The end is nigh

For everyone worried, this is one game. Not a highlights package like you’d normally see. I saw a similar package of Nate caddy last year where he dropped every mark and fumbled ground balls. Couldn’t believe how bad his ‘highlights’ were.

My thoughts on a trade would be if Richmond got picks 9/17 from freo for baker/bolton. Or trading with freo so they could secure from Richmond. Using Cal Twomeys phantom as a guide, I rate Lalor every bit as highly (to our needs) as Murphy Reid, and an additional player like Xavier Lindsay with skills would be an amazing boost.

If Richmond end up with a whole bunch of first rounders and we could get one still in the top 10 and another, I like it

We definitely need more plug and play midfielders and has been a clearance gun. Pay him his whole wage (try restructure to get it front loaded as we have plenty of space) and make it cost as little as possible in draft capital. We need it all to get our team right. Swap a future 3/4th rounder for their 3/4.

We are already playing plenty of youngsters. Throwing them to the wolves without the protection of senior players is not the way to end the season. Hoping for no more injuries so those still standing can hit preseason with intent. that said, if moniz is good to go, would like his speed back in. Good to see Howes and hore back in, but hoping MC picks whatever side matches up best to win rather than experiment. Or throw fritta to halfback to see which media needs to lay the boots in, for funsies.

Pickett as a starting mid is a waste. He’s a top liner in his primary position as a small crumbing forward. The forward line put forth has much less of that. also whilst I don’t necessarily disagree with the proposed list changes, it’s July.

Wasted energy to care whats happening with him in any regard. Take away the names and faces and you’d surely just say it’s unlucky and the tackler deserves a free.

Shuffling deck chairs again.. but in all seriousness, a big match for Casey tomorrow now. Nick Bryan is by no means Sean Darcy but he’s a good test to see if fullarton can ruck at the level required. back line is looking good but if Howes does enough and they think it suits matchups, bowey or taj can sit out a week.

Very tall! Hopefully they can take advantage of some mismatches and hit up the best match ups. All six are good marks

He’s just got himself to the level where he can kick 2-3 relatively consistently at vfl. As much as I’d like him to bring this to afl, we saw this year how mcadams ‘form’ translated. If he was banging the door down with bags, I’d join the chorus but I don’t believe he’s there yet.

36 goals for JVR in ‘22, Jefferson tracking close enough to that with 6 games left (and up to 24 for the year after today). Good signs for a 2025 debut

Any chance we actually use the fresh legs of a sub?

Worried for him next week. Harris Andrew’s has him for size and strength. Will need to be a night of playing a role. Any goals a bonus but halving contests all night will be enough of a tick for me.

AMW is getting plenty of ball and is imo great at providing a running option from half back, but when the opposition doesn’t panic and holds defensive structure, he’ still seems like he’s got some learnings on how to create the play. Better off practicing this at Casey 20+ times a game rather than half that at the highest level (even though I believe it would help if he had high calibre mids to create with, something Casey lacks)

May is far from AA form, won’t be in the squad. Not saying he’s finished, but have to acknowledge his decline has begun. Sparrow has a huge opportunity to step up right now. Hoping, but not expecting it at this point. Looking forward to Tholstrop and kynan brown getting games. Some youthful exuberance to light the fires and get some enjoyment back in our game.

During the game, I definitely felt the desire to have the players work Maynard over. But I’ve since settled into some humanity. Petracca (and Gus) played juniors with him and given the man trac is and Maynard’s reported personal issues of the week leading up, it’s not unreasonable that he showed him some compassion outside the sirens. In fact it’s just another layer of respect for trac. Trac is one of the elite few in the AFL who are above the need to manipulate the situation to gain favour. He has the skill to win already. And that is enough. I frequently see trac picking opposition off the ground after tackles and am all for it. He’s a champion and a good man. I’m glad he wears the Melbourne jumper and am content that it doesn’t change the man inside. furthermore, even though the commentators seemed to be calling for it, I see his proven character and standing in the game as reason enough for the filth players not ‘testing’ him off ball after his injury. Had they done anything to him and we not reacted, well that’s too far down the if path for me to fathom.

Jordan left because opportunity was never going to be there. We had viney gus clarry and trac on long term deals. and it a hard to entice anyone to come and be a second stringer, so we are in the same boat. But the time is right to draft a few successors now. would like to see one of our trademark sell the future deals to trade into first rounders this year. 2 mids and yze’s boy and I’ll be happy on draft night. as for this year, anb and Kos need to be bursts at most as to not destroy their primary role. Happy to look at the back line options now. Howes back in and rotate rivers/salem/mcvee in for rotations and give more to whoever handles it best. clarry needs the bye, many probably do. Just cobble together whatever it needs to be to take down the few pies weapons still standing and have a real honest look after the break at what could get it done to win finals if anything.

Kicking the occasional second and third goal as he has this year is far from knocking down the door. Long been an advocate for him to get clear space to work in at the lower level but feel he’s not getting enough looks from our depleted mid stocks. Seston and tholstrop are doing far heavier lifting than I expected (although admirably) and could use a little help. Hoping we address this at next weeks draft and bring in a clearance player to balance the list

Not a one club player, but feel the allegiance is strong and he’ll love handing the reins to Reid. He can always drop back to half back if his body holds up but his speed wains. Would love him to play for us but can’t see a way it eventuates. Would rather see us draft kids with our picks. Mids and Noah Yze.

Hoping for a solid supporting effort from petty, JVR to kick his highest tally yet and petty to chip in with a couple. Some good blocks and forward line cohesion would be great

This week coming is a breeding ground for rumours. He’s likely to have a few journos trying to get some good set up pics, but with gather round I’m sure the whole town will be abuzz anyways. Wishing him continued good health, a great asset to have on field.

I thought his game was good. In time, higher up the ground we may get some highlights but I’d rather see him clamp down this week. Weightman to 5 touches and no goals would be a great scalp. I’d rather him not be pressured to be a playmaker this early in his career. Keep the focus simple.

I get the feeling that playing 5 talls in the forward line won’t help anybody develop. JVR needs somebody in the forward line with him that knows what they’re doing. Someone to run patterns with, block for him and be a threat of their own. Schache was none of this and offered little in the ruck from what I saw too. Maximum opportunity to the immediate solutions (brown, fullarton) is fine by me. I expect petty to be given clean space to operate on his return too. Jefferson will be 20 this year. If he’s not pressing a good case mid year I’ll join a chorus saying it’s a failed pick. But in a preseason match where we have afl issues to solve, I’d happily have him be ruled out of contention for now.

Curious how much of a pay cut sparrow put on the table after hearing there was a possibility of ending up at the crows

No surprise Carlton has better match coverage, it’s their home ground. Hope they share some footage at some point, would be good to at least see the goals. Main thing is: no injuries, no worries.