Red But Mostly Blue

LOL love your work, DIABOLICAL 🤣

I've seen plenty of unnecessary losses to the Saints over the years. And there was a solid period of time where we couldn't beat them (tbf we couldn't beat anyone else, either). They are an inconsistent lot right now, and that makes them a threat. Much like us, their best is v good. This, the neutral venue, and the general evenness of the competition means we can't snooze on this game. It's a golden opportunity to keep up our momentum and enter the Pies game with 6/7 (which should have been 7/7) wins and with the boys flying. We certainly can still approach the Pies with confidence if we lose, but it will be a much stronger lead up if we can keep this streak going. And make no mistake, our best is much better than them. Pound for pound, we're a better team, and if we treat them with respect and apply the same pressure as the last few weeks, keep the ball in our 50, look for targets, take our chances etc, it should be a good 6 goal win. As for the Pies, I believe we can beat them. But one week at a time, let's focus on keeping 4 qtr pressure on the Saints this week. We give them no quarter. Continue our push, one game at a time. I'm calling this game: No Surrender in the Red Centre

I think what they meant to say is that Geelong will be just fine(d). As always.

It's a tough one isn't it - we don't want to bring JVR back too early, so we don't get caught up in that never-ending revolving door approach - bring him back - not enough marks or goals - send him back, where his performance is OK, but probably not yet banging down the door for a recall - and repeat. BUT The reality is, we need him, but we need him to be the version he should be at this stage. And perhaps now with a better functioning forward line and delivery, he may get there sooner? Needs a confidence boost, and while he may get it in the 2s, the true confidence boost will be doing it where we need him. We COULD wait a couple more weeks - I think AJ has done some nice things (together will some unpolished sloppy things), but provided JVR comes in with a bit of physicality, rucks a bit (not too much, I think it stunted his development a bit - but yes better than AJ), and contributes i50, then arguably he's at the same level at least as AJ (minus the crazy factor that I quite like in AJ haha - was looking forward to him terrorising the saints a bit), and he can build on that and we lose nothing. TL;DR - I think JVR in truth could do/needs more time in the 2s, but may never be a perfect time to bring him in, and maybe he will get swept up in the collective confidence of the team and clunk/slot a few. Also Viney for Spargo (agree, unlucky, and has done some good things).

100000000000% (I think that's, mathematically, the most correct anyone can be/agree with one another).

Nah, you're spot on. And if I recall, there was a period where he was up forward and was not cutting it, and was berated by many on here as being 'finished', before he was sent back for his (very successful) re-re-imagining as a backman. Won't be returning up forward, save for very minor, desperate/curve-ball stints.

Outcome based sanctions makes a mockery of the purported mission to eliminate this sort of conduct. Running a red light is a strict liability offence. You don't get a lesser penalty just because you somehow manage not to injure/kill anyone. However, you get a different, greater offence if you do. This should be the same. If the AFL is actually serious about this (beyond just trying to look like they are/selective about who they penalise - i.e. Kozzie's being penalised THREE weeks for Moore diving into him), then they will be a. consistent and b. give a penalty irrespective of the outcome. That is the only way to address this conduct.

PERFORMATIVE SLAP ON THE WRIST INCOMING... WATCH OUT, FIVE FIGURES!! 😱

Well, that’s a succinct and accurate summary.

Absolutely, didn’t look like a football act to me, either. And agree re Pearce. Stiff. Yeah Moore was concussed. Ugh It’s a really lazy way of addressing high contact, non-football acts.

How was Mills’ bump ONE WEEK??! Left the ground, elected to bump, could have concussed Spargo, may have? What a joke. Koz got 3x that for Moore diving into his hip.

Still really angry about all of that, and how it just fizzled into the background.

Good way to put it - after Nibbler, you'd think some would have learnt that lesson - not everyone on the team will always generate easy to digest stats (29 disposals, 11 clearances, 8 score involvements, 7 tackles, 1 goal etc.). Sometimes it's pressure, positioning and being in the right place to make sure something else happens. You need those selfless types who give up a 'bigger' role to ensure success for the team. It's an important part of the bigger picture. It's why it's a 'team' sport.

