Deeko2

I think playing some footy in the twos right now would be a massive help for some key position players. They have some space to operate in and plenty more opportunities one on one with the 14 a side (or whatever they’re playing). For people like Weed and OMac I really think this would work wonders for specific skills. The Suns were always my second team since starting and I’ve always rated Mays kicking as excellent. Been a bit hit and miss so far but I’m still backing him in. If OMac keeps improving YOY in time he might take this role (kicking in) as well. I still see him as young (in key position years) and a confidence player. I’d hate to see him drop his head with a shank kick as I worry he takes things more to heart than someone like a May. Right now he’s a neat kick and that will do me. Talia/Astbury/Tarrant/Frawley/Barrass are the players I hope he models his game on. If he gets on the end of a few rebounds or attacking chains that’s great but I’m not concerned if he doesn’t. I had confidence in everything he was doing yesterday. Looked like a seasoned pro. Well done to the young lad

I know you’ve been a supporter of OMacs for a while now binman. You must have been grinning like a Cheshire Cat after his game. Couldnt be more pleased for the kid. Looked like he belonged today. I thought he played his role perfectly. Doesn’t need big possessions or bulk intercept marks, just needs to defend hard and well. Very happy for him.

Would love this but doubt they’d go for it.

Coupla points from tonight: Great to see Hibberd back to his best lately. Not as big on rebounding tonight but destroyed Sexton. OMac played his role beautifully. Even a cheeky run through a pack and spot up kick that I enjoyed. Always thought he had played to soon looking like a baby giraffe. He seems stronger and more confident now. Love AVBs intensity but far out he’s still a liability with the pill. I’m all for him playing still but he needs to get better. Weid still gets pushed off in the contest a little bit but I loved how he hit a few contests and finished two shots off. Just keep playing him. Felt oddly calm during the match feeling we were always going to win but got frustrated by some bull crap goals they kept pulling off. That Rankine kid is going to give defenders nightmares over his career. Enjoyed his spunk. They have some serious talent on the Coast. If they keep them all they could be up for a strong run from 2022ish.

6. Maxy. Ruck work back to his best and took some great contested marks around the ground giving us an out. 5. Petracca. Kicking was poor at times and a couple turn overs but lots of clearances, couple strong marks and two goals 4. Viney. Same as Trac in that he can frustrate at times with his disposal but he was inspired today with his strong work around the ball 3. Hibberd. I massively rate Sexton and Hibberd gave him a bath and Sexton wasn’t even noticed. Had to go on Rankine late as well. Plus, I got a little emotional when he pointed to the sky after kicking that goal. 2. May. Just a great defender who’s physicality worries people. Some great kicking as well. 1. Oliver. Just standard Clarry, lots of clearances and good work isn’t tight. Coupla great kicks as well.

Interesting that Milkshake and Brayshaw were around the ball that quarter, obviously trying to get them more involved. At quarter time I was calling for Brayshaws head but the first two clearances and an intercept mark that quarter puts him in the good books. He’s still a jekkly and hide for me. Ive always been a AVB fan but not sure what he’s bringing right now. Couple uncontested turnovers aren’t helping him. Hoping for a big second half

He’s hardly setting the world on fire tonight but he’s had a couple intercept marks. Should have got one more but May and him both clashed - at least they both wanted it. Very happy with Oscar tonight, looks quicker and stronger in the air. Him in definitely helps May/Lever.

What a load of crap! Im one of the first to payout on poor defence but he forced a player with more toe than himself outside towards the boundary. He did nothing wrong defensive wise. It’s a long shot to nail that kick and if Weller missed that shot he would of looked like a selfish galah instead he nailed it. Turns out it was a good goal. Your ongoing criticism of Lever is genuinely unhealthy.

Great to finally get the report through. Excited to hear Weid clunked a few and played well, that's great. Has to come in for mine and just leave him at FF for the year so we know whether to persevere or not. I worry that Carey/Lockett/Dunstall would be challenged kicking goals in our forward line at present with the delivery but we really need to just give this kid half a dozen matches and see if he's worth it. Bennell - 35 touches.... get him in and leave him in. I'd rather a lesser amount of possessions with higher impact than some of the filth we have been dishing up.

