Gator

You're reading way too much into one game. And especially the first game. They'll learn much from this game, which is the first bit of relevant evidence they've been able to dissect for 6 months.

Thank you. It's nice to know who has no clue.

Yes. Teams that win the inside 50 count by 20 or more statistically win 95% of the time. Fact.

Not sure, but they're playing a practice match against Frankston midday Good Friday at Casey. It was going to be played at the Dolphins home ground, but was moved.

I reckon it's really difficult to make meaningful changes until the main break when you're leading at quarter time. You can make positional changes, but this was a team defence issue across the entire ground, not just a Jake Lever issue. You spend six months planning for one game. And it's a game that you don't really know how is going to pan out. You know what you're trying to do, but don't know how well your players will implement it and while you have an idea about the other side you don't know exactly what their plans are, what structural changes they'll make, or how their new players will effect the game. There are so many unknowns in round 1. We now have 120 minutes of footage that they can analyse to within an inch of its life. They will learn a heap from this game. And they'll keep learning over the next few rounds. We lost a game that statistically you win 95 times out of 100. The overreactions on here have been a sight to behold.

Put your bib on. The most important role in defence in modern footy. I get sick of spoon feeding people.

I can't be bothered having this argument, so no need to reply. But two things: I've edited my post, because he's 22 and secondly, his role is the tall intercept defender, which is the most important in footy. It's more important than dour lockdown key defenders. He's a key defender in my eyes, but I don't care whether you call him the 2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th defender, the role of the tall intercept defender, i.e the defender with the highest IQ, who reads the game better than any other defender, is the most important role in modern footy. If you don't get it no biggie.

He's 22. He's 14 days older than Oscar McDonald. He's going to be a superstar for a decade.

Happy to disagree. The most valuable defenders in the game are tall intercept defenders and Lever is one of the best 3 in the game. Intercept defenders are more valuable than dour lockdown key defenders. Last year he was second for intercept marks and first for intercept possessions. His football IQ is through the roof. Geelong put a tonne of effort into combating his game, which is evidence in itself of how they see his importance.

Hogan is deserving and underrated by many of his own fans. You can see what's happened here. He knows Oliver should be in it, but he thought there's no way I can have 4 Melbourne players. Oliver isn't universally popular, so he made way.

Curnow shouldn't be on the list. He's judged on what he will be and not what he's done, which is minimal. Prior to Thursday night he'd never kicked more than 2 goals in a game. I know he plays more of a utility role often, but he's overhyped on his present output.

Yep, if Fritsch didn't do the Cardinal sin of kicking into the man on the mark this whole play doesn't happen. A pet hate of mine.

It's interesting, isn't it ? Geelong conceded 23 more inside 50s and their two generational midfield stars gathered almost 80 possessions between them. Yet they lost 3 of the 4 quarters and if Gawn kicks straight they lose. And you're not praising them for this "really good game plan".

Frost isn't required. Hipwood is a mile off dominating games and Walker is a potato. They're trialling McStay forward, because they know they have no reliable key forwards. I can see Frost coming in against certain teams, but not Brisbane. They won't drop Wagner and certainly won't drop Garlett. There were plenty who were well below their best, not just the few being mentioned here, but I don't see Magner as best 22. I'm not a Bugg fan, as his kicking isn't good enough. That said, I think we missed his pressure in the forward half. IN: Tyson, Bugg OUT: Maynard, Hannan I want Brayshaw in any best 22 we play, but I'm not sure there's a place for him this week. If Vince's hand rules him out then Brayshaw is the other obvious in.

My Brother has played golf with him at Sorrento and I believe he's a very nice fellow.

As I suspected, not near 23. I posted earlier that our connection from the midfield to the forward line was poor. Lots to work on and most teams will learn a lot from round one.

How may times did we win the inside 50 count in 2017 by 23 (or close to it) and lose ?

I assume from Canberra you didn't listen to his weekly morning segment on a Monday morning on SEN in 2017 ? He's an idiot.

You wouldn't know.

You never quite know what you're going to get in round 1. And you're not exactly sure what the opposition will throw at you. We lacked cohesion forward of centre, but there's much he and Jennings can work on. Goodwin is a very astute coach and I have faith they'll improve the connections you refer to. I just get annoyed with the plethora of nuffies who target him.

Posters question Goodwin, who just coached a side with a game-plan that yielded 23 more inside 50s than the opposition, which nearly always results in a win. Never change, Demonland.

Serious question. Do the Jack Watts soy boys think that those who wanted his sorry backside gone think that we never thought he'd play a decent game again ? Do you really think that ? Thank you in advance.

Yes, I thought I was quoting you. Perhaps I'm the moron. You make a good point re others having niggles. Maynard seems to have been preferred and it surprises me greatly if Goodwin sees that as a long term solution. They clearly like Maynard and wanted to give him an opportunity. Perhaps a slightly underdone Tyson gave them that opportunity. It's all I've got. Tyson is not without his faults, but he was very good against St Kilda and at just 24 I reckon he still has improvement in him. Some concentrate on the odd howler, but generally he kicks it very well, he's tough, keeps his feet and is creative in congestion. You may be right and if so bully for you. But I reckon when the whips are cracking he'll be in the best 22 picked every week. We'll know who's right soon enough.

Thank God the Saints are inept. McCartin was truly hopeless today.

A typical Watts game. No physicality, but given some space will show his skills. Two goals from left foot snaps, which is his bread and butter, and a goal from a free after he dropped a mark he should have taken. To top it off he drops a chest mark that would have given him an easy shot at goal. Just a typical Watts game.