Lil_red_fire_engine

Late 80’s to early 2000’s definitely saw the best spectacle. Whilst the kicking looked messier it Is easy to say that when such a low % of kicks these days are actual attacking moves to a target rather than sideways to a static position or to a pack. The reduced coaches that are proposed post COVid I actually worry will lead to a period trying to maintain the current controlled strategic bent but the game becoming more pack based as teams are less able to embed it. Whilst I am sick of the rule tampering the only way I can see getting back to anything like this style is a move to 16 a side and significantly reduced rotations. All it would take then is a coach to lead the pack with an aggressive scoring game style to see if others would follow.

It is difficult to do this without clear definition of elite you are working to. Champion data do it on statistical impact against players of similar position, elite puts you in the top 10%. In this, Gawn is the only one based on 2019. End of 2018 they had Gawn, Oliver, TMac and Lever based on carry over impact from Crows. In my opinion, elite is a point in time thing and I would not argue any of those based on those seasons output or Lever pre trade. Longevity to me is where the difference shows between the good and great players (a separate argument). As far as elite, The most likely for me therefore are those who have shown they can reach that level consistently Week to week (Gawn, Oliver, Lever, T-Mac) and then the potentials are those that have shown the capability to play games at that level who may get greater consistency. In my view this shows as in order of likelihood Viney, May, Petracca, Langdon and possibly Fritsch. You could argue Brayshaw based on 2018 but I am not convinced on his potential for consistency or impact (worth noting Champion data did include him in theirs that year either).

I think the suggestion is if this happens then it will be in two stages with 40 in 2021 shifting to 35 in 2022. I assume this is to smooth those coming out of contract. If they are to do this which I do not disagree with to reduce costs they should also do the following to support it. Lift the draft age to 19 to reduce speculative picks as well as ensure players once on list have an extra year of physical and mental maturity and readiness to play. Reduce to 16 on field as per the AFLW. It will both reduce cost as well as improve the speed of the game. Align each club with a secondary club that they can develop talent with and if injuries hit you can promote from. If we go to 35 you will really see a premium placed on utility types that can play multiple roles well. Ignoring existing contracts and assuming 2 new draftees and no trades I would delist/retire the following. Jones, Spargo, Hibberd, KK, Hannan, AVB, Hunt, Brown,Wagner, Wagner, Bradtke NB: I am assuming Nietzschke and Bennell are available for full preseasons.

This here. People should not get caught up on best player vs value and impact on result. For me its TMac and May by the length of the straight. Without Gawn we would find a way to win. Those two completely change our ability to attack and defend when not at their best or absent. They also could if necessary play at either end.

My opinion is Jackson will play. NikNat will likely play 60% game time. Gawn plays 85% minimum. The likelihood that Jackson has much time on Naitanui is low. And even if he does I’ll take LJ’s jump (vs Weid) over the lack of strength at the stoppage.

I am unsure if its thinner than Last year? We intend on playing two players on a wing for 95%+ game time. We plan on rotating 4 players through the middle for nearly all game with a 5th position currently a combo of half forwards (Jones, AVB, Melksham) or possibly Harmes more permanently. If we have injuries to our wings we have an issue just like last year where we had no wings. If we have an issue in our middle Harmes plays more or possibly Jones, if not Sparrow or Jordan get well earnt game time. We have no depth on the wings but we now have quality to begin with. We have developing quality now as mid depth rather than mature players not quite up to it.

Mid for mine. He is that little bit more balanced inside and outside so adds to the dynamic. It also allows us to retain one of him or Viney in the mid rotation as a defensive first stopper. A rotation of Viney and Harmes, as well as a rotation of two of Petracca, Brayshaw and Oliver at all times is what I would be targeting.

Jackson plays with an extra small in Weid’s place.

It appeared that AVB was precautionary (and fingers crossed) however he was bog ordinary prior to coming off and would not be playing round 1 for mine. He needs some good solid time at VFL to find touch. Great to see our fitness show through again and our defensive set up work well all game, Oscar, Lever and Lockhart in particular-layer above my expectations. I cant have Hibberd, he is a liability and I would much prefer to see Omac, May and Lever with a rotation of Harmes, Salem, Lockhart and Jetta (who also looks a touch off the pace). Forward set up leading into round 1 is the most intriguing.Fritsch is really an undersized full forward.With TMac playing higher and Weid not adding value when forward I would look to play Jackson as the second ruck, forward and take in an extra small. Particularly against fast sides on likely fast tracks in the first two rounds.

