Deeko2

It’s always the challenge to know exactly what a players role is and if they’re performing it or not - would love to be on the inner sanctum. On roles, Lewis had a great start to his career on ball and then as we know moved into the HBF spot where he was a back line leader where he was beneficial in structuring us up correctly. He played the HBF spot at a decent level until it got too quick for him. His kicking skills were solid for this role. Right now, I just don’t know what Jonesys role really could be as he no longer has speed, doesn’t have height, isn’t overly agile and isn’t overly dangerous around the goals. He’s not going to play in in the backline. He’s not going to play on ball in front of Oliver, Trac and Viney. I don’t think he is in before some fringed players either. I’ve never been an ANB fan as he struck me as a player who’s afraid of his own shadow but even he adds some pace and kicks more goals. AVB has more speed and aggression plus height as he likes to contest in the air. Milkshake is on thin ice but still gets his score assists each game and has played a couple negating games ok and Fritsch is fine. We need to keep getting games into Kozzie and I know Hunt can be up and down but let’s not forget he was one goal from leading our goal kicking award last year and today’s another reminder the ball can play - plus he has pace which we are desperate for!! As I said earlier, I really love Jonesy, always will and thankful he stuck around during the tough times but right now he’s one of my last picked for a gig in the 22.

There aren’t many true forward pockets in the comp who get more than a dozen touches a game. Those who do usually play decent time in the guts also. Even Tippa for the bombers has copped heat this year by people saying he doesn’t do enough and most touches he get are golden. Butler has gone missing at times along with Charlie Cameron. It’s a hard role to play if you want to have decent looking stats. Hes tracking along fine and you’d be silly to expect more from him in his first year. In my mind, we have plugged in a quality forward pocket for the next 12 years

This is nearly word for word what I was going to write. I don’t think people are understanding his role. He was great last week in stopping Haynes’ intercepts and his first half against Ridley has bee great as Ridley has been super this year and will probably win the bombers B and F. His kicking for goal usually look straight they just go towards 11 or 1 o’clock. He really needs to sort this as it would elevate him to another level. His game today and last week has been very good

For some reason mentioning Frawley here sparked some interest about his contract status. This may get shot down in flames but would we consider him back if the Hawks delist? Other than Burgoyne I’m guessing they’re going to be looking to get rid of a few older lads this offseason. He’s still playing decent football as a lockdown defender and frees May and especially Lever up to be more attacking. Plus provides insurance as of May goes down then god help us. Will be a lot more supported now with some good kicking around him. Dont hate me, just a thought and upgrade on Oscar - if only for 12 months

Sorry Pollyanna, just to be clear you’re saying you’d be mad to not take the players right? I’d always rather a known commodity (Saad/Viney) then a pick 18-30ish. Unfortunately due to severe boredom I’ve watched most bombers games this year. We’d be made not to chase Saad. Will be top 3 in there B and F, has speed, is a great kick and surprisingly is a very good defender. Unfortunately Nev is about done, the pace of the game has gone past him and Hibberd isn’t getting any younger. If he’s keen then it’s a 100% yes from me.

I understand what you’re saying but even with Michael Voss / Chris Judd leading the club we’d still have been ordinary over the Jones years. Jonesy’s dedication, match day preparation and recovery methods are second to none from all reports. He is a true professional which I believe would add serious value to some fringe players or players with potential in the new VFL. He’s never been a William Wallace like leader with the big speeches and never a superstar player like some mentioned above but I truly believe he squeezed every bit of talent out of his body and shows leadership just by the example he sets. I’d be 100% in favour of him playing on in the twos with a contract from Casey (not the dees) just so players can learn from him in regards to professionalism. I am however disappointed he wants to go on. I would have thought he’d know the writing is on the wall with his body breaking down and his lack of impact on games. I love the bloke but he’s only tarnishing his reputation by going on and it strikes me as someone seeking personal glory (reaching 300 and breaking Neita’s record) or financial gain more than having a positive impact at AFL level. I think it’s time for him to bow out with some grace so we can reminisce over the good games he played, not so much his last 2 years.

I agree fully with this list. On top of Hibberd and Viney, these are the only lads in my opinion who are AFL lever footballers at present. FB: Lever. May. Rivers HB: Hibberd. ??? ???? C. Langdon. Viney. ??? HF: ??? ??? ???? FF: Picket. Jackson. ??? R: Gawn. Oliver. Trac. I’m a Weid fan but he still needs to keep improving to continually get a game. There’s a hell of a lot of holes to be plugged imo. I’ve lost the emotional attachment to most players as I’ve gotten older so I’m all for trading a star if the right deal came along. We need to get real busy this year at trade week and look for some quality free agents. If we bring in a Preuss or Tomlinson like I’ll be filthy. Go hard for more quality please

A club with a history of being mentally weak is rubbish imo. If we had the same players, coaches and administrators over the last 56 years I’d believe it but we continually make changes to all in order to try improve. Unfortunately with us however it’s one step forwards one step backwards at present. I don’t believe players like Trac, Olly, Viney, May, Lever, Gawn are mentally weak at all. They all have there flaws which get exposed at times but good teams can cover a star player underperforming on week. I’m 36 and followed the dees closely my whole life and In my opinion, there is not once I’ve ever looked at a dees team and thought “Wow, this team looks amazing and will clearly be top 4 this year.” We’ve never had a super team like Brisbane, Hawthorn, Geelong or Essendon did in there little eras over the last 25 years and the only way we’d get a flag would be to fluke it like the doggies but we blew that chance in 2018. We do need to get our foundations sorted more than anything. An elite base where players would want to train and improve there development. Furthermore, somewhere free agents find attractive. Our talent (and coaching at times) has always been the issue for mine, not this mentallly weak rubbish.

