deanox

We're quite clearly a cut above this Essendon team (as it doesn't feel like they threatening to score) but they are tenacious and bring the pressure, making up for some of what they lack. In some ways I feel like we should be up by more, but I think it's been a good hit out for us in terms of playing against a pressure team.

Up and down I've heard. The barista has lots of potential, hoping they really improve in 2026.

He was always a high ceiling, low floor proposition. Has attributes - many in the power or explosivity category - that if they translate to AFL made him dangerous. But question marks over whether he would be able to translate them. To me he doesn't seem to read the play and react quite well enough. He is a bit flat footed and reactive, rather than anticipating and being on the move. Maybe this can be developed? Agree he is being played out of position at AFL level, so it's hard to assess. Not all players are guns immediately, part of the joy of football is watching them grow and develop into their potential (or not).

3 words only please @joeboy !

All we need is for north to drop one and their percentage will crash and we'll be level on points. So I think it's worth trying to stay in touch with them. I also think it's absolutely worth making sure we don't accidentally drop to 4th and play them in week one of finals.

From a percentage perspective, it's pretty frustrating to let them kick the last 3.

That sort of forward play is what got Pisano drafted, hopefully we see a bit more of it in the coming weeks!

5 goals to Zanker half way through the second. She's got her sticky mits on.

I think Kavanagh for West Coast just got the clearance the wrong way, leading to Zankers 4th?

Need about 130 more points to catch Norths percentage here

I reckon the role is based on two things: Effectively replacing Richo as per above Adding a "Football CEO" type role to run the football department (instead of a coach up to GM type) below our CEO who doesn't have a footy background. Our CEO needs someone to head up that department, and they need to be part way between footy department and CEO, not too much in either camp.

Woah what's going on here? Have you two somehow ChatGPT'd each other haha

"He was going to be delisted and we told the comms team but changed our minds last minute and they remembered to fix the socials but not the Bluey script." - probably

I would only support a 20m penalty if it is forward of the centre square. From a deep defensive position, a short penalty would delay the game and allow opposition to set up.

The last touch rule is a significant change to the game. But I hope that it gets rid of the rubbish "deliberate" or "insufficient intent" calls we are currently seeing raffled by the umpires.

Tom Campbell re-signs for another 12 months. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1889442/campbell-earns-new-deal-demon-ruckman-signs-on

Raynar was pushed, from behind, 150m off the ball. I don't care if he went down softly, that's the risk you take doing those kind of off the ball [censored]. Daicos (who is an outstanding footballer) and others go down softly in the play. Take the tackle and drop in a way that makes the contact look bad. The second is the type of behaviour they need to stop, not the Raynar situation.

New to hear Rennick is off. Good to hear they aren't filling the casual vacancy immediately for once either: I wonder if that is Smith's influence? Green had said he was resigning presidency this year so nothing new there. I do think post AFLW season is a good time to do it as well. Means there is not a double change with Board Chair and CEO in the same week.

It's pretty simple isn't it @sue: don't make contact with opposition players when the ball is more than 5 m away and not in play.

I'm really excited for what Rigoni can bring. She looks to have weapons with marking, speed and kicking.

Honestly the same thought I had. While he may not add a point of difference in terms of high speed or particularly high skills, I think he complements our midfield in terms of the type of player he is.

With the final round of the season about 9 weeks away, it's conceivable that we'll have Gillard, Lampard and Beasley back with a couple of weeks to find some form before finals, and with potential for Goldrick and Mackin to be in the mix. We have a reasonable run for the next month or so, before some tougher games against Essendon, Sydney, and probably Brisbane too. If we can keep the good performances going and stay relatively injury free until then we could be right to make a run at it.

@Lucifers Hero I would see the potential point of difference in his defensive mindset. Trac and Kossie are both largely attack mids, seeking to win the ball and cause damage. But they aren't necessarily great at defending around stoppages. Clarry and Viney are both first possession winners and I think we struggle with them at the centre bounce at the same time. Both are focused on winning the ball but that risks their player being let free. At his peak this wasn't an issue for Clarry he balanced the ball winning and his man. And as Clarry found fitness towards the end of the year he was much less of a defensive liability. So I would see the point of difference being about stoppage set ups and midfield balance? I do think that he needs to replace one of Sparrow or Viney in the team though. And it does reduce opportunities for Rivers et al in the midfield. I also note he has been a regular winner ofand high finisher in the St Kilda 3km time trials over recent years. That extra running capacity helps replace the ANB role too.

Y ah you heard the commentary correctly 🙄 Lily Johnson doesn't seem to be getting much game time, I'm not sure why because she doesn't look out of her depth when in there.

I commented earlier about the AFL/VFL gap and Culley, but he really did look a cut above out there tonight. He didn't earlier this year, so let's hope it's a permanent change, and not just peak form. Because he really looks like he can be a competitive player at AFL level. Probably most impressed with his versatility. Can play mid, wing or forward, and look comfortable in all of them.