The end is nigh

Congrats to Langdon, deserving of being celebrated and I wish his milestone was given clearer air. Just as an aside, I sorely miss the Gus and Gawny podcast and the cheeky fun they’d have addressing Ed being a character. Don’t have to be a complete footy head to excel at the game, glad he came to us when he did and hopeful he plays on for some time yet. Also, glad he grew his locks back. #positivelingers #HappyE

Andy was right on the podcast, less than a 100 point win was unacceptable and the blackest mark since the day down in Geelong that saw dean bailey gone. But in a bit more seriousness, thanks for the flag Simon. Thanks for captaining Max and a whole lot of joyful memories throughout the journey. I had lots of learnings along the way.

Mid season draftees get to put the contract length in before the draft, either 6 or 18 months. Derksen obviously went the latter. Out of contract, I expect gws to make it easy this time round. Will need a token 4th thrown their way. We don’t play hardball and unlikely we need to.

Mitch Hardie on a rookie contract couldn’t hurt either

Very clean hands for jeffo with hands up high

In protest I would suggest at the game at the one minute mark (in reference to his jumper) that we all stand and turn our backs for a minute per week he cops. However I’m sure the media will interpret it wrong and call for Goodwin to be sacked as it indicates he has lost support of the fans

Curiosity, if players are planning a fancy dinner out this week, does May get an invite? I hope whatever the tribunal hands down, he follows doctors orders this time

We need to respect our opposition and Curtis as a small forward had 22 and kicked 3.2 against us earlier this year. That’s kossie numbers. Mcvee is our best lock down for this size player and I’m over hearing the thought process that we need to satisfy players so they don’t leave. Judd is playing afl week in week out and is a lock in our 22 as a back pocket. I agree that he has attacking skills from there but we don’t need to turn everybody into mids. Especially when our midfield is either freshly drafted or entrenched stars on long contracts already.

No larkey and no LDU, the odds are justified. If we see kentfield for fritsch, I’m happy enough. If jeffo is playing sneaky pocket leads I hope he drills the shots. I’m content with Windsor having a stint in the vfl to work on his centre square craft. His speed in the guts is a 2026 asset, not ready yet. Melksham chandler and sparrow will have a task to keep Daniel and mckercher from having impact. Sheezel and Simpkin are quality players but so are our mids. Gawn v xerri will be fun. Mcvee to take Curtis. Yes, Rankine gave him a bath, but this is his job and he’s the right man for it.

Keen to see how our mids hold up, their centre square looks above this level. Kentfield up forward with other big bodies, will be interesting to see who handles the pack marks best.

Like the idea of grabbing Walsh(hopefully late/cheap), from all the chatter this years draft crop won’t be as good generally so good to have our picks protected to a degree. Hope we straighten out our draft hand for 2026 and let JT loose to mine the 2nd and 3rd round gems. If there’s any chance to bolster our hand next year because we know we don’t need to cover points matching (admittedly risky), would be good to trade picks to the teams scrambling to make up points. ie if we can trade our second rounder this year to a later second rounder and upgrade next years fourth to a teams third, might not seem much but could make a world of difference to both sides. That said we need to make sure we can pay for kalani sinnema and Walsh as necessary so hope they have a good read on where bids will come

I hope May gets dropped. Going Gawn after the siren for his missed kick. That’s not the love Melbourne plays with. Bring back TMac.

Whilst he is playing some really enjoyable footy and a great role of contribution, I have to nitpick and reminisce that this is not the best footy of his career as stated in OP. Jake has had a fantastic career with a prime that shouldn’t be glossed over. This final stanza is a great footnote of determination, but his career has had some real peaks along the way too.

Casey losing the services of Caleb Lewis. Best of luck to him. With Melbourne/caseys ample tall forward stocks, didn’t really get to see much action.

Feel like most have written him off but happy for Laurie to get first crack. He’s next man up regularly in this area for good reason. He’s got good skills and imo has been very consistent at Casey. Been hitting the scoreboard a little last few weeks too. Would like to see him get a full crack at it (or 3 quarters at least). Don’t want to see him asked to play Spargos role though. I feel we are doing a great job in recent times of letting players use their strengths and Laurie does better higher up, linking in the mids. I can see spargos spot on field being filled rotationally between Langford chandler and Laurie.

Will we benefit from playing AJ up north? Are we in a position to rest anyone/ develop others? Should we be pushing our best team each week to try recover percentage lost in the early season and if so, are we about to see the most exciting dees since 2021?

Listening to cal twomey, this draft is pretty weak. Last week he came out and said the top 5 in not only last year but the year before would be a clear number one this year. Sounds like we did very well to trade out of it and bring in XL

The amount of complaints about having Ben brown and Josh Schache on the list for too long was hard on the ears. IMO a list doesn’t need 6+ key forwards and we currently have Petty* Turner* JVR Jefferson Fullarton Johnson Kentfield* With Verrall as a ruck/fwd type on the list too. I get that petty and turner are swing types and kentfield is being trialed as a chb, but would rather not see any more brought on to the list until we decide someone is out first.

Big day for big Petty. I’m hoping for astounding clunks and set shot bullets. Great day for the challenges of many. Cheering extra hard for bowey and rivers to measure up to quality opponents. Hoping that little git Zorko get sufficiently quelled and is frustrated by his own lack of relevance. Dees by 22, 28 at 3/4 time (Yes I’m delusional, please let me enjoy it until reality kicks in)

Mitch Hardie looks too good at this level. Should get a go above midseason, which will be a huge loss for Casey

Picking for positives, I do like that Trac nailed (every time fairly) hustwaite holding the ball at least 3 times, so demoralising that he was subbed. Lindsay and Langford are showing their weaponry now, albeit short of four quarters. So much excitement for their futures.

Thought Lindsay was very good. Hawks wings aren’t mugs and he held his own and looked every bit the player I was hoping for. Won some very creative possessions. Turner went forward and the flood gates opened for them. I like what he does up forward but until we have lever back we need him in defence. Another great game by Gawn. Cherishing every memorable performance I get to witness now.

-10 Jefferson. Quite possibly a double agent. 6 Gawn 5 petracca 4 langford 3 Lindsay 2 Pickett 1 bowey

Great get! Would love to hear from him about so many things, he’s fast becoming a favourite. Who does he gravitate to at the club for his down time and for what kind of activities? (Is he more likely to play fifa with clarry, play golf with May or go bouldering with Langdon?) Where does he see himself making his greatest impact positionally? Has he picked up and incorporated any unusual/unexpected activities from teammates that have accelerated his progression?

Love that trajectory ghosty, will make for a record setting finals series!