Lil_red_fire_engine

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.

Great to watch a team that play with dare and know how to dispose of a ball. We will go nowhere in 2026 with blazing ball butchers in Viney, Oliver and Langdon. I will also take any player sticking a tackle.

Windhager watch. 26 possessions (14 uncontested) at 89% efficiency. Plays hard. Runs hard. Has polish. Should be our number 1 target. I hope we have a serious (but not ridiculous) offer on the table to try and jag him out off there. I am sure once NWM actually says he’s going home they will give Windhager what he wants but we should be doing what is required to convince him otherwise.

Last weekend he had 32 possessions (26 uncontested)n and disposed at 78%. Has also shown he can lock down where required as good as any going about. He is exactly the style of mid we should be looking for to change our midfield makeup toward the style we are transitioning toward..

Based on current state who do you guess would be the 3 most likely not to be there next year and the types of players we will look to target?

We should be seriously targeting if the opportunity is there. Has the right balance of defensive intent and ability to free up and be a hard two way running connecting mid we need.

6 Gawn 5 Rivers 4 Petty 3 McVee 2 Oliver 1 Bowey

Short turnaround manage some of the older ones and develop the kids further. In May, Kentfield, Lindsay, Kolt Out: TMac, Melksham, Windsor, Sparrow

any sense of sub or positional changes.

You would think two different teams played Q1 and Q2,

any official link to a Casey team for tomorrow?

I want someone hungry for it and who is an innovator to take the game where its going next. They need to be able to motivate or make the hard decisions at our top end and mould, acclerate and galvanise the 24 and unders that will be the core of our next period of potential success. Longmire I dont feel it, great motivator and leader but I dont think he's an innovator. Simpson I see the innovation and motivation (subject to circumstance) but maybe not the galvaniser/accelerator. Hinkley has already ruled himself out based on timing and I think needs a year out to recharge though would be a good senior assistant for the right up and comer (has crossover with Enright). A more mature, second time Bucks I see all of it. I can see Simpson shepherding the right up and comer as GM (likely) or senior assistant. Pratt I suggest is the most likely option that would gel being they have worked together and he rates him. I also would not exclude Enright or Jamie Graham from that conversation. Bucks my preference if we go experienced. Pratt, Enright, Bruce if we go untried with a new experienced GM or senior assistant to support (Simpson my preferred) .

@Dannyz you're suggesting we may already have found them?

We just have to back TMac and Disco to get the job done against Darcy/Naughton and stop quality ball out of stoppage and D50. They play small forward otherwise. I would bring X back in for Sharp and play Melksham as sub who has really looked like the season has cauight up with him the last 3 weeks. Allows us to if required swing Petty back and bring Melk forward if necessary. The other option is play 2 true rucks with Campbell and drift Gawn behind the ball but that feels a step too left field.

Assuming reasonable coin that is overs for a meat and potatoes solid mid. I hope people remember things like this when they whine that Geelong and the Pies win all the trades and why dont we.

6 Gawn 5 Bowey 4 Fritsch 3 Viney 2 Rivers 1 Oliver

It’s simple Spargo not on = 46 up. Spargo on = 6 down. Congratulations to Harry Petty for continuing to defy any form of logic and playing your 16th 2025 game as a forward whilst kicking 12 goals. Whatever you have on Goody and Richo must be good. Best of luck to Jai on debut. Sharp deserving of return with 5 goals. Granted likely earns him the sub vest once again.

Bailey Smith does seem to miss a fair few games for very vague reasons and I dont sense this will become any less.

Scratch Max Hall, being reported about to sign a multi year deal to stay with Saints.

Derkson sounds likely now out of contract. Behind Taylor, Buckley, Himmelberg and Aleer (can play just needs opportunity) Ash Johnson a hard no. Coleman would be a pipe dream is only in VFL as he recovers from injury. I suggest he will be in side before season finsihes. Rosas should be on our radar. Speed, pressure, wins inside ball and kicks goals. Change will be good. Whilst we are at Suns we should target Alex Davies if we move on Oliver. Showed on weekend that he has inside bull winning abilities and also has class (30 possessions at 83% efficiency and 10 tackles). I would also look to target Max Hall from StKilda who is out of contract and may be able to be stolen with a better contract. Hard and clean and has really elevated his game recently with midfield minutes. I hope/assume we have some bigger plays up our sleeves but I suggest realistically they will be hard for us to get ahead of others. Just like clubs picked off some of our extended list in our stronger period there is nothing wrong with doing the same to others and doesnt mean they dont add value to your best 23. Look at Jordon, Bedford, Harmes and Wagner as current examples.

Jeffo, Kenfield and Adams all with another preseason will offer us quality options to build on at AFL level. You can see the difference a month at AFL level has provided for Jeffo at VFL level. He has been dominant and should have 4-5 goals. Kolt showing the natural hunting instincts of an inside mid with some defensive intent. Just build his VFL level midfield game for the rest of the year. That will hold him in better stead for 2026 than being subbed on and off as a half forward at AFL level.