dazzledavey36

The comparisons is referenced because Oliver has proven to be an A grader at their level but also to prove that all elite players go through their own adversity with injuries in season. Yet those players find a way to consistently perform at a high level managing injuries week in, week out. Oliver hasnt played a decent game since early 2023 and because of that, supporters are letting him off the leash far too easily with excuses to justify okay performances.

His 2024 season was a by product of his off field behaviour. Obviously wont go to detail on personal matters as im fully aware what he was getting up to having spoken to his family members. There is an element that he needs to take majority of responsibility for his 2024. Yes there was the broken hand but he came back in completely poor shape and was struggling to cover the ground in most games. Everyone goes through a season carrying injuries at the back end of the year. This is what i mean by we're making excuses for the sake of making excuses. Again, to reference Bontempelli, he was carrying back and ankle issues last year to the point there were reports he was in doubt for some games but carried that through and performed at an incredible high level. Misses the first 7 weeks of the season and comes in playing like an absolute pro. Lachie Neale was carrying an ankle injury leading into the 2024 finals campaignand then snapped his plantar fasciitis early on the grand final and still finished runner up in the norm smith medal with 36 disposals. That's the standard Oliver needs to be at whether supporters like it or not. When you're paying someone ridiculous amount of money then that needs to be justified from an on field performance perspective. The fact that supporters are satisfied with good honest performances from Oliver off the back of a full pre season this year just shows the incredible fall from grace for him.

There is a lot of Jarrod Berry to his game being the tall big bodied winger. These are the new prototype/hybrid wingers that are perfect for the get out option from D50 but can also float float forward and become a good marking option. Ollie Dempsey is similar as well.

Yeah true. Bowey hitting Petty up inside forward is something we've been screaming out for so long. Just the poise and ability to lower his eyes is something I want the club to utilise Bowey more playing more mid/high half forward.

I reckon he has been given the licence to fly for those marks due to his strong contested marking ability. But I agree, moments like that particular incident he should have gone the spoil because he certainly gets good height when he leaps.

If you look at Ed Richards stats for his first two years at AFL, its pretty much pretty similar, so a good call in terms of player comparisons.

Dont ever make Howes the sub. I might be in the minority but I rate Howes pretty highly and I think over the last few weeks he's taken some really big steps forward. Him being the sub was genuinely an odd decision. Make Sparrow the sub if we have too.

Just your personal opinion or have you heard something?

Yes and its a great mention regarding Cripps. I have watched him closely this year and he is step behind the contest now with how quick the game is going. Oliver is the same. In terms of adding more strings, I agree once again. Issue is i dont know what exactly that would be and thats a concerns in itself. Maybe a new coach may find other ways to utilise him but again, thats not guaranteed.

When you say hes missed so much footy, exactly how much are we talking about? Because so far this years hes only missed one game this year off the back of two last year. So a total of 3 games in two years so far which is really a solid effort. The excuses were out last year with the broken hand and everyone said he only needed a full preseason and he will be back to full form. Did the whole pre season so he came into this season fully fit and ready to go. This isnt a criticism of Oliver off the back of yesterdays performance because he was actually quiet good, but honestly, we really need to stop finding every single excuse in the world for Oliver. He's been okay year this year, but not great to justify the 1.5ml we are paying him. Champion data alone has him ranked the 211th best player in the competition. That's only a slight improvement from last year. I watched Marcus Bontempelli yesterday who mind you is two years older then Oliver and missed the first 7 games of this year with injury and you'd excuse him if he was playing poorly this year because the difference in terms of input and class between he and Oliver/Petracca was stark. Can't be justifying excuses for Oliver this year when someone like Bont who only a few years ago Oliver was rated above him, has missed significant chunk of the first half the season with injury only to come out and put in a quality season so far where hes still rated inside top 10 players of the competition this year. I mean its not even guarantee that Oliver will be back to his best anyhow? The game is sliding away from having a contested beast inside your midfield and turning into a more quick transition, free flowing game. This is where Oliver has been caught out at times this year. I'm still in the trade Oliver camp at the end of the year and have been for a while, but I also now understand if a new coach wants to try and rediscover his form in some capacity.

Why? Simpson didnt delist him.. If anything, Simpson actually gave him a decent crack at senior level.

I personally couldn't seeing it work. He'd get exposed for pace against the likes of Charlie Cameron, Bobby Hill and even a Izak Rankine.

Proud of the effort. The close loses once again does my head in. Viney is a dead set liability. New coach either needs to find him a new position or trade him off.

Windsor hammy an absolute sour day on what was almost a breakout game for him.

Bloody hell go dees!

Culley is an absolute gun.

Players very jovial and carrying on as they run out. Doesn't look a team that has had players sulking away all week..

Brilliantly put.