Gawndy the Great

We have certainly got a lot of press coverage this week i.e. premiership contenders, super stars in the squad etc. I would love to see some real maturity and team ethos in the group prevail on the weekend against the Hawks and go 5-0.

Would that act cause that much damage though? I think there may have been a bit of intent with the swing. Did he intend to break his face - I don’t think so, but he should be sited for recklessness.

Agreed I think it probably effected him mentally for the rest of the game too once he saw what he had done to him.

Love his work. I think Jacko will prove a masterstroke in time.

I think I highlighted in both my previous posts that I think Oliver is a gun. I am under no illusion that he is an inside and contested beast. However I also don't think he is the absolute superstar that you make him out to be. Our team has constantly come under fire for ball use and forward 50 connection. Granted that is not his role per se, but if Merrett or Josh Kelly or Whitfield is getable, then i'd have a long hard look at it. Do i want to get rid of Oliver? Not for a second. But who else on our list has enough currency to get any one of those players onto our list?

I never said Oliver is a dime a dozen - i said inside mids are a dime a dozen. Yes Oliver is great - never said he wasn't, but we have plenty of inside mid stock (Trac, Brayshaw, JJ, Sparrow, Viney, Harmes) and what we really lack is outside speed, foot skills and intelligence. I don't think Oliver is a generational player. Does he have the potential to become one? Yes he does, but he lacks in several areas atm. One can hope he takes a leaf out of Petracca's book to really stamp his authority on the game and take a step to influence the outcomes of games like Dangerfield, Neale, Shuey, Cripps and Bont can - they, imo, are generational talent.

What would you all say if Oliver leaving meant we were able to acquire the services of Zac Merrett? It is no secret that: 1. Right now, we lack silk and speed on the outside; 2. We are tight on salary cap and hence would have to trade out for this move to be possible 3. Zac is not happy at Bomberland and could be convinced to leave if the price and destination were right. Dont get me wrong - i rate Oliver highly but have always said that inside mids are a dime a dozen. I just dont think we have any other player (aside from Trac) who would get us what we need to secure Zac.

Will take 3-0 any day and am pumped for a shot for 4-0 as I was thinking 2-3 after 5 was a pass mark for Goody to keep his job. Nevertheless Cats will be a better reflection of where we are at as opposed to the first 3 rounds.

Careful there - it’s a sensitive topic here. I think he is good but not worth more than 800K / year. A superstar nails both those goals.

If he commands big dollars he has to nail those set shots.

It’s a blight on the game. I also think the father son has to be further dialled back in if not eradicated entirely - yes it’s not a popular view and I get that there is a bit of romanticism about the tradition. But we will have another pick 1 go to a non wooden spooner this year and in the interest of ensuring an equal competition - is counter intuitive.

Jones and BBB would have nailed it.

God to see BBB and Weed on the track.

If the group wants sustained success, that means all of them will have to sacrifice some of their pay. If they see an extra 200K-300K (or possibly more) being more important to them, then i wouldn't want that player anyway as they will not be 100% committed to the team ethos that Richmond has made the blueprint of their success over the past 5 years. GWS is a prime example of a team of individuals. I think Carlton is heading that way as well.

It was all Yze and Richo’s influence - jk jk

Only watched 2nd half and we put together some really positive chains of ball movement. Skills let us down a fair bit though (dropped about 5 sitter marks, kicking was poor as well), topped with some bad finishing and it took a bit of shine off a really good win. Should have been 40+. Kozzy looking really special in the middle. Go Dees.

Isaac would have been a great addition to the team.

I'd have to agree on this. He has had a stellar 100 first games and has possessions through the roof every game. But its what he does with the footy and the decisions that he makes that prevent him from being a genuine A plus footballer. Would be gutted if he left, but he is replaceable - maybe not on certain traits and strengths but as a 'role' in 'the system'.

Saints looked solid. Will need a big lift in performance if we are going to match them.

I think Mr Burns told him to shave off his sideburns.

100% with you Doc. In a competition full of talent, the difference between winning and losing often boils down to the 1%ers. How often do we chase hard and tackle hard, or even sheppard for the sake of the ball user. It is this blind intensity we saw snippets of throughout the 2018 campaign but something we could never truly ingrain into the club's culture.

And maybe Jack held most of them to account when he was captain and most of them didnt want to hear it and so didnt re-elect him as captain? Maybe?

Im trying to be optimistic, but i just cannot see us cracking the 8 with Goodwin as Headcoach. I think our forward line will not be able to keep the ball in and will struggle to contest without the two talls. Our defensive transition game will be exposed as it was last year - it may marginally improve, but we just lack in this area. Dont forget the 2-3 games we just throw away when we fail to show up. Question is at what point do you let him go?

Hope he can stay fit and healthy.

I am cautiously optimistic on TMac. He did some good things on Friday. Once BBB and Weed return, it will be interesting whether we play him i50 or as a link player in a wing/High HF type role. Would be hard to match his endurance, physicality and contested marking.