Lil_red_fire_engine

I am amazed but also not at the consistent MFC for premiers but it really is blind following the following the blind in footy media. Think its a year too early for us to be the expected victor but we will certainly give it a shake. I reckon Malthouse forgot us or I would love to hear/see his justification as to how we go backwards after he thought we would play finals in 2018.

Agree it is bias but it is also based on more than the above for me. A want to play three talls and no less than 2 at a time. I don't think either Smith is much more than planned back up. A want for Weid to further develop by getting a less mature or experienced tall where possible. A preference to minimise any need for TMac or Weid to play second ruck. A belief that the new rules further warrant a true second ruck particularly the ability to grab the ball when locked forward; a want to keep a true tall higher for the longer play from a kick out; and a true tall deeper for the positive centre clearance (and a true one at the centre at all bounces). A want to ensure our number 1 weapon in Gawn is better protected from wear and tear throughout the year. Prefer to see this during game rather than have him rested for games. I am not sold yet but it is my preferred initial set up based on many mounting factors until it proves not to be the case. The concern will be do they get in each others way and do we lose forward pressure and ability to chase out of defence but these are just watchpoints at this time.

Attended Friday and probably more of the same points from me. After the first 8-10 minutes we were as hard, polished and dominant as you can be in February. Pies supporter claimed this was due to the quality missing from their side particular the middle until I reeled off Oliver, Viney, Jones and then started to work my way through the rest of the ground. The rule changes had limited affect however I think they will have a a lot more prominence on a bigger ground. I also feel there was a touch of the coaches keeping their wing positioning and kick out tactics up their sleeve for the real stuff. Preuss will play round 1 at minimum and I suspect a lot of the season. The mobility, stamina and defensive pressure that T-Mac and Weid provide will allow this. I found both Smiths underwhelming other than a highlight or two. A three tall set up of Preuss, T-Mac and Weid is my preferred with Melksham as the fourth. The biggest quandary for me is who to put at their feet. Garlett pressured and offers a natural crumb but still wont take contact and both Spargo and ANB were underwhelming. I am keen to see more of Wagner as he had some nice cameos second half and there are small forward spots for the taking. It was great to see Hunt with confidence, AVB with added stamina and Hore look assured. The three will put even more pressure on the roles to be played of both Lewis and Jones and potentially Hibberd at points who I thought had a shocker. Lewis kicked beautifully but cant keep his feet and had 2-3 of his signature handballs over the shoulder to no one. No disrespect to Jones but he needs to learn a wing or flank as his midfield minutes will be limited by the development of our young core, now including AVB and Harmes and the want for increased minutes for Trac and Salem. In saying that there are wings up for grabs with both JKH and Stretch getting reasonable ball but both butchering it continually. They both in my mind lack the class connection we need through those parts and I cant wait to see whether Fritsch and KK can deliver those missing pieces or whether one of our many mids can adjust. Apologies. A bit of a ramble and nothing really new but probably just a chance to gather my own thoughts...

They both look in ripping shape.

A snippet from a Ben Guthrie article on afl.com.au from this mornings training. While McDonald's determination to keep presenting at the footy was noteworthy, Kade Kolodjashnij's foot skills; Bayley Fritsch's aerial ability, as well as his decision-making, and Michael Hibberd's run and carry were among the other highlights of the match practice.

Makes some interesting reading. https://www.zerohanger.com/champion-data-reveal-best-worst-kicks-2017-14091/ Has Hunt in the best 10 kicks of 2017 based on a variance between the difficulty of the attempted kick and the % of those kicks then hit. Proves you can make stats support almost any outcome.

Not saying I agree with the AFLX focus but.... Increased world TV rights. Licence fees if it takes off in a country. Potential to uncover international AFLX talent that can translate to trial AFL as an international rookie. I would prefer they create AFLX and fiddle with rules for an international version there than attempt to refine the pure game into a farce that may suit.

Yet you have included someone with no exposed AFL form nor even any pre-season guides to allude to... Sorry still a bit lost.

You lost me as soon as you said it was on preseason form then included Hore for round 1 who is a recruit who has not even trained with the main group. How does this logic stand up?

I am amazed that people are missing the number 1 point. They don't give a hoot how it goes here. That is why it is a mickey mouse event. They do care about showing it overseas and seeing if they can create interest for other countries to play it. There is no way AFL can break new markets for true participation. However AFLX with smaller grounds needed, less people per team, high speed, less contact.

Left footed small forward who tested with good vertical jump results at SA combine.

small forward 173cm and attended the SA combine I believe. Had the 2nd best running vertical jump at the combines at 93cm. 10th best standing vertical at 73cm. NB another leftie.

We could also choose not to take him at all?

Don't disagree there is a chance he will play up front but at 187cm can you be called a small forward?

Pretty good. He took 14 marks which gives him plenty of chance for a few sloppy turnovers I guess.

I wish him all the best and I will not knock those that are disappointed but I want team players who want to bleed for the jumper and their brothers in it. It never felt like that was the case with him. My view is we will be a better functioning team as we showed without him later in the year and I would not be surprised if his best football has already been witnessed due to physical and mental toll. .

Tie the Suns pick 19 or 24 to that it’s basically the same outcome with Hogan at the Suns instead of Dockers. Hogan must really like the beach and warmer climates or losing or both to agree.

Particularly now that you have to start someone in the square.

People are missing the point. Ignore the final offer bit. They are now making an offer. Plenty of time for more "final offers" between now and Wednesday.

Teams play maximum two rucks with most playing one. Teams play how many midfielders and even more so how many inside midfielders? If we lose one inside mid in 2019 how much will you panic? If Gawn went down next year how much will you panic? Preuss is worth as much as Tyson. You could potentially argue more.

When Viney was injured we still didn't play Tyson inside.

The only thing that Hunt and Gaff have in common is they play in the AFL.

Which Vic teams have been light on contested ball winners this year? Essendon and Carlton are the only ones I can think of. Maybe the Saints. I cant see him leaving the state and he is handy quality depth for us but not best 22.

Frost?