Goody needs to mix things up.
Should have done it nine weeks ago by not playing Petty fwd for the last nine.
I have tried to fathom why Petty has played in this role from many angles but still can't.
He was a solid defender with glimpses of stardom playing in the backline where he belongs
And yes after his six goals haul against tigers last year there was some premature celebration that we have found a new great forward .
Alas despite his great game against Geelong this year, as a fwd, I don't believe he can be this gig.
What other Afl team can a player be given 18 games as a fwd when he has kicked six goals for the year?
It's got to the point where I am not sure if I eould blame Petty if he fails as defender now, because his confidence is shot.
Ironically he's forced to play fwd now because Tmac has been doing well ( until last two games) as a defender and doesn't want to play fwd .( So the rumor goes).
In any event Petty is struggling big time and I feel is a liability now being put in this role. He has given away 24 frees this season compared to the 12 he's been awarded.
I hope next year he won't be forced to play this role and can find his old form as a defender again.
Rather than move him back as a defender this weekend with May out injured, we have bought in Tommo.
With a return of only one goal every three games, I'm seriously thinking that we would be better off playing Tommo fwd instead.
Six goals for almost a complete season is madness. The old definition of insanity....... results not realized. But Goody is persistent beyond reason in this instance. I truly hope that Petty's confidence has been totally broken.
I wish we simply moved Petty down back and blooded Jeffo this round. Mathematically there is a possibility we could play finals but the reality is another story.
It's Goody's job as off last week's belting from the dogs ( who we beat quite comfortably earlier this year) to be switched on enough to know 2024 is done and dusted and to be focused on 2025. Alas he's not.
I like Goody. I don't want to change coaches. He delivered a flag after over half a decade of angst. Deserves another year. That said if he's not flexible next year in a game that is getting closer and more even every season, then there will be a lot of pressure upon him. And if we don't make finals next year, then the year will be a bust and the noise to remove him will only get louder. I also hope he pays close attention to any second hand players from other clubs that we are looking at before the start of next year.