No10

It does seem a combination of so many things... the team looks at sea. The game is now perfectly suited to our former No1s - Watts and Hogan

I admire Goody has a plan and he’s implementing ruthlessly. I didn’t like Goodwin at first. But his commitment to his vision is winning me over, even though I don’t understand it.

There really isn’t an excuse to be this poor. The list on paper has incredible young talent that should see significant improvement year on year. Chemistry solidifying. Confidence building. There are similarities to last season where we were scored on too easily, this year there’s a lack of scoring power in the fwd half now too. I’m a believer that this can turn around. But I confess to having absolutely no idea why the team as a whole is performing so badly. I can’t pin this on specific players.

Who are these players with “intuitive footy sense” on the MFC list?? The failures are with the players who lack any sense at all, it seems.

He was so relaxed, it was strange and concerning. Of course the players carry the message from the coach post game, so I’ve no doubt he was set into that mode by Goody. Perhaps he’s a genius coach, keeping them believers even at 0-3. The failures are bizarre, players like Frost and ANB aren’t as bad as that. It all looks so inexperienced. Even the experience (like Jones) seemed to run to positions to escape responsibility, he guarded grass more than anybody. Goody traded Watts and Hogan, he doesn’t play an experienced forward like Garlett. He believes full team buy-in to his game plan will win over individually gifted players. I’m going to say Goody is a genius coach as he’s doing everything different to what I would’ve thought. He still has Brayshaw believing, so maybe that’s a good thing?

This is a great thread Binman. The first rule change you listed and detailed, is the most surprising to me. Generally the AFL want to improve the spectator experience. Positioning was a real issue back with the ‘flood’ game style, but more recently positional coaching has been far more nuanced and interesting. Coaches, in particular Goody, were trying out new ways to set the team and I thought that was exciting, sometimes frustrating, always interesting. You could argue those manoeuvres are too ‘inside baseball’ for the wider audience, so the AFL don’t care to let that play out. But then there’s the incredible drama of tight games and those last few minutes where the captain has to direct the team to setup defensively to protect a slim margin... dramatic, even when we didn’t and left the game exposed, then lost! These are great moments in the game. I’m not sure what the AFL are gaining here? Perhaps a really clear graphic setup of the positions in AFL, lasting for just a moment before it becomes a scramble to reposition. I liked that Goody had new ideas and was brave enough to try them. Gave us an edge, with so many players being trained to be so adaptable. I’m marking this one down as a loss for the AFL and a loss for the Dees.

In the morning we give a late but good pick (maybe 46) for KK. Freo are spooked. Freo concede they must give Neale to Brisbane for 5. Now Freo are in a total mess. Freo give 5 and next years 1st for Hogan. GC take the Freo 2019 first for May. On draft night we swap 5 to Adelaide for 8 & 14. Even if this happens I’d prefer Hogan to stay.

I believe it was clear that KK can be a separate trade. Hogan for pick 5 and 23 was a fine trade, last week.

Sure. I might be dreaming, but from this point in negotiations I would certainly expect 2 firsts. 5 and 2019 first. Fremantle will be forced to offload Neale, then they’re in real trouble.

Oh, I see. I would've thought Hogan would be the much more valuable player? But I guess I don't know enough about Lobb.

What's the Lobb decision? And why not well bode?

I’d love to see Hunt back in the team. It was eluded to by some that he had a difficult year. I wonder if anybody can shed a little light on if his difficulty was physical or his application or personal issues?

If I were Kent, I’d absolutely want St Kilda paying a higher price than 75. He’s meant to be going there to be more valued. However, 3 years and (I think Chook said?) 3x money... maybe he doesn’t care about the other number

Just wait for it, one of them (probably Caro) will hype it up massively leading in. The story will be Hogan Redefining Trade Currency. But they’ll have a better headline.

You keep saying Hogan must be less value than Judd. Or that there’s some overestimation of his ability on here. Firstly you can’t list a bunch of accolades as evidence Judd was more valuable. If so, what then would you have paid for Lewis?? Hogan is a young gun (not overrated, the stats back that up) & JM has said he’d be asking for one of the highest trade value seen yet. I guess you’re excited by the King brothers, I’d prefer Jesse personally. Would you take Kelly or Salem/Tyson? I appreciate posters being emphatic about their opinions, but 4&5 isn’t unrealistic, it’s just a hard bargain.

Come on ETtradewhisperer... You need to earn this title of greatest newsbreaker on Demonland and give us something fresh.

Thanks Chook, can I ask what you think of the trade generally? A player like Hogan is such a unique talent. It is what it is, but wonder what your take on the vibe of it all is?

The only way this makes sense is if his foot injury is really bad. Fine then, take the money and security. Otherwise, surely the manager would say stay. Win games. Maybe a premiership. In 5 years take a Buddy deal and cash in. Going to a failing team is crazy at this stage of his development. It appears such a bad option for Hogan that it seems impossible. But many posters on here rate Chook in Perth as a solid voice.

Absolutely. Hoges is v fast. I’ve posted this already, but fastest top speed in AFL is...

I’d argue Mr September is a player that rises above their season form. Viney and Oliver both incredible, but no more so than typical. Harmes and Brayshaw emerged in season. Trac is the player we all hope for. 1. Hibberd. Found the desperation. 2. Weid. The big surprise. 3. TMAC. First to stand tall.

I don’t necessarily think it’s about any perceived weakness, it’s about countering our strengths. Scott arrogantly thought they’d play the game on their terms. Expect Clarkson to be smarter.

That’s absolutely true. But in terms of strategy, the worst thing Geel did was expect us to be overawed at the start. They played open and let us into the game with our attacking style. Clarkson is far smarter, I’m sure he’ll first restrict our game style and then try to pull us apart. I don’t think it will work, but it will be a far more interesting tactical game than last week.

This^ If Chris Scott was half the coach Clarkson is, then this would’ve been the 1st half Geel plan last week. Dees v Hawks will be the game of the finals.

Didn’t think you were unfair to Kent really, but even that first hamstring I remember he was chasing harder than any player on the ground when he went down. I just meant to say that he might breakdown, but it will be because he’s giving everything. And it’s clear Goody backs those players. It’s remarkable we have almost an entire squad of players with this attitude. What an incredible turnaround over the past few years.

I don’t think he’ll play, but that’s harsh on Kent on this occasion. He went too hard at the contest and didn’t protect himself enough. It was his desire to put his body on the line and win the ball. I think Goody holds players like Kent, VDB and both Smiths in high regard despite their injury setbacks.