Ollie fan

Well, if that’s what happened to him, that is an absolute disgrace. If anyone saw him in public and didn’t do him the courtesy of leaving him alone, the only way to treat him would be to admire and praise his absolute class and elegance as a player.

Thanks for the endorsement, WCW – I read your posts, and your opinion is one that I highly value. However, when I read my original post, I’m not sure I was being completely clear and I hope you agree with my intention - I was trying to say that after the murmur of criticism, in my view he gave away opportunities, trying to show unselfishness, when he should have been more “selfish” and kicked the goal. I hope that is what you are agreeing with.

I don’t like the implied criticism of Fritta. I thought it was unfair right through the season. He is there to kick goals, not to give them away. In fact, I think the murmur of criticism of him for being selfish got to him and he ended up giving away some critical opportunities to try and be unselfish which cost us a game or two. Sooner or later, someone has to take the shot – so often, with other players we would see the ball being handpassed around and around looking for the perfect opportunity; Fritta is there to take the opportunity and kick the goal.

To my mind, if we are relying on BBB as a key forward in 2023, we will be in trouble. His weaknesses were really shown up this year -particularly his awkwardness as soon as the ball hits the ground. I am not blaming him; he was instrumental in 2021 and he owes us nothing. But the way forward is TMac, JVR, Schache maybe, a dynamite midfield led by Gawn and Grundy, and of course Fritta.

The next question will be to look at the votes that that umpire has cast and see if there is any thing that was at all surprising.

Mental gymnastics indeed. As I understood it he got off because no one had specifically called his action a “bump” until the tribunal did in its decision. Why that would make any difference to an action when Cripps hit with his body, with his arm tucked in, , in an action which was the very definition of a “bump” ……. It was a ridiculous decision. This whole scandal is huge. As has already been said, if an umpire will leak the votes which have been given, presumably for gain, what else would they do?

You run out of superlatives. With his absolutely relentless determination, he completely reminds me of Ron Barassi, and that is a very big thing to say.

Brett Lovett and Brian Wilson have to be in the conversation.

Sadly blotted his copybook though. That fracas was a bit of a turning point - in the wrong direction. I love his play and his onfield standards. But I don’t think he had listened hard enough to the famous advice from Vandenberg.

I thought he was tremendous and at times showed a turn of speed which I had long forgotten that he had.

Or one might remember the saying, there are lies, damned lies and statistics. I watched him butcher the ball too many times as a midfielder. I think he’s a great player but wing or HBF - and I suspect the two wings will now be Langdon and Hunter.

I want him at HBF. Great interceptor. But his disposal is too iffy for the key midfield.

I agree with all of that too

100% agree with that last sentence. In fact, I agree with the whole post.

And he needs to learn to think quicker!!

I’m excited! Basketball skills are very useful in getting through traffic; his size is great, all we need to know is whether he has the heart - but you never know that until they get on the park….

He looks to me to have this in common with his father: the talent level is not brilliant but he works hard to make the absolute most of what he has. That worked pretty well for Shane.

Unfortunately, struggled badly in the senior finals.

It sounds to me like Choco might be the man for him.

Completely agree. His first gig as a coach was with our midfield and he did a great job.

Mark Stinear for the job?? Or is that robbing Peter to pay Paul?

I Was speaking to a very experienced Collingwood supporter – who has access to their inner sanctum – who said that Brodie Grundy is an absolutely top bloke and plays as a ruck rover – in other words, exactly like Luke Jackson only better. I am very excited about him coming. I see them sharing the tap work in the middle, but Grundy playing forward while Max drops back to intercept defend. The discussion about our players should never overlook this - not only do we have “good” players, we have extraordinary players in our top three, Clarry Tracc and Max. I also see Petty going forward after his unbelievable cameo against Brisbane, with TMac going back if necessary. The weak link I think is BBB, who helped us get a premiership but has too much downside. If JVR is ready and good, then we are fine, with key position players of May, Lever, Petty, TMac and JVR as well as the marking ability of Max and BG, not to mention Fritta. I can’t wait.

In judging him, we should never forget the well-known fact that after an ACL, it takes a full year of playing to get back to your previous form. We have seen pretty much that with Salem, although it was a PCL.

I don’t understand keeping Melksham.

That highlights reel makes me remember why I always liked him. I love run and dare, but the courage he showed in that reel was also incredibly impressive.