Gawndy the Great

The omission of Sparrow is absolutely the right call. He is definitely in the firing line after the insipid performance on the weekend. This is the first time in a long time a (borderline) senior player has been omitted. I'm sure ill be corrected, but it is was long overdue given some of the performances this club has put up. Going after the junior players is an easy out and im glad this was done.

You’re taking me a little out of context, but that’s ok. For the record - not that it matters- I want him to stay, I think he’ll be better for it in 2025. I’m not yet convinced he’ll ever get back to his best, but I know he’ll give it a shot. If he was to go, all I’d ask is that we are compensated fairly. It would be 2 first rounders and nothing less.

It’s too much to give away to a player that only has 4-5 years to give. If this was 2 years ago, do it without battering an eye. I think it’s a 1st and a F2 at most.

I think so too. He is athletically gifted, but I’m afraid he lacks a bit between the ears.

The season is dead. I’d rather lose respectfully, blood the youth, get surgeries prior to pre season, and get a top 6-8 draft pick and focus on 2025.

I’m not sure I agree. Purely from a performance perspective, he is a long way off his best. Even those that say his numbers are average, there’s a lot of instances in games where effort is not apparent, which isn’t the Clarry I know. I don’t want him to leave but if he can rediscover his best elsewhere and we get fairly compensated draft wise, I’d be happy to accept that outcome too.

I agree l, I recall he was present from start to the camp. Then came back in Jan but was also training away from the group too. So it technically wasn’t a full pre season , but it wasn’t nothing either.

He’ll be better.

arrgggh re: Salem. poor fella, injury prone and body not holding up under the rigours of AFL. Hopefully his contract was front-ended so he can play out his days guilt free at the Dees.

There is a mini reset due in the footy dept. we just have to have a fresh start on field and off. And I fear These guys will be making more trade moves that will hurt us for years to come. Hunter, Shache , McAdam, Fullerton, Billing’s In Jordon, Grundy Out are just some of the work in the last 3 years. I know hindsight is a gift, but that is an abysmal record.

Yes but then there will be a world where we will still question their allegiance and integrity - just like we do with umpires. The club doctors at least know their players a bit better than a ring in.

Tension? Why? He just fell back in love did he not?

Is English a FA?

Its a telling stat isn't it. Even though Freo are (this was news to me) a strong stoppage team and we didn't have our a-grade ruck, it doesn't alone justify the result. Not even West Coast or Norf in the recent years gone by have been beaten that comprehensively.

Yes it is suspected to be Quaynor. On the ruck situation: Kalani White at this stage is a pipe dream and if we do manage to get him next year, it will take another 2-3 years of development to potentially be a senior ruckman. THat is 2028 best case, 2030 before he starts to have an impact. We cannot wait. Is Verrall the answer for now? if not when? 2026? 2027? Tim English is 26 years old is someone that will demand big coin to leave the kennell and we will again face the Gawn, Grundy dilemma - i doubt he would come. We need an understudy ruckman, not too good that would demand the #1 list spot, but somebody that is serviceable and can pinch hit for Gawn when he's injured or rested i.e anywhere between 5-8 games per year. Gawn will go for at least 2025 to try and get 250 games notched up and chase a 7th or 8th AA. Possibly even 2026 to beat Stynes record. I seriously doubt he would be playing beyond that, however his body does seem to recover well and if he did try and play in 2027, hed get close to 300 - assuming he plays every game and we have a few finals games in those years.

Good observations. Our structure was definitely not right. Is it the result of our list status, missing Gawn or just poor coaching? This stuff isnt execution - well maybe not entirely.

LJ will only ever be a cherry on top player.

Yep, he may have fitness issues, but his lack of competitiveness around stoppage is very concerning. Numerous times his opponent would grab the ball and just waltz straight past him. His ground coverage isn't that bad, which is why i don't think the fitness excuse explains it all. Its that, or he just lacks the desire to apply himself 100%.

Strapping lad. What his athleticism like?

1. Were the hitouts really to blame? We got smashed in a similar way last time with Gawn, so is it out our stoppage structure? What specifically is going wrong here? 2. I noticed on a few occacions when fox footy flashed the pressure numbers we were actually on top of them by +20. I dont know what the final game numbers were, but Freo's pressure was 150 mark, which is really pathetic. So how did they get away with it?

Yep he is going to be a weapon. Genuine a-grade weapon. just give the kid a few years and he'll be our best footballer.

seperate the result from today. This is good - im quietly happy on this. KPD/F dont grow on trees and Petty will be better for it next year. He like Oliver and actually many others are not fit enough this year. He wasnt the worst today.

That is damning. I wonder how many of ours watched the stoppage tapes. Young was running through the misalle of the stoppage and winning the ball. Even if Gawn was there , he would have done the same. Goody and McQualter on notice. Can’t lose to the same team the same way in 2 months. Did we learn nothing?

I agree we ain’t winning this year with no trac, Gus and 50%Oliver. Get Houston, strong pre season fo all. Reload for 2025

No ruck, no Melbourne. This was lost before we started the game.