Deeko2

Jack has completed some great tagging roles over his career and although I don't want him to become a full time tagger, I'm very happy for him to be our defensive side midfielder and allow Trac/Olly etc to attack. I thought Jack was ok on Thursday against Wines. The last 4 weeks Wines has been unbelievable for Port and I'm pretty sure he has been rated best on nearly every week. Yes he get some touches on Jack but he was hardly damaging which was a major reason why we got the chocolates after smashing them in the middle. He played an incredibly difficult and selfless role well. He doesn't look fully fit at the moment after a long break. Very happy for him to keep getting minutes and build his fitness in preparation for some September action. If playing a tagging role in the meantime keeps building his fitness base then I'm all for it. To the OP stating to rest Jack and play Toby - I love your passion for a young kid in Toby and suspect some form of personal / family connection as it's a bit of a shocker IMO. I hope Toby becomes a superstar but until he dominates the twos midfield over a period of 6 or so weeks then he can keeping chipping away for Casey. There is a major step up from VFL to AFL (even more at present with COVID) and he needs a big period of absolutely dominating here before he gets some game time with the big boys. Let's hope he gets there!

Well, lets hope his second and third are on par with Stevey's as well! Could be a thing of beauty. I was thrilled when we picked him up - especially so cheap but have to admit, it was rare that I watched him play. From the games I watched him play this year so far he has been pretty underwhelming imo - especially when the pill is on the ground. Reminds me of a baby giraffe. If he's back to full fitness however he needs a solid 4 weeks in the ones to see if he is the 'missing piece' as Picket says. I'm all for giving him some time to prove his worth and believe it's time to bring him in. No player should need a rest after the bye so unfortunately, I'd be tapping Sparrow on the shoulder for now as others have agreed with.

We have to shut him down I agree. It would help if his direct opponent around the ground (Brayshaw) completed some form of defensive gut running. I saw Merrett compete and win a ball on the wing and run forward whilst Brayshaw hung back. Merrett hit a team mate on the forward flank on the chest, fan past for the handball receive and nearly lace a player at full forward all whilst Gus was 70m away.

Just re-visiting last years trade with the Lions which so far has been a win - in points value at least. We gave up: 2021 first pick (currently 18 @ 985 points) Pick 25 @ 756 points Pick 68 @ 59 points Pick 69 @ 49 points Total = 1849 We received: Pick 18 @ 985 points Pick 19 @ 948 points 2021 Lions second pick (currently 33 @ 563 points Total = 2,496. The difference of 650+/- rates to around pick 29. If NGA & Father Sons pop up our 2021 first pick that the Lions own may drop a few spots which makes the trade even more favourable. Obviously if we drop a few games the difference will drop and the trade doesnt look as good. So as positive as this has been, it leaves us with bugger all trade currency with our first two picks currently sitting at 33 and 39. If we're keen to play in trade week, I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see someone like a Weid offered up

I really rated this kid early in his career but he's gone backwards tremendously. He's horribly inconsistent. The only role I could see him playing for us would be a high half forward or wing which involves a lot of selfless running which I'm not sure he's the guy for. Maybe a change of scenery & some better players/mentors would help. You're right with the trade value. I wouldn't offer anything higher than a late third.

I get your point SWYL however he's not playing as the deep forward to really do this. He jagged 7 two weeks back then played high last week and a mixture of high and deep last night. He took two grabs in close within range and gave them off and still kicked 4.4 under the roof which was a good result. The challenge will remain for him playing in the gale forced winds at some of the VFL grounds, primarily at home. Not sure if he will be a deep key forward back in the ones (if/when he gets back) as surely that will go to BBB. I think a lot of people forget that he as a scrawny, weak 18 year kid with bung ankles (I think) when we picked him against Hogan who was a man child finishing a year in the VFL. Comparing the two is irrelevant. He showed a lot during the middle of last year but struggled again towards the end when our matches become scrums rather than the open footy that's going on this season. I don't think he'll ever be a star but believe he is an above average forward and believe he will be a very good role player - similar to TMac with a similar ceiling. Fortunately for us (and unfortunately for Sam) 2018 TMac has returned. I'm not sure of the answer if we remain injury free but I do worry about losing a key forward who has another 8 years left at the top level who would get a game for 17 other teams right now if he remains in the twos. Especially when in my thoughts, he had more of an impact on the first two VFL games of BBB.

Sammy is the kid I was most looking forward to seeing play this season to see how much he has developed. I've seen both VFL games that Sammy has played this year and he is clearly far too good for this level. He played some really good footy last year and now about to hit his mid 20's, I was expecting big things this season. T-Mac and LJ are doing a really good job and I'm happy to see BBB jag a game this weekend but I wonder if he wasn't a new recruit, would he be getting a game above Weideman as from what I have seen in the two games, Weid has been better. I get that he is competing with T-Mac for his gig but my concern is (and its a great concern) is what if T-Mac, BBB and LJ keep going all season - or we continue rotating two of the three. Where does this leave the Weid??

