dazzledavey36

I didn't watch GWS game but is it true Whitfield buckled his knee during the game and is in some doubt?

The mighty Hoppers.

I agree also. I am in no way trying to shame Ben and I hope it doesn't come across as such If you see my above post I think from all reports Brown was targeted to off the ball tactics and in that case it's meant he retaliated. Exact what Williamstown wanted. Umpires have a duty of care on the night in making sure this off the ball stuff doesn't happen. It's a complete disgrace that they failed in their duty of care for Ben.

Does it really matter? Both deserves suspensions. Imo they were far too kind to Preuss

And in fairness to Brown it sounds he was targeted off the ball all night. If that's the case then it's the umpires duty of care in looking after Ben and they failed miserably once again.

Because you can't elbow a bloke to the head area. Regardless of what people think he deserves the 2 weeks. The AFL are trying to stamp out this behind the play stuff. If he's had a delay concussion out of this then it justifies a suspension. Braydon Pruess copped the same suspension for his exact same act. The head area is sacred. Pretty simple.

Yes, hence why the system is a rort..

With GWS going in with the respected tagger in Matt De boer I think it's fair to say he'll go straight to Petracca without doubt. I do wonder whether Luke Dunstan will come under consideration to come in to play some decent midfield time while Petracca may spend a little bit more time up forward and expose De boer and break the tag in a more meaningful way. We know the impact Petracca can have up forward and one on one he can beat just about anyone in the comp. Tom Sparrow as much as I like him as a player hasn't exactly set the world on fire even though I know he's playing a support role.

Jesse Hogan from watching him Round 1 of the VFL

@binman who was there in the night said he played 4 quarters.

I heard the comment too and get why May would be relieved. In all honesty Smith lack of footy awareness and smarts shows out pretty evidently on game days.

A fair few were saying the exact same thing with the like of Jayden Hunt and James Jordon as well after their first year. What they proved was that sometimes players just need a little bit of extra time more then others. Just to point out a little perspective on Laurie, he has basically missed 2 years of competive footy. His under 18's year was completely wiped out with covid, and then his first year in the AFL system last year he only managed 3 VFL games due to a severe injury and then covid as well wiping out the VFL competition. Right now the way I look at it is that this will be a development year for him and people expecting him to play AFL games need to temper those expectations. He needs to just have a year of getting use to playing against the bigger bodies and the pace of the game as well and then hopefully with another full pre season under his belt we'll see him come in and start to make an impact in the way that James Jordon did last year after spending his first 2 years just toiling away in the VFL.

Forget the fine I'd suspend Smith for 2 weeks.

In what way?

Thanks 'Bin' Are you able to give a run down on player's who impressed you and some of our young players. If I get time I'd like to watch the replay later.

Did Petty play the 3 quarters that was said during the week or the full 4 quarter game?

The other issue was Weideman had a pretty injury interrupted junior career as well so whether he got the required off field coaching and education as well then who knows. Unfortunately you're right about his psychological nature. It was pretty evident last year and it brought back memories of Jimmy Toumpas in tears when he was subbed out for a game against Brisbane. Knew then that he wouldn't survive at AFL level after seeing that. I think Weideman may be heading down that same road as well.

I don't think intensity was the issue for Brown. His was more that he was really behind the 8 ball in terms of fitness and conditioning. Let's not forget we're talking about a well established senior player in Brown who's kicked over 60 goals a year 3 years in a row at AFL level, compared to a guy who's battled at VFL level for 6 years running due to lack of intensity and form. Brown knows what the requirement of AFL intensity is and his record speaks for itself. Weideman is still lacking in that department.

That's a significant concern for me then. 6 years in the system at 24 years of age and he still needs coaching in intensity?

It's way too early to suggest Brisbane Geelong and the doggies have dropped off. Port are cooked so they're gone. Geelong and Brisbane have shown that they will absolutely be there about as much as it pains me to say about Geelong. Doggies the only team i can see not making top 4. The likes of the Blues and Swans are easily top 4 material who can beat us on the day if they match it with our mids and defence.

Tonight speaks more about Brisbane then Geelong. The fact Brisbane still couldn't beat Geelong without Selwood and Stewart is why I questioned that at the start of the year whether they could win the flag. If they can't even perform at the Gabba come finals how will they perform at the MCG in front of 90k come September. These are the games they should have easily mopped up if they want to be a genuine contender. Cam Rayner for me is a little overrated imo

Seems to float back a bit more then usual. At one stage I saw him sprint from the 50m arc into deep defence and took a great intercept mark. Gains leadership and coaching is catching on it seems on young Jacko.

Weideman was really poor last night and has frustrated me for a while, but I think you're right. He needs a good block of 4 week stretch of games alongside BB to see if he has what it takes. He's now in his 7th year in the AFL system so the excuses are running out for Sam. There's a young bloke by the name of Jacob Van Rooyen who's breathing down his neck if he keeps his VFL form up.

He may have had a slow start to the year (has slow starts every year) but he's certainly not slowing down anytime soon. Keep this form up and he's on his way to being a 6 x All Australian.

I think there has been little snippets here and there, but if I take Brayshaw on face value he seems to enjoy playing a variety of roles. Behind closed doors might be a completely different story.