BW511

The players that are costing us games by playing this way are all in the most important positions on the field. It should be extremely concerning that Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver can all have 'off' days on the same day. No surprise the dogs absolutely destroyed us in the middle. It's not a bad opportunity to make an example of someone, given the game is so important for his career. Not a token change, a real strong one, send a wake up call to the whole list

I think Fritta is a little too comfortable. He doesn't really have any challengers for his position and the other bloke playing a similar role is in a horrible form slump (Melksham). He's also a fairly easy match up for opposition defenders, you just sit goal side of him and let him lead away from contact for his low percentage shots. He is having 4-6 shots a week, but if he's only making 1-2 of them, it isn't going to be the difference between a win or loss. The issue I have with Harmes, Viney or Jones as permanent forwards is that none of them have any tricks. With zones, there is always plenty of players around the contest and those three can't regularly manufacture goals on their own in the way a Papley, Butler, Rioli, Henry, Cameron, Miers or Bolton could. Not one of them has an elite side step, pace or leap. Wallis on the weekend was a good example, he had plenty of space to operate due to the speed the dogs transitioned and he was absolutely sensational in the way he used his brain to beat opponents - Through strength, body position and timing

I know it's not related to Spargo, but I often wonder if you can have a proper setup around stoppages with Viney there. His endeavour can't be questioned, but he will try to barge through everything in sight. There were a number of occasions on the weekend where he cleaned up or ran into his own teammates

No doubt our best is very good, but we've probably only seen it for 6 quarters in over 18 months. If the plan only works that little, there is something wrong with the plan

If we are to persist with the same setup across the ground, we need to invest in players that bring some point of difference. You could throw a blanket over Harmes, Salem, Hibberd, Brayshaw, Melksham, Hannan, Fritsch, Lockhart, Spargo, Tomlinson, Jones, Lever, T-Mac and possibly even Oliver as one paced plodders. Trac offers something a little different, but he’s useless going back as he’s not quick either. Oliver has pace, but is often trailing an opponent 5 meters behind. The Doggies/Saints/Power/Lions all have multiple players with the leg speed to simply run past or away from this bunch. Teams that are buzzing around and moving all day are always a chance against us, because we are setup to play the rugby scrum style. Giant effort at the coal face, reset, then go again. The doggies are the most frustrating of the lot, because individually they are not great players, they just all work to contribute (when they are on)

I think Fritsch is probably getting away with a lot more than he should due to his couple of goals each week. He’s getting a fair few looks at it, but is very selective as to when he has a crack. Fritsch and Melksham give zero defensive pressure and neither are consistent enough to demand the respect of their opponent. Forward line is still an issue and will be for as long as Melksham gets an armchair ride

Of all the teams where you can’t afford this mindset, the doggies and saints would be top of the tree. There’s a reason plenty were nervous coming into this game and it played out exactly that way. The doggies adjusted at half time to make things work for them and we doubled down on everything we were doing wrong. its just extremely hard to back this team and coaching panel to bring the required mindset every single week

I reckon his size might be a concern for his whole career, he's definitely got some tricks but is often too early through traffic before the real heat comes. He might win us a game with a flash of brilliance, but it will be 1 in 10 or worse Give him a breather and give Bedford a run now.

This did not age well

No doubt they are all entitled to be there, but they are definitely not better than Higgins. I am not saying we should sell the farm to get him, but age aside, he’s a good footballer and fills a hole we currently have.

Right now? You are kidding yourself If you think any of those blokes are having the impact Higgins would. I am as excited about Rivers as anyone, but Higgins would keep him out of the side for at least 2 years. Kossie is a little different, but he gets a lot of leeway for looking flashy

Higgins would walk into our side in front of at least 3-4 players. If age is an issue, he’s 3 times the player Jones is and he’s still in the side. Would have him in our forward line ahead of Fritsch, Melksham, Spargo, Kossie. Would play him on the wing ahead of Gus or Tomlinson. Would play him off HBF ahead of Hibberd/Rivers We need ball users that can hurt and he does that, regularly, in a rubbish side.

There’s a lot more holes to fill to win a flag, this is not the answer

Doubt Bruce comes in, he's been pretty ordinary and a week off would not seem enough. Unless they bring him in to make our defenders defend. Naughton is a beauty. May will have the speed, but not sure we have anyone who has the aerial agility for him. Not sure the dogs will play like they did two weeks in a row

If he’s back up for T-Mac, Fritsch and Melksham he’s permanently in the mix. Melksham has had more chances than anyone since 2018. I think he offers more than T-Mac and can actually be a swingman

No way Lachie Hunter fits the Goodwin mould. Isn’t he known to be a little bit of an entitled brat?

Papley can win a game off his own boot, would much rather him at $800k than Williams

He’s an absolute liability at present. Getting caught all the time, fumbles and brings nothing. Big fall from grace. I know everyone wants him round the ball, but who does he replace?

I think Port played far better last night than versus us. We don’t have the ability to maintain intensity and focus for a whole game like Richmond and Port did. I think we would have given up an classic 4-5 goal early lead and maybe come out even for the remainder of the match. Think both teams beat us by 5 goals + on last nights performance

What a difference the crowd makes on a contest, this Power vs Tiges game is a ripper

Not trusting your teammates or believing you are better at executing than they are is probably the same thing - it could be seen as selfish. We would be well served sharing the ball around - albeit in a more organised fashion. We don’t have guys running to support, we don’t have guys running to create space through false leads or shepherds. Forward or sideways handballs to flat footed players facing the wrong way is absolutely killing us (Oliver) It’s junior football stuff to get through rough patches by bringing each other into the game. Get a bit of enthusiasm amongst the group if you are rewarded for effort

I'm a firm believer in the leadership being a huge part of the problem. Jones and Viney definitely looked after themselves first. I don't think Gawny can steer the ship, he is too nice. The best teams have on field leadership that is also coaching as they go, they also have club wide belief in what they are doing. I reckon May and Lever are trying their butt off to work towards what Goody wants, just don't believe the other 16 are

Richmond have very clear expectations on players that come in and their ability to convey the message across the whole playing group is exceptional. Every single player on their list can come in and play their role. You can't help but tip your hat to them, they have raised the bar

Not a lot of high end talent in that list because we haven’t had high draft picks. The ball winning directive for recruitment really costs us dearly. The game seems to move in one direction just as we commit to the opposite. Of the list above, a very low percentage of players actually play in our side. Richmond has a habit of turning VFL players into fantastic AFL role players while we create fringe players at best. I’ve mentioned it before, but we would not be industry leading in one single area of our club. It seems our ladder position probably is an accurate reflection on how we operate.

Lloyd’s point is correct though, our mids are all cut from the same mould. Just don’t expect anyone to cough up something useful for Brayshaw. Same with Viney, he’s a warrior and bled red and blue from day dot, but he’s not bringing too much value back our way due to his limitations.