Lil_red_fire_engine

2024 VFL Henderson has 17 games with 20+ possessions and 10 games with 5+ tackles. 2025 He has 1 and 2 and lacked any of the zip and agility he showed in spades the year before. I suggest the groin problem that finished his season were present for a lot longer. If the case and if confident his groin issues are passed him I can get why they might retain him.

If only Sestan had Kynan's speed or Kynan had Sestans boot we would have found an AFL player.

Or all of the above. Being he missed out on West Coast I dont think you want to miss two in a row (even if it is to Bucks). If you didnt have high confidence Im not surprised. I doubt its item 3 being he went through the process with the hot mess of the Weagles last year.

Agree here. The Henderson of last year VFL and 2025 preseason had zip and agility. That disappeared early in the season. I suspect his groin issues started alot earlier than was reported and he played through them way passed the point of value and impact.

Agree here. Between picks 45 and 55 you have the following likely success rate: 1 game = 55% 50 games = 15% 100 games = 5% Picks outside of the first 2 rounds are highly overrated. They should be used on players where you can see some mature potential whether trade in or mature age from VFL, WAFL, SANFL etc where you can see their potential attributes and fit more clearly. Worth having a swing when you have picks there but it should be secondary to finding a higher confidence way to put them to use during trade period.

Why? Pick 23 which will push closer to 30 in a weak draft? Do you take the 22 year old proven player who already has 75 games under his belt that provides attributes we need and would be immediate best 22. Or do you bet on an unproven kid who based on the numbers would have a 30% chance of reaching 75 games in his career (players in the 30-35 range).

We have midfielders but don't have a Windhager. He is one of the hardest 2 way running mids in the game. He has the discipline to both defend stoppage and lay a hard tag. When allowed to play his natural game through there he is a natural connector. His uncontested possession % over his last month was 75%. 84%, 65%, 74%. His ball use at worst is generally high 70% and into the 80%. At 22 he is about to go next level in the right role at the right team. Will be a fantastic complement to our current set up or if we make change to our midfield mix.

I want Buckley for a variety of reasons CV, hunger to win a flag, media acumen, to lead and unite. If assistant coach x pips him my view will be how impressive must x have been for us to take the higher risk, less expected road. The only thing that will not sit well with me on a decision is if Buckley chooses to not proceed at a point and the perception we are then left with next best.

But he doesn’t win the ball enough and outside of that lacks the speed or size to be a danger in any other way nor any positional flexibility.

As reported exit interviews (including those still playing VFL finals) have occurred and allegedly no one has requested a trade at this point. To my knowledge those out of contract are aware of the likelihood of where they sit whether definite delist or wait and see subject to trade period.

I wish Charlie the best of luck elsewhere and hope he gets his body right to regain the little speed the had. We though need to go passed extending contracts for players like him and find new players to take us forward.

"Ruthless" I dont know. They are throwing ridiculous cash around for players not in the top 50 rated this year. Thye just seem intent in acquiring whatever they can get. Let's see what happens with Flanders who I rate but if I had the choice between him or WIndhager to target its the latter all the way for me.

I was thinking this as they watched Rayner tear them a new one in the second half last night, I also agree that the Dogs failings should see May overvalued by the Dogs to try and stay in the mix with Bevo there and Bont still at his best.

So in summary he tries hard. Unfortunately the game has gone passed him having a consistent positive impact in the middle of the ground. For all his hard work he is the break in alot of our offensive plays and he gets lost in defensive transition. He needs to be retooled as a pressure half forward who comes up to the stoppage and takes an occasional CBA. He also should not be guaranteed a game going into 2026.

His game last night has been building. I suggest that was his biggest impact for 2025 in a hot game played in a way that future footy likely is. The question should be if he played like that next year would you be happy to pay him the $$$. It needs to be considered how much are you really saving if we move him on as well as what is the potential cultural impact is he stays or goes. Based on last night unless he wants out or he is culturally an issue I would be backing him in. I would much prefer us to move on Trac for the return and less likelihood of his impact moving forward or for us to have some hard truth conversations with VIney and Lever who the game has gone passed.

6 Langford 5 Gawn 4 Oliver 3 Fritsch 2 Salem 1 Rivers

If someone told me May had money on pies tonight it would not surprise. Worst half of football he has played. Love that we are really trying to play fast forward handball. It’s a shame that Viney and Trac dont know how to do it and Salem would prefer to ignore it. Pickett is clearly lame and has been for 2-3 weeks. I hope we keep having an crack and dont go home after half time.

There is a difference between "destination club" and a club throwing ridiculous coin at players til they say yes who are not proven worthy (TDK, Aleer) or passed their best (Ryan).

Hopefully with NWM signing an extension we are now going hard before they turn their attention to Windhager with whatever coins they find under the couch.

It will be interesting which end of the ground he trains at over the preseason under a new coach and subject to list changes we make. He certainly seems to have gained much more confidence in his movement and body over the last month which is promising.

Buckley led his own team to finals 5 times and within a Dom Sheed kick of a flag. Nothing against Daly but your general description would also fit Mark Neeld. Whether its Bucks, Daly or whoever we need someone who commands respect, comes from a winning culture and is hungry to coach the ultimate success. You could argue both fit the bill in different ways dependant on what narrative you want to set.

This is a great idea but can I suggest if you are doing this you update each with the date and where the rumour source ie: website, social page, which DL poster etc..? As example where did the Flanders one come from? Dont disagree but sounds more like opinion than rumour.

6 Gawn 5 Salem 4 Rivers

Not unexpected in my view. There was always a good chance of a down off the emotion of the recent weeks. We were ok after quarter time but that was more a 10-12 goal loss saved by their kicking. What I did like was Chappy continuing to spin the magnets to see what we learn. Interesting that in the last quarter Rivers was in the pivot, Petty at CHB and Sparrow on a half back flank. I actually would prefer us to be shown up like that today as I dont want an incumbent thinking you can in todays footy carry so many ball butchers in Oliver, Viney, Langdon, Trac and Sparrow. Hopefully we try some new things again next week. Make a few changes subject to performance tomorrow and get through unscathed (lets hope for no Pickett last round suspension like the last 2 years).

I love that we are trying some new positions as you learn things. I have already seen enough of the Bowey at half forward. Can we please get him back at half back off the back of the stoppages. Please put Viney to half forward (preferably to pressure and not get the ball) and move Rivers into the middle. Better quarter effort wise and once we put Howes to Gunston but we are just being shown up by a slick outfit with something to play for.