tiers

Can only be the last premiership captain - RDB.

He is a classic rover. Performs in bursts, runs hard low to the ground, picks up opportunistic possessions, smart footy brain under pressure and delivers well. Just because he doesn't rack up possessions doesn't mean he is not a revelation. Give him to McCartney for the summer and lets build his vision and skills. Strength and a tank can come later. Watch how Tracca seeks him out after the goal. Great leadership. He is fast becoming the "papa bear" of the forward line - the one who pats them on the head for good efforts.

How good was Weed when he took a long line of backward steps to mark near the boundary. Most players either turn around and mark it over their shoulder or trip/stumble getting back. His backward motion was safe and steady and he judged the drop of the ball perfectly. His marking skills such as judgement of the drop of the ball and timing for the leap are excellent and if left to develop over time his marking ability will become a weapon. He should also develop as a mobile ruckman who can do more than just negate. A candidate for the McCartney development school. Its been a long time since we had a follower (as they were once called) with strong marking and rucking ability to cruise around the ground and influence contests. He is potentially too valuable to be just a forward.

In round 1 they had a field day dealing with our long bombs to the goal square. They set up so well that the ball comes out as fast as it goes in. As hard as it is to say, without Jesse there should be fewer long bombs and more deliberate passing. It has been a perennial problem but without Jesse at full forward it should stop. Jesse should never play inside 50 as his real talent is let free when in the midfield/chf position.

AVB and Harmes - never stop competing Together they add a harder dimension to our game.

Frosty's speed and direct running are a weapon. Think his run and direct pass to TMac in Q1 today. Can't wait for a hb line of Frost, Lever and Hunt. Catch us if you can.

Its not just his ability in the contest that sets him apart it it his tank and gut running to get to so many contests. Watch how he roves on the ground, disposes to advantage and then he still chases them on the wing. The most complete and dominant ruckman of his time.

Just think. We are a St Kilda debacle away from third. On the other hand, 3 of the 4 teams that smashed us are in the four so perhaps were are where we deserve to be. We learnt from 2017 that percentage counts and to score as much as possible and deny them easy goals. Today we learnt that to be a top team, we cannot concede losses to inferior teams.

Re Travis's kicking. Travis had the rare skill of being able to place the ball to best advantage and to drag his team mates to the ball. When on song, he was unbeatable. He understood that moving the ball to best advantage was vital to success. In this day of reverence for contested possessions and tackles, exquisite ball movement is denigrated. There were two reasons for his bloopers. One, he was often too ambitious and adventurous and so took risks. The second was that his vision was far superior to his team mates who were often unable to anticipate his moves. It was a failing of his coaches that they never coached the team around him so that there was some anticipation of his kicking. Other clubs would have built a game plan around hims unique skills but not us. Think back to the number of times Travis would be suspended in time and space, hold on to the ball and frantically motion to his team mates to lead. For all the criticism of Travis on 'Land he was too good for the team. At a strong team with good coaching, he would have been a champion.

Brendan McArtney's role is development coach. He helped create cats dynasty and then set up doggies for Bevo. He once told me it takes 5 years to develop a modern league footballer. The late Dean Bailey said it takes 70-80 games together to build a strong team. It fits the pattern of long slow but effective development. Given the youth and potential of our list and the development offered by the club, I am expecting a breakout in 2020. I will wait. Go dees.

Tracca's kicking is sometimes questionable, especially for goal, but it was his vision to spot Melksham and his ability to deliver a long, direct pass off one step that sets him apart. He makes good choices under pressure and can deliver over long distances. He also seems to be better balanced to kick from a standing start Harmes' pass to Kent was also a gem as was Kent's pass earlier in the match at the other end. Reminiscent of some of nibbler's short passes to advantage. It is the ability to make and execute good choices that sets elite players apart from just good players. Our numbers are growing. The real question is whether the change in game plan as a result of Jesse's absence caused them to look for alternatives. As Bay R said, long bombs on top of Jesse's head would have cost us the game like so many times this year eg. game 1 against cats where the opposition set up their slingshot and catch us out in defence. Go dees.

