BW511

I think I saw a graphic pre-match that said only 3 crows players had played in a final. Collingwood had 20. That’s a big difference to overcome, no matter how good your season has been.

100% We’ve already got backroom politics going on with people trying to undermine Guerra, this isn’t a job for a new face

Captains run the day before a game is not bothering anyone, it’s standard practise to get the body moving. Recreational enthusiasts (think runners and cyclists) would be doing a hell of a lot more hours than our guys can imagine, so it’s just the sequence that seems off to me. At a guess, I’d say the main session being so close to games is an attempt to bring the training stress levels up, so we are not going backwards from a numbers perspective, although I think it hasn’t worked out - to the eye at least.

Even if it’s between the ears, there is absolutely no question we are not as ‘fit’ as we were in 2020-2021-2022. Burgo was all about pushing players when they were ready to stop, giving them belief to go again and again. Adelaide have recruited well but they are looking super fit and strong, much like we used to

I bet Tasmania was genuinely appealing to Bucks and he was heading in that direction, that was until we came and stole his attention (like that classic meme with the guy checking out the girl walking by) Buckley can scratch every itch he would in Tasmania, without leaving home, leaving his family behind and not to mention, isolating himself from all the other opportunities Melbourne (the city) presents.

If we want to get to finals, I’m taking Merret every day of the week. If we need to win a final, it’s probably Trac. Unfortunately, we need to get back to finals before we start winning them. By that stage, Langford is likely winning us more games than Trac and Merret combined.

Would love the hawks and Trac to fall in love, so we can go very hard for Zach Merret. More reports that he (Merret) is disillusioned today. I know it’s not ideal for the longer term but he’s that good, I’d still do it.

Most of this is a case of good timing, rather than anything Kelly did himself.

Buckley > Bevo every day of the week

Also, elite mids can’t win games on their own. Bont and Ed Richards are the #1 & #2 rated players in the game and they still can’t make finals. They even have an AA HBF that everyone would kill for. I think the dogs prove how hard it is to win a flag. Their forward line and mids should well and truly eclipse their defensive deficiencies but yet, here we are.

Funny, I thought of this today when Tom Morris had the scoop on Charlie Curnow’s exit meeting, shortly after it had finished. I’m now firmly convinced that almost all leaks are manager based, who else would be leaking details of that meeting? Unless the club itself leaked, to shut down any thoughts for rivals.

He should be under a lot more pressure than he is

If you already have work there, it would be very hard to choose Melbourne over Brisbane.

I can’t believe someone would watch a footy panel show at 10pm

I look at it this way, of those three, who can move the needle for us in terms of influencing a game single handedly. To me, in order, that list is Oliver, Trac, Viney. Obviously, a lot more comes into that decision than purely game day. If we take more than 2 of them into next year, I’d be very concerned.

Campbell is a very solid ruckman, so the help is/was there?

I think one of our biggest problems has been that the players don’t want to play the way Goodwin wanted to coach. Yeh, we were winning games but playing dull, defensive arm wrestles each week would be death by a thousand cuts for a Melbourne player

Even if Bucks doesn’t come, forget Treloar

I’m usually on the same page as you with most things but this I’m not so sure. If you believe Goodwin should have been given his 5th year, since the flag, to carry out his reinvention of our gameplan, how is a first year coach missing finals a failure? Goodwin should be judged more harshly because despite his feeling that we are closing the gap, we were still going backwards in the only metric that counts, wins. Our fitness and skills, which are two of your favourite topics of disappointment, are not immediately changing next year without serious list moves, for which we have no currency. Whoever the new coach may be, they are inheriting a bit of a mess

Wasn’t there some disagreement between them, which ultimately forced Jennings out?

It certainly was, just seems crazy that after the ‘22-‘24 seasons he was still keen on adding more of the same.

I’d love to know how Worpel was going to help us? More of the same, it’s bizarre

This is quite interesting as Lever gets picked when underdone more than anyone I’ve ever seen. In assuming he was really hurt by being dropped but it absolutely had to happen

Perfect replacement for May I don’t know what the Saints are trying to do with all these insane offers but surely the fallout with the current crop will be immense

Two blokes who’s game is based on relentless effort, would be good to get some more of that drive into the side.