dazzledavey36

How'd Schache train?

Not really. It's a general guide on how much iimprovement we've made over the off season in rectifying some of the weaknesses last year. Whilst i think we've made some good improvements with our ball movement, our form right now is identical to what it was in the 2nd half of last year. Still getting beaten around clearences far too easily and we've lost more contested this year then we've won. That's a huge concern in itself considering we pride our biggest strength in winning thr contested footy. We're 6 rounds in and we still have no idea what exactly is our best forward mix is. Best it's looked was when we had Petty and JVR rolling through there against Sydney and it was a lot more dynamic because they both added defensive pressure and movement. We then decided to revert to old ways by bringing in Melksham and McDonald and it completely flopped in the weekend. We'll most likely win on Monday night but I'm far from convinced we're a genuinely top 4 side on form. It's round 6 and we have time on our side in getting better which is a positive.

Not sure if this belongs on here, but..

I'm another who's questioned the Grundy trade at times. But I think it's pretty unfair for First Crack to single out Grundy labouring when he was clearly trying to signal for the handover with JVR. And whilst I don't want to be too hard on a 3rd gamer he needed to be more reactive and better at spoiling in that contest. The coaches will point all this out to him as part of his development. So I think some in the commentary around Grundy here has been harsh. Grundy has held up his end well for us but I think having Gawn back will be a blessing for him as he still playing catch up for match fitness.

It's actual fact. It's been well documented now that we had at least 7-8 players goes into the finals series completely under injury cloud. I mean, we legit played Petracca with a broken leg...

I agree Beelzebub. Another who's form has slowly been on the decline since 2021. Still relatively young so has many more years ahead of him but I had high expectations of him taking a big step forward this year. Still early on the season so hopefully he starts to get better. I honestly think his best position is a wing half forward. I know we've already got two quality wingers but he was drafted as an outside midfielder who could also have an impact up forward with his goal sense and kicking efficiency.

I do wonder if his manager will take some responsibility in this. I have no idea who he's manager actually is, but they would have known the huge amount of backlash this would have caused and just advised him to stick it out for another year until his contract is finished. The fact that opposition supporters are now booing him each game sums it all up really.

Well see ya then? Didn't have to comment if you didn't like the thread. Some great discussions on here already that's not Melbourne related for once.

Me too, I actually don't mind him as well. But he's gone a bit far with this one and I'm off him for now.

This bloke is getting a lot of interesting feedback around the JHF commentary. I think some of the past players that have entered the media are now getting better at parking their bias to their previous clubs aside and putting on their media hat. For an example, Garry Lyon was always good at this and even Matthew Lloyd who I've seen go hard at the Bombers last year as well. In this instance I think Kane Cornes has failed badly with this one. Can't be calling out the likes of Daicos, Walsh and Ginivan but then show a complete bias and protenction towards JHF and Port Adelaide football club in general.

He's a beauty mate. A high end talent who's been performing consistently well since a young age. Son of Wangaratta Rovers legend Mick Wilson, and his mum and grandmother are also netball sporting legends. So the football and sport pedigree is strong in his blood. The rate that he's going it wouldn't surprised me if he sneaks into top 10 calculations or 15 at best. A very professional kid who is pretty driven to succeed at thr higher level and I think the big watch will be his form with Vic Country later this year at the championships. His under 16's year was pretty dominant and played as an inside midfielder as well as stints up forward and back. He's got a lot of Trent Cotchin like traits when he's in there so in terms of elite midfielders at junior level this year he's certainly right up there. Don't let his skinny frame put you off. Started playing senior ovens and Murray football at 16 years of age and fitted in seamlessly against hardened bodies. His work rate and ability to get up and down the ground is pretty insane for his age. He's just a ridiculously hard worker on field. Type of professional kid you'd love to bring into your club culture in terms of on field/off field work ethic and professionalism.

Did you go down and watch mate? If so what was your overall thoughts on some of thr players that stood out?

Lol how so? Clearly the coaching staff didn't think so, because he finished 14th in the best fairest after playing every game? His 2018 and 2022 year are clearly his two best years in terms of stats and also internal achievements.

There's still internal politics. There's the whole Josh Mahoney and Adrian Dodoro tension that's still evident within the inner circles of the club. But yes, an experienced coaching head thats been in the chair before is paying off for them. What's also evident this year is that there are simply no easy beats. Just have to respect each club we come up against and I think the weekend showed the players mentality wasn't there from the start. People are kidding themselves if they think Richmond are easy beats. Any time you come up against a Damien Hardwick coached club will always be a challenge.

Nah. I dont apologise for having high expectations on talented players that are on big contracts who aren't performing at a level that they should be. Gawn, Petracca, Oliver.. they perform at a level each and every week. If you think my comment is the worse then your half attempt at poor stereotyping here is certainly right up there.

Don't see this being an issue at all? We should be winning games regardless where we play.

Yes I knew that would be the case. I think the Rivers playing the Hibberd role is certainly something the club will strongly look more as the season goes on. He's strong and powerful enough to start getting the big jobs on the bigger half forwards like Martin and Dangerfield.

Is this game televised on 7?

It's obvious your Collingwood friend barely watches the dees otherwise he would have known that Harmes has been in incredibly poor form this year and 2nd half of last year. If he's not tagging then he doesn't add anything further to the team. Going out of the team for personal reasons saved him getting officially dropped. And I don't mean that in any ill way at all because I really do hope he's in good health and is able to enjoy his footy again. But in footy terms he'll need to fight for his spot now and for me Jordon is my preferred candidate for that last midfield spot.

How are Howes and Turner competing for thr same spot? Both have been playing completely different positions to each other at Casey. Howes has been playin the quarterback role that's been used as one of their main distributors off half back. He's also been pushing higher up the field to add as an extra around the midfield as a sweeper. Turner played deep defence last week.

We're in real trouble if they're tired at round 5.

Spot on. There's a significant drop after these two. We have no up and comers coming through in this department.

Harmes? He isn't best 22 anymore.

But it hasn't been one game that I've based this on. For me this dates backs back to last year, not so much McDonald as he missed with injury but the other two for sure. Tomlinson just panicks and still struggles to turn which affects his ability to stay with his opponent. Tomlinson shouldn't even be a depth option for Lever. They're two different players. Tomlinson is a May replacement when he's out injured. Other then that he spends his days at Casey. It's actually quite easy to compare to Laurie. Essendon don't have a tall backline at all, Melksham is completely passed his used by date and bringing in Laurie would have added another runner but also provide defensive pressure up forward. Something that was non existent with Melk.

Has done nothing since 2021. Seriously have no idea what he adds to our team. If he's not in the midfield he's useless elsewhere.