dazzledavey36

I reckon Max Gawn had a pretty big say in us making the grand final back in 2021.

He was, but Hogan was also making good impact for GWS in the back half of that year and around finals. Ita sliding doors for sure but the team was absolutely humming from all lines that I think either player would have done well regardless. And this response of someone who is in denial or self-justification.

We informed Hogan's management of our desire not to go ahead. Brown came to the club with ongoing knee issues as well.

I loved Hoges, still do. We had the opportunity to take him back at the end of 2020 and set up a meeting him and his manager. After the meeting said thanks but no thanks and then that's when we went after Ben Brown. I love BB and will be thankful for his contribution during the premiership year, but a part of me thinks imagine the combination of JVR and Hogan right about now...

Jesse Hogan Brodie Grundy Jack Watts Sam Weideman ANB James Harmes Dom Tyson Brayden Pruess We also attempted to trade both Tom McDonald and ANB at the end of 2020. Now most of them all had different situations going on and were traded for different but regardless, they were still contracted and we still demonstrated that we are willing to trade players whilst under contract. On Kozzie, he is contracted to 2027. Unless there is some family sensitivity involved similar to ANB then he stays. If he is wanting to go to Freo purely to play with a bunch of mates then that's a [censored] excuse and should be held until his contract finishes.

I'm not entirely sure if this is true. There has been a long list of players that have previously left the club still under contract.

What on earth does flinching have to do with whether he can play as an inside mid or not? Bizarre take. You don't just throw a skinny outside kid straight into coalface when we've got the experience and bigger bodies to do that. Why the need to break him so early.. Let him continue to develope on the outside. His speed and rebound off half back will be critical this year and once he's had a few pre seasons in the gym and builds his fitness up then throw him in if need. He benefits the team already in his own way with his outside speed and run. Leave him there.

This is how I'm half looking at it as well. I think they really want to utilise Sharps elite endurance and turn him into another Ed Langdon.

True story is that actually did meet at a corporate/sponsers event.

Pretty sure the full interview comes out tomorrow.

Didn't know where to put this but here goes.

Get in the line with 50 other people that still has no idea what '58' is rambling on about half the time..

Well yeah, you've brought it up in discussion based around a young key forwards development. Back in that era it was a completely different game compared to what it is now. Full forwards literally did not move from the goal square. Now days it's all about zones and pushing higher up the ground and then getting back on your bike on the rebound. Footy was fun to watch back then, but I also don't mind some of the content now.

Thanks for the reports @Gator How was Kynan Brown? Looked lively in the mat simulation video.

Different era

Anthony Ingerson

As someone that's had a crack at semi professional level and still playing locally (do take into consideration I'm only providing my thoughts based off having no elite level experience but from a players perspective) The difference between intra club matches and actually practice games is pretty significant. Intra club games in a way can be tailored and structured to how the coaches want it because this is where the implementation of game plan and structure is implemented from a full match practice perspective. Coaches have the power to stop start these intra clubs and provide extra on field coaching whether it's around stoppage or general set up across all lines. You can also tailor around how many quarters you want to play. I have been part of many intra clubs where I have played 2x20min quarters, 3×15min quarters or even 4×10min quarters. I do find that intra clubs are just a show for more dominant players to show how good they are against less prominent or shall we say, battlers who are more suited to the 12pm slot. Some players tend to not go the full 100% intensity because you're mindful of completely hurting blokes to the point they end up with concussion or worse, hospital. Going into a practice game is completely different ball game compared to intra clubs. Clearly it's a full dress rehearsal where it's your stock standard four quarter matches with official umpires and you're literally playing against the opposition's best team being put on paper. Practise games are a tune up for round 1. Not only does it make a significant difference in getting the match fitness in the legs but also getting your game plan in tune for the season. Trust me, you may be the fittest bloke on the list who has completed the whole pre season without missing a session, an intra club match in between, and it still doesn't stop you from blowing up completely in the first 5 minutes of a practice match because you're going full bore at the contest. Match fitness is a world on its own. The intensity is high but the skills are generally sloppy because nothing prepares you for game like intensity as what a practice game does. You need to take into consideration that generally as a player, you haven't played a full game of footy for over 6 months, so your body is simply getting used to the conditioning of it all. If I had a personal recommendation for how many practice games I think a team should play before round one, it would be two with a week off before round 1.

How does McVee barely make the best 22? He's played every single game since round 1 of 2023 which shows he's CLEARLY in the best 22 and has been since debut.

Jeffo is a big concern for me imo. To hear that he still lacks the required intensity even at training is half the reason why I was never a fan of this pick from the very start. Jason Taylor and Goodwins number one characteristic when targeting a young player through the draft is competitiveness and drive to succeed. As much as I've actually been a staunch supporter of Jefferson at VFL level, I'm just not sure whether it'll stand up much at the elite level. I'm certainly in the belief that young players do take time, but if they haven't got the intensity for AFL level then you're simply not going to make a successful career out at AFL level. Footy is a very brutal and ruthless game.

Thanks DB How often do you get down to training? Is this observations based off one session or a few that you have attended.

I was huge fan of this recruitment and really thought he'd bring some bite and edge to our forward line. His glimpses at Adelaide were impressive. Unfortunately when you're on the closer side of 30 years of age and have been dealing with soft tissue injuries at the back end of your career, history will suggest that it's going to be hard staying injury free. 5 years in the system and hasn't played a full season at AFL level so maybe just one of those cases where the body tends to struggle with the rigours of AFL footy. Hundreds of footballers go through this unfortunately. I still have faith he can have an impact some stage this year.