TeamPlayedFine39

If you read this thread through the lens of a small number of people winding up everyone else is actually a good read! Surely no one seriously wants to bring Jeffo in… There’s player there… just not quite ready yet. His two year extension last year shows the club’s faith and hopefully he’s been reassured to build his game and body in the VFL.

I agree with everything you’ve said but none of this was part of the post/preseason narrative. We choked last year in the finals. Plain and simple. It wasn’t the game plan, selections or strategy. We choked in front of the goals when we had more than enough opportunities to win each final. The fans and the media screamed for gameplan changes; and that’s what we’ve got.

Love watching Bontempelli play. (not against us though) Most of my ‘favourites’ from other clubs have retired; I find it a lot easier to appreciate opposition players when they are close to the end.

I probably would have give the 5 to Waterman; he was immense and a great comeback story. A lot of Fraser Gehrig about him. Reid is something else! Probably worth the 3 first rounders we could have offered and even the 2 and 3 Nth wouldn’t cough up. Only injury can stop him imho.

Reminded me a lot of the match against Essendon last year during Gather Round. Opposition playing well and our entire line up looking off the pace. It’s not yet a pattern but we’re yet to string enough consistent performances together to be counted as a threat. We’re a finals team but not sure how much further than that.

Heeney is going to make Brownlow night pretty boring…

I don’t. But it’s the kind of passive aggressive posturing that Scott wheels out after every loss. It is in his character. It would be surprising for Goodwin to ignore Lever’s massive individual contribution to our win. That would be highly out of character for Goodwin.

I think Oliver returning to form on Saturday will help Petracca. He’s been struggling with 100% attention whilst Oliver’s been injured.

I’ve always found the Coach’s votes to be impartial and respectful to the spirit of the award. I’m both very surprised to see such a lack of sportsmanship and very unsurprised to see that it’s come from Scott.

Shades of Max’s ‘breakout’ game against Geelong in 2015. Supreme aerial performance.

Liked it. Watched video. Love it!

It’s like there jumper clash…

First look I've had a Fullarton - looks too good for this level, would be keen to see him in the seniors. Hore solid and McAdam very classy.

Agreed! Was a great day and the way they handled and engaged about one thousand excited kids was exceptional. Well done club and players.

Surely they’d sack everyone from the president to the boot-studder before losing Bont..?

Not matching the pick 5 bid on Mac Andrew allowed us to bring in JVR and Blake Howes; a solid win so far. K White is 100% nominating the Dees.

I’ve always preferred Petty as a defender where, I believe, he had a very high ceiling. It’s also why Adelaide wanted him. At the moment, he’s not completely fit and, for the first time in his career, he’s very out of form. Whether it’s lacking touch or just isn’t quite trusting his body yet, this will soon pass. At the moment, with TMac playing out of his skin, he’s not needed down back. But my hopes were and still are that Petty and Disco are ready made replacements when McDonald and (heaven forbid) May call it a day. May’s retirement is more daunting to our list management than Gawn’s imho.

Some people jumped the gun with their criticism of the kid. I thought for a debut against a-grade opposition on a night where very few teammates turned up, he showed plenty. Got some kicks, a shot on goal, laid some tackles and showed some endeavour. Have seen far worse debuts from players who went on to have great careers. He is a victim of his own marketability in that more eyes were on him since draft night than most other draftees at his level. Bank the experience and move on!

Listed at 190cm and turns 18 tomorrow. I wonder if he’s gone one more growth spurt in him… 4 or 5 more cm would be perfect.

High pressure environment to make a debut! Hopefully he thrives on the atmosphere and makes the most of it! Very keen to see what he can do.

Genuinely shocked we even bothered; was never any chance of getting off. We can argue until we're blue in the face, but the very simple checklist of feet leaving the ground, contact to the head and it being 'avoidable' meant that he was always going to get at leat a week. I was just relieved that it was only the week after being rubbed out twice last year. Times have changed.

Time to rename . . . the thread…

Really?! I didn’t r realise that. That is much more informative and interesting than the OP!

Bontempelli is the best player in the league by a long, long way. Favourite non-demon to watch.

I would have thought he’s playing better this season than the second half of ‘22 through to the end of 23.