At the break of Gawn

If we lose on Monday the gap between 3rd and 2nd will probably become out of reach with the way Port are going.

Considering they’ve lost 3 prelims under Ken it’s fairly certain it’ll happen again.

Dogs really unlucky there. I’ve seen our defenders get decapitated on a goal line shepherd.

Since Twitter changed it's algorithms for timelines, I've had the unfortunate experience of seeing more and more tweets from Collingwood supporters this season. They are, without doubt, the most arrogant and ignorant bunch of supporters out there. Not only do they think they've already won the flag, they love to brag about being the biggest club, the only club where supporters turn up week-in-week-out, and the most successful club in the AFL (despite only winning 2 flags in 70 years!). If there's one game I'd just absolutely love to win this H&A season, it's this one.

Can’t remember a player ever missing with a blister - infected or not.

I’ve got a spare ticket if anyone wants it. I’m going MCC as a guest for the game but have a demon seats membership level 1 if anyone wants it.

I’m not a big fan of a continuous revolving doors forward set up, but Schache has had two pretty good weeks in a row in the VFL, while Smith didn’t do a whole lot on Friday. I understand the need for role players, but you can’t just rely on Fritsch to kick a bag when you’ve got JvR averaging 1 a game and Pickett the same. With Moore and Frampton both being >200cm then surely Goodwin brings in Schache to help with our height down there with Grundy/Gawn. You’d think then that Murphy takes JVR, Maynard on Fritsch, and Quaynor on Pickett. Ins: Schache, Hibberd, Jordon (sub) Outs: Smith, Bowey, Harmes.

Not sure if he’s injured, but he’s not getting to anywhere near enough contests and he’s practically lost any pace he had from last year.

Controversial opinion, but I think it was our best performance over the past month. Our contested game was strong, our clearance game was excellent, numbers around the contest was up, our defence looked very organised and we only gave up 6 goals. Carlton are lucky McKay actually kicked straight early or they would have been in real trouble. Yes, our set shot kicking was awful and some of our inside 50 kicks were misguided and rushed, but if we get that many inside 50s next week with the same level of effort across the ground (contest, clearance, defence) then I think we’ll beat the Pies.

JVR is very lucky I reckon. He’s been pretty terrible the last few weeks. Brown over him would have been a good swap on form but I guess the coaches want more agility at ground.

I think this was highlighted on “on the couch”. Our wingers are basically part of the stoppage cluster which means once the opposition gets through our line there’s basically no one to hold them up between our defence.

Given that 4 out of the top 4 teams all have coaches who coach from the bench (including Goodwin) I think it’s a trend that’s staying.

Can’t argue with this

Interesting stat. Maybe this is why Goody remains relatively upbeat.

With all due respect, we’re getting about 5% of the media attention of Carlton.

Two questions: 1) Teams that like a forward handball game and who lower their eyes get through our defence way too easily. Can this be solved through more pressure through the middle of the ground? 2) Do you think Goodwin and the coaching staff have the ability to turn this around mid season? We’re in good health (as opposed to 2019) and have a very talented list which means this is largely a system thing. What changes do you think we need to make?

8pt gap now between Port and us. If Brisbane and Port solidify top 4, it isn’t going to be kind for anyone who has to play them at their home in a prelim.

I had to mute him on Twitter. He’s the most self involved person you’d ever meet.

Sourced from AFL.com, We only scored 2.5 (17) from defensive half scoring chains, despite being ranked No.1 in the comp (averaging 40). In other words, Freo went to work on a ball movement.

I listened to Binman talk about it every week last year saying we were primed for finals and then I watched us go out in straight sets.

It’s not just one issue. There are many. Stoppage game needs an overhaul. Defensive structure needs an overhaul (need 3 talls). We can’t carry Chandler, Pickett and Spargo in the one side. We’re not getting enough goals from our talls. JvR needs a spell IMO. There are too many “premiership heroes” who are running on reputation. AnB, Harmes, Spargo, Langdon. Everyone talks about pressure for spots and BB, Tmac’s name is mentioned but what about the pressure on those aforementioned. Bevo has his critics but what I love about him is that he’s not afraid to drop a player out of form and neither should Goody.

I’m a firm believer that it’s really the coaching team not the head coach that dictates success. Hardwick was seen my many as a horrible coach until Balme and Gale brought in an A+ assistant coach team. Goodwin was a struggling junior coach until we brought in a good team around him. I honestly doubt Fly would be the coach he is if Collingwood had not given him a swag of A grade assistant coaches.

I can’t believe I’ve seen a few mentions of “loading”. That was the biggest myth last year and it’s a “head-in-the-sand” mentality. We’re not going to win the flag this year and we’ll be lucky to win one final. It honestly amazes me how a premiership can carry a reputation for much longer than what a team deserves. We’re a middle of the road side this year but media experts just can’t seem to finally say it. On the flip side, Port are not a “team on the rise” as they made consecutive prelims in 20-21, and neither are the Dogs who made a GF in ‘21, they both just had a down year in ‘22.

Brayshaw shouldn’t be getting votes. Turns it over way too often and most of us who accurately rate his skills knew he was going to miss that.

Goodwin need to take a leaf out of his opposition coach’s book, admit to being stubborn and shake things up. Longmuir was accused of coaching fake footy and he took the advice on board and completely shifted his team’s ball movement. I don’t think it’s possible for Goodwin because I have never seen him make wholesale changes mid season. Didn’t happen in 2019, didn’t happen in 2022 and it ain’t happening in 2023.