Watson11

Sparrow was below average in lots of things but his kicking efficiency was 59% and listed as “Average” in the stats you posted. In 2023 there was a great article about kicking on the abc website, where they went beyond the normal kicking efficiency to the types of kicks taken and how every player compared that tries the same kicks. The further to the right of the 0 vertical line the better you perform v peers and by that measure (2023 data), Sparrow was also right on average.

Our fitness and medical teams need a breakout year, because since Burgo left our 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons have all had problems. From the start of 2021 to mid 2022 (when we had the 30w-4l run) we were in unbelievable condition. Since then we have run players into the ground so they are about 75% by season end, played them injured and aggravating injuries - missing big stretches of games, or some players have just not put in the same level of work as 2021 for various reasons and look unfit. It will probably be the biggest factor in our 2025 performance.

Yes to free but nope to Pert being CEO at the time. Pert went mid 2017. Which was really annoying because the Pies improved immediately and cost us a finals spot in 2017.

I don’t get why some demonlanders are so hard on JVR. He’s played 41 games and his goals kicked at this stage (41 games) is more than Josh Kennedy, Nick Riewoldt, Jack Riewoldt, Tom Hawkins, and Tom Lynch who have about 20 All Australians between them. All except Tom Hawkins really hit their straps around the 50 game mark (Tom Hawkins around 100 games). I think he’ll be a 50 goal forward in 2025, especially if we get it in quickly to create more 1 on 1s.

Couldn’t agree more. He was also so quick he had time for 2 grabs. And Buddy had super confidence whereas Weid had none.

Not always a death sentence. Buddy says hello.

Not all clubs. This club went ok after this. And then Stokes was suspended for 7 weeks. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/geelongs-johnson-suspended-indefinitely-20070109-gdp77a.html

His game was solid except for the end of the second where he had a direct hand in all 6 quick Brisbane goals (3 turnovers and conceding 3 really bad centre clearances that directly led to goals). The first 2 goals in that run were the worst, leaving Daniher alone inside 50 for a goal, then being monstered by Daniher at the next CB who kicked it to Ah-chee for a goal. So it probably doesn’t matter what he did for the rest of the game. That period killed the game as a contest.

This is the Bitter and pessimistic thread. Wrong thread for you!

4 wins in 17 finals at the G since their 2005 flag.

lol. Was that the Swans psychologist addressing the entire swans team at half time.

Expect a cracking game until the 3rd qtr then Swans to get on a run and end up winning by 50+ Phil Davis convinced me of this when talking about GWS in 2019 and how when the game gets a little bit away the winning side seem to go hell for leather with everyone trying to win a Norm Smith. And the GWS run to the GF was eerily similar to Brisbanes…

Questioning our flag is just stupidity. It is probably in the top 3 most legitimate flags in the last 15 years. Flags that should have questions over them Richmond 2020 - shortened qtrs Hawks 2013-15, Tigers 2017/19, Pies 2023 - Won on their home ground against interstate teams. Dogs, Geelong - GFs played in Melbourne against interstate teams. Probably the only flags that aren’t tarnished in some way recently are West Coast and Sydney 2012 who had to beat their opponents on their opponents home deck.

I’m not sure if McQualter was a midfield coach for the tigers dynasty. Xavier Clarke was until the end of 2019. Then Lonergan. But McQualter took on the roll of ball movement coach in 2020. Considering Bassett was forward coach at Port, and watching them was like watching us (a lot of bombing to a pack), I dearly hope he gets another line. Chaplin did a great job with our forwards in 2017 and 2018. I hope he gets another go there.

I didn’t conclude the substance was true as I think who leaked the brand/big club stuff it is important. There could be other reasons Tracc was not prepared to talk to the media. This is hypothetical but there is an ongoing investigation into JS text messages implicating other people that has been hanging over the club for 12 months. That’s a disgrace in itself as it should have been investigated quickly. Maybe Tracc's gripe is around behaviours, management, how it ended up and how it has affected his and every players brand. Morris said the club leaked the brand stuff. That’s important as maybe the leaker framed it that Tracc wants to play at a big club, rather than Tracc is worried about the impact on his brand from other far more sensitive issues. I fundamentally don’t trust leakers as they have an agenda. Tracc can’t and shouldn’t talk to media about that. This all ties into the other leaks to Morris (leadership says Tracc has problem with players, players say Tracc has problem with leadership). I acknowledge my assumptions might be incorrect. It’s just that I choose to look at alternative scenarios and give Tracc the benefit of doubt. I don’t buy the Tracc went rogue argument.