As much as Smith can frustrate, I'm fine with continuing to play him at present. We've back ourselves in the May/Lever/Smith combo and there is enough talent there for it to perform. Might just take time and cause us all a few more grey hairs. Weid has to come in primarily to assist with our structure. Right now we have Tomlinson rotating from the wing to the ruck.... this is unheard of. Furthermore, we have all seen enough of T-Mac now to realise he can't play as a KPF solo - although Carey himself would battle with some of our ball movement. Weid in, start T-Mac higher to get into the match more. I'm not sure who goes out but I wouldn't mind seeing Milkshake higher up towards a wing/on ball to get him firing again and Hunt as well. These two are suffocated at present. Every time I see Milkshake and Hunt right now I feel like they are the slow fat kids in primary school who were always "it" in a game of tiggy against the opposition.... t

Mate - I’m confused. Not sure if you’re trolling or just very erratic with your posting. You said the coaches weren’t happy with his playing, I disputed this saying he’s won two best and fairests and runners up in another. Then you queried the number like I was wrong and you’ve changed the topic. You’re a confusing poster - passionate yes however a bit all over the shop

6. Hibberd. He’s back! Defending really well, strong contest work and lowering his eyes more going forward. Great two weeks now 5. Trac. Unlucky not to get BOG but had to go forward to give us a target for a while and unfortunately no one could get it to him. Should have played mid all game and could have had 35 touches. 4. May. Love his body work and aggression in the contest. Thought he did a good job giving away significant inches to Lynch. 3. Gawn. Just another Gawn game. Still was great but dropped a couple marks I’d expect him to take and shanked am attempt to punch through for a point that nearly cost a goal. Unfortunately Max sets a high standard for himself. 2. Hannan. Only had minimal opportunities and took advantage of them. 1. Hard to pick one.... I dunno - Salem probably. Was better than last game and was not bad.

I just had a google look and saw he was 3 x CHB in the AFLs 22 under the age of 22. He was obviously never going to be a glove like Talia there but he clearly had talent - even if it was guarding grass. I wouldn’t be dropping him but I’m very worried about how backward his footy is going.

He wasn’t winning from what I recall however he was running in the strongest running groups. Its interesting that they got so many miles into his legs. Obviously we need guys fitter but I thought his training would involve more strength and power for contest work and defending one on one. Ill go on the record and say I was all for recruiting him. He was in the best U/21 team (or whatever that is) a couple times and playing good footy for the Crows. The fact that this “key position” defender wanted to come to our club was amazing in my mind. Couldn’t give a stuff about the price. Right now he’s a long way off the “key position” player I thought he’d be and is struggling to be in our starting squad. Id be interested to know what his relationship is like with the playing group. Obviously he came across on big coin and I wonder if that would bother other players - especially when he’s battling at present

Ah..... what?? He’s won 2 as I said. What are you on about? Hes not playing at his best but he cops more attention than any player on our team. Of course he needs to improve but deadset, he’s one of the last of our issues. As I said previously there are plenty more concerns about guys going backwards rather than Olly.

rubbish comment. He’s won two best and fairests and was second in the other. They’re clearly not concerned about the way he plays

I agree with the point Picket is making here. Clayton is battling due to the others around him being poor. Who gives a stuff about kick to handball ratio. The kids wins more 50/50 ball than nearly anyone in the comp (gave Cripps a deadset bath) giving it to the guys on the outside. There are plenty more in the team and need the [censored] over Clayton

Ridiculous negativity around this kid. Not playing at this best but is still worthy of a spot in front of at least 18 others at the moment. I see him in the backline all the time mopping up so he clearly runs both ways. He’s not a tagger and is tasked with winning the ball in which he’s still one of the best in the comp at it. As a 20 year old he was a star and All Australian and since then he gets a hell of a lot more attention from the opposition then anyone else in the team. I do have concerns over his skills not improving as they should have. This should be on him and the coaches. My biggest worry is what the other guys in Brayshaw and Viney are doing. These are the two who have worryingly dropped off further imo

Talent wise, there’s no reason we can’t be competing for potentially a top 4 position. I think even outside supporters can see that. We’re still very young and so few games played together which was evident in the shambles of Lever/May/Smith flying continually at the same pull in round 2. Also - adding Tomlinson, Langdon and Bennell to midfield rotations will take time to gel also. We’ve definitely over rated our key forwards. I’m hoping for a top 8 finish this year with continued improvement over the next three. It’s just going to take time unfortunately which will be even harder without a gun power forward.

