Bang Bang Bang

How could anyone have an opinion on Laurie the AFL footballer either way? In five years he’s never really been given a real chance at it. One game, that’s right, one game, where he got 70% game time and 19 touches back in 2024. Dropped the next week. There were two other games with his game time % in the 60s. In the rest of his games he's either been the sub or been subbed. I mean, he’s probably not quite up to it, but let’s give him a chance, finally! He could be another Sharp.

4 coaches votes yesterday. Not sure if both coaches gave them out to him or one coach believed he was the second best player on the ground. But still, that makes 3/3 good games for us this year. Probably a long shot for another AA blazer but I think his name would be on the initial expanded list of names Kane Cornes referred to on the radio. What I found interesting was that Steven King went straight to him after the game and told him how lucky we are to have him at the club. A far cry to his previous employers who kicked him out the door for a bag of peanuts so they could overspend on B and C grade talent. What on earth were they thinking? This is not spoken about nearly as much as it should be. Anyway, St Kilda's loss is our gain!

Superb win. About bloody time we got these [censored] back and what a way to do it. For mine it’s ever so slightly behind the St Kilda victory for pure satisfaction, but gee whiz, Kingyball has already put two hall of fame worthy H&A victories in just three weeks of existence. I like it. I like it a lot. Since the glory days of late 2021 when Gawn and Petracca went bananas in the finals, I can’t remember too many better individual games than Kozi’s today. Was just in a league of his own out there. Sparrow, correct me if I’m wrong, but he played as a pure mid for most of the day? Can’t recall that happening too much if ever in the past, and he may have found his spot. We really need a big body in there to support Steele and Tom might be that guy! Fantastic game. Speaking of Steele, why did St Kilda let him go for peanuts then spend millions on a bunch of mediocres? And why doesn’t that get spoken about more? What an idiotic decision by them. A bit worried about Perry’s form. No shame in being made to look second rate by Treacy, but Mitch McGovern, are you kidding me? That 50 he gave away was really dumb too, and at the time seemed really costly. Once Turner comes back, McDonald stays and Petty goes for mine. Still a long way to go but this season has plenty left in the tank. Roll the Suns next week and the lid might be off! Up the [censored] Demons.

Surprised to see Rivers dropped but happy with the message it sends. Nobody is safe. Besides, his form to start the year has been pretty [censored] poor. Lots of weak tackles over both weeks and fumbly moments over in the west. He's not to blame at all for the loss but that fumble and turnover goal to start the second half last week was as bad as Nate Caddy's miss the next day. Completely demoralising.

He had a stinker against the Dogs but was pretty good on the weekend - in fact he got 3 coaches votes in a losing side. From what I've seen, he's beem marginally better than the 2024/2025 version but still miles off the glory days. Essentially a free hit for GWS, they'd be happy with his form. For us, we obviously had to get rid of his problems and that horrible contract. Steele should be able to cover his on-field form for 2-3 years as well. I will be watching him closely. Not because I hold a grudge, I just find his career trajectory fascinating.

If we are to win only one more game this season it needs to be this one. Sick to death of losing to these [censored]. Last our last four going all the way back to the Petracca non-goal in 2023. Ashton Moir turning into prime Jason Akermanis last time round was the final straw. Just beat them please. Not really sure about changes. McDonald for Turner is an obvious one if needed. AMW will make us better at some point but I am not sure it's now. Maybe a swap for Lindsay just so high standards are being set. Despite an an atrocious game last night, I'd be inclined to give Trelle one more week. Can't think of anyone in the 2s who could replace him anyway. No to Max Heath, let Max do his thing. In. McDonald, AMW Out. Turner, Lindsay

The reality check that was always coming. Some positives. Steele had a good game. Tholstrup has found his niche. Sharp looking like he can fill the empty ANB void that’s been lacking for a couple of years. Gawn on track for AA blazer #9. Lever a bit better after last week. Still, incredibly disappointed to lose in that fashion. It’s harsh to go after young players, but I’d expect a lot more from Langford and Lindsay in year 2. Just looking at Murphy Reid FFS. Still haven’t seen anything in Trelle that justifies the draft pick either. Will give him time.

He never had soft tissue issues with us. From memory he had an ACL, cracked toe, a broken leg which he played through and the infamous Darcy Moore incident. He was very durable over a decade. Just goes to show trading multiple first rounders for a 30 year old is risky no matter how good he is. That being said, plenty of time for Suns to reap the benefits of the trade.

That has to be one of the best neutral games I’ve ever seen. And we actually found a way not to butcher it and play smart footy at the death so it wasn’t just a honorable loss. Seen enough of them. Steven King is the real deal. Seeing him lose his [censored] at Fritsch’s goal nearly brought a tear to my eye. And the more said about Max Gawn the better. Not human.

Well so far we’re doing exactly what Kingy said we’d do. Feel like I’ve watched an entire season of highlights and it’s HT of the first game. Still it’s just 61-59 so the game style isn’t perfect, but it’s sure as heck fun to watch! Jiath looks better than I was expecting, has made generally sound decisions. Culley looks nothing like a SPP selection. Mihocek isn’t such an annoying [censored] anymore - some good some bad. Lever is done. Caught lightning in a bottle in 2021 and forever grateful for it, but outside of that season he’s been a huge disappointment for mine.

From what I’ve seen so far, Clarry looks similar to the 2024/25 version. Still pretty good and doing some nice things, but not completely dominating the game the way you’d expect from him in the glory days. I think watching Trac is going to be more difficult this year.

He started slowly with us but the 2020-2022 iteration of Steven May was the best defender I've ever seen play for us. I am not ashamed to admit that I hoped he would be able to defy science and play at that level forever or at least for another decade. During the doomed 2022-2023 straight sets era, he was by far our best performed player under pressure, with the 2022 QF performance on Franklin one of the all time great finals performances in a losing side. I know he wasn't everyone's cup of tea out there on the field, and I'm sure it wasn't all that useful for morale, but I kind of liked the bakes he used to give out. At least there was someone out there with high standards and who suffered and cared the way us diehards do. He looked completely washed last year and it would have been even harder going around again this season being another year older, but I'm still a bit flat about this. All the best, Steve. One of the greats!

First glimpse of KingyBall and I absolutely love it. He seems a good bloke too, long way to go but the shock of signing him ahead of Bucks is disintegrating with each passing week. Not much to add from others views on the game TBH. I thought Steele was fantastic and brought a skill set we haven’t seen from a Dees mid for a long time. The media will mock us if Clarry has a bounce back year, but everything he does should be compared to what Steele does for us. I think we’ll be OK there. Langford and Lindsay look like they’re ready to take the next step, Trelle was electric, Heath looked better than expected. Taylor good when he was on but looks to be down the pecking order. The red flags still there with Kolt and Jeffo unfortunately, but Kentfield looked like a 100 gamer out there. Howes was fantastic too. OK let’s just say it. Aiming for a wildcard is not an unrealistic hope this year… is it? I’m probably already getting slightly carried away as we belted them in the same fixture last year then nek minnit we zip 5 (including a trouncing from North themselves). [censored] it.

I wanted him to stay but then we absolutely fleeced the Suns in that trade so I've moved on quickly. Three first rounders for a guy who may have five years left in the game, but is also five years past his prime and probably has only one or two more seasons where he is anywhere near his best. All we need is one of Taylor, Pickett and this year's pick to be a 200 gamer and we are laughing. Worth it for the Suns too if they pinch a flag.

Think I’ve hacked into picket fence’s personal stash. Jeffo looking minted.