TeamPlayedFine39

Bit off buzz in the forum today! Great reading - thanks everyone!

Glad to see Christian is healthy and training hard and I hope he has a great year. I honestly wish him only the best. There’s no logic to barracking for a football team; logic collapses immediately when we ask ourselves why we do what we do. We cheer kids kicking a ball around a field…. It’s absurd. The fact of the matter is, if Petracca had what he wanted, he’d be at AIA and not Gosch’s. That hurts the heart, even if my head can understand it. And, in footy, the heart trumps the head every time. I’d love to go bananas every time Petracca gets his hands on the ball next year but, truth be told, my heart has checked out on him. That’s 100% personal and, in all honestly, I’d hate to change anyone’s mind on the topic, but I’ve kinda checked out in him. Which is sad - he’s been a favourite of mine. But the love has gone for now.

I don’t know if Clayton Oliver spends any time thinking about ‘Brand Oliver’, but his off season should be studied in the curriculum of anyone entering into sports management and online promotions. I feel nothing but love for Clarry after he has had a very similar offseason to a teammate who is very conscious of his brand off the field. Two players, both explored their options… one has come back, an absolute darling, the other’s standing is (imho) sadly tainted.

The media will describe it as ‘gaunt’. So great to have Clarry back - he’s going to make a lot of people look very foolish next season!

Have been reading through a GC Suns Forum and it's interesting to read that KW is not rated particularly highly at all by those who follow the junior teams up there. Most attributing his selections to name, height and 'favours'. If these reports are anything to go by, there are much more promising prospects for the Suns to choose from in their academy next year.

Can’t believe they're doing Opening Round again. That took an already inequitable draw and added a whole new level of bias.

As much as it may affect the bottom line, with kids sports eating up all day Saturday and kids in general eating up every night, I'm looking forward to a few Sunday afternoon matches next year. (In addition to going 23-0, sweeping the finals and winning the flag)

At the end of the season, I would have handed the Captaincy to Petracca and let Gawn focus on footy. That, obviously, has been blown out of the water and leaves a big hole that the club would have expected to be filled by Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw and ANB.

Has always struggled after injuries. Whether it’s psychological, physical fitness or related to his health issues, I don’t believe he’s ever returned from an injury layoff and played as well or better than he did before it. He's had some good years and his ‘21, including Grand Final, was exceptional, but at 29yo, the clock is ticking! Fingers crossed he can get some more luck next year!

Have seen exponential improvement with JVR each year he has been on the list - it's hard to believe its only his second year of senior football. I'm expecting big things!

When he came back into the team you could instantly see that he is a player with a very high 'Football IQ'. He just knows how to play, how to organise and whist things weren't perfect inside our forward 50, they definitely improved. I don't know how many games he plays next year but I know he's definitely an asset to the club.

Adelaide semi-final was a great match to watch but, for mine, can't go past the Merger-Match final Round 1996 against Hawthorn. Hawthorn needs to win to make the finals. Both sets of fans turn up for possibly the last time. Dunstall kicks 100. Neitz almost dragging the Dees across the line. 1 point margin. Leaving The G for what many believed was the last time. This game used to make the media's lists of greatest games, but seems to have dropped of the radar in recent years.

Have been really looking forward to seeing Howes get a good run of games after some terrible luck just prior to selection in previous years. Thought he had a great start to the season but fatigued as the year went on. (Probably the most games he's strung together in a long time and even the mental stamina would be a challenge to maintain.) Plenty to like about him going forward!

Judged way too harshly on here, especially for a third round pick. It’d be a huge change going from the Saints into this Demons lineup and I’ll make a judgement on him at the end of ‘25. The bulk of our team has been playing together and under Goodwin for years; a massive change from where Billings has come from. Seen enough this year to think he could still be a quality contributor. He’ll need to increase his fitness and intensity to hold his spot in ‘25. (And, in all fairness to Jack, he’s scored 112 goals, not 12)

Was outstanding in our Final against the Blues - probably the last time he played fit. Has the smarts to improve our Forward line connection if he can get his ankle right.

Can't remember the last draft where there was so much variation in the 'expert' predictions and assessments. Seems to be a stable top 7, with the order changing almost daily and then a consistent 12 or so after that. Will be very interesting to see this all take shape over the next month.

He reads the ball very, very well - that skill wont disappear at senior level. The rest is strength, experience and support. Without seeing enough U18 footy, hard to see what the knock on his game is. Looks a great build, athletic, reads the play well and is very brave in the air. Having had May in the team for the last 6 years shows the difference and elite tall defender can make. Would be very happy to have one in to develop in the shadow of May and Lever (and hopefully Petty).

All through my childhood (the 90s), we were blessed with such powerful forward lines, but were always seemingly let down by our defensive personal (aside from some cult heroes). It's hard to believe that: Bennett Jakovich Lyon Schwarz Robertson Neitz were all plying within four years of each other!

Sylvia had the athleticism and talent to be anything! Brock probably born ten years too late and a string of ankle and foot injuries didn't really help.

Looks a lot better than the top 10 of '03 draft when we had two picks in the top 5!

The written word rarely does. It's definitely tongue in cheek and poking fun at the media.

I think everyone knows it's not literal - it's a tongue in cheek response.

I quite like Brad Green's public 'Presidential Persona' - the center square line at the BnF and little jibes like this on social media. Bit of a refreshing change for an MFC President to play the media soundbite game.

On Insta, he's playing golf Echuca and training with Marty Hore in Gunbower. Hell of a commute to have cleaned out his locker!