Gawndy the Great

This is just the tip of the iceberg I think. We are going to see a lot more in this space and it’s long overdue. Over the coming years we will start to learn more about the strong links between concussion and neuro degenerative brain diseases and how the changes in legal landscape that follow. The AFL will have to adapt or risk having participation in the game nosediving as it has already started to at grass roots.

Fact or I’ll timed humorous conjecture? 😀

I think this is a good move to keep him as he will allow Kozzy to rotate through the midfield. Kade has shown some form and i think with time, his output and confidence will get better.

Perhaps... but the language coming out from Goodie and co doesn't give much either way. They'd be the ones id be paying closer attention to.

There is nothing in that interview to give us any hope. Sounds like they have done what they can and it’s now up to Kozzy.

Wrong side of 30 coming off a calf strain - I’d say this is planned recovery

If Lever doesn’t play we need to setup an intercepting defender. I recall seeing in most of our games that scores from half back intercepts / turnovers make up a large portion of total score. And having all 3 talls having to defend with no Hibberd meant we couldn’t launch. Having Gawn there to drop back and defend D50 will go a long way to plug that until Lever returns.

Surely youll just manage his minutes and sub him off at 3QT if the 5 day break is a concern.

McVee had some ordinary disposal but the kid has got a rare timelessness about him. He needs more AFL games to develop. Bowey is struggling to impact games and get involved.

I don’t understand the hate either. There are plenty of other players who get away with not doing much to naked eye as well. What I noticed on Saturday was that when he wants to, he can definitely have a 2-3 goal game. Perhaps the fire doesn’t burn as it once did.

Yes he is all shirk and no shiner (just made that up) But he can do it on average 35-40 times where no one is pressuring him. He does a lot of damage with the pill too. close to 900m gained on the weekend. You can go at him all you like, but the kid is getting it done. As for Kane - he is a one-eyed supporter, same as Bucks, Dwayno, Gerard and many other nufties in the press. He just goes more than usual. Dont mind him to be honest. As for JHF, im not for the booing, but if he didnt see this coming, then sheesh. The AFL need to tighten this up. If you are dropping top 10 picks on a player then you have to get some security on your investment. Its a professional sport and if you are not prepared to leave your home state, then dont put your hand up to play football and go work at the local library.

Ruthless is a strong word to describe teams. We were ruthless in 2021 partly by way of our system and team buy-in to the plan and desire to lift the cup. But mostly, the effort was also unquestionable, it was there every game, 100%. I think everyone put * on the Lions game due to Gawn and prevailing conditions. After what we dished up against Essendon, im thinking this is now the emergence of a new trend and i think its not all just about effort / attitude but more or less executing the new game plan. We are not yet comfortable playing the kamikaze , outside , uncontested, through the corridor game plan. its bit like trying to work in a change of golf-swing, the rehearsals look and feel great but when you feel the heat, you fall back on what you know and is in your comfort zone. My hope is that (similar to the Cats last year) it will take some time to click and we will have ups and downs but ultimately hit our straps when it matters most. Getting back close to our best 22 is always a bonus too.

Let’s hope so. We need to bank a 5+ win streak something chronic.

Gawns presence probably saves 3-4 goals from these two. Lever probably kills another 3-4 goals and there we have a scrappy win. Don’t forget that they were short a 2m Peter, that changes our defensive setup. Also Grundy needs more time to rebuild his tank. I’d expect him to hit his prime post bye but even then it’ll take this season and another to get back to his full capability. Our best footy wins that game by 10 goals. Pies were off today as well and managed to scrape together a win without similar key payers against a severely undermanned by desperate St Kilda outfit.

You couldn’t have missed the point anymore than you just have.

Simple, we don’t complain in the presser like Scotty the sook

Make the local teams play in the other venues.

The umpires had nothing to do with our loss today, yes they missed a few obvious ones but I’m sure the Bombers would have said the same. We were outplayed and out worked all day. Credit to their coach for exploiting a vulnerability of ours in the ruck but even that alone was not the factor.

Collingwoods pressure is fantastic. Hope the boys are watching.

They epitomise what work rate and effort can do. Talent doesnt make as much difference as it used to. If they keep winning and get back their stars they’ll go deep. We forget that they used to be a reasonable team before they fell off the face of the earth with no apparent reason.

There is an article on HS supposedly talking about Gawn return date. As it’s behind paywall cannot see it - has anyone else read the article and care to summarise ?

Was thinking exactly the same thing. He won’t have the luxury of breaking tackles with that frame in the AFL.

If he is ready , he plays. Don’t forget that Gawn and Grundy still need to refine their chemistry. Lever <> Tommo Tmac <> BBB Hibbo <> Melk Spargo <> JJ Gawn <> ???

I think this is just players trying too hard to impact the game and not trusting other team mates to get it done. It’s worrying that we can lose the trust so fast.