Gawndy the Great

STAND!

That will happen from to week to week as the defensive matchups will change. The beauty of our forward line is that you shut down one or two players and another 1-2 pop up.

Just watched the replay as I couldn’t do the live game but was following on the live thread. If you take the live thread as any indication you would have thought we had an absolute shocker but was surprised at how well we held it together. I think this was a solid team effort in difficult conditions against a team that set up well tactically. Thought Oliver, Harmes, Tmac and Jordon and Salem were best.

I tend to agree. We had an exceptional forward in Hogan prove to us in his first 10 games that he would command his spot in the 22. I get that forwards need time to develop but Weids trajectory suggests that he is more likely to be an average player. We should still hold onto him but definitely be scouting the junior leagues for up and coming KP forwards in the next 1-2 years. Listening to Peter Sumich yesterday, he suggested that LJ might just be that player so we definitely have contingency if we were to lose him.

Even if they do jump on a plane early and come into Melbourne, the Vic Govt can issue retrospective advice for individuals that have arrived from Sydney. Given the high profile of the Swannies and the WA precedent, my gut feel is that there is a very likely chance this game will go ahead without any crowds.

I think we need to try both TMac and Petty options before we commit to a longer term solution. Also having TMac as a pure winger is being overlooked. This would allow both Weid and Petty in the team and is what TMac actually trained for. Only problem is what this will do for rotations and in particular Angus Brayshaw, whom was quite ordinary in the middle on the weekend.

Now being reported that the deal is worth well over $1mil per year as was reported by @goodwindees. Where did the narrative that he wanted to leave some $$$ for his team mates come from, because earning that much cash is not going to help retain your LG, Kozzies, Rivers and other emerging stars in a few years time. Unless there is some clever front/backloading being done here, i cant see how this was a team focused decision. Dont get me wrong, i am wrapped he has signed for 7 and he is well worth what he is getting paid - just questioning the narrative.

I keep forgetting that we have Majak in the ranks. I do recall him playing some solid footy in D50 for the kanga's. I know he's been running around the ruck in the magoos, but is he a left field choice for Tomo? His tank will be the biggest challenge and i do get we have to blood Petty somewhat given the age of May, but i think its worth some consideration.

Burgo confirmed he had the operation today. Hopefully he will be ready for a full pre-season and back on the park for Round 1 2022 to defend our premiership :)

That certainly warrants another look. At first it looks like Fritsch runs into him, however Bonar clearly changes his line to 'check' Fritsch where the ball wasnt even near him. Hard to see how contact was made - maybe shoulder to the head - how does one bring this to the attention of the MRO? Can the clubs do anything ?

They have to appeal based on what I just on the Danger elbow in the GF. Didn’t realise how similar they are. If there ever was a precedent to use this is the one.

It’s a week. What irks me is how Tomohawk got off. The media is half responsible for this though.

I just think its very hard to turn on the high pressure for every game. You have to win a few games when you are only running at 80-90%. We don't need to bank the percentage when you are already at 150%. We turned it on in the second half and clearly came away with the chocolates. Given the significance of Sat night games against the Swans i would expect a return to what we have seen in the first 6 rounds. The other thing to not lose sight of is that sitting at #1 on the ladder, opposition teams will bring an extra level of intensity to try to knock off the top team. No easy games for us.

Does anybody have an idea when the actual decision is made/announced? Surely we should have heard by now?

Sparrow is very much a replacement for Viney. As for Viney's foot, this will be with him for the rest of his career (similar to BBB's knee). Have to manage it and be conservative with his workload's etc. I think he was probably due for a week off about now. He'll get another 2 weeks during bye weekend then probably rest in the lead up to finals.

Petty for Tomo Chandler for Melk Sparrow for Baker If Fritta goes bring in Bedford or Weed depending on matchups and weather

I thought he went for the Dees. Certainly seems that way on the Couch

I think this definitely had to factor in. We are all human after all. Was saying to a mate that Tomo needed to compose himself or remove himself away from the team as seeing him in distress ( which is absolutely ok) effected the teams focus.

Also forward 50 pressure seems to be the Doggies weakness. They are doing hack dumb kicks out when we hand balled out of D50.

Been saying all week - who have the Dogs beaten? Yet we were the ‘pretenders’. Tigers will win this by 30.

I like the lad, but against a deplorable team last night (without BBB) he should have kicked at least 8 goals and owned that forward 50. Frankly im not sure he will ever become the player we all had hoped for. I just dont know how you can fit BBB, LJ, TMac and Weid into the one forward line. i like Kozzy, Spargs and Fritsch in there to mix it up so you'd have to leave them as-is.

Weid needs to kick 8 goals this game at least.

Yep injured quad.

Agreed, he was great in 2018. But on current form you would have to question whether he could get a game this year. If we are not looking to trade in, I think he will request a trade out given lack of game time.

I think adding in Zac would be great but who makes way for him in the middle? From a salary cap POV, we will need room for Trac, who will be demanding north of 900K per year but is worth more than that on the open market obviously. Zac would command 750-800K minimum and i think teams will be throwing a lot more at him than that. So it will really boil down to how much we can afford to pay and what he is happy to relinquish. It is actually a good problem to have because it will tell you about the players intentions, motivations etc. You just have to look at what is happening at Carlton and the Saints who have traded in heavily - they now have a team of individuals. The Doggies got so lucky with Treloar given that the Pies are paying 300K of his salary but they have one too many stars in that team so i wouldn't be surprised if we saw one or two trades there in the coming year or two. Gut feel is that we are dreaming on this one and I would rather focus on developing/securing our existing squat and bringing in youth via the draft.