BW511

He had a lot of the footy, he’s honest and reliable, same as when he plays in the senior side. He looks a bit thicker in the hips/legs this year. I watched a little sporadically but my main thoughts probably echo a lot that’s already been said: McVee was a surprise - he looks a little more classy and smoother moving than our regular HBF’s. I thought last year Salem might be starting to get found out with his leg speed, he’s now gotta be 100% fit to get in this side with Bowey, McVee, Riv and Hibbo fighting for the medium/smaller defenders roles Chandler added some genuine zip and unpredictably to our forward mix. It was exciting having him up and about even if things didn’t click 100%. He’s an attacking player which is refreshing when we’ve used that spot as a defensive one for so many years with ANB. Bowser is a ripper. He’d be one of my first blokes picked each week, very assured for his age. Love the idea of rotating a few new guys through the midfield, which we haven’t seen in a long time. Kozzie, Riv and even ANB offer something different to the standard Trac/Viney/Clarry mix. This is essential in modern footy. Riv for one could really open games up with his long kicking and power. I’m intrigued to see what our actual gameplay through the season looks like because all preseason we’ve been hearing how quick and direct we’ve been going - this game was certainly not as far in that direction as I’d hoped.

Interesting to hear the different takes on this one and I sense you can see the different generations coming through. I’ve been around recreational drugs for 20 years through friends, family, work colleagues - almost every group in my life. Those seriously affected, among a sample size of hundreds of people, probably amounts to 2-5 people. Had one teammate commit suicide as a 16 year old who was a big cannabis user, another schoolmate did time for getting caught up selling Coke among other things. One more who’s teenage cannabis use triggered schizophrenia. After that, I’d struggle to list any more. This is people from all walks of life and every opposing living situation you could imagine. I can and have certainly seen the bad in what drugs do, but I’ve also seen far more people become alcoholics or gambling addicts and now with kids of my own, seeing what phones/tablets do to them. There isn’t a one size fits all answer to the issues in society but I don’t think the ‘drugs are bad’ argument is no longer valid these days because it’s happening whether you like it or not. As for Ginnivan, he was the one caught but you can guarantee at least half his teammates were doing the same, they just didn’t get filmed.

One of BBB, JVR or T-Max to kick 50+

I wouldn’t necessarily put Tommo behind Melky in the HFF spot and Melk gets games. The Forward flanks and pockets are going to be a very, very hard position to cement this year. There’s about 10 blokes with a sniff. I just hope the continuity mantra is applied a little more sensibly this year and 2 bad games in a row is the absolute maximum before we rotate

I think Carlton will fill the Collingwood slot for 2023, they are due and if they start well the nomentum will carry them through. Too many good players to stay down

I haven't seen the list but I'd be surprised if there are 38 people who are better at their chosen sport than Clarrie, particularly when its based on Australians.

Things are looking good when you have a 6x AA ruckman on the bench

He was also pulled back from schoolies in to start training, no idea he was being drafted. I’m sure the switch from drinking beers all day to AFL training has been a little harder than he would have liked

I would think banking on a 'super draft' is just as dangerous. If we can get someone good in now and start developing them, it is always the best option. There has been enough whispers around Kozzie, that I think we could be well stocked for the 2023 draft anyway

I did not realise he was so thick. No wonder opposition backs get a bit flighty when he's around

He’s a very finely tuned machine now, wow

Sparrow is my guess

Whilst there are a few on that list who I don’t like at all (Danger & Riewoldt) that list is about right. They have their faces on everything so the market (fans) obviously love them

I have this nagging feeling that Ratten might take the heat for the Hawthorn issues. AFL is too invested in Clarko saving North and Fagan is out of sight, out of mind. Understand it's serious tinfoil hat area, just agree that it seems a little too coincidental

What a monumental [censored] up. Keep the coach so they can try and recruit DeGoey then sack him the day after trade period so no players can try and escape. There is absolutely no reason to become an AFL coach now, it's a hiding to nothing

Our improvement will come from having available players. If T-Mac can play 75% of the year, particularly in the back half, we should be primed for a tilt. 2021 was a charmed run with injury, 2022 was a horror show. If we are somewhere inbetween we are top 4 at a minimum

I have been pretty big on our depth not being good enough, however when you look at this we have 6 blokes from our finals side (including Jordon) playing 2's and it would be hard to argue against it. I'd like to see whether we can get a little bit more of a dynamic HFF setup with some goal kicking emphasis. Also think Gawn, Fritta, JVR & T-Mac may be a bit too top heavy. Would rather see if we can get Chandler or Laurie to add some zing

Shiels retired too

Hopefully Naughton was a cover for Schache, then when that started gaining legs Naughton actually considered the Dees and wants to make it happen

Will be interesting to see how he falls into line with a game plan that isn't all out attack. Hopefully we can find some ways to utilise his skillset

Imagine the team meetings with teams that run a single ruckman. 'At one end you have Max and when it leaves his zone you get Grundy - Good luck today son, you'll need it'

Now that it’s been said to be made up, it still makes sense for both parties. Bruce is better at AFL level than Weid, Mitch Brown & Joel Smith (Forward). He’d arguably be the same, if not better, output than BB with our current game plan. All that’s left is Fritta and Kossie and he’s not taking their roles. He’ll also be dropping down the pecking order at the dogs with Naughton, Ugle-Hagan & Lobb fighting for the big-man roles. I’m not including Darcy, who could also be down there. He can be 1st or 2nd forward with us or 3rd or 4th forward with the dogs - no brainer for Bruce

I reckon Bruce is a better forward than Lobb and we have Grundy coming in for ruck duties

Surely this means T-Mac & Brown are properly cooked? I think they were both going in for surgery post season

Ultimate Essendon, have a bloke wanting to come over and the coach can't even find the time