I'd be surprised with any forced changes after that effort. I want Weid and BBB in more than anyone but I just cant them getting game time with T-Mc and Jacko playing the way they are. It's crazy that they're fit and firing and playing twos. We won't be dropping Melksham or Spargo. They're never going to win a lot of possessions and there pressure looked ok.

6. Petracca. Bullied there mids and his clearance work was incredible. Gave him the votes over Salem only because he wins more of his own pill and was just a bully tonight. It was great. 5. Salem. A wonderful game and moved beautifully. 4. McDonald. Kicked back to back clutch goals that I think put the final nail in the Tigs coffin. Was super cool and continues a great year. Still have no idea what the hell we do with the two lads in the twos.... what a problem to have!! 3. Oliver. Just another great Oliver game. 2. Gawn. Just another great Gawn game. 1. Jackson. This kid is developing beautifully right in front of our eyes. What a talent!

I'll put my hand up and say I have been wrong about Jacko - well not necessarily wrong, I was just never as big on him as others and had my heart always set on Noah Anderson. On here during his first year, I thought a few got a bit "fanboyish" every time he got near it and I still had my doubts after being burnt before with high draft picks. Those doubts have definitely been put to bed now after that performance tonight and his season to date. He's basically doubling his output from last year and showing some great signs moving around the oval. He's a very exciting player and really could be anything!

I didn't realise how much I missed footy! Stoked its back. Couldn't give a stuff about the result, just happy to watching the real stuff again. I've forgotten how good Cripps is. He's just been a bull tonight busting through tackles and using it beautifully. He's everything I want Oliver to be. As for Dusty, imagine the luxury of leaving him forward where he's your most dangerous player and then roll him through the guts when you need some clearances. I still think he's the best player in the comp. He's everything I want Trac to be.

I remember thinking he would be our next AA and our next premiership backline was going to be: FB: Strauss. Frawley. Jetta HB: Grimes. McDonald. Garland How times change. Anyways, as I mentioned above, I remember it a bit differently and his work down back was going along ok and he was developing fine - he had a lot of practice back there. He did have some turnovers but his days as a defender really only ceased permanently due to injuries and the Weid taking a while to develop imo.

It’s funny how different people recall things. Not saying I’m right or you’re right, I just remember it differently. His mobility was fine as lots of times he streamed out of half back with no issues - other than his occasional shank in kicking. He was Nick Riewoldts hardest opponent (Nick told me directly this) so it’s hard to believe that at this stage he had mobility issues and lacked footy smarts. With this in mind, I’m thinking that perhaps he will get back to playing solid footy as a backman with some higher quality players around him like he did with AA Frawley next to him. As for 2018 forward Tom, I disagree again. I think I mentioned this earlier in the thread that not once did he receive the best defender or the interceptor forcing him into a 2 on 1 unless Hogan was out injured. It was the common theme that was happening all year. He was still great in 2018 but the fact he’s done sweet bugger all since up forward with more focus on him pretty much confirms that he’s just a good number 2. Anyways, with this all said and done, I’d rather Weid, Jackson, May and Lever as our spine for 2021 and hope is wage spent somewhere else.

My god.... Why didn’t our recruiters think of this earlier?? He’s an amazing player. I want to hate him as he’s a star playing for a team that I’m so over but you can’t falter the way he goes about it. That contest where he took out three pies players in the air setting up a goal was absolutely inspirational. One would say, “Hogan like”

I don’t believe these posts are correct from what I recall. His form down back was fine, he had no issues playing his role there and we didn’t hide him forward due to poor form at all. He had to go forward as the Weed was playing like a 10 year old boy and was in the twos for most of the year. Hoges was battling cancer and Gawn was crippled also. There was no one else other than Pedo where they tucked and rested up forward. Him going forward had nothing to do with him playing poorly down back. I’m not a TMac lover and have continually said his 50 goals will never be repeated until he’s back to a number 2 forward. With Jackson/Weid there now I have no issue with him going back. A couple times over the last two years he gave a chop out down back and didn’t look good. A concern would be impacting the cohesion there as May/Hibberd provide better rebound whilst May/Lever have better hands. Still, Tommy’s are pretty safe and it might take a while to settle but I would be fine with him going back down back. The positive could be that Max could rest forward instead of a kick behind the ball with another big back there.

This is glorious. Essendon are my most hated team just to let people know so I couldn’t be happier about this. It seems there are some loose lips around the Bombers where people have vented about him not being particularly flexible in his role and he may have cracked the sads about it being made public and rightly so. Why you wouldn’t shut your mouth till the deal is done is beyond me. If anything, I’d be leaking how incredibly talented, hard working, positive for culture, etc he is to maximise the compensation. The club has so much arrogance in regards to list management and had so much swagger around last year in making Daniher and Faz stay. Couldn’t be happier it’s come back to bite them on the toosh and hope they lose Saad for sweet bugger all

I’m definitely no advocating for it SONS, more just giving comfort there are some other people around whom could play his role at a slightly higher level and remain year to year prospects.

