DistrACTION Jackson

Their list is not too different age wise to us, so they should be able to back it up. I think the biggest thing people don't think about is the difficulty of fixture once you're a top 4-6 team. They will have more double up games against tough opposition so it is how they back up from that.

If someone had given me the choice at the end of 2020 to have Brown and Tmac on our list for 4 more years but we would get one flag I would've taken it in a heartbeat.

Even our elite kickers were off today. Rivers & McVee were missing targets. Billings was probably the most reliable with ball in hand.

My thoughts on the game is that Richmond were playing at a pretty high intensity and we had about 2-3 guys that got anywhere near that. They laid some massive tackles and bumps and I hardly saw us lay one. The bump on Lever was right in front of me and that was huge! - Trac was really there to get run into his legs and have a few touches. He looked very disinterested. - Most of our backline were lethargic and dropped simple marks (May being the worst of them). Bowey was probably the one shining light there. I will hold judgement on Thommo for now given after the first 20 minutes the ball was coming in at a rate of knots. - Obviously there are still concerns for our forward line, but if we can get McAdam and Petty on the park that could really change things. Even Fullarton as a big 200cm target would be handy. - I was super impressed with Windsor, even though his kicking was a bit off today. His speed is incredible to watch and he went hard a number of times, including getting crunched by Nathan Broad. The best thing is he came back on in the 2nd half and didn't take a backward step. He has so much potential it's great to see. - Really liked what I saw from Billings and started to work is way into the game in the second half with some nice link up play and elite footskills. He will be important for us. - I'm not super confident for our start to the season at the moment, though will hold on going hard early until I see how we play v Carlton. I am expecting them to be a lot sharper and increased pressure as the final game before the season starts. - I was also pretty happy with Will Verral and thought he showed a bit. He is obviously very raw still, but he's put on quite a bit of size and is really athletic. Also looks a reliable set shot kick. I could see him as our ruck/forward in future.

I find this talk of aging funny. Pendlebury just won a flag at 35. No reason Max and May can't do the same

Judd was 189 and Windsor is 185, so not really a huge difference.

A mate told me that Cal Twomey said Windsor reminds him of Chris Judd.... no pressure young fella.

Were you at training today?

The Hawks were gifted an amazing zone, resulting in like 13 players in their team of the century or something along those lines!

Well we do have Stafford as our forward coach.... I do wonder how good he is strategically.

I think there's two issues, 1. a lot of our mids haven't been great at hitting targets regularly and 2. our forwards aren't great at creating these areas of space by working together as a unit.

I don't think we ignore it, I just think we need to get better at working our way through it. This is one of the reasons a lot of teams prefer to score from counter attack, because it is the only way to get an open forward line. If you watch what Collingwood did, they let us get to half forward but then flooded back and then all spread quickly forward. Hence it isn't always the best game plan to lock it in your forward line as it can be difficult to score.

100% agree. All those guys are either above average or elite kicks. The issue we have is that our biggest ball winners, Trac, Viney and Oliver are probably below average kicks. Gawn also needs to focus on handballing off whenever he gets a mark, especially in the backline!

I like that they are training with a congested forward line. The best teams do that to us now because they know they can't go with a standard setup. We need to work out ways to get through this. I think getting the ball in Billings, Salem, Rivers, Bowey and Spargo's hands is the first step!

Would be the quickest way to destroy his groins and calves. The amount of running needed for a key forward is a lot more than a stay at home full back.

They weren't an overly skilled team, Dusty, Short and Houli probably their best. They just always seemed to be in the right spots.

Sparrow did mention he's brought some offensive changes from the Tigers over. Would love if we could pressure like they did. It was elite for 4 years

Did these guys watch the Swans team in 2005? They were horrible to watch, they won the flag though.

This Sunday is a match sim with Richmond and then we play Carlton like a week later or something

TBF he was very young at the Lions. At the dogs he was thrown around a lot so never got settled, which seems to be a Bevo trait. Not saying he will be a gun for us, just think if he can settle into one position maybe he can improve.

This is exactly what I want to see, but would be starting Laurie and have Woewodin as sub. That is still a very strong side and at full strength I could see Pickett in for Chandler, Oliver in for Laurie (moves to sub) and Petty in for Schache. So really 3 players off our best 23. McAdam is also another who might find his way in, just not sure who goes out for him. Hunter for Windsor is another, but I have a feeling he may surpass him quickly.

I assume no one was able to get down to training today?

I think that was an AFL or channel 7 thing

Agreed. There is no reason why Schache can't play at a level good enough to hold down a ruck/forward position in the side. He's 199cm and has great skills. If he has increased his physicality, as Picket Fence and other posters have pointed out, then he is a massive chance to find a spot in our side. I'll be heading the the Richmond practice match next weekend, so will definitely keep an eye on him.

I'd probably go with: HF: ANB Schache Billings F: Chandler JVR Fritsch With Spargo also going through and Trac & Sparrow also resting down there.