Red But Mostly Blue

As we hurtle towards a big 2025, we have dingbats like Damian Barrett doing their very best to drag us. For a guy who lives to air things publicly, seemingly daily, often without base or substance, and whose peers do the same, it’s a bit rich. Do they want us to acknowledge issues or not? Pick one? We ignore issues, it’s a problem, damo here goes off. We talk about them, and it’s fake and forced. And damo goes off what. A. [censored].

ELITE 🔥

I love love LOVE Freo being all worked up, and on the defensive and in full/constant dismissal mode. Let a thousand lazy baseless 'articles' bloom about the LJ relationship/purported relationship drivers/'old' homesickness etc etc etc ad nauseam. And then some. I know there's some hope and excitement about his return - and yeah he's a great player - and would no doubt probably fil a space originally intended for him, but for a guy who supposedly likes to please everyone, he checked out of this club for at least the last half of 2022, and his finals series was lame, at best. I'm not as ecstatic about his potential return. But the media feeding on this 'story' like the vultures they are, I like very much.

Ben may have spent the majority of his career at the Roos, but he's now a part of the Demons family. He's a child who's left home to find his own way, but the thing about kids is sometimes they come back. It sounds like the gig suits his life at the moment, and maybe it's part of a plan to work with Tassie, but regardless, I hope the Bombers look after him - they are lucky to get him and I have no doubt they will benefit immensely from his presence. Go well, Benny - we'll miss you. Come home soon :-)

That’s a [censored] end to the quarter. All that work to get back in the game only to have clawed back 10 points. 5.6 not great, again. Ah well, at least it was a better showing. Nothing to lose here, hope the boys just throw all the dash and dare out there in the last. Be bold.

lol, Claz. This is great to see him hitting the scoreboard. But he shouldn’t. Be leading our goalkicking…

19 scoring shots a piece…

Kozi must be watching this going, hmmm, it would be considerably more enjoyable on the other side of this game. Flying with Shai… lol

Thank god that’s over. I’m hoping that was a ruse and we are just setting them up for complacency, and we come out and play the actual game plan. the one that’s different and exciting. The one they’ve been pumping us up for with all the social media post of the boys just blitzing stuff. Do that, please. LITERALLY NOTHING TO LOSE TODAY. NO POINTS ON THE LINE. JUST DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

Ooof I saw this twice last year. Don’t know I’m up for another episode. I’m a sucker for punishment so I’ll likely tune in for the first half of Q3 to see if Goody actually tries something different. But if no change I might turn this off and wait for the learnings. Lame

I thought we were going to be more aggressive with our ball movement? This is uninspiring. A praccy is a perfect place to trial dash and dare! If we lose, we lose, it’s ok, but if we lose playing safe and boring like much of last year, what’s the point? Freo embarrassed us TWICE last year. What’s the point of this? What’s the message?

Early days, just a praccy etc, but I’ve seen this show before. ay-ay-ay (but still lots of time to fix)

Love to see Claz hitting the scoreboard!

Negotiation 101 Whether anyone else thinks he is worth 3 first round picks (he is - and if you don't believe me, have a look at the persistent efforts to get him - and he's only 23) is irrelevant. He's contracted. We set the price at 3 first rounders, and it's the role of the other club(s) to open the wallet, tip the couch cushions over, whatever. Maybe we get 2 first rounders and something else. That's a decent outcome (even if I prefer Kozzie, and would love for him to stay). If we set the price at 2 first rounders, maybe we only get 1 first rounder and some change, and that's no good at all. The price (if there's indeed a trade here, in 2026) is 3 first rounders. If you can't pay, you keep on walking.

Just Trac and Max... We're being underestimated, friends. And that's OK. Under the radar is good. Premiership by stealth. By the time they see us coming, we'll be raising the cup! 🏆 Cigars out etc.

ChatGPT did us dirty. Gross.

Always love you positive, human stories ❤️

Securing Jai is a GREAT outcome. It's a real shame it came from a cruel injury to AMW, but it's something and if even half of what is said about him comes to fruition, he'll be a really valuable addition. He looks the goods. Ox loves him haha ...And to think, this came from some common sense from the AFL!!

As a financially crippled Lego fan (I have at least 100+ unopened boxes stashed in cupboards, under beds, piled in my study etc, not to mention what is actually built all over the place), this is great!! I loosely partnered with Lego HQ at some point, and I can tell you the hoops and hurdles that must have gone through to get this done would have been significant. Lego is a closely held, still family-owned company who is very conservative with who it partners with, communications, and messaging etc. So excellent work all round!!

AMW and Jagga both ACLs Terrible week for the kids!! 😔

Terrible luck. These sorts of injuries are the nightmare and have an especially hollow feeling during these practice matches. Even more painful because you feel he was starting to create a case for starting team selection. Super talented and gaining confidence. All the best for recovery, looking forward to seeing this kid out there in 2026!!!

It's only a praccy, but this is a good early opportunity to send a message for 2025. We were embarrassed by the dockers twice last year, I'm looking forward to a more positive mindset and display from the boys (not too fussed if we win - just want to see some interesting plays/something different, and pride). FWIW, I think we are going to have an excellent year, and will display the fruits of the honest chats the boys have had, a few more of the kids on deck, and our culture shining through.

I think I know who and understand the reasons for holding off - and if so, that's wonderful news. Please send positive thoughts. If I am wrong, of course, I still send those positive thoughts, just in a different direction. Please redirect as necessary haha. Love me a good news story, can't wait to hear the good news in 7 weeks or so ❤️

Agree with all of this mate. Turner will have a much bigger year, had a solid 2024, and a much improved one fitness wise. Big 2025 on the cards. JVR is a deadset jet. He has had to deal with being thrown around due to our rucking issues, but he is tracking so nicely. I bet 17 other sides would snap him up in a heartbeat. With ruck settled this year and positioning in general improved, I reckon he will kick 40-50. (Also appreciating the more positive vibes - even though I am only now slowly coming out of my usual 'holiday' from the site haha) 100% we need fast, smart elite ball users. We have the forward stocks. It's actually a really hard to matchup forward line. It's dynamic and unpredictable. JVR, Turner, Fritter (!!), Trac, Kozzie, Melk (!!), and as you say still have a few swingmen who CAN kick goals. If we can get our ball movement sorted, lowering the eyes, smart ball use etc, watch out! I think we will.

How good does Melk look!!??? PHWOAR. Seriously. He's got another year or two in him, easy, in that nick. Always been a big fan of Melk, and he plays such an important role in the team. To have him starting fit this year is such a big win for us. Maybe it's the new year vibe in me, but I am feeling pretty good about our forward line. With Fritter also starting fresh, and hopefully a little more renewed mongrel from him in the 50, I reckon we will be a tricky matchup for most teams. Melk would look even better with a big cup at the end of this year...