Ollie fan

Well, I would be very sorry to see him leave but it does seem that he is not a true team player. But any talk of swapping him for Soligo, or for draft picks, or with us paying one cent of his salary, really riles me. If he went to Adelaide perhaps a straight swap for Thilthorpe might - just might - be enough. But Soligo? - that would be a joke. In a relatively poor midfield he is not even their number 1 or 2.

I thought it was established that at the exit interview he was told that his preparation etc were not up to the standard expected of an AFL player, let alone a first-rounder. But perhaps I was wrong. Can anyone help with this?

Let's see how he reacts to the advice given at his exit interview. He might turn it all around. Let's hope so!

I watched the first quarter of the greatest game ever played (21 GF) and reminded myself of what he can be. I would just love to see him get back to that form again - so relentless, so clean, so powerful. Let's all hope for it.

Actually, IMHO it all started with Lever who had the ball on the HBF - right in front of me. Rivers was completely free 20m behind his right shoulder and if he had kicked it to him a further 20 seconds would have been wasted - and probably it would have affected Carlton's setup for the down the line kick. I, and others, were screaming for him to do that. BUT he kicked it down the line and rest is sad history.

I saw that post too and thought it was very magnanimous of PF. Nice to see some decent feelings.

Such a lot of argument about what we should get for Judd. There was a lot in the papers and on the AFL website about whether he would stay or go. They don't usually write much about minor, who-cares players. Also, the Mongrel Punt appears to rate him pretty highly. And presumably so do Freo. Seems to me that he is a better player than pick 39.

Childish indeed. Anyone who thinks GW is a liar is a fool. There may well be a liar here and his name might be Judd but if you think GW would make this up and then defend it with her reputation, well, your judgement of people must start in the mirror.

Exactly right. He is doing his job which it's to be ready if called upon. Milton said: "they also serve who only stand and wait". Apparently Max refuses to be "managed" so Campbell doesn't get a go. Not his fault.

I think this is rewriting history a bit, or actually a lot. At the end of 2023, to my recollection Clary was not off the rails at all. We had had bad luck with injuries to key forwards but there were real promising signs with Petty and JVR. so, I disagree with your reasoning. PS I don't know how the underlining got in this post, but I don't know how to remove it.

Trac is in a terrible position. If he says he wants to stay and the club decides to move him on, he looks foolish. And vice verse. So he is sensibly keeping quiet until the club decides who it is going to market in the trade table. And that won't happen until next week at the earliest, when Steven King starts his new role. But if he reads this thread, who would blame him for wanting to leave regardless?

The best thing will be the whinging about Elliott not getting a free. It will be as delicious as the Wayne Harmes memory.

It takes about two seconds into any Collingwood game to remember how stupid and irritating Collingwood supporters are. They have no idea of the rules.

Howe's kicking hasn't improved

Anyone who has read my posts - and I really don't expect people to remember them – won't be surprised when I say, I really hate this site when people pour scorn or contempt on our players. Tracc has been an absolute star, we all know the reasons why he has been a little bit down this year, but he is still absolutely explosive and I would be very upset if he left. I expect Steven King would, too. And BTW, the same goes for Clarry.

My favourite Robbie moment, which I was lucky enough to see live but is available on many of the YouTube videos, was this. Problem: you are running towards the goals with the ball some distance in front of you. Coming towards you is an opposition player (Collingwood) and the ball is right in the middle of the two of you. Run at it and you will certainly be tackled. What do you do? Robbie's answer: run very slightly to the side of the ball, grab it, blind turn and run into goal, leaving the opposition prayer stranded. It was incredible.

Agree with everything so far. I add this. I watched him play many times and still couldn't say for sure whether he was a natural right footer or a natural left footer..

Chaplin was an excellent defence coach and I would love for us to hang on to him. Selwyn is a bit underrated IMO - his record in avoiding injuries is outstanding. If we could get Burgo back, great, but otherwise I would stick with him. Don't know about Chunk. I was NOT impressed at first but the Jeff White analysis of our midfield work in a game (can't remember which) made me rethink a bit. The big question is: who will be the forward coach? Hawkins maybe?

Yes. Watson

Parkin and Walls

Terrific article from a terrific site.

I'm with the general sentiment. All the pushing and shoving is c..p. And the second free that Rayner got should have been paid against the Geelong player for sheer stupidity, if nothing else - to come in straight after a free/goal for pushing, and push HARDER, right in front of the umpire: what an [censored]!! But generally ducking like Sellwood, flopping and the jumper punches - they are all a blot on the game . American football does not tolerate that for a second

Hate to say anything that might upset the Goody haters - well, I am not really sorry about it - but one thing the finals have shown us so far is that what wins flags and finals - duh - is contest, pressure and defence. Particularly pressure.

The keys to flags have always been the same: defence, defence and defence.

Didn't they do exactly the same thing a few years ago with Tom Hawkins? - who has also never captained a team?