BW511

Salem was not flash on the weekend but he’s been very good since his return. Salem>ANB every day of the week

It’s the dream for a lot of young kids but if you think more than 10% of AFL players view this as anything other than a job, you are kidding yourself. Probably even less.

If North get Sanders and Reid, they will have enough for two elite midfields

The thought of May further up the ground does not fill me with confidence. I think he’s better suited close to goal

I’ve woken up today feeling more confident than after any previous loss. We played a team who could barely be any better and we had a less than spectacular night. Our best is better, just can’t afford to give an opposition a start, especially at this time of year

How does the group feel about letting teams get out to a lead most weeks? Understand it’s impossible to control all facets of games from week to week. However, we are sure making hard work of things by having to overcome deficits so often. If that’s the model of finals football, which I think it was, then there’s a fair few things we can’t quite do well enough just yet. We were lead to the ball all over the ground, we reverted back to the bees to the honeypot method around the footy, we can’t kick to advantage consistently, we lacked legspeed and despite some questionable treatment, Max was worked over and dropped his head. We can finetune the above and are definitely in the mix but Carlton are now a serious threat and have a game plan that stifles us.

The chances of that happening are slim to none, just ask Gold Coast and GWS

Why is everyone so worried about Tasmania? I’m still skeptical that it happens within that timeframe. If we got 5 years out of them and they leave worth similar or even more, it’s a win/win. You know Tasmania will have a well stocked war chest to get the players they want. We can then use draft capital for ready made players via trade, don’t have to go after more kids.

This thread only needs one name, Toby Greene I’ve changed my mind about one name based on suggestions below. I think Sicily would aid us immensely too

I would say JVR has benefited significantly from Grundy being dropped. He likes being involved and it doesn’t always happen up forward. This gives him a chance to be around the ball and lay a bump or tackle and get some easier ball.

The way compo is tied into the dollar value of deals is wrong. Seems way too easy to manipulate. He is always injured, he's not actually very good, as your stats highlight, then I ask how much more help do North need?

I was really hoping this thread bump was to do with Clarry lighting up the track.

I think Freo have bulked him up too much to play ruck, need to be very careful of going down the Nic Nat path

With 8 weeks until the Grand Final, loading now makes more sense for outright performance than the Bye round. The problem is how teams manage winning games as well. Collingwood could have done some extra work at the bye week or leading into it and going again now with a good buffer at the top of the ladder. Loading and tapering is (hopefully) a linear process. It’s not something you do once and you’re done. Otherwise a preseason would only be 4-6 weeks long. Ideally you are building up, backing off (recovering/tapering) building up higher again, backing off and so on. In any other sport, the taper would begin the week of your event/tournament, possibly a fortnight before depending on discipline, because that form post-tapering doesn’t last forever. Definitely not for 8 entire weeks until a Grand Final

He’s certainly doing himself no harm with that performance.

Seeing the pies shell shocked like this has been much more satisfying than I expected. Hope the blues can bring it for another 2 quarters

This. Who thought this would work

The other thing is the top end kids have been recognised from a long way out from their draft year, so they have been in elite programs for many years (rep/state/national teams/vfl) He’s been influential at VFL level already so he can cope with the bigger bodies and speed without a problem. Theres probably 4-5 blokes in the 23 he could replace tomorrow so on immediate impact it’s worth it alone, without even talking 3,4 and 5 years down the track.

Seems this is a case of Liam’s availability not being strong enough to overcome his deficiencies - which could be work ethic, professionalism,skill, character etc

I’ve always been against the idea of going all in on 1 kid but I’m coming round to the idea. He can play anywhere and influence games which is very, very rare. Using Gus as an example, he is recognised for his versatility. Reid would likely be an upgrade on him across the entire ground. More damaging than Gus from the middle, more damaging from HB and certainly more damaging up forward. Not to mention foot skills and athleticism that Gus could only dream of - I realise Gus is a very good footballer but he’s not Harley Reid. In short, go all in for Reid

We look a little exposed for leg speed here, getting wrapped up a lot

This significantly dents Brisbane’s premiership hopes. He’s helped transform their side. They need him far more than the pies need Daicos

How many inside bulls would it cost to buy a Rozee?

100%

I’d much rather Smith on a wing than Hunter but that ship has sailed. Not sure Langdon is doing a great deal at the moment either