Red and Blue realist

There's an article outlining the log jam of footy that's going to be caused by both the Easter weekend games (Thur-Mon) but immediately after comes the Anzac round (Wed-Sun). While the article seemed to suggest that only North, Carlton, Dogs or Saints could play on Good Friday, logically it makes more sense if either us or Richmond play then, with the other team to play on the Thursday night. Then both teams at least have a 6 or 5 day break before instead of a 4 day break. Below highlights the potential schedule - and article in full http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-03/easter-anzac-day-fixture-logjam-looms-in-2019 2019's festival of footy Thursday 18 April: Thursday Night Footy Friday 19 April: Good Friday game Saturday 20 April: Four games Sunday 21 April: Easter Sunday – two games Monday 22 April: Geelong v Hawthorn Tuesday 23 April: No footy Wednesday 24 April: Richmond v Melbourne Thursday 25 April: Anzac Day – Collingwood v Essendon Friday 26 April: Friday Night Footy Saturday 27 April: Four games Sunday 28 April: Two games

Wouldn't be surprised if we brought in Weid for Melksham, GC have May out so we might try and really stretch their defense and might push Hogan up the ground a bit to get him back into a bit better form by getting more of the ball into his hands.

On the club website there are photo's from training, and he's there, so clearly not just recovering inside. I'd say it's very minor and if it were one of the other teams we've got left this year he'd play.

Our draw also didn't help, only 4 home games (at the 'G) before the bye (yes I know we played 2 away games at the 'G in that time), as compared to Richmond who played 9 games at the 'G in the same time period. Surely the way we play will give us a few more cracks at prime time as well, which in turn helps to drive memberships. The Tigs get 6 Sunday games while we're left with 11.

I actually think he could turn into a Mathew Boyd type backman, Boyd played the majority of his games for the doggies in the middle until the last 3 or 4 years of his career when he went to the backline, even winning All Aust selection there.

He actually looked like he was deliberately holding back from some of the contests early in the game, not because he couldn't but it looked to me to be a game plan. I think next year we might see him more permanently played from half back (replacing Vince) to be the wise head, but this year maybe their trying to get him on the outside a bit - he's got decent pace (when open) and will still go and get his own ball when required.

I thought it was normally a 9 month or so recovery period, then another 2-3 months of conditioning to get match fit. Brodie Smith from the Crows did his in the first week of finals and has no played 2 reserves games, so basically an 11 month recovery to be right for AFL, that'd mean Jake would be back very early in the season, maybe somewhere around round 4?

Can't believe the calls for Hogan to be dropped or rested - unless he needs to come out due to injury, Gold Coast without their best defender (assuming May gets suspended) is a perfect chance for him to run back into a bit of form. I actually thought he crashed a few packs better than he has for a while, late in the 3rd he did this and seemed to come up a bit proppy but played out the game. We need him firing before finals. I'd say no change, and it'll be interesting to see what happens when Hibberd and Viney are right, they are automatic best 22. 2 of Vince, Smith, JHK and Spargo will be the most likely to make way I'd guess.

Incredible how Vanders hasn't played in 2 years and he's gone from very much a fringe player to a champion. I think he's got some decent potential but he's not one who needs to be rushed back until the coaches are 100% satisfied he'll pick up the speed of senior level.

Already 30, slow but does have some footy smarts. I'd prefer to let Vince run around again. I'd say he'd be better off going to Gold Coast for his retirement funding.

Yeah but was also asked to play a role that isn't his main strength, being more inside than out. I think he'd have some potential in a team like ours that has stronger inside mids so he could just use his speed to connect on the outside. I see him as a very cheap alternative to Gaff should he stay in the west.

I'd say Tyson would actually be worth more than Hall, while not opposed to Hall I think given he's turning 28 and has been dropped at times this year, in a pretty ordinary team, we could pick him up for no more than a 3rd rounder or upgrade their 3rd to our 2nd (something along those lines) and keep Tyson or deal separately with a Vic club if he wanted out. Hall I see as a cheap alternative to Gaff (nowhere near as good) and doubt we'd be after both of them.

I suppose it's a good thing that besides OMac (who sounds likely to sign soon) and Vince (likely to retire), none of the others guys who haven't got contracts for next year have been regular players. Kent (3), Peds (3), JHK (2), Bugg (3) and TSmith (4) have had limited games while so far AVB, McKenna, Keilty, Johnstone, King, Flip and Balic have none and overall of those only really Kent, AVB & McKenna have had injury issues.

Playing J.Smith allowed Hibberd to retain his role, rather than be forced into a 3rd tall role. He's only played 8 games and I see the potential the coaches obviously do and think he could eventually be a hybrid 2nd/3rd tall interchanging with Lever when he comes back. Clearly our structure has worked best this year with 1 key back, then 2 guys who aren't a traditional 2nd tall they offer interception abilities. This went out the window with Lever knee and now we have Hibberd out, bringing Kielty in only gives us 3 tall backs which make us too top heavy.