Frosty played some good footy for the Hawks this year and well done to him on his accolades there. He still has quite a few “Frosty” moments in fumbling uncontested marks and double grabbing the ball that made a lot of my Hawks mates nervous as hell which I admit to enjoying. I really hope he goes well but I don’t miss him at the dees one bit and would much rather Lever/May under the high ball or with the ball in there hands than Frost when the game is on the line. Also don’t forget, he does have 3 years of extra development on Lever being a little older. Im comfortable in our recruiting in the backline allowing us to let him go. The chase down tackle of Petrucelle basically sums up his career for mine. Brilliant chase, burys him, gets up as quick as lightning only to kick it on the full. He’s an excitement machine being both so good and then so bad all within seconds. Following the dees is enough stress on my life without him making things worse!!

Unfortunately Oscar has been around long enough and still hasn’t improved enough to be a mainstay at the top level. He still plays like an 18 year old boy which would be forgivable if he was but he’s been around the club 6 years now and hasn’t overly improved in this time. He played a really good game earlier in the year with a couple intercepts and some rebounding which I was thrilled to see only for him to revert back into his shell. I don’t know Oscar at all but he strikes me as just a nice, shy kid who needs a bit more dog and swagger to him to be a top line player - which I doubt will never happen. Has never deserved the heat he has copped online and it disgusted me some of the crap thrown his way which I believe the club is at fault for as well. He should have been playing twos for his first 3 years till he was dominating that level and built the confidence to play top line footy. Instead he was in and out like a yo-yo playing like a kid scared of making a mistake. In saying that though, a change of scenery will be best for him. Plenty of talent in the state leagues in which we’ve seen players like Mihocek and Sam Collins really show there worth. Id rather take a punt on one of these types or bring back Frawley as protection for Lever/May in case of injury.

Really good post AF in regards to the Port Adelaide comparisons. The other thing I’ve noticed about Port is is the amount of inside mids they play. I read on here frequently about Trac, Olly, Viney and Brayshaw being one too many yet they won over the weekend with Wines, Boak, Powell-Pepper and Rockliff in the guts. They also rotated Robbie Gray through there who won some vital clearances as did Darcy B-J. I really like how the Power have gone about it over the last couple years and right now my monies on them for the flag.

I was saying the same. So exciting every time he’s near it. Can only hope that Kozzie is as good or exceeds him in a couple of years

There’s not exactly a massive sample size for either argument. The response could be how he needed Jesse as Tom only had one game where he kicked 4 or more goals without Hogan in 2018 with Jesse continually receiving the best backman. I’ve always thought Tom has had a solid career and worked incredibly hard to get the most out of every ounce of talent he has. With this in mind though, I can’t see he’ll ever have a year like 2018 again (the 6/6/6 rule prevents us playing that way) so I wouldn’t mind if he left. I strongly believe we need a number 1 key forward and would happily offload Tommy for a Cameron or Brown who would both be upgrades imo.

People will be underwhelmed if they’re solely looking at Jacks stats as he doesn’t have the free rein that Olly and Trac get. He played a lot of defensive roles this year and played them very well which again is confirmed by his placing in the B and F. His third placing also debunks a lot of myths that he’s not coachable. I don’t get where people get this from other than making some crap up. Ill admit, there were a few times this year the remote nearly went through the TV when he was pinned HTB but I have faith that this was due to him trying to lace someone instead of 2019 footy in bombing it in to no one. He’s not on the same level as Olly and Trac but he’s a bloody good foot soldier who Id much rather have in the red and blue. I don’t mind players testing the market to estimate there worth. It would be ridiculous if you didn’t as we all know how quickly a career can end. He’s got a young family to take care of. Pay him what’s fair as there’s a reason why other teams are after him.

Agree fully. Theres a bit too much hype around Jackson (I’m onboard by the way) but it’s laughable to think he’ll be impacting finals games anytime soon. We need another quality big man now as in finals footy you need escape kicks into the forward line and two quality key forwards up there. Look what the Tigs did after the 2018 prelim loss, they went out and got Lynch. Fast forward 12 months to the finals and the same prelim Riewoldt stank it up but they were saved by Lynch being amazing. Then in the GF Lynch was held well allowing Riewoldt off the leash. Just watching the Dogs vs Saints finals and the only time the dogs looked dangerous was the last quarter when Naughton finally clunked a couple. They were smashed in the air. Weid will just continue to develop and chip away. Jackson will come into his own in three years time but for now, I’d like to see him play as the third tall as he has the pace and agility to pressure and chase well. Jackson is an exciting talent and allows us to play another key forward. For me, that allows us to go and get big Benny.

To do a runner there is clearly something behind the scenes that would be alcohol or drug related. Why else would one do it? Oh Jack. I don’t think there has ever been a MFC player that I wanted to really achieve higher standards more than Jack. I’ve always stuck up for him but he really does continue to crap the bed and tarnish his “good lad” reputation.