DistrACTION Jackson

Haha always enjoy a froffie....

I understand it, just not really the type of supporters I like to associate with.

Not saying I am happy at the moment, just saying we played a side who made a prelim last year and lost by 3. Most teams are struggling, give the boys some time. The one thing I am unhappy about is the number of weekly changes we are currently swinging. How can the side build any form of continuity if we are switch 5-6 players each week?

We've played one game since it started and lost by 3 points.

100% agree with this, though I wouldn't bring Jones back mainly because I think we are making too many changes week to week. Oscar should have one role, lock down the oppositions best key tall. This week it will be Tom Lynch. This then allows May to take Reiwoldt and Lever to be the sweeper and intercept marker. I would drop Smith for him, but no slight on Smith it is just better for team balance. Weideman to come in for Melksham who is way out of form atm. TMac to roam more up on the wings and CHF, Weid to play out of the goal square and 2nd ruck. I'd give Vanders and Hannan another week, but depending on form obviously Bennell and Jones are possibilities to come in.

With Astbury out this now leaves the Tigers light on for tall defenders. I think we need to try and exploit this and play two key forwards this week. Personally I want to see the Weid given a go, but really take your pick of Jackson, Brown or Weid.

I'd like to see us do a Richmond and keep Goody for stability and change assistants. We need to invest in the best forward line coach we can find!

Ryan is a good mate of mine. Really great to see him getting serious traction in the industry. Absolutely ripping bloke and just loves the AFL.

I'd rather we make no changes, or at most only 1 or 2 max. We've had no continuity to both the personnel in our side, or our games in general. If the coaches believe this is the best side we have out our disposal, let's back them in for the next few weeks and try to build some cohesion.

I definitely don't think the sky is falling in, as it was our 2nd game back after a long lay-off and under unfortunate circumstances. However, there are some key things the coaches and selectors need to look at. 1. How are we utilising our forwards strengths? Obviously we are really struggling in this area, but I feel a lot of it comes down to questionable coaching instructions. Why aren't we getting Fritsch and McDonald to move more up to the wings and half-forward? Is having 4-5 guys in the 185-188cm range a good idea or should we swap one for a better ground ball player or a key tall? 2. Why did Brayshaw play 67% of game time? I thought he was one of our better players yesterday. Was fairly clean and kicked two important goals. Please Goodwin get him into the game more. Oliver ran around like a bloke who thinks he is a gun, really needs to get back to his bollocking best. 3. Why aren't we utilising Lever's main attribute? The year before we got him he was probably the second or third best intercept player in the comp behind McGovern and Rance. Why then did we get him and try to alter his role? We need to setup so that he can use these talents and start intercepting a lot more. 4. Why can't we do the basics right? We seem to get the basics wrong time and time again. Players not clearing the ball. Moving the ball slowly forward when we have options and quick when we don't. The coaches can't control this, the players need to be smarter.

I'll be getting the missus to buy me the jersey for my Bday. Double win, I get a cool present and the club gets money to hopefully keep us going!

I believe we also have a few academy options in this draft, which may be why we were happy to have later picks in 2020.

IF the Bombers knew it was a possibility he was infected and still proceeded to have him at training while waiting on results of a secondary test, then they should be forced to forfeit. Why should we be punished for their mistake?

My view is that Jones should make way, but I doubt that will happen just yet. Personally I would like Jones off half back and Harmes as midfield tagger and half forward, but also doubt that is going to happen. My changes would be as follows: Ins: Weideman (it's now or never in my mind) & Kozzie (to good to leave out) Out: Jackson (loved his first game but Weid offers more up forward at the moment) & Jones (love him but we need to win and having ANB, Hunt & Kozzie with leg speed is a must against the Bombers)

No idea why our defense sets up that way?? I've seen it done before and it never works.

Interesting thing is Essendon have beaten both Fremantle (in Melbourne) and Sydney by 6 points in both games. Definitely not shooting the lights out, given both sides are expected to finish near the bottom. If we can play 75% of the game at the level we played in the first quarter we will win..... seems to be a big ask for this team though.

Really have to take these games with a grain of salt. 14 v 14 is really only good to keep players somewhat match fit. The openness of the game would be so different to an actual match and it's no surprise Weid & Brown each kicked a heap of goals, as there would be no real zones. Glad to see Weid kick some goals, but obviously coaches will be aware of the difference in conditions.

I didn't think they should sing it. Although there were a few debutants and new players winning their first game with the Dees so understand why they did.

It looked to just be a mistake. Players all got into the rooms, bit unsure what to do given no one is allowed to put their arms around each other anymore, even though they all tackle each other during the game.... Storm in a tea cup type stuff. It was a strange end as it seemed the players were almost not even going to sing the song given how poor their second half was.

Anyone unhappy with our game last night need to look at some other results this weekend. Eagles spanked by last year's wooden spooners. Giants beaten at home by a Roos team that traveled up on the same day. Just have to take the wins no matter how we get them.

Agreed. I don't get the hate for Oscar on here. He's just turned 24 and holds down a key defensive spot. Him being in the side allows Lever and May to focus on intercept marking. Rather than worry about the opposition forwards I think team structure is the most important. That's how Richmond have become so good. Playing the same guys week in week out no matter who they are up against. For what it is worth, David Astbury was much maligned early in his career and has now become a solid lock down defender. Oscar reminds me a lot of him at the same age so we can only hope he can get to a similar level.

I'm going Salem within 45m. Outside 45m I'd go a bit of a roughy and say Steven May who has a beautiful and long kick. My future up and comer however is Trent Rivers and I think he could quickly become the best kick in our side.

I agree with removing the ruck nomination and reduction of interchange. I'd probably start at 10 per quarter and see what happens. Another idea I really believe would be good for the game is to include a bonus point if a team scores over 100 points in a game, even if they lose. Take the 2018 season for example, we scored over 100 14 times in the regular season. Those additional 14 points may have got us into the top 2 (don't have time to run the numbers for all clubs) and equates to 3.5 extra wins over the season. It rewards the teams that play attacking footy. I've also had people say 'oh but what about if a team plays in the wet?' Stiff! We don't have an even fixture so why do we get concerned over little things like a team playing a game in the wet.

So can't the men also train there over the next few years. As much as I would love a base around the MCG, if it isn't realistic then I'd rather have a state of the art base out at Casey. At least then we can train on a ground that is a similar size to the G.

I'd get rid of a lot of players before Fritsch!