Lil_red_fire_engine

Taking Jackson unlocked a 2021 premiership but in my view got in the way of our best centre and forward mix this year. Will be interested to see how he polls in the B&F, particularly second half of the year. I have no issue with Jackson wanting home as long as he allows us to get a deal that is reasonable for the investment we have made in him. If we play this right, which we have a habit of doing, two top 10 picks (which Jason Taylor will nail) and the space to milk Grundy on the cheap could really set us up for 2023 and beyond.

I would expect all those out of contract to be gone unless Hibbo decides to go around again. This assumes Jackson and Bedford choose to go. If Bedford goes we must retain Chandler in contract. Unless someone offers overs we must retain Tomlinson for defensive cover, if we choose to shift Petty forward or if May’s role changes if Hibbo retires. We need to develop some more kids and we can’t pay more for borderline 22 players like Hunt, Melksham.

The number 1 thing that needs to be fixed is our ability to run out second halves. 6 of 8 games we lost we led by 4+ goals in first halves. That says the game plan stacks up until we can no longer apply it offensively and defensively. We either need to have fitness or players that can sustain it or change the plan to one less taxing. We then need to improve our bottom 6-8 in the side either by their own development or more-so by personnel change. Too often it has been left to Gawn, Oliver, Trac, May to play out of their skin to get us the W. Last year it was constantly team effort with those 4 putting the cherry on top.

We need to make whatever changes to our side and list that address our weaknesses and maximise the performance of our top 8 impact players. These in my view are Gawn, Oliver, Trac, May, Langdon, Brayshaw, Petty, Fritsch. Mature players outside of this need to be seriously considered to move on unless there is a key reason we know impacted thjeir year eg: injuries to Lever and Salem. Those in the under 23 bucket (Spargo, Sparrow, Jordon, Rivers, Pickett) need to have major step changes in consistent output and improvement in their deficiencies or be overlooked for those that develop over the preseason that address our deficiencies (JVR, Bowey, Howes etc…). It’s hard to relate the words used that we want to be a ruthless club when we have gone 6 of 14 in the back half of the year and backed in the same 22 throughout whilst watching Casey roll out a 17-1 season and not reward those with impact.

1. The guy played 3 quarters with a fractured leg and clearly hampered by a severe cork. Still gathered 24 and gave more than half the side. 2. Is top 5 in score involvements in the league. Sure he should fix the goal kicking as should Dangerfield, Fyfe as example but to say he is not elite is farcical.

Another Buddy special. If he’s less than 70% fit he cant play, if he is it will need to be predominantly forward. The query will still be is a 70% fit Trac better than the next best option. A lame Trac, no JJ and possibly no Harmes likely puts Gus back to the wing leaves us thin in the middle. We’ve just need to put the best team out to win this week.

6. May 5. Oliver 4. Petty 3. Fritsch 2. Langdon 1. Petracca

I could not give a fig about the Brownlow anymore. Yes it has individual prestige but it is a much flawed assessment. Umpires have enough trouble adjudicating a game let alone giving their opinion on who deserves votes. I suggest winning or finishing high in the coaches votes surely would matter more to players.They are assessing the players that impacted the result and whilst mids still dominate they are more likely to recognise the impact of other roles. Either way I would prefer our players just add cups to the cabinet than get distracted by Charlie.

6. Lever 5. Oliver 4. Pickett 3. Rivers 2. Trac 1. Jackson

I suggest it will be Bowey for Salem but it should be no change. Salem has improved last 2 games but truthfully does not deserve to get in on form since his return.

Blake Howes can seriously play. Will be primed to put pressure on best 22 with a second preseason. Weideman looks so much better when he can push up the ground. Bowey ready to go when needed. Harmes got a lot of ball but had limited impact with it.

Did not have an inside 50 kick though. Had three the week before, No point being the best at it if you dont get the pill enough to do it.

The first half was boring defensive footy with Carlton pushing numbers behind the ball and us over correcting on recent shoot outs we have been involved in. We tried to play with a touch more dare in the third but did not take advantage of it with some poor turn overs. We should not underplay how hard that was in the clinches and the pressure from Carlton that was finals level. We just need a touch more quality drive from half back and improved connection and pressure inside 50 to be at our 2022 best in September. Unsure whether Goody will make the changes to make it happen but then Melksham, Brayshaw in the middle and Hunt were in our best 6 last night. I feel some of us have watched our bang bang bang 15 minutes of premiership perfection and have forgotten that we did not play like that all of 2021. We’re in with a shake particularly if we can secure top 2 next week.

Harmes must come in for more drive and the Neale tag. Sparrow out for mine to allow this. There is no point being the best inside 50 kick in the league if you cant get the ball. Spargo out for one of Chandler/Bedford. I can’t see us swinging changes from Casey being the short turn around.

6. Melksham 5. Petty 4. Brayshaw 3. Gawn 2. Hunt 1. Oliver

One is 24 years old and one is 19 would be the starting point I think. Johnson seems more a lead up player not a crash the pack player.

Agree with this. How i left ANB over Spargo I was clearly tired and not clear in my thinking.

Great overall post Jimmy and particularly been thinking about your point above the last 24 hours. I think we are a few out in our balance of X factor vs blue collar role players. No disrespect to the following but we need to shift a few of Melksham, ANB, Spargo, Jordon, Sparrow. They are quality hardworking role players but we need some more spark and polish.

Naughton is contracted until the end of 2024. There is no way in hell the Dogs are letting him go anywhere. There is no decent maturing key forward coming out of contract this year. Nor does it appear that there is much key forward action at the top end of the draft. I think we will need to play a longer game to solve this one and work to line up the right target for 2024.

Either/or.

Accepting we wont make 4 changes at this time of year but. In: Bowey, JVR, Harmes, Chandler Out: Hunt, Melksham, Sparrow, Spargo

For those saying they just couldn’t miss look at where they got their chances and where they targeted the ball going forward. For those that say they got gifted goals from holding the ball decisions. Maybe we would have if we actually laid a tackle inside 50. We had a crack but could not handle their pressure when it went up in the second half. We were back to playing ring a rosey with handball rather than driving forward and swarming in behind it. The thing that does annoy me is having the 5 time All Australian ruckman starting quarters in crucial games in the forward 50 and letting his temporary sidekick start at the centre bounce. They had an all 22 performance whereas some of our role players went missing and our stars had high possession games but dulled for their usual impact.

They had 10 of the top 15 pressure players. We spent too much time handballing in circles. We did not take our chances in the second and just left them hanging in the game until they outworked us.

Talk of getting Darcy out with 2 years to go on his contract is farcical. As a pure quality player Fremantle have nothing that fits our needs that is plausible. Young would fit need but is on an extended deal, Serong does not fit our need, Brayshaw is their next skipper and on an extended deal. We will be looking for first round picks (assuming nothing inside top 5) that we can convert into a high quality recruit/draftee and I suggest a couple of moneyball type players as steak knives that may have upside in our system. As some have mentioned Meek or Treacy may fit the bill. Sam Sturt could also be an interesting one. Looked great early but has had a bad run with injury and preseason interruptions. Vic boy 190cm high forward and I think out of contract.

It will be Weid out for BBB or whoever is the best performing tall at Casey. Our balance looked better with Hunt back and Brayshaw in the pivot. It probably does come down to Harmes or Sparrow as Melksham I think is playing an important role (different to what’s expected of Harmes/Sparrow) and applying it well. For those thinking ANB will be dropped may want to consider how highly his 31 pressure acts (only second to Oliver) for the game are rated.