I don’t think being in an out of the team would help anyone’s confidence and would clearly increase the fear of failure in players which wouldn’t help. Still, you need to look at it the other way also and see that he’s had plenty of chances in the team but still is nowhere good/consistent enough. His marking yesterday was awful and a couple odf intercept drops resulted directly in scoring chains. This is what frustrates me the most in his game. He’s tall but doesn’t play like a big. He offers little once the ball hits the deck, he offers nothing on the rebound, he offers little as an intercept player and minimal in the air other than the occasional spoil. I want him to play well as he seems a lovely chap who has copped so much very harsh criticism along the journey but the reason for this is that he’s not good enough and continues getting picked when everyone knows he’s not good enough. He doesn’t pick himself obviously and therefore doesn’t deserve what he cops but he definitely doesn’t help himself with poor errors continually. If he was still 18 years old I’d cut him some more slack but he’s now mid 20’s with 6 pre seasons under his belt and still plays as well as he did in 2014. Unfortunately for Oscar he really just isn’t good enough imo but good on him so far, he’s played more games than I ever got to. I still believe there are better options as potential rookies or running around in the state leagues that would add more than Oscar.

I’ve heard of a cold shiver up ones spine but a cold slither is even more haunting!! I completely understand it however (oddly) following our boys for years and years. I’m oddly confident against Swans and Freo but worry against GWS and big time against the bombers as who knows what those oxygen thieves will bring in the final round.

I hope more than anyone he gets to 300, I really do but gifting someone games if there undeserving is worse for culture than getting him there. Right now, hes only getting a dozen touches a game, not impacting the scoreboard and adds zero speed and not a lot of defensive pressure. With that little impact he needs every possession to be immaculate. They’re not. If he’s still playing decent footy he gets picked but if not, bad luck. It’s a ruthless business. Personally I’d rather Harmes in as on a wing I feel he has a higher ceiling and will impact the game more. I love Jonesy but I’d rather win with him out than loose with him in. Lenny Hayes wasn’t given another year. Judd, Voss, Buckley, Hird never got to 300. Few do. It means bugger all in regards to how he’s remembered by dees supporters and adds nothing extra to the respect earnt from external supporters as well. Id be disappointed if he wanted to go on and imagine he will announce his retirement intentions over the next couple weeks and he will get a send off festival as a demons great for sticking around during the dark days. Its a shame we won’t get to see him chaired off at the G in front of the adoring fans. He deserves this more than anything.

Interesting hearing Chris Scott on the footy show just then talking about continuity being more important than rotating players for freshness as you come into finals. Hes obviously got some experience here, just thought it was interesting to hear. Id like to hope we have our best 22 sorted very soon and hoping for minimal changes going forward.

Oscar is never going to be a gun but having him improves the impact usually from May and Lever. It also allows them to get a bit more aggressive on the rebound so I’d rather him in. I love Jonesy for the warrior he’s been for us but his lack of speed and turning the ball over is really hurting him. I think he might be nearly finished which is very sad to see. Maybe him out and allow Harmes to take his role on the wing or forward of the ball. Fritsch back in for Kozzie. I’m a fan of the kid but his brain is working too quick for his body. I’d rather give him some games in the twos and kick a few bags. If not Kozzy then Hannan out. Not his best night but someone needs to make way for Fritsch

6. May. The best individual defenders game I’ve seen. He just bullied King and his rebounding was amazing. 5. Trac. One of the most exciting “second best on” games you’ll ever see. Took his chances and was amazing. 4. Langdon. This guys just a wonderful winger. His ball use gets better each week but what most impressed me was his defensive efforts and chasing. Stoked he’s on our list. 3. Oliver. Just an Oliver game really. Saw some people whinging about him not being overly involved early but we played a different style. Still worked his way into it and was solid. 2. Lever. Couple of intercept grabs early and his spoiling was wonderful. He also had a couple of really important defensive moments. His rebounding work was great as well. 1. Gawn. Took on a great pairing and flew the flag. Didn’t get the same marks around the ground but I forgot how well he moves and wins his own ball. Similar to Oliver, just a standard solid Gawn game.

