Gawndy the Great

100% i am. I feel like if they win, i won’t be as sad. I hate the other 3 clubs left in it all equally and would love for them to lose so yes. Their big test is next week. Playing in front of 90K Collingwood fans is going to be a true test of resolve. Win that and I think they’ll knock of the Lions. A GWS vs Lions final would be great for the game but secretly the AFL would be scathing given the role they played in trying to get Collingwood vs Carlton final.

The AFL can GAGF. The umpires the MRO and even the media are just pissing me off big time. The team was woeful in front of goal that ultimately cost us but the umpiring was truely one for the ages. I can’t bring myself to watch the ARC review for Nibblers goal, which on the MCG screen was hard to tell whether it was conclusive. You need a bit of luck in finals - seriously someone has cursed us this year. The amount of [censored] that has gone wrong in the last month is out of this world.

This is so sad. A real kick in the guts this last week has been. RIP Ron

It’s pathetic. I’m not have a crack at our mob but I was so disappointed the sheer difference in support. What is it that makes us have this little support?

100% Langdon has to go. He has done f all for 2 years. Blood new players and turn over our list. Salem as well. Should have kept Bedford over Chandler in hindsight.

Just absolutely gutted. I don’t know what to say. The umpires were diabolical - I thought we were meant to get the best in the business? It was so bad but it will not be discussed because our inaccuracy and wasted chances will rule the headlines. I can see more teams overtaking us next year as we will refuse to change our game style and this quick transition footy is going to be the end of this list. Mini Rebuild required. Put a few on the market to get more picks to bring in a crop of better ball users.

Which we should have got instead of Hunter.

Could be nothing but I saw Saad run off with the trainer/Physio during their warm up. Our supporters don’t look like they turned up. Bloosers everywhere. They also have twice the number of bays in Olympic stand than we do.

My prediction - in a tribute to the Simpsons prediction fraternity - is that one of our players will end up being the guinea pig for the first suspension given for this rule change - whatever it ends up being - and the media will have field day with the optics and the ensuing drama etc. It will also likely be 150% of what the ultimate penalty will end up becoming by the end of the year. There will also be a player in the finals that will find a way to get off for a similar incident - probably someone who plays for either Collingwood or Carlton.

The optics are truely woeful. The AFL should be ashamed that this has happened under their watch. I have no doubt this will be used as evidence in the litigation against the AFL. Where is the humility!

Interesting to see Curtin slip down to 6. This means North / Hawks are more likely to chase Mckercher, Watson or Duursma before him allowing us to seriously consider trading with WCE Pick 1. Its about time we were able to benefit from the draft during the same time we have been a good side. Considering how the Pies, Lions and in particular Doggies have continually stacked up on talent while they have not been in a re-build.

And Sydney are desperate for a No.1 ruckman. They hold picks 11, 22, 30, 41. I highly doubt they give us 22. We should go for Picks 30 + 41 (points equivalent to late 1st round pick) We can then trade 24,30,34,41 (2368) to GC for Pick 4, whilst retaining Pick 15. What people don't talk about is the power we will have over GC. We can call in all of their Academy picks at pick 5, costing them more points than they would have planned for. We could use this force them to trade with us over say a Bulldog's. This leaves us with 4,5,15 in this years draft (before any compensation) Options from here: 1. Take 4+5 to either WCE for Pick 1 2. Take 5+15 to Hawks for Pick 3. 3. Take 4+15 to North for Pick 2 4. Take them all to the draft.

Our midfield group can’t all have 30 plus possessions. Sparrow is a defensive mid who rotates into HF. 15-20 is about right for him. His KPI will be more about pressure acts, tackles and other defensive metrics. The fact that he can kick a snag or two is great. I’ll maintain my view that we need more kicking class off HB that can also play through the middle. We also need to start looking at our wingers and planning to replace both of them in the next 1-2 years. Being able to run up and down is not enough to cut it. You need to be smart and be able to influence the game from the outside. I hate to say it but Langdon has been worked out - his impact on games is to a much lesser extent than prior years. All duck no dinner? Liam Henry will be an upgrade. Give up a current and future 2nd I think. That’s if we are even talking to him. Alternatively, If Gus gets back to it, then I think to preserve his career and health, better if he stays on the outside and has proven he can play wing.

Terrible decision. time to move on.

Let’s not forget how many of these pundits are employed by the various shows that McQuire owns the rights too. So if it is a line ball, you know which way they are going to lean.

It’s not the reason we lost but it definitely factored into that poor 1st quarter, which in the end did make a difference. Now the larger reason was what you mentioned, but let’s not overlook the obvious that it did impact the players and for a game decided by 7 points, it made a difference.

I’m not sure how I feel about that. Wouldn’t it be weird having Ratten work under the bloke who he replaced at the Saints?

This will lift spirits I think.

I think this thread pops up a couple of times a year. I know, you know it, the whole footy world knows it. Problem is 1) game plan, 2) average kickers, 3) no playmakers forward of the middle. All three midfielders are class but cannot lower their eyes or hit a target under pressure. They have to have drilled into their head, look for the chip kick in and around the 40m mark.

Could have been.

So Gawn has been playing with a broken toe for a few months according to McClure.

That for me was a step too far. I lost what little respect I had for him and actually couldn’t believe it tbh. Browny was Browny trying to play the mediator and was arguing the rules around smothering and that Maynard would be unfairly done by being called out on something that wasn’t written in the rules. Christ Scott was more accepting of the suspension and that he personally doesn’t see it has a suspension but that he would coach his players not to do that knowing that’ll likely be a suspension in the current game. As others have said I think Lyon was drunk as I had no idea what he was in about.

Should have left him with concussion protocols.

No - it was mentioned on the footy media circuit that he wanted it thrown out and would put his job in the line. Took 5 hours of discussion with the GM to reach an agreement. Corporate speak for your sacked but you have 4 weeks notice so look busy and we’ll announce at the end of the season.

Is there footage of this? I wouldn’t mind going on a bit of social media rampage.