HarpenDee

The 'learnings' from our off season review were to "stick to the plan and never waiver" Wonder if that included 0-5. Legs were definitely heavy. Salem looked like he running in quicksand.

Sorry to drag up the AJ stuff again, and I largely agree with the combination of all posters. He's probably not good enough He's doing a serviceable role As soon as JVR shows some form he comes back in His skills so far have been comically bad BUT did want to add the context of 'imposter syndrome'. As a mature age recruit there's probably a lot of this going on in AJs head, where clangers are exacerbated by a feeling of not belonging. It all must be very surreal for AJ playing alongside Petracca and Pickett, the same for Henderson. Only way he will feel he belongs is by playing.

This game is bloody huge now. Set up King's Birthday, Dees.

Clearly we need a long term May replacement pretty quickly but his season needs to be judged in context. Been said he is battling through PF and groin niggle - would kill acceleration, direction changing and jumping. I doubt he'd have played this much footy if Lever wasn't always crocked.

No way Tholstrup comes out. 11th for pressure from 63% TOG. No coincidence are best 2 pressure games with his return to the side.

Presumably no mention of Danger's (worse) tunnel in the 4th?

Is the gameplan For a poorly skilled side play kick mark while opposition set up. Eventually try to move it forward, fumble, turn it over and get slingshot for a goal. Then get smashed at Centre bounce for either a goal, or repeat of above. If we do get it forward, bomb it to a 1 on 3, slingshot goal. If we do get a mark, kick a behind, then don't defend the kick in and witches hats while they move the ball for a goal Why are we playing like this? Presumably because we know the list doesn't have the speed or fitness to play fast footy, like all the good/improving sides. Unfortunately we don't have any skill to play slow footy either. It looks like a very long season ahead.

A week is a long time in Footy. Last week the pies lost by 50 to a gws side sans Tom Green. This week they beat Port by 90 We played ok. Lost by a kick. Don't go microwaving the memberships just yet.

Good Evening Dees fans. A while since I posted but hope you've all had a great "off season." All the best for 2025! (and before this thread gets nasty...) Let's remember they're a good side and we've got 6 debutants! Lots can go wrong, but fingers crossed for a W. Go Dees!

Agreed Frothies. Our interest in Derk / his determination to get home should still be there next year and will cost us nothing Also agree with some posters above, not sure why we eould be determined to create potential mids out of Rivers/McVee when we have picks 5 and 9 in a draft that is perfect for potential mids. Pick 5/ pick 9/ Windsor/ Kolt coming through as a midfield group together underneath Trac/Oliver/Viney is the obvious play. Let's not try and be too cute.

Still good mates with Moore after his raised knee lacerated his spleen 6 months after the Maynard incident? Doubtful for mine

The speed and skills are a major issue. For most of the year we've forced a good turnover. Burn all our effort/energy springboarding out in really good shape. Cough it up under minimal pressure and no tickets left to get back. Incredibly energy sapping if getting no reward (and punished) for your rebounding efforts. That combined with getting smashed at clearance/stoppage gifting so many quick/clean entries to a defence that relies on intercepting has been a recipe for disaster. Ive resigned myself to 2025 not being much better but 2026 could be ok providing we don't give it all up for Houston.

We've got no chips to play with and little currency in any players. We aren't attractive for players to want to force a trade to come to us for what we've got. 2024 First Rounder is obviously the best mid on the board as we are miles behind the best midfields. 2025 First Round pick we try to trade for a 2024 First Round pick and take the next best mid on the board. Petty goes back to take the McDonald spot and then later the May spot. Disco stays forward and Jeffo comes in. McQualter gets 1 more year with a fitter Clarry. Stafford surely moved on.

Have thought similar myself but thought he was excellent in traffic in the 4thQ (possibly to do with Libba sat on the bench)

100%. Kolt looks to go alright but baffling to give away those picks when we are crying out for depth

Oliver cant stick a tackle because he cant grip with his hand.

Id just like to see the players enjoying themselves. Feels like its been hard work for 2 years.

Well Todays results mean we may have to win our remaining 4 to make the 8!

"2 first rounders" or "kozi plus a pick" Are there any sensible voices left in the media??

Now a bad time to tell you Gianfagna isnt delisted and is down to umpire us tomorrow vs Freo??

A week for the elbow and a week for the flop and roll would be nice

Yep - which is ny point. Goody has delivered a flag whereas several Carlton coaches including Voss haven't. See Fagan also but atleast he's got close. They're hard to win!

I agree @Ollie fan - there's a bunch of good lists. How about Carlton? Theyve had as many if not more picks from top end of the draft and not even gone close, yet. Which is why contending 3 (possibly 4?) years on the trot is so difficult and we deserve credit (see Collingwood who go criticism free for their flag defence). Oh well.

Ive struggled with our 2021 flag being devalued (even on here by Demons) and we've been painted as having offered a meek defence of it in 2022/2023. Despite starting 2022 like a train, Top 4 both years, and not quite getting over the line in September. Meanwhile Geelong start 2023 0-3 and miss finals and Collingwood 2024 0-3 and will miss finals. Yet they are painted as great Flag winnners and their respective coaches lauded.

Oh if we beat Freo and GWS the lid is definitely off. That form line combined with the coulda/shoulda win at the GABBA (and the Lions own form line stacks up) would put us in the mix vs everyone. Particulalry with a fully fit Gawn then returning. But this is all the biggest IF ever. Just enjoying each game.