Greendale

I know it's slippery out there but Tholstrup has really slow hands. Gets caught in tackles far too often compared to other players who can get the ball out of the contest.

If we lose Kossie then I'm not sure we'll be able to convince our players of being a realistic premiership chance in the next few years. This makes players young and old want more money to stay at the club, and I think it also hurts the general motivation and development of the group. We struggled so hard to get off the bottom of the ladder, and it's easy to see how smaller vic clubs like North and the Saints have got themselves stuck in a cycle of overpaying players on potential, and not being able to attract players who can make a meaningful difference. Is $1.4 per year for 9 years too much for what Kossie has achieved, I'd say definitely yes, but for the club I think it's the move we have to make. As a side note Freo can get stuffed and I hope Luke Jackson either blows up their wage bill or goes to another club for a big sack of cash.

I'm more saying that the defensive roles inside our f50 have been a really good coaching decision, this isn't just about AJ but Melksham and Fritsch playing a lot more defensively. AJ played a role within a system, but his errors were still very costly. If JVR can play with 80% of AJ's physicality he'll be offering more overall due to his cleaner skills.

Im of the opinion that AJ's performance is being a bit overrated in this thread, and that his fumbles and errors were probably more significant than his pressure and physical presence, BUT, I think our forwardline is looking a lot better when we are putting a defensive focus on the oppositions best defenders like AJ does. Our forwardline and inside 50 quality has an issue for years, but if we can just turn that area of the ground into a messy, 50/50 scrap, then I think our elite backline and seemingly reinvigorated midfield can take us to victory against anyone.

Has had a great game but some classic Viney just there. Needed to lower the eyes

Got bailed out by that non free. Makes up for the missed Kozzie high tackles

Twice players have been taken to ground in a tackle and it hasn't been htb

Salem dropped handball killed us there. We would've been out

Champagne football right there. What a fantastic half. Ball movement has been completely different, and mids have been great around the stoppages.

Rivers was really poor for the majority of the game when things were still in the balance. Actually one of my biggest individual dissapointments of the day.

So many broken tackles, not even from fends or anything, but from players just not committing hard enough and not holding strong.

Forwardline entry is bad as usual but the positioning of our forwards is actually even worse. Big men not leading and unable to halve contests when required. Small forwards not getting to the drop at all. W'e're making a key defensive group that includes Toby Pink and Aiden Corr look good.

Always good seeing Freo get smashed. Truly wish the worst for them.

Lukosius is just a premium Jack Watts and Port have just been bullied by the other clubs and player managers.

I wouldn't be worrying about the late picks at all, it's just that Essendon are desperate for points this year, and that's what's making them do the deal. Without the late pick swaps we might have only got pick 13 from Gold Coast with our future first and 28. In terms of how valuable the late picks are consider that Richmond was willing to give up picks 32, 42, 43, and 45 for pick 20.