mo64

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

A big pat on the back to Goody and the coaching dept (and the Demonlanders who were calling for it). We had to move on from the 2021 Premiership team and game style. A forward line compromising BBB, T Mac, and a resting ruckman (Gawn or Grundy) is too top heavy. Goody and the coaching dept. had the balls to drop T Mac, despite Max' absence, and also sub BBB. And as a result, we rarely saw the long bomb into the forward pocket. And we were also able to run out the game because JVR, Petty and sub Melksham provide more defensive pressure.

Grundy was good around the ground but his ruckwork was largely ineffective. Oliver was clear BOG.

Not another "loading" thread. 😬

I've been saying all along that it's easy for a coach to counteract when their ruckman is losing the hit-outs.

Grundy must play his total game Time as no.1 ruck, with JVR chipping in. No need for him to be resting forward. I'm rapt the coaching dept have made a statement at selection. People need to move on from our 21 premiership team.

You really set the bar low for our players. It's not good enough to be merely creating space for others, which is how you define T Mac's role.

Does a dog or cat count, and do they have voting rights?

Correct. TMac at his best is a dangerous forward, and a reliable shot for goal. To say that his role is solely to create space for others, is setting the bar low.

No he actually meant Weird Al Yankovic.

I tend to agree with you. Despite having a restricted preseason, BBB looks like he's flying whereas TMAC looks cumbersome. But the coaches are set on a 2 ruck strategy. With this being the case, I'd rather see TMac bash and crash as a 2nd ruckman for 15% of the time, rather than JVR. Grundy should play 85% gametime as the no.1 ruck, with no time resting up forward.

I hope you're right Luci. I want TMac to be the 2nd ruck, and JVR play as a KPF. But I disagree that we have Max's role covered. Grundy isn't capable of dropping into defence and taking contested marks.

Stop teasing us. All the more recent clues lead to my original answer being correct, but alas it was not. 😢

It's all of the above. And that's why most on here were sadly mistaken when they said that we'd be unstoppable with a Gawn/Grundy ruck combination. Losing hit-outs are the easiest thing for an opposition coach to neutralise. Too many people got caught up with last week's game, in particular Gawn/Grundy. That reality was that Bevo did nothing to counteract Gawn's dominance over English, and nullify our mids. English broke even with Grundy. If Max is out long term, our coaching dept have a lot of work to do. Grundy can't play Max' role because he's useless as a contested mark. I honestly don't see what the answer is.

And I'm sure the feeling's mutual. All 4 played in the final that we lost badly. I can't stand arrogant supporters especially after we were putrid for most of the game.

You really think that the Lions coaching dept will be in a mad panic when they see Tomlinson run out instead of May? Every coach will tell you that late changes have zero impact on the opposition's game plan.

People seem to forget that the Lions pantsed us in a final last year. They've added Dunkley and Ashcroft. Week 1 results often throw up odd results. I expect Lions to bounce back big-time. I expect us to win but it's 50/50. It's strange that nobody is mentioning how big a loss Kozzie is.

Ditto. But back to the OP, we didn't swap Watts for Fritta. Every other club had the opportunity to draft Fritta before our pick. We obviously had some inside knowledge.

It would be a huge mistake to move Gus back into the midfield, and bring in Salem. Gus is essential in our backline. Unless Bowey, Rivers or McVee drop in form, Salem needs to bide his time in the VFL.

Why not just play Petty up forward if that's the case? At least he has recent form as a forward. Personally, I'd rather play JVR as a forward than Tomlinson.

I'm in the rather exclusive Bailey Laurie fan club. I thinks he's got some football smarts and is handy around goal. Hope the kid does well, but I think he may be a sub.