Grouse

50 minutes ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Slightly different to the other ones, with Caddy much higher.

He certainly looks to be a tallent. I'm fascinated to see who we take. We already have a pretty healthy list. It's also great to be able to have confidence in out draft and development departments. They've done a steller job the last few years. 

ESPN: AFL Draft August 2023 Power Rankings: First round starting to take shape

I agree with most of the positive comments but the forward line dynamic is still completely off imo. There is no leading forward coming out from the square on any occasion. Waiting in the pockets or coming up the ground and then the ball is either kicked over there heads as they are all running back or the kicker waits Untill they are all back and bombs it. The exception was a nice tmac lead out in the first qtr. I just don't get it. We've got multiple forwards that can lead and mark but are clearly being instructed not to do it. 

Dominating play but hitting up leading forwards is still very poor. 

Brutal day for a praccy. 33 degrees for your first hit out of the year. Who's our drinks sponsor? Will get their worth today. 

On 1/23/2023 at 1:35 PM, Bay Riffin said:

I'm not sure I'm buying this revisionism. We came out and won the first 10 games in convincing fashion. I'ts not like we didn't hit the ground running. We were clearly the best side  in  the comp till the half way mark. 

A more likely argument would be we went too hard early and were phyicially spent by the end of the year compared to other sides. and that might be just one factor. 

It's worth considering. Teams that time their run just right to peak at finals, win finals. Is our training intensity now, or 'going too hard early' going to show at the back end of the season? Or is our intensity more of a mental hunger rather than physical? 

5 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Each kick, be it long or short, was towards a leading Brown, McDonald or Fritsch, mostly moving back into an empty forward zone. This was very different to our long kicks into pockets last year.

A very welcome observation. We play best when we do this. 

On 12/14/2022 at 5:02 PM, monoccular said:

 

Action - point taken, however (in general) I don't think captains should start on the bench.  The leader needs to be there at the first bounce to lead.

Didn't selwood start on the bench for most of the season? I'm not certain but had a vague idea he did. 

47 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Must be surreal for Mark Williams. Coached his dad to their only premiership and is now a development coach of his son.

Looking at his highlights I reckon he would make a great running half back.

That's very interesting. A connection like that can be the difference. 

10 hours ago, adonski said:

Operation keep Kozz 

Are they mates? 

Does anyone have any observations of these guys in action? Or if Burgoyne is over his injury run? 

FORMER Port Adelaide father-son recruit Trent Burgoyne has been invited to trial for a spot on Melbourne's rookie list via the pre-season supplemental selection period. 

Son of Power great, VAFA star in bid to earn Dees spot

It seems like we've had good success with players that are nearly ready to go recently. I'm thinking Jackson, kozie, bowey, rivers. I'm pretty sure all played first or early second year and had an immediate impact. It may just be my perception, but players that take several years to develope seem to have a much lower rate of making our senior list. I'm talking the last few years only. I guess that's why I was hoping we traded up and snagged someone that would play senior footy in the next two seasons. I see Jefferson as a long term project which leaves me wondering. Not sure if that's a fair assessment or not. Thoughts? 🤔

53 minutes ago, durango said:

The Western Bulldogs have emerged as a shock contender to snatch Essendon’s No.4 draft pick in a plot twist to the Josh Dunkley trade saga.

The Dogs, armed with selections 11, 21, 39 as well as two first-round selections in the 2023 draft, have made a late pitch to poach the prized selection.

They received picks 21 and Brisbane Lions’ future first-round pick as part of the Dunkley deal that stretched the trade deadline due to tense negotiations.

The Herald Sun can reveal that the Dogs are one of four clubs locked in 11th-hour talks with the Bombers over the No.4 pick.

Melbourne also has strong interest and, like the Dogs, has significant draft capital in 2023 to help broker a deal.

from the Herald Sun

Dang. 

10 minutes ago, durango said:

Now that WB has entered the race for pick 4 Essendon may take their offer instead.

Can't see the details. What are they offering? Link? 

52 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Yes maybe they should then compare 11-20 with 21-30 etc. … I think the outcomes are obviously better for lower picks. 

They included it. I couldn't fit it in one pic.  As expected. 

For those that can read it it's an article written around these figures. Top ten statistically is far more valuable than the next tier. 

If we get 4 and 22 what will we do with 37? Trade it on? It might be offered as well to seal the deal. 

If I spent some time, which I'm not going to, Im pretty sure I could find an article on next year's 'super draft', every year for the last 10 years. Yes, in hindsight there may have been a couple of drafts that produced more elite players than others but to me the term gets used every year. I say get the best picks we can this year. Next year is just that, a whole year away. Draft Players can develope and fall, lists change. Take the best now and worry about next year next year. We always manage to get back in first round no matter what we trade. 

My take, is that deals will be done if a player we want is still available. I think we were after phillipou but that seems unlikely now as I don't think we will get into the top 5. We will either trade up our first or second depending what's on offer and who's available. I would be very surprised if we stay with 13 and 37 and take Jefferson with our first. 

Just saw Cal Twomey on the AFL site stating that the Dees have offered up both of next year’s first round picks to try and land someone inside the top 6 this year but as of yet there have been no takers. A lot of talk around Phillipou going top 6 now.

Do you think it's him the Dees are chasing?

Fascinating stuff. 

Let's move the backs to the forward line and then when our new backs aren't stopping goals we send fritch jvr and Grundy to the back line. We then play bbb in the ruck because he isn't kicking goals and leave Max forward. 

Several clubs very keen on phillipou including bombers at 5. He's the one I'd be after but looks unlikely he will be there at 13. 

Every year someone leaves and we get trade options. That's why I'd be moving up in this year's draft buy trading out at least one of next year's firsts. You want new draftees to be playing as long as possible with our current all stars. Next year is an unnecessary year later imo. 

Compare his highlights to phillipou. I agree that Jefferson looks a long way off. Phillipou looks much more robust. I'd be trading up to make sure we get him. Contested marking and kicking them from 55.