58er

If you didn’t see the talent of JUH when he kicked 5 match winners against us at Marvel in 2022 then you are not a good judge of footballers. Not yet 22 he had 70 plus shots at goal in 2024 (35.35) and is a very hard match up due to his pace and skill at ground level. Then he takes flight and is a very good grab with an X factor marking ability. Another 2 pre seasons and his size will have him totally ready for AFL stardom and supremacy in 2026. Just the same as JVR would have only really impressed about half a dozen opponents teams this last season having some quieter days as well.

Sorry Stinga totally confused list with JJ and Grundy still listed but Harmes not and Hibbard retired but listed still. To be frank all we are focused on are the 44 that have received jumper no’s for 2024. Of course we wish some old favourites well at their new clubs and hope Hibbo enjoys his new club at the lower level.

The us vs them ( every one else) suits every now and again. Creates an edge on occasions. Think you are overreacting a little about us being a whipping boy but again can play a role in the trenches. I think we should be as aggressive as we believe we need to be and be active in our actions and not be scaredy cats at all. Get on the front foot I say.

There is no indication that only Petty is competitive. You say about if both getting up and running and no indication who is. Suggest you re read your post. You may be clear but no one else is. You are wrong in any case as JVR for his youth and skill competes as hard as any player in the team in marking duels and in the throw ins in the ruck. Only part of your post I agree with is about Schache who needs to raise his standards. Thank you greatly though for your training reports for us out of the state. We are very lucky you keep us up to date prior to the real games.

Who is the ONE competitive forward because if it’s JVR then you are labelling Petty uncompetitive. And if it’s Petty then JVR is in your opinion not competitive. Very harsh judgement in fact incorrect based on the situation as of now. We also have Fritta who is competitive and I believe McAdam will be a boost to our goal kicking, and give Kossie more support to grow his game. Others who are IMO set for a better season are Trac as well as ANB Spargo Chandler. Rotation of these riches should address some problems and add extra dimensions to enable goals a strength rather than a weakness or hindrance.

Right now both Lingers and Lachie have the wing positions but it is their’s to lose in my opinion. So how can they lose it. Naturally by injury and therefore unavailability, as well as underwhelming form especially in the match sim or community series match/es, and on the training track over the pre season period. If the latter occurs who are the genuine replacements the MC have at their disposal. At least half a dozen IMO. They are: Brayshaw, Howes, Billings, Bowey, Salem, Windsor are the top candidates. All depends upon the half back positions plus half forwards and the possibility of youth forcing their hand by Windsor grabbing the opportunity on the next month with some real stirring wingers club style footy that fits our team play in 2024. Any one of those six could well find themselves moved there anyway if they are in the 23 on Mar7. Looks as though Lachie is chasing time so I would like either Howes or Windsor for Club development excitement, Angus for absolute dependability, Bowey and Billings for new style winger and Salo because he would tear the small SCG wings with a 2021 GF Masterclass that only he could do. Who do you want to join the Wingers Club or have we got an existing member ready and waiting?

Thanks for the show of faith of one of our true champions. I understand that leadership is not always a champions highest asset but you would be hard pressed to say Trac doesn’t lead by example. I get that you are worried that Trac might worry too much about leadership and it could potentially affect his game to the detriment of team. There is always a chance of that happening but I don’t think it would ruin his game to that extent at this stage of his career. We won’t know this season but there are four other leaders as part of the leadership group who I am sure Trac is one of those but they don’t get named generally but are used when necessary by the Capt and His Vice.

Sorry thought you were giving Tommy Mac’s figures. However Trac wS very inaccurate last season his worst accuracy I suspect. I am tipping a much better set shot season in 2024 and he might even break the 40 goal barrier especially if he can play up forward more often.

Plenty of cricketers would take Strauss’s CV any day. Especially team success as well.

