roy11

in Jones' defence, whilst he may be the midfield coach, we don't know how much autonomy/direction he has for the role. But we've gone from a contested beast to 16th in tackles which is sad and 18th in clearances. Is it older legs, have they lost the spring in their step?

Re Butters: Multiple club sources have confirmed Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood are all preparing to make serious plays for the 24-year-old, who grew up in Bacchus Marsh and played under-18 football for the Western Jets. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/this-port-star-is-contracted-until-the-end-of-2026-but-victorian-clubs-are-already-circling-20250331-p5lnz8.html Doesn't look great for us then.

Think twice we've been burnt by early injuries possibly messing up plans for returning players. Round 2 - Jeffo injury in first quarter meant Woey came on and Spargo had to play a full game Round 3 - XL injury after 2 minutes meant Melksham had to come on and basically play a full game It seems the MFC way is getting minutes into players in the first team, but it's sort of backfired a little the last 2 weeks - especially games where we've run out of legs in the final quarter.

Reckon a dozen is an understatement for 2025 tbh

Hawthorn have done well under Mitchell but it's been a clear and well done re-build Drafted in - Barrass/Chol/D'Ambrosio/Ginnivan/Meek/Gunston (again) Free Agents - Amon/Battle All doing a great job in the team - compare that to our Free agents/players drafted in. They've also drafted well with Watson, Weddle and others Obviously they had a much better cap position to enable the rebuild but they've targeted well for the gameplan that SM wants to play, we're doing it on the run with trying to re-set and re-build

Was Windsor about? @Harvey Wallbanger And just to put everyone's mind at ease about these full time footballers, how long were these warm up/recreational games of soccer.

Well posted @Lucifers Hero Was happy with his performance, almost had 2 goals. Most contested possessions and clearances for us from a second gamer in hist first start is quite a stat. 90% kicking efficiency a nice change for our mids as well. Will need to adjust to the tempo/speed/awareness of AFL footy, was caught holding the ball a few times . Would like him to get a few more tackles as well.

The old gameplan had balls yeeted into the F50 and even if we didn't have the mark, we'd bring the ball down to ground for the small forwards. But last few weeks we've just been kicking to 2 on 1s and giving them intercept marks. Will improve with Turner in the team knocking it down to Kozzie. Pity we can't put AJs aggression into Fullarton.

It doesn't help our first few games have been against teams with lots of young pointy end first round midfielders who have exposed us. We went all in on our crop (Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Oliver etc) in search of a second flag. Obviously some things have not gone to plan but the midfield re-build is underway with Langford, Windsor, Kolt and Lindsay etc

Doesn't help we've come up against a bunch of talented young Mids but very disheartening so far seeing teams cut straight through us in the middle with the players in our squad.

the mood around me in the mcc on Saturday was very low, even early in the game. Everyone seemingly Deemoralised

Keeps scoring and they won’t need Pickett

3 weeks for Mansell, always interesting when the AFL make an example of someone, we’ve been on the other end of this a few times.

Both good club servants and I wish them well but let’s Calma a little.

I do this anyway with how much things cost these days. Happy X is cleared of major damage. Few games in you can see he adds a level of composure not within some of our lads.

Think we’re scored 4 goals and 17 conceded so far in the 4th quarters this season. Out of steam or swords down when game’s gone?

I think for the next decade we're going to see a real mix of winners. Not sure how many "repeats" or back to backs we'll get. A very open competition.

Just confirmed, Sesto to emergency.

Is that you John?

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/gws-giants-defender-leek-aleer-unlikely-to-stay-ahead-of-2025-afl-trade-period-c-18101005 Looks like Leek may be squeezed out at GWS, nice age bracket Hopefully we're into him given age of Tmac/May

But you also had that sexy period of Jay-Jay Okocha, Anelka, Ivan Campo, Hierro, Djorkaeff, etc, All protected by one of the most underrated in Jaaskelainen

I honestly don't mind a fun little soccer/football kick about towards the end of training Boosts morale a little cos its fun still work on communication breaks up monotony Players still get dynamic movement through their legs etc I'm sure there'll be enough skill based training/meetings to address issues from the weekend.

You need to consider Goody has had issues before with stress/anxiety in relation to Press conferences previously. I was surprised by what he said, but Max is fine with it, so we just move on and hope the family member's health battle remains positive.

I guess the ideal strategy would be like the below, but a few injuries/suspensions may have changed the plan 1) Casey Game/s 2) Starting Sub 3) 3/4 Game 4) Full game Guess internally they rate a half-fit Spargoat over Laurie

poor form in 2023 but in 2022 and 2021 he was very serviceable. he may have some 'average' attributes overall but I do feel like he is an important cog in the team if he can get back to his best.