Gawndy the Great

What has been lost a bit here is the impact Joel Smith's absence has had on the list. He is often overlooked in terms of his importance but he kicked 3 snags in the SF against the Blues. He is an athletic, mobile forward that works well in tandem with a stay at home KPF. He did lack the brains a little somewhat on the field with forward craft and was often a little injury prone too, but he did have a great mark and kick on him. Had he been available to play, i think he takes the 2nd tall forward position next to JVR and our forward line issues are nowhere near as problematic as they are right now. Pity he has now likely torched his career.

Said in the other thread that got shut down. Highly doubtful he goes. The only way he does, is if he is pushed out by Melbourne. I cannot see him initiating the move himself. In either case, you can't seeing us getting more than a first round pick for him given the circumstances.

Has Petty even done a pre-season?

Early days but if any team could get it done …

Then we have Lions after that. It’s one helluva draw.

Petty didn’t even do half a preseason. You’d have to put a minimum 4 week block into him.

Nothing is certain but with games against Port and Adelaide in Adelaide is not something I’d put my house on at the best of times.

Lose this week and we are staring down the barrel of 0-5.

I think Port put this on the radar several years ago. It infuriates me that Gawn doesn't tackle this face on. If i were any of the other 17 coaches coming up against the Dees, its the first part of my plan. You dismantle Gawn, you go a long way at disarming one of our most potent weapons. *Negative post warning* those that cannot handle it, please scroll on. My prediction is that we will again be dominated in the middle by Doggies ruck and midfield. They have an 1st class clearance game when it gets going and one that we have seldom overcome. Our backline will be under siege through the post clearance efficiency of Doggies and if they are accurate from set shots (there will be plenty of them), then i cant see us winning this. Question is, can we score from turnovers in the back half and transition through their defence. Expect JVR to be quiet as he will be shut down by Jones and Keith will probably take Fritta and get their intercept game going. How do we win? It has to be in the middle and clearance game. You take that away from the Doggies, then you disarm their i50 delivery and effectively neutralise Naughton and JUH.

WOuld love his speed in the team. He is a great athlete. Hard to see Geelong letting him go. Players just don't seem to leave that club.

Firstly Doggies would be crazy to let JUH go, but they have Naughton and I just don’t think those two can play in the same forward line. Their chemistry is off. Ultimately it will come down to English or JUH for mine. If Verrell or White have any hope of succeeding Gawn in a 60-70% capacity, it’ll do and we chase JUH hard - no mucking around. Give him a $6.5M - $7M contract over 5 years. I’d hold out on Petty until end of year. He is not an UFA so I’m not worried about him leaving without compensation, but his injury prone nature is worrying. Next we need another midfielder. The GWS and Suns honeypots are not what they once were. Can we tempt Finn Callaghan away? Would be a coup if we did. Freo will be an interesting watch - if they don’t make finals again I think Longmuir goes and that may lead to a player exodus. Wouldn’t getting Andy Brayshaw be something - he is a UFA end of next season, so it maybe Freos last chance to get something for him. Unfortunately we couldn’t go after both JUH and Andy this year as we don’t have enough draft capital. Both players would easily command 2 mid first round picks. Would you consider letting Rivers return home to WA ? lots of water to go under the bridge and you never know JVR and Petty may just be the medicine we need.

Well something to be happy about this round at least.

The difference is accuracy in front of goal. Let’s hope it becomes a whole of season issue for the Pies

Great call! I second that… are you watching Goody?

Pretty polished game. These two are top 4 material. Very smooth and skillful. Someone need reminding the players that it’s humid out there.

Live link to AFL HQ.

Figures. It could have been an AC reco, so I suppose it’s not that bad. But collarbone surgery is as bad as it could get for a collarbone.

Shouldn’t be surprised, Tigers will be joining Eagles at the bottom very soon. Hardwick could see it a mile away.

It takes time for most to realise the actual impact of decisions. Still early days but if Grundy is able to continue that run of form then the footy dept are culpable in letting him walk. Gawn now has to deliver- no ifs or buts, humidity, loading or whatever. Get it done.

I love the movement and presentation of olayera from both sides. We look really stagnant in front of the ball apart from a few passages.

Who do we want to lose more?

Weren’t we into Acres at one point? Solid winger can take a great mark.

McKay was picked after Weid as well.

Curnow is the MVP. He is just outrageous 1 on 1 and to think we took Weid ahead of this guy.

Yep I think so too. Just lost our edge.