Presumably Kent those firgures you are quoting are Tmacs goals figures of recent years. He moved permanently forward in 2018 as far as I can remember and has had 6 years ( not eight) for about 150/160 goals 143/140 behinds He had cameos before 2018 but I am not counting them. I estimate he has played about 110/120 for those goals as he has had 3 years in 6 with more then half the games in ‘22 and ‘23 plus ‘19 with the last 6 out. His best year was 2018 with 53 goals and no fitness worries for a beat full season. To blame him for our forward woes is both unfair and incorrect as when he plays we have had good success. If Tmac had to play in lieu of either JvR or Harry P then a 40 plus goal season would be taken by most Dees fans. That’s 25 games for the season along with day JVR 35/40, Kossie 40 Fritta 50 plus Trac 30 plus McAdsm 30 and Chin or ANB or Fullarton totalling 30 plus and another 50 goals spread over mids and others we wouldn’t be worrying at all about goals, I wouldn’t think even if Petts is missing say. Any case the captaincy really is this topic although I agree that our forward line is our biggest worry but I think our mix is potentially a good one this season So Maxy and JV remain but I would prefer thst 4 more leaders be named officially to support our two good ones.

Frankly it seems we were the ones not full invested in Lovett probably due to the medical possibly and didn’t have a great year last season also.

Forgot Dusty Martin Hibbo’s greatest conquest.

If that is the case ( and I believe you just be pick if he is an A grader no matter what his position or in this case leave him out). Also in his 3 games ( 2 injured in and went off) he was in A grade form with 6 and / lots of 2 twice before half time). That’s A grade form as a forward no matter if new or not.

What about Adams for talls?

That’s who are focussed and it should be that way. Media always dress things better or worse than real situation. I think we are experiencing an average style lead up with some hiccups some with which we can ignore and solve quickly and others will test us to our resilience and how our recruitment and depth have come on as I believe we have. Cant wait to see our team and the opportunities it is going to give some great talent. Those that are half glass empty are looking at worst case scenarios and I prefer the half glass full approach and fullyexpect our early tough draw to get the best out of our talent.

Most other observers have re marked on Bill’s improvement but not PF. That's what I am going on and his promise in cameo’s at the end of last season ( not the QF admittedly) but he has lost kilos of weight and is moving much better according to most. When Mr PF doesn’t like you he is a very hard man to change his mind.

Thank you.

Why BBB what about Harry P?

PF Your entitled to your view but I think you are blinkered with Bill. He is showing much more skill running power and maturity for a big tilt at the Seniors. His skills are great and he can finish with a nice goal. Open up to his potential please 2024 looks like he can make the grade.

Good give Disco a go and he can just take up from where he left off in Round 24 last year.

The fact is Rooy may not have a choice in some games depending upon how we structure up. He did well in both his years assisting up forward and I don’t think he will be overlooked by our MCttee.

No because they are different style of players. Rooy is a total competitor and to give him an at opportunity to compete at throw ins does expand his role to us and get him into the game. Carkton put Harry McKay and WC Jack Darling are who Rooy resembles. Harry P can play the regular forward whose absolute skills are elite in marking and one on one. JVR will gain greater strength with the competition down forward and also Darling is akin to the throwin ruck game. Fullars will still be very handy and with Gawny occasionally our forwards are going to get the opportunity to get the crumbs and forward balls that will be created.

You were complaining about the AFL and the money it was throwing at Tassie for their team in the near future. And bemoaning no funding for MFC for our training base yet. Saying it was partly due to the MFC Boards ineptitude over the time. My point us that until a firm proposal has been announced no money is going to be provided by any Govts or stakeholders for our training base.

Harry is now up forward and in the next 2 years he could kick 60 goals plus and that may be enough for us to turn the forward line around and win 2 flags. If Harry’s done this there would be no earthly reason to return him to the backline. After all it’s harder to kick goals than stop them. Of course he could play small cameos in defence and swap with Disco or Tmac !

Bradshaw won’t miss any early games. Where he plays might be interesting. HB or wing or on the ball?