DistrACTION Jackson

I think he can be a similar player to May personally. He’s being wasted forward. He’s an outstanding defender and was part of a flag at 21/22 years old

If we hold him over how is he meant to work his way into the side? very frustrating the vfl fixturing

100% agree. Wonder if they will play TMac forward this week?

If we can’t beat North even with LDU playing then it really is season over

Has been showing some good signs and the FD obviously rate him. Not sure being a forward is his best position, so would love to see them move him down back especially next year if Tmac and Tommo leave.

I’d say zero. He played limited minutes in the VFL and hasn’t even had one afl level preseason

But that is essentially saying we can't trust the AFL but can trust the media. We have to take it on face value that the assessment and review were within guidelines. Whether those guidelines change as a result of this specific incident is another matter.

The AFL did review and of course the cynical media still wanted to make a story. They wouldn’t care what the outcome was, it’s all about selling newspapers and getting clicks on social media.

Where was this mentioned?

I've definitely shifted my expectations for 2024 and think finals will be difficult to make given our issues. I still want the team to go 100% to win every game, however we need to make decisions with an eye to 2025. This means playing guys like Kolt, Kynan Brown and maybe even Jefferson if his form warrants a crack before the end of the season. Missing finals this year wouldn't be the end of the world, as it would give the players a full off season to freshen up and also give us an extra few weeks pre-season on the finalists. We would also get an easier fixture in theory given the way they structure double up games for the top 6 versus the middle and bottom 6 teams.

I think you need to move on like we moved on that recruitment team

There would be protocols in place for everything, we just wouldn’t know them because it isn’t as common as concussion and not as a big an issue due to the legal case against the afl

Gerard needs to move on. I’ve heard they did all the assessments and he passed so went back out. He then went downhill after this and so the call was made. The Drs can only work off symptoms, they don’t have a crystal ball that tells them exactly what’s wrong. Let’s not forget they would’ve done the exact same assessment for Steven May against the hawks and he would’ve failed, so was removed immediately.

I thought he was a RFA at the end of this year, but it seems that it is next year. Not sure if North would trade him, given they will likely be bottom 4 again next year. If they get band 1 compo they would get a 2nd top 4 pick, which you would think is better than anything anyone could offer this year. I guess if we continue to slide we may have a high enough pick, or potentially St Kilda will.

That was a disgraceful and cowardly hit.

Well if that's the case then I'm even more disappointed. It's one thing for the coaches to ask it of players, but for the players to be non-combative is a real worry.

What annoys me most is this idea that dynasty’s just happen and anyone with talented players should get them. They are a f’ing hard thing to do

It was obviously a coaching directive to not go for him, thinking it may cause the players to lose focus. I think it was the wrong call personally, as it would've been a way to get some emotion and energy up in the group. Always easy to judge in hindsight, but it was a pretty limp performance from a physicality perspective.

We've had May and Gawn on our list together since 2019. So in 5 seasons, 4 other sides have won a flag without a Gawn or May.... but people seem to think once they are gone we won't win another flag again.

The good news is that neither does Tom Morris

The issue is with Petracca out we've now lost our best player. The positive of this is we are going to find out which players have the leadership skills and mental aptitude to take the club forward. They can't hide behind our best players now.

Is there anyone you do want?

I personally thought he was decent on the weekend and would like to see him get a crack at AFL level. A lot of people have already stamped his card, I'm not one of them yet. I do think he is a bit of a stop gap though until we find a better option. We have to remember his pre season was ruined but an 8 week hamstring injury, which would've set him back quite a bit of a 200cm player.

Definitely someone to throw some cash at if we can get him across.

I'd be using Sestan as a sub to start and maybe a few full games later in the year. Tholstrup I think should be running approx. 40-50% game time through the middle.