Swooper1987

Agree. Fagan seems a top bloke, really genuine and down to earth (and a very strong Demon connection) and I always had a soft spot for Fitzroy. If it is destined not to be us this year, I'll be cheering the Lions on.

Over the past 6 weeks. Source is in the 360 analysis linked earlier. King and Montagna.

Yes there's a bit of a myth about 2017. We went 7-6 with Max including the game he got injured in v Geelong in round 3, and went 5-4 without him, including losing three of the first 4 without him. The only side we beat was Essendon, and lost to Fremantle by 2 points at the G and Hawthorn by 3 points. Richmond also beat us by a couple of goals. We missed finals by .5%. I'd argue Max doesn't tear his hammy from the bone we make finals comfortably. We worked our way into life after Max after that first month with some wins against softer or struggling opponents - Gold Coast and the then struggling Bulldogs in the midst of the premiership hangover. We also got over Collingwood on QB with the famous Jack Watts goal. Couldn't be certain of clearance numbers but his absence didn't make us a better footy team, that's for sure.

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but it gives an important perspective on Gawn's influence and what we are about to miss. I'd advise to pick up about 2 minutes in when King and Montagna discuss his influence over the past 6 weeks. We are ranked numer 1 for clearance and number 4 for post clearance, as well as number 1 for clearance scoring differential and number 1 for scores from centre bounce. Basically Gawn and Oliver have been keeping us in games almost alone.

McInerney (204 cm 110kg, 47.8% hit out win and 8.2% to advantage)) is a decent ruck and Fort (204 cm 98kg 45.3% hit out win and 4.5% to advantage)not a bad back up. Will be a massive test for Jackson (199cm 100kg 32.6% hit out win rate 2.1% to advantage). I've not liked what I've seen from Jackson in ruck contests this season. He needs to halve this if we are to have any chance.

Correct. Jackson and Weideman will be the combination. And I think we'll adopt a smaller forward line too.

I'm thinking this one sounds like three games missed - Brisbane and Adelaide for sure and then Geelong the next round is another Thursday game. The timin gof the fixture won't help.

He looked dangerous forward. Should've kicked two. I thought his effort in the ruck was poor today but just goes to prove we all see things differently. Posters I respect on this board thought he was ok so there you go. I don't think he's been great in the ruck since his game against Gold Coast. At the moment we are crying out for a decent key forward. Let him settle there for a bit.

Goodwin confirmed on AFL 360 that he carried a back injury into the game, which was worsened early in the game when Cox jumped into him and the also rolled an ankle. Goodwin confirmed he would've been subbed out but as he left the field Turner was concussed and Petty got hurt so Max got to complete his duties. Gutsy effort by the legend.

He can do that, and does it well, but I was more concerned with his inability to provide a contest in the ball ups and his lack of capacity to keep up with Cox around the ground. An obviously injured Gawn provided a better contest than Jacko today. He had plenty of mates, but it wasn't a great day for him. Today we needed him to play like a big man and he didn't, other than a couple of times deep forward.

Agree entirely. Jackson showed he isn't in the top 10 rucks in the league today.

Still confident we can make something of the season but we need to find a way to kick a score. Jackson was hopeless in the ruck today and Cox taught him a lesson, but he did look promising forward. He should've kicked two. Maybe the answer is he spends more time forward. Gawn deep encourages the long bomb and he's the best ruck in the league. He should be on ball the vast majority of the game. Connection will only happen when forwards lead up. Our style at the moment is the long bomb to a forward line who consistently get outmarked. That's what is hurting us the most.

Apparently was an ankle today according to channel 7. Although I'm sure the knee in the back was more troubling mid way through the second. Courageous effort to stay out there.

6 Oliver 5 Brayshaw 4. Viney 3. Jordon 2. Petty 1. Hibberd Jackson was poor when matched up in the ruck and couldn't go with Cox at all. He was ok forward and actually looked a bit dangerous there today.

Gawn, Turner, Petty all shot which gives an alibi. Jackson shouldn't escape criticism for his poor effort when asked to step up. Tracc really struggling. Two weeks to get it right.

You'd think Ruscoe would be the Mihocek replacement if he doesn't come up.

JVR is a real forward. He'll be a very good player because he competes hard in the air. On another note, two of my boys from the Under 14 MPCA Provincial Premiership team in 14/15 are having great games. Josh Smith and Roan Steele. Nice to see.

I'm not sure where you'd find the stat, but from a visual perspective he seems to lose a lot more aerial contests than previously. That's my main criticism. I love what he brings when he's on, but as a big man he needs to be able to win or neutralize marking contests. Rarely is Gawn outmarked. Asking him to play like the best ruckman of the generation is a huge stretch, I know and not a fair comparison, but bringing it to ground should be his aim. Another interesting stat is that Gawn has now kicked as many goals for the season as he did up to the prelim final last year (11). Which would likely mean more time forward and hence more time in ruck for Jackson. Maybe his "shock value" isn't such a shock anymore.

He will indeed, and he's a good player not playing at his best right now. That could all turn tomorrow. We need him to compete like a big man.

Thanks for the insight. So you agree his impact has lessened, so how did my original post not make sense?

How so? You are basing this off stats not impact. His impact last year was substantially better than this year.

You are as good as your last game in this caper. Jackson has been poor for much of the season. He was good last year, and played a great 15 minutes in last years GF. I hope that's not the only thing he's remembered for. I expect he'll come good soon. We need him to stand up as a forward.

This is all absolutely correct and just about applies in equal measure to Jackson.

20 of last years Grand Final 23 are playing. Missing Rivers, TMac and May. That's a very strong side.

Was referencing our backline minus May. But agree, finding a tall forward who can mark and kick straight with a degree of regularity would be handy.