Bang Bang Bang

Can’t complain too much with the effort so far. But this is the gameday thread so I need to let all the negativity out. The quicker we can replace Sharp and Spargo with proper AFL players the better. We are wasting Windsor down back who by the way has suddenly become a huge ball butcher. Get him playing in the right spot would be a start. May has been OK but what the hell was that effort on Gardiner? I honestly like AJ. I’m sure his stats suck but he gives us something. Just quietly Clarry is …. back?

Fritsch as the sub could work. For starters he shouldn't really be in the side IMO. He's also the kind of guy that come be injected into a game late and snag an important goal or two. It's more likely to be a behind and an out on the full in his current form. But still, worth a thought.

When LJ left us in 2022 we got two firsts and a second. He's three years older now and not quite as advanced as hoped, so that might shave some value off. But he's still worth 2 firsts IMO. Kosi is in the same boat. Brad Green has stated three firsts or busts. More likely two will get it done. So a straight swap for Kosi OR if by some miracle Kosi stays, then two firsts is what it will take. I've already stated it on this thread but I'm 1 million percent on board with this.

I think he’s shaping up to be a bust. It was a pretty ordinary draft though. Some players around MJ’s range have been delisted or traded already. Our other option was Ed Allan who looks OK but certainly no world beater. In hindsight, we probably should have traded the pick.

Lindsay had IMO the best individual effort of the season for us and it led to a goal, so I definitely noticed him.

May is getting a bit long in the tooth but he was fine today TBH. Bigger problems than his form. Jefferson put in a stinker after a puzzling selection to begin with. I want him to succeed but I can’t see it after that. That was almost papers stamped-level bad. Can’t have Fritsch playing that badly and keep his spot. JVR is a worry but I think he can contribute as second ruck again. In. Viney, Melksham, Petty Out. Jefferson, Fritsch and Spargo/Sharp/Tholstrup Can see us putting up a good show at the Gabba and still losing by 40+.

Sad but predictable. When we kept missing those goals in the second quarter I could have told you almost exactly how the game would pan out from there. Fact is, we’re not going to win many games this year if we only show up for three quarters. Gawn missed a gettable one then we didn’t even look like scoring outside of a Kosi masterclass. Huge concern, especially as it was our strength up until recently. Individuals? JVR continues to go backwards. Fritsch is useless if he can’t take his chances (that was his one wood), I’ll go easy on Clarry but that wasn’t his best. Sharp I like but not sure he’d AFL standard. Jeffo is most likely a bust. That’s a lot of passengers. Maybe it’s my Melbourne goggles but Langford screams “best player in the league” one day potential. Anyone his size that is good overhead, uses it well and hits the scoreboard is an A grader. Lindsay looks really good too. We will be 3-7 next week and probably headed for mid table this year. It sucks, but there’s plenty to work with.

I’ve been a Jeffo believer but he looked miles off it today. Losing faith. Perhaps he was just a miss. That 2022 draft looks pretty ordinary across the board in hindsight. The form of Langford and Lindsay however, wow Lee. That play from Lindsay on the far side was unbelievable.

I remember when Weid played for us he’d go long periods without even being seen on the screen let alone touching. Got similar vibes from Jeffo that quarter. Is he out there? Solid enough start. JVR and Fritsch killed us at the end there. Langford could one of the next big stars of the game. Complete package.

Just checked and we had Umpire 22 for four out of the last five games. Not sure how that's even allowed. Granted, he wasn't too bad in the last couple, but I'm glad to see the back of him for at least a week.

Makes sense. The Jackson/Darcy combo is as ineffective as Gawndy, we need something juicy for Kosi if he leaves, and Gawn is nearing the end (or is he?). If Luke wants it and who knows what goes in that guys head, but then i think this trade would be mutually beneficial for all parties.

I get that, but one thing First Crack was really reliable with in previous years was dedicating time to every game that was played. Sure, the [censored] teams would be wedged in at the end, but they still got covered. They can do better than telling us Max Gawn is a good player then cutting to an ad break two weeks in a row.

First Crack has definitely taken a nose dive. I understand that we’ve beaten the two worst teams in unconvincing fashion, but literally the only analysis they’ve provided in the last two weeks is that Max Gawn is a good player, and maybe given us 40 seconds total. Seems like they have pacing issues but come on.

