John Demonic

Or why not have both? 3 marking targets + small forward & flanks. Geelongs defence is their biggest asset, we'll need players who can take marks or bring it to ground inside 50. I know we have to stem the flow of outside run from defence, but that really should be covered by having rabidly defensive small forwards and a midfielder or two.

Rolled ankle usually heals within hours or a day or two?

We would've retreated to meekness had Hawthorn actually taken their opportunities in front of goal. I think a lot of sugar coating has occurred with the finals series. Clarko's system predictably smothered our effectiveness for most of the night, and their spread and skill cut through our zone. But we were let off the hook and our physicality wore them down after their offensive efforts left them deflated and ripe to be overrun by our momentum.

Petracca + Pick

Considering he was in the VFL up until round 21 or so last year, it's probably wise and healthy from a list perspective that we haven't automatically booked him in to play every week, but are looking at that position as interchangeable with some other players, form permitting. Having said that, there's no way i'd be dropping him after just one match.

Only saw the first quarter yesterday, so based on that: how about Hunt in the forward line?

Now that almost 4 months have passed and the Rose colored glasses are off, it would be complacent to think we didn't get lucky against WCE with injuries to Darling and Kennedy and the scheduling of a r23 Brisbane match to solidify 2nd. As well as the missed shots on goal from Hawthorn all night that came as a result of the smothering Clarko press that Goody still has a few issues with. We still have a lot of work to do to improve on last years issues and the "r22 was a turning point" idea has not reached fruition until it's sustained for the full season this year (obviously) The positives of the year go without saying

I'd forgotten how ferocious our game is over the past few months! Everyone pictured looks like they're 'in the hunt'

The 'me' generation that has to spend 12 times the annual median income to afford a Sydney house instead of x4 like in the 70's. Additionally you have to factor in lower mortgage interest rates, higher saving rates, lower educational debt etc. C'mon mate. The baby boomers had it easy compared to today. They are the entitled generation, if any.

Agree. I don't think we would have wanted to be looking for KPF depth in one years time with Pedo retirement. I recall in Neitz last year, he wasn't really able to hold onto many marks and was really doing more work as a bullocking presence, hitting packs hard to bring ball to ground and scaring defenders. Smith can be that type of player with his size, as a last resort/depth

West Coast adding Gaff, Collingwood adding Beams, Richmond adding Lynch and a fit D. Martin. Even Hawthorn with Scully, Wingard and a fit O'Meara are far better than their semi-final lineup. We might have an enviable list esp in regards to "the future" - which can just as easily be derailed with an injury or trade request, but there are 3 clubs right there that played better than anything we served up last year and so we have our work cut out to match and surpass them. We're really only the envy of the teams still stuck in the rebuild. Next year could be a great year of footy for the neutral with a bunch of teams contending.

Jesse is training the brewery down this off-season

Another Jack? I would've named him Phil so he could be given the nickname Harmful.

We should scout the world and find a 2m30 giant that we can play in the ruck.

We're training hard in the scorching heat to right a wrong of the past... not beating Adelaide by 100 points!

The game will now be dominated by ruckmen who can kick a set shot goal from a 50metre penalty from a starting zone infringement! ?

And because they're too cool to wear this style:

All this talk about players giving everything this year has me more worried about burn out now I know every team needs to improve, but we weren't that far off it this year. A few wins and we are staring at a top 2 finish ABOVE the Eagles and their stadium and then who knows. We obviously had some glaring issues with our game plan mid year and needed a few tweaks and positional adjustments, but i just hope we don't suffer from any adverse effects of training TOO hard because we've undestimated how close we are, or being too crushed by the weight of expectations when we invariably have a few off-games next year. WCE still had their woeful games in a premiership year, case in point Essendon at home. It goes without saying that the converse of this problem is overestimating ourselves and not training hard enough. So balance. Train hard, give everything, but also know your limits.

Gotta love his V shaped hairline, though he should dye it bright red.

I felt like I was there for a few minutes.

Rank Player Team Games Goal Assists for Last Game Total 1 Jake Melksham Melbourne 23 0 v West Coast, Preliminary Final 33 2 Shane Edwards Richmond 24 1 v Collingwood, Preliminary Final 31 3 Dylan Shiel GWS 23 0 v Collingwood, Semi Final 26 4 Tom Hawkins Geelong 21 0 v Melbourne, Elimination Final 24 5 Dustin Martin Richmond 23 1 v Collingwood, Preliminary Final 23 5 Patrick Dangerfield Geelong 22 1 v Melbourne, Elimination Final 23 7 Jamie Cripps West Coast 25 0 v Collingwood, Grand Final 22 7 Christian Petracca Melbourne 24 1 v West Coast, Preliminary Final 22 7 Jack Billings St Kilda 21 1 v North Melbourne, Round 23 22 10 Alex Neal-Bullen Melbourne 25 2 v West Coast, Preliminary Final 20 Team Just to add to the discussion, Petracca is doing pretty well in terms of goal assists as is ANB. Melksham had such a great year, that it feels like it could be an outlier and he may struggle at times next year as opposition is more familiar and puts a tag on him. So maybe if Tracc again plays more time forward, we should look at the assist tally just as much as the goal conversion tally to measure his output.

I'm thinking the reverse, If Petracca makes an impact it will be as a midfielder with his sheer big bodied presence at key moments, or when as a half forward, up the ground and winning key contests and surging us forward. With a bag or 2 of goals at the most kicked throughout the year. Oliver looks to be the one that can have a true 'power forward' impact when needed. Petracca more the crumber/half forward with class at the drop of the ball currently. But i'm not expecting any massive leap next year like I was last year. We might all be underestimating how big or vital an impact the Gawn/Preuss combination may just become next year, which really would mean we can get along fine with Petracca not being a prolific forward or kicking 30-40.