BW511

If we had someone to negate Finn Callaghan in the last quarter (all quarters) I think the result plays out differently. His size and running power will overwhelm a lot of teams this year. It’s not always pretty but he definitely sparks action

The rain helped us immensely, we likely lose by 5-6 goals if it was yesterday’s weather. Loved seeing XL’s incredible composure on debut, the new faces being involved and T-Mac having a ripper. There was plenty of positives but we continue to have a host of players who just do not contribute at all

I believe 23k in that weather, versus GWS, should be considered a win. The Grand Prix had 130k and that’s an enormous, global sport.

Just dropped by to say XL looks like he’s played 100 games already, he’s very good

Absolutely amazing. No one would have expected this, huge for their kids, who all had a red hot go

He’s become a very good player. Would welcome him in with open arms

The speed with which the ball is moving is definitely making me nervous.

I think a reserves/U19’s/development squad that plays prior to senior home games would get people invested again. Also gives up and coming players a chance to get into senior systems earlier

A defensive back pocket with his skill set is much harder to find than a long-kicking HBF

Sorry, if the choice was between trading McVee or Rivers, I’d keep McVee. This was in response to someone suggesting a trade of McVee

I’d send Rivers off and keep knuckles, Judd is much more valuable in my eyes.

Change of personal circumstances is curious?

What’s interesting is Melbourne were at the forefront of training hard and often (Burgo) Every other club is playing catch up. At the moment they are going down the ‘start earlier, start harder’ route across the board. This mantra will mature and things will settle but for now, being match fit in February is not winning anyone a flag

My pies employed mate has been telling me that Membrey has been on fire all preseason. Quite a dynamic forward group over there

Or the best player in his current or our future team

I would have said one of Oliver’s great strengths at his best is his ability to get to the next contest. It isn’t pretty ala a Caleb Windsor but he’ll huff and puff and vomit his way there, every time

Clarry in absolutely everything 😱

Aside from the romance of the family connection, is Andy Brayshaw going to make us better? I’d say no. Langford and Lindsay offer something different and that’s going to serve us better.

I wouldn’t sleep on XL either, he’s going to play this year imo. My guess is 5-8 games

Absolutely, although I’d happily argue Oliver’s output was above that lot - even though significantly below his absolute best.

Lynch, McKay, Martin, Bolton all took the [censored] in ‘24

@Roost it far & @Sydee 2.5 games and there was 5 teams between us and eight. Realistically, it was 3 games as our percentage was junk. Only teams below us were Adelaide, West Coast, North and Richmond. Love the optimism but to me, that’s a long way back.

It might not be enough. We will be better than last year but we are coming from a long way back.

My uneducated thoughts make me wonder if Reid already thinks he’s above/beyond the Eagles. Turning up unfit in year 2 is exactly the opposite of what you want to see and a few injuries in a row could effectively kill the entire year (see Petty/Clarry etc) I hope he finds a level of professionalism of a Trac (football only) or Pendlebury so we can all watch him reach dizzying heights - wherever that may be

There’s probably only a handful of players who broke even on their 2023 form or bettered it. So in my opinion, heaps of them.