Gawndy the Great

The problem? I think they draw confidence from the fact that they know they are superior in this aspect, just as we are superior in our defensive brand. So we will try to negate their strength at the contest and they will try to negate our defensive game plan with the numbers. The winner of this game will boil down to the battle in the tactics mentioned above.

I dont mind that match-up either (Smith on Daniher). I think we'll do whatever is necessary to ensure Lever has an exploitable match-up. Fagan is no dummy either and will have a few forward defensive match-ups to choose from that we may not be able to predict. Probably boil down to how effectively they (Lions) can do their role, but he will most definitely be held to account. The tactic that will be important is numbers around the stoppage - we typically setup to have one less around the stoppage and have that free defender in the backline. I cannot see the Lions allowing that so getting our defensive match-ups is a key to winning this game.

Did somebody say autocorrect? 😄

isnt there a bit of a height differential. I suppose our defensive structure and match-ups will all be about getting Lever on the 3rd/4th tall. Hence why the Lions will want to go tall.

Petty on McStay is the matchup that worries me the most. one-on-one McStay will outmuscle Petty so if we dont pressure the source this avenue to goal will be problematic. McStay is one of those players who in the past has played well against MFC. Yes we are different side, but im yet to exercise those demons.

Please enlighten me what is our salary cap position?

I think you need to re-read my post. I get that most people skim over comments and draw their conclusions. But if you examine it closely, you will see that the only players where you may get some luck in trading for Cerra are those with a WA connection. I said Brayshaw is doubtful given his immediate family is here, do everything you can to keep LJ (is he a rare commodity) and for Rivers only if he wanted to move. How is that destabilising?

So being reported that Clarko wont coach until 2023. I cannot see Teague sticking around - absolute shambles for the Blues. Having said that, i think we really chase Cerra hard as he'd be an out-an-out [censored] to go to the Blues at this rate. He is young and is an up and coming star and would surely be wanting to go somewhere that isnt rebuilding. His asking price is high though and i think if we can get him on a 1.0 - 1.2 (total), 2 year deal as a 'bridging' contract then it might be possible salary cap wise - frankly he doesn't deserve a 750K / year deal yet - maybe in his next contract and the Blues will insanely be making the same Martin / Saad / Williams mistake once more. If we can score Cerra and Maynard at the cost of Weid + 2nd rounder to the Pies , future 1st and <another player> to Freo that would be an absolute massive win. Yes i know - lots of ifs and buts here, but we can take a harder line than most given our success on field this year. Also, if it doesnt happen, im not too fussed as im happy with the 22- 28 players on our list. We still need to solve the long term issue around a KPF but we have 1-2 years at least with BBB / TMac. Possibly make a play for Ben King in 2023.

I wouldn't be so sure on that. Brisbane are elite in stoppage work, contested possessions and clearances. This is what wet weather footy requires. The only advantage we may have is how tall Brisbane go in the forward line. In dry weather i think they would try to exploit our shorter defenders and go super tall. That is risky in the wet weather. I think we have to do a number on Rich and Neale - maybe Melksham plays a defensive role on Rich as the initiate a lot scoring chains from their back half through Rich. Harmes to Neale to negate his influence on the game.

When you look at that we have definitely improved the bottom 5, added youth, pushed the avg skill lvl / capability profile upwards added to the list of bone fide super stars (Gawn, +Trac, +Oliver and Lever, May knocking on the door )

I dont think anyone would be interested in moving away from the Dees at the moment. Cerra would be a great acquisition and there are number of player + trades that will get it done. The one that is most logical would be one of Brayshaw / Rivers / Dogga given they are all WA boys. Brayshaw's immediate family is here (as is his GF and her family) so doubtful he would want to pick up and move. Rivers and Dogga however, may look to move back home purely given how COVID has displaced everybody here in VIC. I would look at Rivers + 2nd round pick for Cerra only if he indicated that he wanted to go back home. Id do everything to keep Dogga - that kid is going to be a star.

The Colman medalist is an always a lock in for Full Forward.

Hardly long enough to be called in a tweet.

If Franklin gets picked then the AA process is flawed and is simply grown men getting together at playtime talking about their favourite players.

He was close but I reckon Papley, Cameron and Greene in front.

You mean Charlie Cameron right? Does he get in ahead of Greene? i reckon we will have 3 midfielders in the forward line (Trac, Stringer and Bonts to make way for more midfielders in the comp)

To name him as a token suggestion onfield or otherwise is the insult imho. If he is not busting down the door for selection, then the finals are just too important in my view to even give him his farewell game. How do you think this would be taken by the rest of the team - i think other players will have mixed feelings about what is more important. Is it putting our best team forward at winning the GF or sending off an individual who was with us in the one of the darkest era's of our history. Team over individual every single time. I'm not against signing him up for another year to give him a proper farewell game in front of the faithful next year. If he has coaching aspirations, then include that as part of the one year deal. I suspect that this is what will happen otherwise he would have been named in the Adelaide game.

Hmmm i did the comparison of Gawn and Nic Nat the other day. If you use the true ruck stats as the decision criteria then you Gawn by a mile. If you then factor other stats i.e. contested marks, clearances, goals etc then it will really boil down to what the selectors favour. If its marks (contested or not) and goals, then Gawn again by a mile. The only area Nic Nat is more dominant at is tackles and clearances and lets face it, he was high in those numbers because he didn't have Oliver, Viney and Trac in the middle with him and he also shared a fair amount of ruck time with LJ.

i cant remember but is there a coach in the AA squad?

Could he make a comeback to the MFC in 2023 and finish off his career where it started?

2m Peter is going to be a tough match up for the Doggies. I think the Doggies midfield will lift for the occasion. They should be feeling quite embarrassed.

I think Max, Oliver and Trac are AA locks. Max will be the captain. I reckon Lever is a good chance based on intercept avg record alone. May will have a tough contest to make it but will be in the 40. Salem will probably just miss out. I truely wonder who will get the small forward role. I think Kozzy has better stats than Papley or Cameron but given his youth will probably need another year like this year. Fritta is another that may get a look in. Other than that I’m not sure who else in the team is a shot.

I think 2 goals and 39 touches will be enough for the 3. Max has a quieter 1st 3 quarters.

Ok so have watched the replay a few times and am trying to make sense of the second quarter particularly where they kicked 8 consecutive goals. I’m not prepared to accept that it was an anomaly and for the amount of times Goodwin has said learnings this and learnings that - there has to be a lot of learning there. 2-3 goals were pure @$$ Hawkins and Cameron goal line were massive defensive breakdowns. There were about 4 goals however that were front of stoppage clearances, which says something about our midfielders. We were absolutely smashing them in Q1 here so not sure how this was able to flip the other way so quickly - then to flip back in Q4. The Lions and Power are a formidable stoppage team so we need to get this right. I’m also starting to get annoyed with Lingers (shocking I know) but his dinky high , slow kicking into forward 50 are just pointless. I think he needs to either square it up to high HF for somebody else to make the entry or kick it to the top of square if there is not an out number. Usually the ball comes straight back out.

Bin your Foxtel subscription and get Kayo and Binge. Much cheaper and much more modern. Depending on your tv model you may need a Apple TV / chromecast device.