Lil_red_fire_engine

6. Viney 5. Fritsch 4. Brayshaw 3. Trac 2. Petty 1. May

Time to be ruthless. Put the foot down and send a message,.

A great hard working half of footy with Viney leading the way. We did leave a few goals out there and I hope we come out ruthless and dont have that bite us later.

I dont see how this fixes our F50 pressure but I guess it’s something different.

That explains his single digit possessions and might explain that kick into forward 50.

Well done Gus. Well done Dees. Never in doubt,

In: Lever, Bowey, Chandler Out: Tomlinson, Salem, Melksham I accept Salem wont happen but it should, he is the shadow of last years version. More likely Jordon is managed, Gus to wing and Bowey in if a third change,

I would pass on all of them for our needs and turn our attention to getting Callaghan the following year.

I feel tonight will be either Weids final dance for the Dees or he will cement himself in the side for the rest of the year. Does not need to kick a bag just create movement, demand the ball on the lead and win/halve aerial contests. I still believe a quality forward role is within him it just needs to be unlocked. No Daniels to slice us up from half back will make for a nice change. Our mids including Gawn need to get back to owning the stoppage and what better way than against the dogs.

Aside from Jones, none of the others are any good (including Cox). I would prefer LJ to stay but I see we are losing a second ruck who does not kick goals or take marks often when forward. I will back us in to maximise the picks, players and salary relief this offers to continue to improve our list. A young key forward should be at the top of it but you can only work with what’s available. A maturing ruckman with upside (Meek is a one worth considering) is also something that should be part of the planning.

Bedford had 17 pressure acts in 69% game time. This is his job. No surprise to me that since Bedford has played to offer repeat speed and pressure we have kept Pickett closer to goal and he has looked more dangerous. Unless we go the extra tall which I think would cost Melksham I cant see him getting dropped.

6 Pickett 5. Jordon 4. Viney 3. Spargo 2. Langdon 1. Trac

We currently play a very beige brand of footy with no aggression, no dare and no focus on team play,.Where has the team from end of last year gone?

Petty just cant take a trick this year.

I expect he would be 2-3 years from having the engine to play the role.

I wonder how much of our Amon interest is linked to plan B if Brayshaw goes. JJ has been quality and growing into role but if JJ or Langdon were injured who is next up??? I also sense longer term JJ makes his way into the mid rotation. Our game styles requires quality post to post running wingers. Other than a 21-25 year old key forward (which dont grow on trees) I see a mature wing as our most required position still.

No ruck no worries. No quality key forward taking marks no worries. 3 free kicks for in the last 3 quarters no worries. Crows gave great effort Walker challenges most backlines but we were just too hard and classy around the ball. Great see Trac back being Trac and Langdon back being Langdon. Take the 4 points and keep a space on the pack. We will need it with our run home.

6. Trac 5. Oliver 4. Langdon 3. Lever 2. Viney 1. Harmes

We should still be fresh and after last year surely wont take them lightly. Big job for Weid to halve the ruck contests and our mids to shift to sharking their taps. Looking forward to seeing another week of ANB, Spargo, Koz and TBed swarm the forward pressure.

Best 23 maybe but not 22 in my view. At least not 2022 Rivers. The best of Salem, Gus, Hibbo, Bowey has him covered this year and I dont see another defensive rotation. A full preseason and another year in his body he will back in our best.

You can if you dont bomb it in. I actually think it also works just as well if not better with Gawn resting forward as the second tall. The 4 smalls meant ANB and Spargo could continue to play higher almost mainly wing/back half connectors and Pickett and Toby could play more mid to forward 50.

I love it how everyone knows there should be no change but everyone loves to change things. The only best 22 player outside that side that could be available at any point soon is Gawn. Whilst his ankle may be better sooner than expected he was already carrying a dodgy back. We should be doing all we can to freshen him up until he is cherry ripe and champing at the bit for the rest of the run home and finals.

6. Viney 5. Lever 4. Oliver 3. Hibberd 2. Jackson 1. Harmes

That and they already have the best young first ruck in the game in the 24 year old Darcy. So you are basically selling the farm for your second ruck who will play most of his time forward or in midfield bursts. If Jackson does want to go home surely you would choose the team you will be the future main man for not the second ruck? He has been pretty clear that he loves being around the ball more so than as a forward.

What makes the Jackson situation so interesting is his value over the next years is true speculating. In most sides a third year ruck/forward, even high end draft, would just be finding their feet in a senior side or have played 15-25 being in and out as they find any consistency and their body adjusts to the rigours. Jackson’s impact has been quality enough that he is on target to play his 50th at the back end of this year. Secondly I still don't think anyone knows whether you are buying a ruck/forward, forward/ruck, tall midfielder, heck he could make a quality centre half back. How far you think he can go and what role that is must certainly play into what you see his worth to be. I hope we are reasonable in what we believe he can become and where it fits in our sustained success. If he decides he does not answer the call for home we should just stick to how we see his worth and if not maximise what we make of it.