As much as I rate Lynchy, how many flankers do we need? Vanders, Bennell, Milkshake, Trac, Hunt, Brown, Hannah, Fritta..... he’s an upgrade yes, we can’t fit them all in. Its a sad state of affairs that we’ve traded a lot for two key defenders that look very poor so far. I’d almost rather we go for Talia to free up one of Lever/May

All in all, pretty good with all players around the best 25 available for next week. I’m interested in how KK is going and wonder what he is up to at present and how one rehabs from concussion issues. I was a big big fan of his after his second year, thought he was the second coming of Corey Enright. Such a shame if we never see him reach his potential. Has he even been training with the rest of the boys?

Even though it was incredibly ugly, I struggle to justify changes after a win in the first game in months. I would never have picked Jackson to play and feel the Weid has been very hard done by getting through his strongest preseason and then missed out to a kid straight out of high school. Jackson showed a bit but had a couple small fumbles as expected. I would now feel equally disappointed if he was now dropped after 1 game. Jackson’s selection leaves us stuck between a rock and a hard place as I don’t ever agree with picking a player one week and dropping them the next. Jackson deserves at least one more match but I think we missed a trick in not giving the Weid first crack on a quick track under a closed roof. Could have been a great chance for him. Also - not a selection change but a training and mindset change. I have nothing against Lever/May/Smith working together in the backline but they played like selfish showboats with no cohesion at all. OMac isn’t popular and I’m not a fan of selecting him most teams now play that boring defender to allow the intercept defenders to fly. Think Astbury, Roughead, Barrass, Howard etc. Them taking the best forward allows your others to rack up the intercepts and get some showtime. The three boys we had on the weekend were embarrassing in there teamwork. Maybe even insecure and/or trying to hard to perform being early in the year but it was really poor. Still, if they’re the three preferred then back yourself and give them another go. So right now, only ANB out for Picket. Nibbler did his thing but was always going to be in for the one game. However Smith, Jones and TMac would want to show some serious improvement as I’d be looking at any excuse to get AVB and Lockhart back in whilst giving the Weid a few matches on the trot to decide if he’s worth keeping going forward.

These hindsight drafts really give me the craps. We really were given some exceptional opportunities only to shank it on many occasions. Still, I do believe nearly every pick at one stage or another showed they could potentially belong at AFL level however agree with most at our ordinary development. The biggest hindsight issue I picked up is how Gold Coast picked up bulk draft picks and surrounded them by a few mercenaries where as GWS picked up even more draft picks but surrounded them by elder statesman with more elite training habits. I'd love to know how some of the players we picked up during the dark years would have turned out if they started there careers with a West Coast, Sydney or Hawthorn. There is some talent that we picked up from 2006, they can't have all been duds: FB: Morton (4) Frawley (12) Bennell (35) HB: Strauss (19) Cook (12) Grimes (14) M: Blease (17) Gysberts (11) Scully (1) HF: Petterd (30) Hogan (mini) Howe (33) FF: Maric (21) Watts (1) Tapscott (18) R: Gawn (34) Trengove (2) Toumpas (4)

I agree that you can't fluke a 50 goal year. Tom was great in 2018 however I don't think he will be able to ever repeat that as a number 1 forward. From what I recall he was receiving the second best defender all season until Jesse broke down. Opposition teams would be dropping back there extra/intercept defender focusing on slowing down Jesse allowing Tom a lot more one on ones and space. Being the number one man in 2019 a lot more focus would have been put into Tom from the opposition. He was continually blocked away and double teamed and struggled - his injuries didn't help this... The way we moved the pill was as if we expected Tom to play like Hogan and just crash packs again and again where they are two very different players. It was a massive worry watching the exact same rubbish dished up Round 1 this year and the ball continually rebounded out twice as quick as it went it. It still looked like a focus just to get the ball in deep to the hot spot rather than hitting up players. If our forward line is going to consist of McDonald, Kozzie, Milkshake, Fritta, Brown, Bennell whilst rotating through Trac/Oliver/Brayshaw then surely we have to adopt the Hawthorn model to not waste kicks and spot up leads. Harley, Fritta, Brown & McDonald are great set shot kicks which I'd back having a shot from 40 out on a 45 degree angle rather than just bombing it long to outnumbered contests. The concept of 'gaining territory' when we don't have a crash/bash forward is pointless in my opinion

I never thought he had a big head, I felt with Cam it was the opposite in feeling he lacked confidence. The “rocket” comment was based on an old article I read. Link is below https://www.afl.com.au/news/120522/-they-said-they-weren-t-fussed-if-i-was-here-or-not- In my opinion, that’s a rocket.