But we are catching up to a lot of teams and we are now only one win and % out of the Top 8. I feel like that’s pretty good for a team that was zip 5 what felt like five minutes ago. I personally can’t see us making the 8 this year (we will most likely be 3-7 soon) but it’s nice the season is still alive.

Should also mention Daniel Turner. I’m not sure if he even counts as a young guy anymore and he’s never going to be paid millions of dollars or get AA blazers, but a guy who play to a high level at either end of the ground AND KICK STRAIGHT is worth his weight in gold to this team, and any team going forward. Must be in the 23 for rest of the year.

Man, Gawn is an absolute legend of the game. Career best form??? How is this possible?!! Also loved his post game interview, talked up his interviewer, took the mickey out of himself, and gave some insights that we’d never hear elsewhere. Just an absolute God. Will take that win any day of the week even if that second quarter was the absolute quintessential Dees footy. Of the younger guys, I thought Langford is great on the wing, which is funny because he was meant to be an inside bull who could push forward (which I’m sure he can). Very versatile and skillful young man. Windsor is such a jet too, it’s good to see him back to his best (even if he ran 25m). McVee is still miles off his best and Tholstrup, well the less said the better for now. I’d persist with him though. Beat the Hawks next week and the season is ALIVE!

Adam Simpson, Will Schofield and umpire 22? Not off to the best start here.

Sad to say but for mine he is in the Tom Gillies category.

Fullarton out forever. I think everyone knows that. Bad luck Tom, I'm sure he's a nice guy and worked hard for this opportunity, and he got a heck of a lot further than any of us did, but that was pretty brutal to watch. JVR in. Easiest decision Goody will ever make. Steven May is an MFC legend and clearly still in the best 22, but I think his days as the AFL's premier defender are over. Lynch gave him a bath. So I think we need to beef up the tall stocks down back a little. Meanwhile, Turner looked excellent in defense against the Dockers and is versatile. I hope he comes back in, maybe at the expense of Fritsch. Tholstrup's form on paper looks poor but I think there's some intangibles that work in his favour. I don't know, we just look more desperate when he's out there. And we haven't had a real antagonist/goofball in the side since Tomas Bugg in 2017. It's probably not enough to keep him in the side permanently, but for now, I want to lean towards playing him. Out. Sharp, Fullarton, Fritsch In. Melksham, JVR, Turner Either Melksham or Tholstrup the sub.

Yes, there are some things for him to work on. There were some hospital kicks too when they didn't need to be and thankfully didn't hurt us much. However, his ability to a) win a lot of the ball, b) make good decisions, c) win contested ball and d) find the goals has been seriously impressive. He made Rioli who is no slouch look absolutely pathetic in a 1-1 last night, such is the kid's strength. For all the moaning about his lack of pace on here, he still doesn't get caught much. He has tricks. Really loving the picks of Langford and Lindsay so far. We don't need to wait around to find out if they'll be good players. They already are good players, meaningfully impacting games. And in different ways to each other. I'd have them slightly ahead of the Windsor/Tholstrup combo who are also tracking well (what happened to Leb's kicking though...)

Am I in the game day thread? Miserable bunch you lot. After five horrible losses I’m taking wins in any way shape or form at the moment. And that… was a pretty easy one. A lot will be rightly said about Gawn’s performance but Jake Bowey being an elite AA defender wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card. Last quarters are a worry. Fullerton is not a worry because we’ll most likely never see him again at AFL level. Potentially 3 in a row next week and then Hawks are very gettable at the G. I’m choosing to believe! Lessgo

Even though it feels like he’s been around forever TMac is still only 32. Doesn’t turn 33 until end of the year. He’d be entering his prime years if he was at Geelong. 100% he gets another year if he wants it.

As soon as Langford got the ball I knew it was a certain goal and very close to curtains. The guy is a jet.

The latest tidbit on Kosi in the Herald Sun is pretty promising. It’s vague and it’s Ralphy so don’t take it to the bank, but the fact a long term deal at Melbourne is even mentioned as a possibility is better than one might have hoped.

Interesting to see that Caroline Wilson on her show just now was mooting Luke Beverage as a possible replacement for Goody. She seemed to be speculating a bit but her sources are also normally not too bad. Bevo is almost the opposite of Goody tactically, and quite wacky at times with the way he throws the magnets around, but he has a proven track record. I'm keen.