DistrACTION Jackson

Thank god.... one of my favourite podcasts

Some of the potting of the clubs media is a bit ridiculous. They bring out the 'back from hell' video and people complain that they shouldn't have. Go back to normal media and people complain it isn't enough.... I think the stuff they are doing is great.... although I'm concerned there hasn't been a Gus & Gawny podcast this week

It is really hard to get a read on form given how poor the North team were, with their extensive injury list obviously playing a part. The one thing I think that is holding Weideman back at he moment is he tries to play from behind too much. If he does this at AFL level I can see the high quality defenders covering him easily if he does this. I think this is the biggest area that Tmac currently has him covered in. Tmac really launches at the ball and takes it at its highest point, while Weid often tries to push his opponent under the ball rather than jumping at it. I want Weid to be our long-term key forward, just worried that if Tmac keeps him out that he will walk.

I totally get that some people associate the Royal blue with a dark time in the club's history, however I personally love the colours. I also love the fact that we no longer have the putrid white jumpers that we had for many years, that just felt so hollow. I think it's great we can always wear red and blue and forge a new future with both jumpers, keeping a link to the past but focused on future success.

I don't really find the process that difficult to be honest and it is almost identical to when we booked finals tickets in 2018. As Dees fans though you would be forgiven for not really remembering what's involved with booking finals tickets, seeing as it is so rare. One tip - if you are a premium member make sure to click the drop down and choose the better option as it automatically give you general admission tickets if you don't. I've been making sure I get second level tickets near the forward 50 line at either end of the ground and it's a great spot to watch from!

Loved his game on Sunday and there a couple of times he was so close to just grabbing the centre bounce by the scruff of the neck, ala Naitanui. I want him to just grab that footy and thump it long or take the game on out of the middle. He can do it, just needs that bit of confidence to back himself and no look for the handball straight away. Love that we can now throw him in the ruck with confidence and then put Gawn where we feel he is most needed.

No change barring injury. Keep rewarding the side for strong performances until there needs to be a change.

I think there are still a lot of people who don't want to catch public transport/be in close proximity to other people. Will probably be this way until the vaccines have been fully rolled out.

I was at the North game and I reckon 13,000 is pushing it. Looked more like 10,000 to me. FYI my best mate is a North fan so I went for moral support....

As long as we win I don't care if Brayshaw has 15 touches or 50. It's all about the team performing well, not individual stats or accolades. This is why the Tigers have been so dominant, they are easily the best overall team in the competition, not necessarily the most talented.

Was definitely very impressed with his game and he is a must have in our forward line. Such a smart player with excellent skills and decision making.

I was sitting down that end and it was really strong. The flags were blowing all day.

100%. Pretty sure against the Tigers a few years ago we won the clearances and had more inside 50's and lost by 40 odd points.

Looking at Freo's injury list I don't think they were missing many from their best 22. I'd say from best 22 would be Walters, Darcy, Frederick, Lobb, Logue and maybe Hill but he's getting past it. We had Brown, Weid, Viney & Hibbo so not a lot of difference.

Only change I can see this week is Viney in for Jones barring an unexpected injury. But as people said Viney, Hibbo and Melksham are all underdone and may need another full game in the VFL before being picked.

People need to realise that in the modern game it doesn't matter where a player is named on the team sheet....

For a team that has been pretty poor and had a mediocre season their supporters are surprisingly optimistic. I will be bitterly disappointed if we lose this game given their outs and the fact it's at the G.... don't let me down Dees

The fact we gave Vandenberg a 3 year deal after his injury issues is a joke. Again the list management has been questionable at best, but in my view extremely poor.

Now that we have Rivers and Bowey in the backline (plus Hibberd hopefully back at some stage), surely Salem is the perfect wing option? I cannot believe our list management team were so delusional to think Oskar Baker was the answer when we didn't get Isaac Smith. The guy has played 12 games in total and none of those were at a level that made you think he could be a decent winger. I said this in another thread, but right now I'm questioning Tim Lamg as our head of list management and ability to objectively view our players. Dan Butler would've been perfect alongside Kozzie Pickett. Tom Phillips was there for the taking and would've added more run and carry to our side and ready to go. Are we trying to push for finals and a flag? We go and trade for older players like Brown and May and then keep going back to the draft. By the time the drafted players are able to add to the side May and Brown will be past it.

I think commentators saying a club's culture is soft is just lazy journalism. Max Gawn is a 4 time all-australian and the best ruckman in the competition, does Mclure honestly think he isn't giving it 100% every time he runs out and also trying to help his teammates? What is frustrating is the following: Our list management - Why didn't we go after Phillips after missing out on Smith? Why didn't we go after Butler when it was so obvious we had no quality small forwards? Why have we not put foot skills as a high priority until now? Player development - Why did we move Fritsch from a forward line role to a backline a couple of years ago? Why did we move Harmes from a tagging role to half back? This has nothing to do with culture and everything to do with questionable list management and coaching decisions.

My team for Round 1 assuming they are fit: B: Bowey May Lever HB: Salem Petty Rivers C : Tomlinson Oliver Langdon HF: Harmes Jackson Neal-Bullen F: Fritsch McDonald Pickett R: Gawn Petracca Brayshaw Int: Sparrow Hunt Chandler Jones Emg: Jordon Jetta Spargo Baker Key thoughts: Petty - this guy has earned a spot through solid performances and I feel he is a big part of our future backline at 197cm and fairly mobile for a tall. Tomlinson can rotate through the wing and half back and even chuck him forward if we need another marking option. Bowey - I like the way he played and we must have elite kicking in our back half. I',m not expecting him to set the world on fire and yes he may let a goal through here or there, but he has shown enough and I don't think he will get much benefit playing at Casey. Can also go through the wings as required. Jetta is past it and should only be played if needed to cover injuries in the back half. Neal-Bullen - he has earned his spot with strong showings in the pre-season and is another option to run through the wings with his huge tank.

One thing I'm happy with is the new manning the mark rule doesn't seem to be an issue. Originally I was annoyed as it was another rule change for the sake of it, but it has definitely increased the flow of the game. Still dislike Hocking though....

I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this season. We've had Viney, Brayshaw and Oliver all missing large chunks of the pre season. Then unfortunate injuries to Weid and Brown and then poor Kozzie losing his Mum. I'm usually pretty optimistic, but have a feeling it will be another season outside the 8.

So sad to hear of the passing of Kozzie's mum. One take away from Richo's interview was the mention of Matt Whelan providing guidance on these issues for the indigenous boys. This makes me so proud as a supporter to see the way we handle these situations and gives me great confidence in he administration we have.

Heading into the season we had 5 key forwards in Brown, Weid, TMac, M Brown and L Jackson. If we can't cover a couple of injuries with this group then what is the point of having them on the list? People saying our key forward depth is poor, please point me to a side with 5 options for key forwards? It's disappointing for Weid and to an extent Brown, but no excuses.