Gawndy the Great

So for 7 mins we played bold, fast ball movement risky football. And what happened? We won. Similar to the game in the Gabba from earlier in the year but this time we beat them. What happened in between the first and 4th quarters needs further analysis, but to me it was all too familiar losing forward 50 and being mauled from defensive transition fast , precise ball movement. How does this happen? We’ll slow ball movement allows the oppo to setup their ball movers in the d50, win a contest and bang, they slingshot into the forward line and score before we have time to set our zone up. The better teams have been playing this way for nearly 2 years and we are late to the party. Perhaps we don’t have the cattle to pull it off , but all I know is we ain’t winning anything playing the heavily stoppage based game. It’ is cooked, done, finished. The forward half territory as many have talked about has also been off for quite some time. Again I don’t know if we have the players that are willing to put in the gruelling efforts required for this to work. Not suggesting an overhaul, because we are still very competitive and have only lost by small margins, but definitely a tweak is required and the 7 minutes of footy I saw in the 4th quarter and the first 15 mins of the game I was left in awe.

Plus they have KP. It is by far the biggest home ground advantage in the comp.

The ruck position itself is overrated. We get value from Gawn in his ground coverage. His game yesterday is more the exception- but it doesn’t happen every game.

Port look second rate. Could it be they got their loading wrong ? They were lucky to win last week against the Bombers as well..

Yep thats the one.

Freo have put the cue in the rack. I think they'll struggle to win a game for the rest of the season from here. As the Beatles once said, "Hello Pick 4, my old friend"

He has great athleticism, which we are in dire need of back there as May and Lever having a turn circle of semi trailer.

My take - not that it matters much - we started on fire but could not maintain it as Lions took control. Quarters 2 and particular 3 were pathetic. I mean shocking ala 2020 style - lost and seemingly not interested. 4th quarter was the Melbourne we all love. We took the game on and were able to score. Goody needs to give the boys more freedom and allow them to play like this. It’s harder to defend and we will concede some score but the forwards were bought into the game.

6 Gawn 5 Trac 4 Brayshaw 3 Viney 2 McVee 1 Milkshake

Well did not expect them at all. Melksham just what a game. 2018 all over again!!

That one bs free to Daniher

Need to realise that this game plan is dead. There are more than half dozen teams that have leg speed off half back that break us down. We have no counter punch. Nothing. Top 4 is a pipe dream and we will be fighting of the 8.

This feels like a our biggest loss coming up.

Nope.

Outside the first 10 mins, Lions dominating. We are playing a different style and our poorer skills and decision making is laid bare. Need to get the lead and lock the game down.

They are scoring with ease off half back . With those handball receives. We are just not switched in

This is a bad sign.

I reckon he’ll get subbed off. It was a clear ground hit and mcclugge should get suspended. Should have been a free and yet they pay the cheap one to the Lions 5 seconds later which results in a goal.

Really poor stoppage there from Melbourne.

I think I’m dreaming.

I think you forget how they beat us last time with only one ruck. Grundy was beasted by OMac and Fort.

I get annoyed when I see this thread trending to the top.

It was only a matter of time before the spotlight came on him in the media. Im curious to see what he is really made of and how he reacts to this as no doubt he has been made aware of it.

Its a hard call for sure, but im starting to think that using two picks for Reid - particularly when it could be GCS first pick (#5) and Freos fist pick (#6) - may not be the smartest move. McKercher is exactly the type of player we need. Has speed, great kick, inside / outside balance. Then you could potentially take a Duursma, Curtain or O'Sullivan with our 2nd pick and Brown as F/S.

Reid will go number 1. But im starting to agree, we probably dont need him as he sounds a bit like a Petracca type player, which is great, but you probably dont need two of them. If WC take him at 1, I think Norf will taken Curtain / Read at 2 (as they need KPD), Swans probably will be forced to bid on Cleary or use their 1st pick (4 - but i doubt they'll end up in this position). Not sure what Hawks will do - maybe they take Watson as they need a bit of crumbing class down forward but they may stock up on mids too. Either way, i think we'll have plenty of options with our first pick and hopefully we can secure a pick swap with GCS that'll give us a crack at 2 genuine guns that'll hopefully be able to slot straight into our side in 2024.