Saty nothing against Omac but look at the Hawks team and give me your view on who are the other two tall forwards Lever and May play on. I know May is versatile but I feel we will get chopped up at ground level.

Omac, May, Lever with Hibberd is one tall too many in my view. Kozzie’s absence really leaves the door open for Bedford to take his chance whilst its there. Was very good against North and could have easily kicked 4. Will be interesting to watch how we use the bench to manage minutes or whether we will play 22 and the other 4 are purely to sub on an as needs basis.

Looks great. You can never win with these things but surprised the warrior that is Jones 14 games shy of 300 does not make it yet May (8 games) and AVB (7 games in 3 years) make the cut. Maybe its 100 games gets your name on a locker and 50 games qualifies you for the Demonland banner

This is how its done. Sign now and get on with becoming the player you are destined to be.

Well we are certainly fit. Trac up a few levels and Lever back to the player we traded for.TMac and Brown complement each other well. It will be interesting to see what we do with the second ruck role. Kossie should play round 1 purely for the worry he puts into the opposition at throw ins and stoppages. Our kicking out of D50 not great and our defensive transition between was lazy at times but could not ask for much more in a first up hit out.

Jones much cleaner that quarter until injured. Better connection and run but we still appear lazy transitioning defensively between the arcs.

No true ruck is making a massive difference. Jones, Hibberd, ANB are still liabilities. The kids need to push them out of the side. Trac and Lever delivering to expectations of the preseason and some bright spots from Kossie and Lockhart in that quarter.

Leadership is all about connecting with a variety of people with different triggers to motivate them for their individual and collective best. Some people would be motivated by Viney’s bull at a gate and I suspect blunt ”do it like me” attitude. Most would be motivated by the attitude of Gawn on track, his inspiration on field and his every man persona. Whilst it should not matter, the value of “brand Max” to officially head us in media and sponsorship is a no brainer from a commercial view.

Whilst everyone likes a positive result I will be calling it a win if there are no injuries however other key themes I am looking for. Signs of return to form/fitness of the 2018 clan. Bright spots from our second and first years that show they will push claim. A more balanced game style that is strong at the contest but more so improved on the outside and defensively.

I would not be so certain over Collingwood, Geelong or Brisbane.

Double figure wins has Goodwin retain his job. Pass mark is finals. Expectation is finals +1, winning it all is not out of the realms of possibility. Where we land will be based on a combo of fitness, continuity of play with our best 16, level of pressure from our depth players in 17-27 range, an improved game style that defends the faster sides.

Frosts’ role is there for the taking is it not? If we want Lever to play the intercept then its Omac or Smith for the second tall defender. Smith offers more defensive flexibility I suggest.

MFC photos 21 and 22 from yesterdays training show Kossie training in the yellow vest.

I too attended yesterday, The only benefit of the lack of some of the senior boys being at Melksham’s wedding weekend was that it made it easier to focus on some of the lesser lights. As far as standouts, Jetta has his step and bounce back and is far from spent. Smith and Lever both looked great until they had to kick to a target (heart in mouth stuff). Dunkley did not appear about (unsure if I missed or anything in it) but of those pressing Sparrow was just fast and clean in everything he did and has a nice mix of inside and outside carry. ANB has the pressure forward spot sewn up unless we play two (not unlikely) and Petty would be my first choice to partner TMac (not that Weid or Brown were bad). Other than the above Salem and Viney were in everything and Fritsch and Petracca did things on a different level than the rest on show.

Reports of Martin on $900k in year one versus Bennell on a base rookie wage. Even if we had the salary space and he was open to coming I would not take him for that or anything close to it.

Pre-season its we choose him, he chooses us he can train in preparation and if both parties agree we pick him up directly. Mid season draft we would need to hope any team lower than us with a selection did you choose him. Unclear whether he would be allowed to train with us if we dont take him in March.