Unfairly flat analysis (For such an emphatic win)

That's exactly what Jeffo's mum would say!! 🤣

Don't think our recent record up there is very good (?) and while we should account for the Saints in our current form/momentum, as is the case with every single game really, we MUST play 4 quarters and treat them with respect. They've played some ordinary games, but also been quite good at times, and if we let our guard down, we could easily lose and miss out on a golden opportunity to approach the Pies at 6-6, having won 6 of the last 7 and arguably should've been 7/7 if not for a diabolical waste of opportunities against the Hawks. The Saints have some genuine guns. Be respectful...and GIVE NO QUARTER.

Like this a lot. Our midfield is working well and don't want to disrupt it. Viney in for the Spargypants role gets Viney in with his pressure, while allowing the midfield to continue accumulating minutes and confidence together. Sharp to sub again. TMac stiff. Don't think Lever was good, and his ankle is suspect. I reckon he was brought back early. Maybe Lever improves with another run, but what I do know is that TMac has been great all year and would trouble the Saints. This one is a tough call. No other changes.

Sorry, I meant both our games. Have we done both in a year before? Not sure, was just pleasing to see :-) (And absolutely!!)

That's the thing. Those calling for AJ to be dropped obviously subscribe to this revolving door approach where we promote from Casey just because we think whoever was dropped should be doing better. But, guess what, the guy called up from Casey is usually not ready, so they, too, get dropped. And the cycle continues. And to top it off, AJ can ruck - which limits the pool even more! In a perfect world, JVR would have continued his form from last year, and be on 20 goals right now. If he was, AJ would be at Casey crashing packs and shanking kicks, but no doubt doing some really handy things, and rucking. As JVR is not where he should/could be, he has to find some form and confidence in the 2s. In the meantime, we are working with AJ, who is making the most of his opportunity and having some fun, and I think contributing to positive morale. And he's kind of scary. And I like that. We need to bring some fear into our oppo.

The problem (well, at least one of the problems) is he wants Jefferson on the team. I'm not convinced it isn't Jefferson's mum. Anyway, he/she wants Jefferson there so bad that he will pot anyone else to help get him there (not that he/she has that sway) Funnily, while having a crack at 6 possies, his/her hero, Jefferson, had 5 possessions in game 1, and 4 against the Hawks before being subbed off. And he doesn't do any rucking. So, at least for now, Jefferson is not good enough at his forward craft (he just isn't. he may one day. but not for now) - and he does not ruck, which AJ does help out with. AJ brings mongrel, 1%ers, and did some nice little things yesterday which actually contributed to goals. We need that right now. Does he have a role in the team forever? Probably not. Maybe. Who knows. He lacks polish and genuine skills - but until we find someone who provides more in his place (it's not Jefferson) (it will probably be JVR when he finds his feet again on a sustained basis), he should stay as he works hard and does some nice things, and helps out in the ruck.

That was out highest score since rd 7, 2023! TWO YEARS+!!!!

oh and just casually, in the last. 2 rounds, we’ve beaten last year’s grand finalists. Not too shabby!!

That’s great! Was not confident. Hope Langford is ok, too. Copped a solid knock.

Top score of the round, too.

I’m going to take a lot of things away from this game (Koz is the most dangerous player in the comp, Disco is a very underrated back/forward and will be a seriously important part of this team going forward, the kids continue to impress, if we can keep Melk as long as possible it will only help, Bowza is having a phenomenal year, Salo is finally getting some continuity in his footy and body, and while not always perfect is finally looking a lot like his old self)… … BUT for some reason, and I may be biased because I love Claz so much But he looks happy and that intensity, fitness and those hands, those gorgeous lightning quick hands were back today. We have missed them. So good to see him back to his old ways, there is no one else like him when he’s like that. And that is what I will take away the most from today. Team was amazing. Gaining momentum and confidence ❤️