Forest Demon

I think the slight on his effort is actually unfair. I just don’t think he’s that good. He’s been a decent contributor over the last couple of years, but he will never be the De Goey type we have all been hoping he will be.

And the team balance was a mess. I posted as much before the game. We lack outside run and class, yet we go in with 3x key defenders in the wet. It actually boggles the mind.

I know it's tongue in cheek, but it's a cop out. We put up a very similar performance against Hawthorn last year. To me, the scary thing is that we haven't shown any improvement in our weakest area. Our reliance on battering teams around the ball is unsustainable week in, week out, and we don't have the class to win games when that doesn't happen.

We have no efficiency and skill on the outside. This isn’t new, I’ve been saying it for years, but tonight highlights it. If we don’t smash teams around the ball, we are no chance.

Heading down to Geelong on a wet night, let’s pick 3 tall key defenders. FMD. Every time the ball has hit the deck I’m Geelongs forward like they have looked like scoring. Its just stupid, and I and many others said the same before the game.

Same old story... Geelong dominate a quarter, pile on goals like nobodies business We dominate a quarter, and we grind away for a further 1 point deficit Even last year, we had to absolutely smash teams around the ball to consistently put it on the scoreboard, we don’t have the outside game required yet.

Any chance of a late change given the condtions? I don't see the need to play all 3 of May, Frost and OMac against a forward line that at most will have Hawkins and Ratagoluea. In fact, I don't see the need to play all 3 regardless of conditions and opposition. I'd personally leave OMac out, but it's a flip of the coin between him and Frost.

Last week was a perfect storm. Nearly every one of our best players had a stinker, it can't happen again, surely. I think it will be a close one that could go either way.

Didn’t stick a single tackle all game. As you said, can’t fault his endeavour, but we have to do better than that.

And this isn't a direct knock on Spargo, as he is a 19 year old kid making his way, but you take Spargo out for someone like Vandenberg, and that adds a considerable amount of strength and defensive presence to the team. Hopefully he is back sooner rather than later.

One of Spargo's main jobs is to apply defensive pressure. While watching the game, I noticed he was all arms and was constantly brushed aside. I just checked the stats and my eyes didn't lie, he applied 0 tackles.

To a certain degree, the performance didn’t surprise me, but we had to find a way to get the result and we weren’t even close. Bitterly disappointing. Huge 3 weeks ahead now. Can only lose max 1 of those, but the signs aren’t good based on today.

Don't mind that side in the OP and I too would have Frost over OMac. Only change I would make is I would go ANB over Stretch. Spargo's place in the side also a question mark, but I'm happy for him to have first crack at it.

I think it’s just right this year. Last year they played 3 games over the space of 4 weeks, with an extra week off at the end. That meant if the average player was rested for 1 game, he would have played only 2 games over a 5 week period leading into round 1, so it was way too spaced out.

I was watching on and off, but did see Vandenberg lay an absolutely beauty of a tackle on Dayne Beams. You could tell it took the wind out of him.

With the worst midfield I think I have ever seen, surely Dew could have got more use out of Lyons and Barlow in particular

I think we will take one, given our draft position and available list spots. Townsend would be an upgrade on Bugg in terms of depth, but I think he will go somewhere he will be guaranteed best 22.

Dom Barry is interesting after looking good in the pre-season.

Lever and May into our backline from the team that played finals, yes please.

Gawn will definitely float forward more often than back, like he did in 2017. Better spend the preseason practicing getting them between the big sticks Maxy.

How long can a rookie remain on the rookie list before you have to make a call? I think Maynard will be upgraded, but not the other two, provided they are ok to stay on the rookie list for another year.

Anyone who thinks this is even a remote chance has not been paying attention to our recruiting strategy in the last few years.

May is 26, turning 27 in january, so why do I keep reading "28 year old" on here?

After all the other movements, thought he might get another year, but not to be. Best of luck to him. Good effort to make it this far, but must sting a little to never play at least 1 game.

One the 2 lads who were 20 metres in front in the GF sprint.