Gator

If the typical old grey bearded cardigan wearing comrades that proliferate this site loved it you know it was bad.

I knew I'd forgotten someone I planned on mentioning. I'm not a fan of Tholstrup but thought he was one of the better players on the ground. He got quite a lot of it and used it pretty well. I find him a fumbler but only saw that once. It was my first preseason viewing but he looked noticeably better to me. Salem ran laps at a good pace and seemed unhindered. He didn't take place in any of the match sim. There's a large gate at the southern car park end not far from the goals. It was unlocked. A few of us were able to push it aside and watch from inside. I stood on the mound in the left forward pocket as you look north with the main grandstand to the left of me. No wind and beautiful weather, but a bit hard to see the other forward-line.

He was half back today.

I should add that Windsor's kicking was very good. We all know it's not always. I suspect his kicking is linked to his body health.

Rivers kicked 3 that I saw. All from set shots. Heath battled hard against Gawn and took a couple of nice marks. Howes was good. Got a lot of it and was strong in the air. I thought Rivers, Windsor and Langford were the standouts. Culley did his arm in the last few minutes. The forwards play a very high press. There was often no-one in one half of the ground. Lots of switching and short passes to retain control combined with long down the line when needed. Lots of quick play and ball movement that occasionally came unstuck. We'll be trying to get out the back towards goal quite a lot. Mihocek, van Rooyen and Jefferson all had their moments without starring. Fritsch is a different player from last year, but you already knew that. Sparrow was good. Plenty took turns in the centre square. Standing in the back pocket on the boundary line with Salem and Jiath while watching proceedings, Jarrad Rivers yelled out to Rick (Lever) about his positioning. Once play had moved up field Xavier Taylor turned around and yelled out to Rivers, "were you calling me "? Rivers shook his head. Taylor then nodded before saying, "call me Reg, or you can call me Daddy". Needless to say there were howls of laughter with Rivers telling Salem you're going to have to get that boy under control. He then told Petty the story of how Taylor told him to call him Daddy, before lamenting he gets enough grief at home. Just a solid hitout with some good bits of play interspersed with some errors. I think Mihocek will be very important and a handy pick up, notwithstanding his age. I left thinking we'll get a lot more of an even performance than the last couple of years and that I have no real clue how we'll go. I actually doubt we'll be worse and have a sneaky suspicion we could surprise a little to the upside. Pity I didn't see Latrelle.

I trust their observations on both. I've never doubted Jefferson's innate ability but having the physicality, aggression, nastiness, strength, etc. to actually make a regular meaningful impact at AFL level are other levels of magnitude. It's a make or break year. I'll be shocked if he makes it based on what I've seen thus far. Admittedly, I haven't seen any preseason, so it's possible he's been hypnotised.

There's a base level of talent a key forward needs to be worthy of selection. I don't see Johnson as having that base level. He's not a great contested mark and he's a chronic fumbler. His admirable aggression doesn't make up for his lack of skill. If Johnson had even Brad Miller's level of talent he'd warrant AFL games, but he's a rung or two below Miller's level. With Mihocek, van Rooyen and Heath why would Johnson be getting games ? Brisbane just won a flag with a mobile and skilled forward line with only one goal from a tall forward. Subject to injuries I'll be mildly shocked if Johnson gets selected.

Most players outside of your very best are role players. The word has become a bit cliched in AFL circles. McIntosh finished top 5 in the B&F in a premiership year. A great finish for a wingman. Johnson is a VFL player who may get a few AFL games. 32+ players get to pull on the guernsey.

It's not lost on me either, Gregory. Needless to say, I've been far more productive in other areas of my life in recent years.

The back up ruck comments are utter nonsense. Admittedly, van Rooyen is very good at it, but I've seen Johnson on multiple occasions last preseason go head to head against van Rooyen as second rucks in match simulation and get well beaten. Johnson offers nothing in the AFL as far as ruck work goes. I spent over 20 years arguing with dolts on this website about players who weren't up to it. Talk about deja vu. I'm trying to think of a player I got wrong...

Lacks talent. If this bloke is getting games it will be a long year.

I have a relative who is 102. How about her ?

The recruitment of Jefferson was substandard.

I've always thought Schwarz a buffoon of the highest order. Like our very own Pickett, one of the great contrarian indicators. That said, like most, I'm not overly perurbed by where we finish, as I agree it's a building block year. As for losing the 3 players mentioned ? McVee is a talent but was useless in 2025. Petracca played bruise-free footy interspersed with some of his signature quality. Oliver was a shadow of his former self, although the shadow as larger. No doubt that will be rectified this year with the chip on his leucous shoulders.

You'll be in trouble for ''wrong thought'', as Taylor is revered here on 'Land. Btw, I don't quite agree with you, but I welcome a contrarian opinion. Oliver was a great pick (some will give the credit to Roos), so were Pickett and Jackson, who many thought were a reach, Rivers was also good, and he's had a number of other very solid choices. But, as you say, he's also got plenty wrong. Overlooking Curnow and McKay for Weideman a case in point. And picking Jefferson a monumental failure. That said, mistakes will always happen. This is a ''fan'' site and most who post here get excited over nothing.

Onley is from Shepparton.

Well summed up. Rarely has a Father pumped up their Son as Jeff has, but I'm reliably informed that internally the club are hopeful, but far from delusional. They're well aware of the time needed and the uncertainty of the outcome. Personally, I think there's enough talent for him to make it if the will is there. I'm open-minded as to what part of the field.

I was going to say try Ricky Steamboat Jackson, but that probably won't work either.

Firstly, he'll be venerated once his career is over. Right now he wears opposition colours. Secondly, like anyone, he's only owed the truth. The poster you're responding to didn't denigrate him, he denigrated himself. A weak club put up with him for too long.

So you don't have to read comments you don't like ? Don't open the thread. Or cope better. I can't abide censorship.

No, I don't underrate Neal-Bullen. We found a role that suited him and helped Petracca. His fantastic endurance being pivotal in this role. And it's great he elevated his game, as he was asked to look elsewhere at the end of 2020. It's you who overrates him as a player. I respect role players, but I also recognise their place in a team. I'm hoping Matthews has far better bona fides that translate to him being far better than a limited role player, like Neal-Bullen. I do thank you though. I've seemingly had disdain for Alex and I believe I've been misspelling his surname for years.

The new Neale-Bullen ? I always have grand hopes. I hope he's a lot better than Neale-Bullen.

Perhaps. People get excited by hopium. He couldn't have done what you say too often because he rarely gets the footy.

Byrne

Take it easy, Cyclone. 2023 AFL DRAFT PROFILE STRENGTHS: + Aerial ability + Contested marking + Conversion + Strength IMPROVEMENTS: - Production - Speed A hulking key forward with notable senior experience, Luker Kentfield is a prospect who has flown under the radar. Along with potential first-rounder Koltyn Tholstrup, he turned out in Subiaco's League side this year for 10 games and earned a call-up to the state Under 18 side for three appearances. At 194cm, he rotated between the ruck and forward line and was able to be a mainstay against mature bodies due to his readymade frame. While doing so at AFL level will be tougher against taller and more athletic opponents, the 18-year-old held his own in the WAFL's top flight. Kentfield is a strong marker and pure striker of the ball, albeit if opportunities are far from frequent. He averaged just six disposals, three marks and less than a goal per game this year, with his standout senior effort yielding four of his overall eight goals for the season from eight touches and four marks. DRAFT RANGE: Rookie