Nothing like 87. In 87 there were no expectations and we made the finals by winning the last 6 games in a row and relied on other results to favour our challenge. In the second half of the season, Northey had finally settled on a winning combination and set up. Who would ever have believed that Chiron and Koop were so capable. The back six in 87 are the equal of any defence of any club since then. Jackson had come from nowhere as a goal kicking rover. The best way to describe the change over the season is to reflect on the half back line. At the start of the season our best HB line comprised R White Icke Giles. By the end of the season it was, in its best iteration, Lovett Spalding Grinter. That was the transformation that Northey wrought. By comparison, 2018 has been a year of steady progression and improvement. As for the player comparison, no one, not even Clarry, should be compared to the incomparable and magnificent Robbie. He stands apart from all other players we have had the pleasure to watch in a universe of his own. RIP Robbie. Go dees.

No. Carlton's Ralph was a shooting star. Did nothing. Dean got injured and lost a career. Look at how he starred in the 87 finals. Could kick long but could also take a mark at CHF and could move at ground level..

Re: Hannan Comparing him to Yze and Healey is an outrageous call, even for one half of a game. Nothing like Dean who was a classic key forward in the days when key forwards were important. On the other hand, Mitch offers pace, skill, marking ability, football smarts and a nose for a goal and can be hard to match. Re: Frost If it is true that the players have been instructed to let him play to his strengths ie hard attack on the ball, solid marking and exciting pace and to avoid calling him to switch or attempt any other "cutesy" play, then it reminds me of 2006 Swannie LRT who was treated similarly by Roos. In the GF he played his role at CHB to frustrate his opponents and his teammates were there to back him up and win the ball. Finally some thoughtful and considered coaching. Frosty can be a real weapon and can demolish opponents with his strength and run. Let him alone in that role and let his teammates back him up.

The most successful teams need only one. Think of Paul Kell (swans), Voss, Hird, Gary jnr, Hodge. Garry would often go on the ball to fill the role for us. They need a combination of determination, leadership and skill and the ability to inject themselves into the game at a critical moment. Remember Voss monstering a filth player in the centre in one of the grand finals? Changed the game. So far, we have no-one at this level and I cannot see any young player stepping up at this stage. While most can demonstrate determination and skill, there is still a leadership deficit because they are so young and inexperienced as leaders. It takes time and maturity for leaders to evolve. Be patient. In the meantime, the emerging dispersed ability within our team can be a potent substitute and can overcome deficiencies in leadership. Let's develop the players so that they all influence games.

Our list is as good as anyone else but what we lack is 50-70 games TOGETHER as a unit to develop experience and understanding. FCOL it is Clarry's, Tracc's and Gus's third season (allowing for Tracca and Gus losing a year to injury). Hibbert and Melksham are in their second year in this unit, Lever has at least one full season to get to know his mates, Spargo is in his first year (and shows the goods to become a classy rover), Fritsch, Hunt and Frosty have played only a handful of games together as a back line unit and so non. Swans beat us with experience - knowing where to run and where to kick - their core group have been playing together as a unit for years. Think of how long it took the cats and toiges to gel into dominant teams. Can't wait for 2020.

We were spread out beyond breaking point on the wide ground. Our best attack is spreading opposition teams on the run from defence to attack. If we are denied this opportunity, were lose poise and momentum and have to score through chance and individual brilliance of our forwards. What still irritates me is that, although we were out thought and out played, we still had more inside 50s and more scoring shots and, but for a disfunctioning goal radar, could have, and probably should have, won as we lost by only 9 points. Our style of play is an enigma to me. I hope that there is a long term plan as I do not expect success until at least 2020 as the team gains experience with itself.

