Lil_red_fire_engine

"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.

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?