bang bang bang 3Rd Quarter unforgettable highlight Flag junkies like me) hopefully replaced with the 2023 version of Flag memories of equal jubilation. If of course Pick 37 still has a tall timber prospect of high skill and Hope available then that's a bonus really.

Would love to see Bailey Laurie step up and play AFL games in season 2023.

He’s just not a footballer.

Oh joy, another West Australian

I'm not sure they divide the salary cap into areas of the ground, but one thing that is absolutely certain is that once a player is on a contract north of say $800 he’s in the spotlight. It’s often not easy to do, but a List Manager can quickly solve a lot of challenges by moving on one player on a million rather than 2 or 3 for that money, particularly, when that Player is a Ruckman, who as we know, are held in varying degrees of importance by different Coaches. This was an immaculate meeting of needs as the Dees were desperate to replace Jacko and Craig identified Brodie as the best way to solve multiple needs. When you combine what the Dees are paying Brodie, what they had to give up for Brodie, plus what they got for Jacko, in my opinion, this is a truly Golden Deal for the Dees.

I check in every now and again only to find out that the discussion has moved on to how good the new Fetid Putrescence album is or that the Necrophiliac Spawn are playing at Satan Fest next year. Fascinating stuff.

If he's there at our pick would you personally choose him PSD?

My choice is also a fit and stronger Tom Sparrow who will demand greater midfield minutes, however I will not be surprised if any or all of Jordon, Rivers, Bowey, JVR and Howes step up significantly. My take is that Kozzie and Petty have already broken out and will continue to cement themselves into our first 23.

Nothing as far as I’m aware of field he was the standout of the WA group as an underager and had an excellent colts season in 2021. I just think the emergence of Ginbey, Allan and the game awareness and skill set of 196 Busslinger have seen him move down the order. His draft year is very reminiscent of Jack Darlings where there were all sorts of conspiracy theories around about West Coast trying to hide him etc, when the truth was he just struggled against bigger and smarter defenders and couldn’t do what he could at the underage level. The WAFL has decent depth now and as I said to Dazzle last week so many medium sized good footballers who get overlooked but can seriously play, so it’s not as easy for the 18s boys to jut walk in and standout. I have no worries about Hewitt going into the AFL system and think he”ll do very well

One of the main reasons for our (relatively) disappointing season was his injury.

I reckon Pick 13 will come straight in and have a strong year. He has a lot of potential and we were lucky he slid to us at 13. We got the man we wanted in the end

I'd already consider Petty as "broken out", but he's the obvious one who could have an even bigger impact if he's tried up forward and is successful there. Otherwise he could be an AA level KPD on his current trajectory. The other I'd put forward is Rivers. His first two seasons were very good for a youngster, but he struggled with managing a knee injury and lacking preseason fitness in 2022. If he's fully fit and gets a full prison, he could very well have a big impact in defense next year. We need to replace Hibberd in the short term, and Rivers looks to have both the defensive and rebounding side to his game to be effective there. Love his booming kick too, which suits our game style transition forward with both Gawn and Grundy as tall marking targets on the wings in transition.

Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide extra: The 10 next best - https://www.afl.com.au/news/860996

Why not? Max Gawn was drafted by the club while recovering from an ACL injury while Christian Petracca injured his very early on in his first pre season. Both are premiership players and the early setbacks didn’t prevent them from becoming All Australians. I’d like to think also that the faith the club placed in them during those dark times when they went through the long process of recovery helped create that bond and loyalty between club and player that led to them entering long term contracts further down the track as their careers unfolded.

The point of difference with Petty and why he must go forward is his contested marking (and legal aggression). This is more important in a forward than a back, where mobility and the ability to effect a spoil is at a premium. Brown Schache and Tmac are all inferior to Petty as contested marks, and Gawn is an erratic shot at goal. Petty also to my mind will unlock Fritsch further, who as a secondary forward is lethal. Petty will also provide more forward defensive pressure than any other forward something Brown cannot do. Then 2nd tall can be either JVR or Tmac. With Gawn resting occasionally forward.