Was the best defensive game I can remember - easily the best I’ve ever seen from a dees player. Also - had the chance to line up the Saints player (can’t remember who) in the guts and send him to next century. Laid the bump to make him earn it but nothing to cop weeks from the tribunal. Hopefully he realises how important he is and we need him every match possible

May - superstar! Viney went to Steele for the second half of that quarter. Hard tag. Good move

Boy oh boy, what a shake up. Not a lot here that I personally agree with but hey, prove me wrong Goody!! Love Jonesy but he’s not exactly killing it and coming back one week off a soft tissue injury at his age is ridiculous. If he was still in our top 3 players I’d roll the dice but right now he’s not worth the risk. I can handle Oscar coming in as we’ll need a tall defender when Ryder/Marshall rest forward. Watch these two try bully Max as well. They’re both in good form and very physical. I would have kept TMc in to give Max a chop out as he’ll need it. Not sure if Brown can help much here. If Weid has to ruck I’ll be filthy. Leave the kid up forward. Feel for Harmes. He’s lost in defence. Let him take Jones’s role up forward and rotate with Petracca. Shocked at Lockhart. Thought he was tracking along well and he would have been one of my first pick with Butler, Billing’s and Kent roaming. Not sure who’s left with pace for us as a small defender. Well done to Wags getting another game, has obviously earnt it and deserves it. No idea why he’s been picked as he won’t help us with pace or skills but anyways - here’s hoping he goes well. If someone was to tell me at the start of the year that at the pointy end we’re in a do or die match with Wags, OMc, Brown, Spargo and Rivers (although I now love this kid) all in I’d assume we would be smashed by injuries - not playing these lads on form over some others

I understand this feeling so well. I feel ill wanting Geelong to win, makes it hard to watch. On another note, Lachie Hunter is a great player. Him back nearly single handedly has changed the doggies speed of ball movement. They’re definitely looking like a finals team at present.

I have to admit, I don’t hate the Saints. I rather admire them this year how they’ve gone about it keeping up some very impressive intensity in there games. I agree that they deserve to play finals and as I can’t see us beating them this week. Our key weapon (Max) is returning from injury and wil be smashed from pillar to post by Marshall and Ryder who are both in good form. Either of those ruckman will then rest forward stretching our defence which I don’t think will be handle King, Membrey, Butler and Billing’s. The only way we’ll win is if our midfield really dominates but not sure if that’s likely. We should beat Sydney and Fremantle easily and I think we can take GWS. My big fear is then the bombers last round. Not just because I despise them more than any other team, not because most of my mates are bombers supporters who’d love to destroy our finals chances again but because I think people forget they can play. I enjoyed nothing more than seeing some crap the bed for the last month but it is hard to win matches with 50% of your salary cap out. They’ll be a completely different team with Joey back in and I really wish we got the chance to play them earlier when they were filth like, well, how ‘the filth’ were filth when we played them.

I’m excited to see someone get there first AA jumper and would be chuffed if May gets one as we’d be in a hell of a lot worse position if he wasn’t around. I can’t remember the year but we had Jamar, Frawley and Green in the squad at the same time with the first two getting AA guernseys. I’m thinking we would have been at best a “middle of the road team” but most likely a bottom 3 or 4 team.

I’m revisiting this thread after every game nearly now which is pretty sad.... The comforting fact against Carlton and the Doggies is our excellent percentage as you stated. Basically gives us an extra win over those two. Not concerned with either.

If we could afford either than I’d be all for it. Both very good players who would easily fit into our 22. Williams would be a great replacement for Hibberd being 5 years younger. Plus, he’d only cost $$ and not high end picks. I actually think he’s quite under rated on this forum. He played very well in the midfield and I my opinion was GWS’ best mid in the last half of the 2019 season and there finals series last year. I’m still filthy we let Papley go after his work with Casey previously. Was right there and we missed it. Anyways, he’d cost a lot at the trade table and I doubt combos of our B graders would get the job done. For me, I think we’d have to pass on Tom for now.

I wonder how Preuss is taking this. Basically came to the club knowing he’d be the number two man and is now number 3 at best. I’m genuinely shocked at Spargo. I hope he goes well and proves me wrong but he’s shown bugger all over the last season and a half. I really don’t know what he brings. Where the bloody hell is Hunt? At least he has pace and can take a grab.

I follow the live ladder here quite frequently as it’s a pretty good with the end of season predictions. https://www.liveladders.com/AFL/ Has us finishing 9th with no changes to the current 8. I can’t see the top 4 losing enough to drop out but I’m thinking the saints will still finish 5-8. I’m fairly confident that the Eagles will be there again. GWS will make finals with there talent as well. I can see the filth dropping back mainly due there key injuries. I had them as top 4 at the start of the year and possibly Geelong with some tough games. Obviosuly vs the Roos is a must win but we have a couple 8 point games coming up against the filth and GWS. I think we should be looking at pinching the Cats or Pies spot this year and will definitely be cheering against them more than usual.

Nice post JJ. One other thing caught my eye was the players you mentioned having excellent years. Other than the ones in bold above, across the whole ground I’d say only May also is having an excellent year. I’m not really adding much to this thread other than to say I’m worried that only 5 players in our squad are probably guaranteed a game at the moment. The others would all have/have had issues with job security week to week. AB is just one of a large list who has been far below the output we know he can produce and like many others on the list we need to keep backing them in.