Engorged Onion

Mmmm, I wasn't disputing Merrett and his talent at all. I think he would be a fine addition. It's just a reality that to bring someone in to an already (on paper) stacked midfield... someone needs to leave. Either Gus or Viney (for vastly different reasons) I felt were the 'most' expendable from our midfield at this current time. It appears it will be Gus**from what I have read... no sources, no nuthin'.

How on earth do you keep abreast of what everyone posts :)

On paper- and I know you (and everyone here)knows this, but from a midfield perspective there needs to be personnel changes and becoming more dynamic in game. I was watching the game last night (Geelong, Port) and it just felt such a scrappy game... BUT the scrappyness is the norm these days, its not free flowing... its not how it would have been 17-20 years ago from Voss, Lappin et al, nor even WCE or Hawthorn's much vaunted midfield. First game of the finals, my thoughts were. The capacity to win the contested ball relentlessly is an imperative... And to get it to skilled users on the outside. Now as pundits on here, we all get that... and Goodwin and the FD are moving in that direction. But each year over the last few, theyve had to address at draft time...the question is, which problem do you address first, and whichever one that is... who is best available at that particular year to best address it, knowing full well that not everything will be addressed when you want it. defensive frailties - now resolved one out of two wingers - now resolved elite (ish) ball users - unresolved.

Ugh, I hate saying this, but I believe from what has been said here and elsewhere, Gus is gone. That's the impression I have. I concur with you about his limited flexibility (Gus's) - which is why, if I was Gus, I would want to go elsewhere to play where I wanted to play. There would be no shortage of suitors.

@Ham - you lads related?

Still on form @Wobbly Bob #wordsloseallmeaning

It's funny the ol riddler, I jumped on this forum 3/4 years ago at end of season and saw the Riddler and thought to myself, "This is awesome! What a website! What verifiable scoops!'... and then he went AWOL... and here I am, still, bereft of any useful post and preseasons gossip :( Riddler, if you are still out there under a pseudonym, please re-enage :) after all, it has been a pretty $hite 2020.

"The third year is fatal." This article is an overall analysis about a player worth to a club (Liverpool) AND also delves into keeping the momentum going for a club. A quote struck me - and it's for all clubs, not just Grand Final winning ones in AFL. "Players become familiar with a manager so his words lose their power; an intensity that once was motivational begins to grate; opponents work sides out – and in the age of detailed data analysis that is a process that has accelerated significantly." My views are less about Goodwin, but more about 'clubland' overall. How to keep talented players in a the right age profile together, to keep pursuing performance vigorously, when 'hunger' ebbs and flows (be it week to week, season to season and in game) when there is a familiarity with a coach and 'his' responses.

@Wobbly Bob congratulations on having 1/3 of your posts thus far being about the pedantry of language, as I am a pedant myself. I also use the word laconic (knowing full well its original meaning) for the laid-back, languid looking individual. Is it such a crime? Because we all know what people are meaning... it's an adjective...and it has morphed over time. Just like these words 'gay' 'cloud' 'sick' Considering many many many many many many many people use the word now for alternate meanings, isn't this the beauty of language evolving? *I had a moment with my 4.5 year old this morning, who wanted to play the board game 'Risk' with me, but wanted his own rules... I initially said, that's not how you do it mate? Then I realised I was putting my 'rules' for living, onto a 4.5 year old, who was flexible enough to see that things could be done differently...and yet the game could still be played with just as much fun. I reflected to myself that it was far more my problem, than his.

Unless of course - Preuss and the club agreed it was an apprenticeship under Max (which may come with a version of cache in itself...learning from the best in the business) whereby he was the understudy, filling in when required, with a view to move on, when the time was right for both parties.

@binman what was highlighted here?

I presume a Cameron type forward means Jeremy Cameron himself?

Because things evolve quickly over 24 months. Because things are in the pipeline that you and I are not aware of. Because perhaps the club realise that a 'dominant' ruckman, actually isn't all THAT important.

If he stays, well I am satisfied with that. All players have weaknesses and Viney's are well known. It's how best to fit him in (as I see he is the most limited from a skills perspective) with the rest of them, not how the rest fit around Jack. Nonethless, if he is to leave - I find that exciting also.

100 [censored] % @A F I get the romanticism, but... just because you love some one, doesn't mean it's workable. And i don't think Jack himself thinks this, but the historical names, are not bigger than the club in of itself.

plus the 5/6 he gave off throughout the season. So lets go for 25 goals from 13 games. There's your just shy of two average.

Let me be a pedant @Half forward flank - as I'm all about evidence base and empirical research. Can you link me into a quote of his for where he said 'easily fixed' or words to that effect?

announced when Geelong are knocked out in straight sets? :p

Friend of mine Daniel Gucciardi has written numerous peer reviewed articles on 'mental toughness'. Essentially the construct is too difficult to measure http://www.danielgucciardi.com.au/publications.html Personally I could bore you with the process of 'stress inoculation' or 'building resilience' (jargon, jargon)... but essentially its exposure to your own emotional discomfort and 'getting on with things' irrespective of how you feel... that's the learnt behaviour - til such time as the emotional response in of itself is no longer perceived or related to as an issue.

Player Positives Langdon, Petracca, May, Rivers Player Positives with Inconsistency Weiderman, Fritsch Oliver, Pickett, Lever Need Help With Forward Line Pressure Forward Line Entries New line coaches Different mix in Midfield Mitigating Factors (for those who are pessimistic about Goodwin, these are 'reasons' to add to the understanding of finishing 9th and not 'excuses'.) Most Travel of any team (flights, transfers) Most fly in on game day(s) Most change of hubs Team least likely to stay put in one spot (unlike Brisbane, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Richmond) 12 games in 60 days No bye in that stretch of time.

**Public Service Announcement** If you want to avoid the ‘Head burstingly intense, Jim beam necking, sausage roll throwing, fury fest(tm)’ that is the Demonland thread. you may want to head here with Jonathon Howcrofts ‘ Sedately quaffing Pinot, with cheese and quince paste minute but minute update’ instead. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2020/sep/19/afl-season-2020-round-18-essendon-v-melbourne-live?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

German heritage?

Sounds bloody sensational Josh - photo's out of the smoker please :)

my point is - that outcomes are not preordained.

Martin Pike says hello :) ?