Red But Mostly Blue

So long, Frosty! I won't miss some of that decision making, but I will miss those wild dashes out of the backline! That said, I hope that whoever is on him in the future kicks 10 against him.

I don't know why we're not looking at Butler. He's not a star, sure, but he is a goal sneak, and we don't really have any of those anymore. I think we need to stop looking at recruiting just stars. The Tigers recruited to fill roles and found guys who could be developed and work together as a team. We could do a lot worse for a low, cheap pick.

Can't argue with much of this. I know Trac has not hit his potential but having him alongside Wagner makes no sense. It's ruthless, but let's be honest, the fact that this list was overrated, and probably self-overrated by the players themselves contributed to our result this year.

Hard pass.

Welcome, Adam! Will be interesting to see how he goes on the wing, but he's quick, can take marks (which I can't say about many of the current lot), and give Maxxy some relief in the ruck - plus he already has a lot of finals experience! With guidance and development, I reckon Adam will be a great grab!

Can't imagine why we wouldn't be a destination club! Dees (rabble), the Lions (finals and on the up, big time) or the Pies (home, played a prelim) - tough call! ?

I think Jamie would have been an interesting get, although one fraught with risk of injury. Happy that the decision has been made early, so we can focus elsewhere. I know the most likely option is the Pies, but given the year the Lions had, and the fact that they are less of a rabble than we are, I wonder if they'll nab him?

Captains put their team first. This is a great move by Jonesy. It's definitely time, but I really am thankful for the years he led by example when there wasn't much of a team to lead. Dark days made a little brighter. I'm looking forward to Jonesy focusing more on his footy, and contributing to a big year for us. I'm still not a fan of the dual captain thing, but if it's the only way we get Maxxy into the mix, then so be it (if he wants it, of course). There's a lot of work to be done, but I think 2020 is looking a lot clearer for us...

A big body who can move around the ground and also give us options up forward/in the ruck - a handy inclusion! Not a big name signup, but we can't bring in just stars (we can't afford them, and be honest, given our head mess of a club, why would anyone want to join us if they're looking for glory!?) Will be pleased if this eventuates.

Can't argue with this. Jones and Viney played 22 and 21 games respectively, and it's said that we lacked leadership. Proof is in the results. Without a doubt one of the many changes we need to make for 2020.

I hope Frosty stays, at a fair price - he had a great year and tried his guts out in all 22 games, which is more than I can say about most of the boys. We need guys who leave it all on the park each and every week. Sure there's a little bit of Frost Ball, but I think that's a small price to pay for the other things he does. Plus, if some of our boys did their share, the ball wouldn't be down there in the circumstances that it was so often this year.

No bueno. Jade is a real loss, one of the few who knows what's he's doing. Plus, he won't have been happy with being an assistant forever. And who can blame him for leaving, anyway? Pains me to say it, but the Roos looked OK for some parts of this year, esp with Rhys, bar that one game in particular. At this stage the Roos look more like a premiership team than us haha

Langdon on the outside, Gus back on the inside, Petracca more time in the middle - I like where this is headed!

Thanks for the laugh! Best way to get through the rest of 2019 is to laugh our way into 2020, year of the Demons!

I think I'm with most here, Amon would be fairly cheap and worth a punt. Better than Stretch and miles ahead of JKH who has surely run out tickets to ride by now. He's been tried and tried again, and then again and again for good measure and doesn't cut it (unless we want to continue being mediocre/abysmal).

I like where this is going. Langdon would make a huge difference to our structure. If KK gets on the ground after a good preseason, and some of the others pull up their socks, lock us in for a flag!

Frosty tries his guts out every week. He makes a few blues here and there, but he tries, and his footy is exciting (and only occasionally scary) -and never boring! His effort out back (and up the ground during one of his famed dashes) is something we will need more of next year, and should be looked up to. Frosty, Lever, May, Nev, Hore - makes for a potent backline. This is great news.

This C@&T has (had) some issues, but I can't really argue with his toot.

... and so ends our worst season since 2014 (pretty scary to think how close we came to our 2012-2014 record, given the last minute wins over the Hawks and Suns). For the record, this year we beat (as the ladder currently stands) #9, #13, #15, #16 and #18. Yikes

I get the same feeling (fingers crossed!) Completely agree! Today was a dead rubber after a terrible year. Most had already thrown in the towel, but Maxxy fought to the end. One of the things we need to become great (again) is pride and that has to come from the top!

Yes, Hore! He'll figure prominently in our back setup for years to come I reckon. Petty showed something for sure. With some bulk behind him and a solid off season, I agree, I reckon he could surprise with lots of success next year!

I can't believe I forgot Frosty! Agree. He's not the 'best', makes some strange decisions, will never win a Brownlow, or have one of those giant faces in his honour, he's just not that kind of player. ... BUT he tries his guts out every week, and backs himself in, which is more than I can say for a good portion of the boys this year. I love seeing his run from out the back and am looking forward to more of it in 2010 - hopefully leading to more goals!

That is one shiny turd!

There will be enough sad/brutal (but accurate) 'three word' summary posts for 2019 (mine is 'we went backwards'), so to keep us in good spirits for what should be a better year (it has to, right!?), I thought I'd focus on some of the positives (it shouldn't be hard to list them!) What went right? What do we salvage from the wreck of 2019?? For me: - Another fantastic year from Maxxy. I know the commentators gush over Grundy, but we have the #1 ruckman, no questions. True leadership material, hopefully he figures more in this regard next year. - Fritta (who was finally played in the right spot) - Salem was a constant out back, and needs to be utilised better next year. We could do with his foot skills further up the ground. - I know his season was interrupted, mostly his own fault, but May will be a huge asset. He's tough, reads the play well and can lead from out back. He just needs a good off season to get his body right. - Petracca showed glimpses towards the end of the season. He just needs to let loose in 2020.

Our season is over, sweet relief! Now we can look to 2020 knowing it should/has to get better (it has to, right?!), and at the very least can't get worse!