My question is, why not play a lose in defense who's job is to play 15/20 meters in front of Hawkins and at least kill the easy kick inside 50, make them kick to a contest instead of a lead. Someone like Fritsch would be perfect, but this is where Lewis or Vince need to step up and do it without instruction. I think we would have been right to bring a Spargo, Garlett or JHK further up the ground to cover their player if needed and hope we can find a target when we go forward or at a minimum kill the game!

I just hope they learn from last week, while Adelaide have 2 key forward I'd start Frost on Walker and Oscar on Jenkins, I think Oscar has the potential to come over and be the 3rd man and kill the contest against Walker who is more the leading type, than Jenkins who sits out the back waiting. Frost doesn't have the play reading skills to do this, but does have more strength and speed to match one on one.

The reason why Oscar was fine with Lever and Hibberd in were because they play a whole team defense not just one on one, we've build our game plan around being able to zone off and come in and intercept or kill the contest rather than leaving someone one out. All good teams do this (Richmond and the Eagles especially). On Saturday night Oscar was left one out all the time, at nearly no point did someone stand come across in front of Hawkins to spoil or intercept - our best 2 at that are Lever and Hibberd. Unfortunately J.Smith and Frost don't seem to have the experience or confidence to do that yet and Lewis and Vince aren't natural defenders so don't offer much except being there to run the ball out. I wasn't yelling at Oscar to do better when Hawkins was leading into space with the perfect delivery, I was yelling at the other backs to get there and intercept or create a bigger contest - which is exactly what Geelong did to Hogan and TMac all night. Whe you play a zone/team defense you can't blame 1 player after a loss, it'd be like saying we only lost because Jetta let Thouy get to the front to mark (he was his direct opponent).

The reality of the old 6 backs, 2 wings, 4 in the middle and 6 forwards is only for the papers now. Besides the ruck and 3 mids and that's only at the starting bounce - the game is made up of 2-8 backs or forwards (depending on where the ball is and state of the game) and everyone else is a either a stoppage mid or back only 15-20 meters from that stoppage.

Don't think JKH is much of a defender, seems more an attacking wing/half forward. That's where they've played him at Casey as well. While I agree it's an area we'll need to seriously consider if Nev slows down or is injured the only cover really are either mid/talls - J.Smith, Hunt & Wagner, or getting Vince or Lewis to play closer to goal, which won't work. Glad their trying to get Johnstone in that role in the 2s, but JHK is not the answer there. hoping he has the impact Stretch did, would be a big boost across the whole team if those who have been a Casey step up to perform when rewarded after good form, even if they have to wait for an injury to open up the opportunity.

Yeah, and his partner/wife? has family here that they are close too and they have recently had a new baby so might need more support. I'd say he might not be what Collingwood actually need, same as us really.

Just an idea but I'd like Lewis rested for this game, possibly even Jetta. They don't have a great set of small forwards with most of their goals of late coming from either their talls in Gowers, Schache or Boyd or from mids drifting forward (Hunter, Bont, Wallis etc.) so I don't see a real match up for Jets, so might be worth refreshing him this week and having him fresh for the run home. I'd then see how Jones goes full time off the back half for a game (he takes Lewis spot), mainly because I think he'll had the good composure but also because I can see him heading there in the next couple of years. I'd then have Vince come in and play Jets role closure to goal and permanent back (not much run forward). Tyson to replace Jones in the middle and be given a week where he just plays his natural role, not trying to send him to the outside as much. Baker in to replace Strech's run and carry and to offer the speed we'll lose. In: Vince, Tyson and Baker Out: Stretch (inj),Lewis and Jetta (rested)

Is he in player management or was that the other brother (not James), might be a good sign if he's chatting with Todd

Funny how last year Trac was praised for his accurate kicking, that'll come back to him soon I'm sure. Not so sure on ANB, still he is vital to the team, if he went out they'd bring in Bugg to play his role and he's worse in front of goal. ANB has to play this week and I think needs to tag JJ, he's the doggies most vital player but can be shut down and ANB has not only the fitness to run with him all game but also demands some respect in that he's getting a lot of shots on goal - he's kicked multiple goals in 4 games so far but could have on at least 3 other occasions.

He actually looked like he enjoyed it as well, he wasn't great but most of those just end up in repeat stoppages or rushed kicks anyway even with the best rucks (although Maxy can pull out a beauty ever once in a while). Another better tactical move this week.

Don't think it was his fault, the dockers clearly flooded so no point in playing 3 or 4 of our guys lose behind the ball. Thought he was pretty good early. No other team will play that way, so can't judge him on that performance, expect to hope the coaches show him what to do if he ends up there again