John Demonic

Our Sydney game has gone from a 6 to an 8 in degree of difficulty in the space of a few hours. Well at least we can possibly be in the top 4 with a win!

Hurley can't mind a first year player in a pram

Essendon don't deserve to be in the 8, so it was justice served. Hawthorn on the other hand looked out of place below us on the ladder all season. I"d definitely back us to get back at them, 6 v 7 would be a fitting place to do it.

"Whistle away" So when we don't get HTB decisions go our way because the umpires want to even up our match with us 10 points up and looking to ice it, don't complain.

I feel the umpires actually left too much alone last night by putting the whistle away. Rewarding undeserved players is not the answer either. Have to balance the middle ground and reward effort.

3. Send Jeffy garlett to a motivational 'make the most of your opportunities while you're young' camp, over summer.

I would've thought goal kicking consistency is his exact strength. 2 goals a game guaranteed per year. He's obviously a lazy player Goody wouldn't go near, as evidences by Garlett sitting in the VFL. He's also never played more than 19 games in a year.

vandenBerg, Hunt, Pedo, Kent?

I think we'll be aiming for a 4 point win in each of our last 3 games however

Probably fair to say that the small forward position has been one of our biggest revolving doors at selection these past 3 years. At what point do we make it a priority to chase another small pressure forward and ready made crumber as a trade? And with all due respect to Garlett on his career with us and last weeks decent match, He does not look that hungry or even that excited with kicking goals. Going through the motions it seems? Vandenberg will be an interesting if he can carve out a spot as a tough pressure forward in the remaining month.

We average approx 65 or so against the top 8 teams though don't we? Have to double check, Stat was from a few weeks ago. Edit: 76. (94 v Geel, 48 v Haw, 56v Rich, 91 v Coll, 65 v Port, 98 v Geel) Do we want to count 123 v North? I'd say it goes against the sub 100 trend though

Hannebery cooked?

I think Weideman might be one our players who could really excel at this as he gets better at impacting marking contests. Makes you wonder about our forward dynamic. Hogan up ground playing the Adel-Tom Lynch role I think.

Clerance indeed. Clearing the forward fifty, I suppose it needs to be renamed to a goal-clearance then.

Other teams dominant tactics most certainly have needed to be copied to some degree throughout modern afl history. Zone defences, forward press etc. Reading the opposition spoils is quite a different beast to the tap on. No doubt we have to be able to contain a ball that has been spoiled. But i'm talking about a deliberate concerted effort to get one outstretched hand to a pack contest where a clear mark is not an option, and propell it towards our crumbers, just like the way Max does with a ruck contest. We control its movement. I just don't think the Hogan at the top of the square has worked well against decent opposition, perhaps due to injury, but more so in that the opposition has more control over where the ball lands. Our players flying for the ball perhaps need to think more about conceding that we cannot pull off a miracle mark, and just try and tap it to advantage. A mindset change more so than going overboard with tapping everything.

You on a toe transplant waiting list Mel?

As being perfected by Jack Riewoldt and Mason Cox of late with their ability to leap up and get an outstretched hand to the ball and propell it towards the small forward brigade who are there reading the tap, or more often to just 'bash n crash' the ball in a certain direction where they outnumber. We too often have two of our players compete for the mark and spoil each other. If we're more confident that one player can bring the ball to ground, then there will perhaps be less confusion and more numbers at ground level. I think more so for Hogan who is often out numbered and when Max is up forward and crashing a pack from behind. TMAC does not need to be concerned with changing his marking routine as he seems to have on a pair of invisible gloves. We obviously don't want to be too cute or hollywood about it. I think Richmond have really excelled at just predicably getting it to ground at whatever the cost as that is a higher goal scoring probability than the probability of taking a pack mark against the 3rd man up bane of our existence. I think Hannan and Petracca in particular are the kind of players who would really feed off the ability to take a quick snap on goal or side step an opponent upon recieving the tap. And Garlett could be reinvigorated by feeling that there is much more predictability with the marking contests. And then you've got Oliver who can shark a tap from a forward while he's playing more forward minutes. Whatever the solution, i'm sure the coaches and players are exploring all options. Thoughts on emulating this tactic? Or more broadly how we can convert more inside 50's?

I was about to say I hope TMAC holds up in his old age, but googled his age and realised he's only 25. Im shocked, he looks and acts like he is 27/28

Just an idea, but maybe we could trade Garlett to North or any other club for one of their old age key backs like Scott Thompson, Grundy if they've got one or two years to give etc. Clubs who may need a small forward, we need a defender. Or at least pick up a free agent key defender. Edit: Steven May seems like a really outside shot at coming here tbh

Jetta has been down on last year obviously, but i'd have him just off the 40. I know he does so many elite things, but i've felt he's been off a pace in regards to his on on one contests. I hope he's not slowing down with age, given we signed him for until 2021. Probably just had a few heavy knocks this year i think.

4pm sunday game seems totally out of character? It's always been etihad 1pm, 3:20 sunday game no? I think the AFL [censored] are giving a team one last crack at us if we somehow are hinging on the result.

If he wants to bamboozle opposition coaches, go all out with Spargo in the ruck

I'm still haunted by his 2017 mid year "Why can't they win the premiership?" speech

Tex was the best goal assist player in the AFL by a mile last year, and the year following he was 2nd. He's not your standard KPF. He's a very crafty forward general that makes things happen. A player who's creativity i want to see Hogan emulate as a roaming CHF. Injury has cruelled Tex this year, pretty unfair to call an individual soft when the game plan breaks into pieces on the big dance. Rank Player Team Games Total 1 Taylor Walker Adelaide 23 33 2 Robbie Gray Port Adelaide 23 30 3 Dustin Martin Richmond 25 29 23

Did some predictors and have us beating GCS/SYD and losing to WCE and then playing GWS in round 23 for 5th (W) or falling to 9th with a Loss. However GWS could actually be 4th without any chance of moving from the position, so who knows if they'll rest, play bruise-free footy or if they use it as an MCG rehearsal and we have a big fight on our hands, which is a rehearsal for us too. On the other hand, if we pull off the miraculous and win all 3 games, then Us v GWS is a battle for 3rd or 4th place, loser gets 5th or 6th. I don't even want to bother with calculating finals with a loss to Sydney & WCE, that will definitely be predicated on many upsets for teams in contention.