mo64

The scores we've conceded lately is not all due to Petty moving from the bakline. Goody has said that we've changed our game plan and personnel to improve our forward efficiency. I couldn't imagine us coming back from 20+ point deficits (Lions and Tigers), with the way we were playing 4 weeks ago. Even against the Crows, we were able to stop their charge in the last qtr by kicking 3 quick goals, only to let them back into the game again. So for me it's give and take. Personally, I gave us no hope of winning the flag 4 weeks ago, but I'm semi confident with the way our team is now structured. If Tomlinson needs to be replaced, it's with Smith or Hibbo.

You might be thinking of Peter Giles.

Our ball movement is made more fluent because we don't have a resting ruckman with no forward craft plonked deep in our forward line.

Our forward structure has been addressed over the past 3 weeks (105, 97, 130). Petty has replaced BBB, and certainly looked like a huge upgrade. Fritta for Woey, and our forwardline should be locked in. No Grundy or Spargo for the rest of the year.

If a player retires, their salary still falls under the cap. It prevents rorting by clubs. So people suggesting that BBB and Tmac should retire have no idea. That's the equivalent of approx. $1.3 mill of dead money in our cap. Grundy has currency. Trade him.

Max has been the premier ruckman in the comp for the past 6 years as the primary ruckman. All of a sudden Grundy lessening Max's load is the reason he has returned to being the premier ruckman. Give me a spell.

Some of the commentary on here is laughable. Max still has 3 years in him, so saying Grundy will be his successor at age 32 is ridiculous. The media are just stating the obvious. Getting Grundy didn't make sense, and it's been proven correct. Max has been BOG in consecutive weeks without Grundy in the side. Max is the superior ruckman, and neither is a forward. The Gawndy experiment is over. Grundy with 4 years on his contract needs to be traded.

Apart from the odd qtr, what has Joel Smith done at AFL level as a key forward? And it helps when you come on fresh as a sub. To say that Joel Smith replaces BBB based on form is bizarre.

Joel Smith is a perfect sub option because he can play forward or back, but he hasn't proven himself as a forward. BBB is still the best option as our KPF, despite looking a shadow of himself. He gets to the right places to make a contest. At his best, he'd be taking more marks. The positive from the last couple of games has been our scoring ability. Fritta in for Woey, and our forward line should be settled. No more experimenting with Grundy. And Chandler is locked in for Spargo. The Crows are a good team, and we are still a long way from our best. I'll take the win.

Like you Big Col, I grew up a Burgers supporter and have fond memories. Fortunate to have been to 3 winning G/Fs 1979, 1988, 1989. Also went to the game against Brunswick when Jacko played, and drew a huge crowd. Totally agree with your sentiments. The AFL have killed, and continue to kill the old VFA clubs. Hope the Burgers survive.

Prior to being concussed, he had 1 possession in a half of football against the Bombers. He got dropped once he was available for selection.

Spargo dropped for the 3rd time this year. Obviously no longer overrated by the Match Committee, but still overrated on Demonland.

He gets dropped after his best game in 2 years. Can't blame him for leaving. We do have some prejected key back depth in Turner and Adams. Probably get a 3rd round pick for him.

JJ is an UFA because he was previously delisted by the club. That's how it works reagrdless of the fact that he signed a subsequent contract.

Because he was an overrated fringe player, and the club should have been looking for an upgrade in his position. His age is irrelevant. Put he and JJ on the open market, and JJ would have more suitors.

Agree. Spargo getting a 4 year deal was laughable. I wouldn't blame JJ one bit if he leaves, and I will wish him success.

There's a massive difference between Grundy/Gawn and Cox/Cameron. Cox and Cameron are both competent up forward, and are not surrounded by tall forwards. There's a reason the Pies were happy to let Grundy go aside from his contract. Some ruckmen need to be on the ball for a 100% of their gametime to be effective. That's the case with Gawn and Grundy. Max is having his worst year in ages, so I don't buy the argument that playing Grundy keeps Max fresh.

I expect players to impact the game. Spargo's impact on games is negligible. Low possession numbers and goals, and disappears for long periods during the game. His fanboys hang their hats on his 25 metre centring passes once or twice a game. He's a one trick pony. As for his defensive side, I don't see him running down or pressuring opponents like other small forwards. Chandler has far more strings to his bow, and both he and Bedford should have been given more opportunities ahead of Spargo last year. Spargo's highest finish in the BnF is 13th, and I'm supposed to believe that he's critical to the team. I just don't get the Spargo hype on here.

It won't be JJ. Goody made special mention of how brilliant he was last week.

Did anyone else get a club alert on their phone saying that one of the mids is out? As for TMac, I didn't get the impression from Goody's presser that he's a lock this week. He may come in if BBB is out.

ANB was told to look elsewhere after 2020, and had no takers. He was woeful at times last year, but the selectors stuck fat. And I'm sure you said the exact words about TMac last week, and how important he was to the side. And you also said that JVR was not ready to fill his role. The match committee disagreed. If you think that Spargo's 2022 output of 12 goals from 25 games is satisfactory for a small forward, then fine. He started well last week then went missing when the Swans got back in the game. Chandler on the other hand kicked a crucial goal that swung the tide. Goody has stated that things needed to change with our forward set-up. Kozzie and Fritsch were are only impact forwards last year. Adding Chandler and JVR gives us a couple more. ANB has been good this year, but JJ showed some real X factor as well as grunt. It would be criminal if he was dropped or made sub. Spargo goes missing for long periods of the game. The likes of Spargo and ANB are expendable.

I'm a JJ fan, and thought he was hard done by at the selection table last year. Whilst others were struggling, JJ would be the first player dropped. He showed his class on Sunday. Wouldn't blame him if he walked.

Obviously without Max, and being the sole ruckman, Grundy was terrific playing as a follower. But I don't think we planned to get Grundy as insurance for Max. After watching the full replay today, I still didn't think his tapwork was dominant against a D-Grader in Ladhams. Grundy was winning the taps and the Swans were winning the clearances. He was better in the 2nd half when Sparrow was in the guts. And I still have doubts when Max returns about his effectiveness as a resting forward. A forward line comprising BBB and either Gawn/Grundy is too top heavy. And it would be worse if T Mac returns. JVR and Petty were able to apply pressure at ground level, which was lacking last year. I'd wait till the season pans out before passing judgement.

It's concerning that Kozzie is weighing up his future based on where he wants to live. Money and family don't seem to be the issue. Byron is on our side. And I'm not sure why his suspension complicated the discussion on his future. This makes me nervous. To say that he wants to focus on training and playing again sounds like a deflection to put off re-signing.

Kozzy's and Harmes' midfield minutes were eaten up by JJ this week, and there's no way in hell he should be dropped. Same goes for Sparrow, who was big when the game was in the balance. Goody made special mention of Chandler in his presser when questioned about JVR. Wouldn't be surprised if Goody gave him 1 vote in the Coaches Award. As for the role players, I think ANB is close to his 2021 form, and has been solid in every game. Personally, I think Spargo goes missing when the opposition get on a role. The Chandler goal was huge in changing the Swans momentum, and is another impact small forward that we needed. Assuming there are no injuries: In: Kozzy Out: Spargo