Roosiah

10 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

That was a fantastic win. The Dogs are good, I’m a firm believer of that. So to perform like that against quality opposition is huge. 

What stood out to me the most at the ground was the way we set up forward of the ball. Far more often than last year, we had forwards deep. Couple that with our desire to go through the corridor and we looked scary good at times. 

I reckon we’ve found one in McVee. Looked a natural. Hunter is an incredible addition and whilst I thought Grundy lacked strength at times, his touch came back as the game went on and he is structurally critical to helping Gawn dominate. 

The thing is, there were areas to improve on too. Obviously we have four stars to bring back in, but we were well beaten in CPs and clearances. It’s a big thing to win by 7 goals when we lose those stats. 

Like last year, Brown looks fit and mobile and it makes him a much better player. Let’s see if he can maintain it. I thought Lever was immense in holding us together early, whilst Tomlinson was really good too. Also loved Chandler, who absolutely stood up, and Spargo.

The obvious sour note is Pickett, who is sure to be suspended. He has to be. We always say we have to focus on the action and not the outcome and that action has to be stamped out of the game. Hopefully it’s only graded medium impact and he only misses one week. Because he is irreplaceable and looks primed to star in 2023. 

Based on the way the AFL has adjudicated in the last couple of years, it’s well and truly been outcomes based. If they took the right approach in assessing the action regardless of outcome he gets weeks, but they don’t, outcome dictates their decision so $1000 fine it is. Even though it favours us this time I strongly disagree with it

Our biggest Achilles heal, that was evident even in the first 10 games last year, was not being able to run out quarters and especially games. The biggest takeaway for me tonight is we looked like we could play a fifth quarter, which is always easier when 50 points up, but still a big positive.

I also wonder whether we have finally found another unicorn in the form of a 50-70 goal small forward ala Jeff farmer. Based on recent form, kozzie can kick 50+, very differently to the wiz who never ventured far north of the 50m arc but potentially just as, if not more, damaging pinch hitting in the midfield as playing forward. Have to ensure we have him for at least the next 4 years while the window is wide open

8 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

There is no defence in the league -and probably never will be- that can defend against a well-directed, accurate, fast-paced delivery into the forward line. As I said, in my earlier post, we have been the meanest defence in the league for two years. That speaks for itself.

The premiership in 2021 was built on pressure out of forward 50 leading to turnovers that then generated scores. Last year we were able to stop scores but not generate them in return. Key to that was Lever and Salem being injured/underdone. 
 

Brayshaw was great at half back but not good enough to provide the immediate rebound they both did in 2021. 
 

This year Gawn playing a kick behind will force teams to go around which makes it predictable for May/Lever/Salem as opposed to the options they had this year. If they still go up the line Gawn marks. On turnover, Grundy bolts forward making defenders choose between him, JVR, BBB or TMac, if it spills then Viney (Brayshaw back in the guts where he nearly won a Brownlow with Hunter on the wing), Spargs and Kozzie with the pressure to create turnover. Viney, Kozzie and Sparrow to rotate through the midfield. Only injuries prevent a good run in September IMO

IMHO this is our best win of the season. Hawks tested our game plan like no team has so far. Petty is key to our defensive unit as he locks down the best forward allowing May and Lever to do their thing. Wasn’t there. Jackson allows Gawn to have a rest but he found a way to step up even higher and dominate. The other key to our game is forward pressure on the defensive rebound from kozzie and ANB causing turnovers and while Bedford was very good, the forward pressure wasn’t anywhere near the normal standard without them, allowing much easier opposition transition to their forward half. Anyone doubting this was a great win needs to watch the game again without the negativity

9 hours ago, Stretch Johnson said:

I like to think of myself as having a reasonable insight into footy with a pretty good understanding of pros and cons of players on the MFC list.

I can't recall a time when it was harder to pick a best 22. Poor form and injury in 2018, new arrivals, a few favorites entering the twilight and a bunch of youngsters with barely tapped potential contribute to this.

There will be bolters and sliders that no one will expect. 

It will be fascinating year.  

 

For the first time in a long time it looks like we have genuine cover for 2-3 injuries on each line before it becomes a significant problem. Combined with so few pre-season surgeries and the Burgess factor there is genuine reason for hope in 2020 IMO

11 hours ago, Demonland said:

Great post. Welcome to Demonland.

Living in Adelaide these forums are great for finding out what’s happening around the club so happy to have been able to give a little something back

1 hour ago, dworship said:

The best trainers were paired with the not so, that's my understanding of what was organized for the "break". I'm pretty sure that a player who was a not so good and then nominated someone else as a not so good wouldn't be teamed up with each other if that's what you're asking.

I don't mind the idea as I think with our new "togetherness" the better trainers would take much enjoyment out of helping a fellow teammate improve and the NQR player could see what the better trainers did in the down time. From my observations and some of the other comments regarding "pairings" this appears to be a very clear strategy to keep players pushing each other. I think the pairings in some of the run throughs,  eg Melksham and Hibberd are pitting mate against mate, in some brother against brother, big ruck against big ruck. I can imagine the coaches going to a really good trainer and saying "look you've nominated x as a not so good trainer, how do you feel about trying to help improve them over the break". I'd think it would form strong team bonds.

That would be Goody’s influence. Neil Craig made Vince (an average trainer) do everything that Goody (a good trainer) did in the pre-season leading into the 2009 season including all extra sessions etc. Vince won the crows B&F in 2009