Hunt runs into the f50 and passes badly. Another wasted opportunity. It's time to implement a team/game plan - if free and balanced within 40-45, then shoot. No need to think, no need to be concerned about "hungry" accusations, no need for teammates to put doubt into your mind. JUST KICK THE BALL AT THE GOALS. Better to have had a shot than to squander/butcher another attacking move without even having a shot. As for set shots, disregard the 30 sec time clock. To maintain momentum, get settled and shoot. 30 sec delay can mess with minds. Coleman, Hudson, Lockett, Ablett didn't need 30 sec. Jesse is a special case. He has a tendency to veer right in the last few steps to kick across his body and curve the ball in. This is how he kicks naturally (so does Franklin) and should be encouraged. But he should start to swing out earlier in his run so it is less abrupt and destabilising.

At least twice this year we have lost games due to poor selection and planning in the backline. Against saints, a first gamer was selected (instead of Frost) and left one out on the last line twice in the last quarter allowing them two goals. Why was he selected? Why was he left alone without support? Who was not thinking? We lost by 2 points. Twice today swans got goals from kicks to unguarded defensive goals square and bounced through. Where was the goal keeper/backstop? Who was not thinking? We lost by 9 points. When both Clarry and Spargs had good shots under pressure, swans had a goal keeper to cut off the score and launch a counter attack. How hard is it for us to do the same. Why on earth did we draft Lewis if not to be the leader of the backline to guide and be an on ground general to ensure that we have a proper structure? Where is the coaching staff to coach simple defensive measures? Who is in charge? Two goals in each of the two games has now cost us two potential wins that would have secured a spot in the eight and maybe better. If we do make the finals I will look back on these six moments and think deeply about who was asleep at the wheel. Even if we fall in, I will be cursing. Go dees.

Two comments. No matter when the rankings were made, Hogan has to be within the top 100. Currently so should Gus. Whilst we may have the largest number of ranked players, our game plan and style are still ranked low. Get more games into the team and find a cunning rat style assistant (preferably an old style back pocket scragger like the Scotts, Sheeds, Clarko, Malty) to sit with Goody.

Don't need to follow other teams' tactics. Just need our forwards to read the opposition's spoils because they raely try to mark the ball but go the spoil that almost always go directly to their crumbers. Where are our crumbers?

To limit the effect of the interchange, each team must rotate a different player to sit on the bench for the whole of each quarter. Having only three interchange players per quarter might limit the overuse and abuse of the interchange. If the effect is not enough, the number on the bench for the quarter can be raised to two. At some point the crowding should ease. Further, introduce a rule that no player may be interchanged more than once each quarter. These rule changes should reduce the amount of congestion at packs as players will seek to conserve energy. It's easy to run to every contest if a player knows that a rest is coming. If these rule changes have the expected effect the afl can stop blighting our great game with the nonsensical alternatives considered by Shocking this week. For once, Bucks is right (written through clenched teeth).

While the runners are on the ground a team has 19 effective men on the ground filling space. I suggest that the afl should allow as many runners on the ground as the coaches decide but, for the time that each runner spends on the field, a player must leave the field and sit on the bench. Exceptions only for breaks due to goals and other interruptions. The coaches will try to find a way to game the system but, with the prospect of fewer than 18 players on the ground , they should give up and learn to pass messages through the interchange.

How long is it since we have had a blonde haired cheeky rover? Too long. Spargo plays like an old style rover in that he is quick, runs hard, makes good decisions and knows how to kick a goal. With natural improvement and the protection of the midfield that will allow him to prosper out of the heat in the middle he has great potential so long as we find a role for him.

No comparison with Bernie's situation. Bernie became a poor contributor, made too many mistakes and generally harmed the team. Nathan Jones is still making good contributions to the team with his hard running and long kicking, especially through the centre. He is rarely beaten and runs to good positions to offer options for the team. Given that he is no longer the core of the so called engine room (thanks to Clarry, Gus, James and Tracca), his output and influence might have been reduced but never his effort and will to win. It is also clear that the FD is still experimenting with his new role. It would be against his natural instinct to be wasted as a tagger as he is still too good a runner and link player. But perhaps, like many champions before him, he will find a role in the forward line.