The Jackson FIX

I was there. A really weird feeling. Something has to happen now. If we win everyone sweeps our problems under the carpet. Difficult to do that now (I hope)

To many, all of that sounds more appealing than a predictable sighting of missed kicks, missed handballs and missed goals.

Who are the assistants emerging as potential top calibre coaches? Feel like I always used to understand who the ‘next bunch’ was… I don’t nowadays

It’s not the reason. But sure, if you think we aren’t winning more flags because the club don’t really want to (or in this instance one supporter was happy with winning a premiership) then go for it 👍

Don't think there is a queue for his services. If you’re complaining about Goody butchering things post our flag then be warned that Simmo is skilled with a cleaver

I am. Didn’t win one for 50+ years. Sure. I wanted more, but I am happy with one flag.

Similar body shape but I can’t see many more similarities. Rayner always had X Factor (including being very strong in the air) albeit inconsistent. Kolt is more ‘meat and potatoes + tryer’ than X Factor, which is why people lean towards an ANB comparison (I think)

Essendon and Hawtorn are neck and neck for memberships. Geelong has more memberships than both but all 3 are in the same ballpark.

Hawks are a clear-cut big club. 6th on the membership table and a lengthy history now of success on and off the field.

Trac/Oliver (and arguably Viney) were A graders when contested footy was the game plan du jour. Sure, their recent issues must’ve contributed to their decline but the reality is a) their contested style is less valuable in today’s footy and b) they are trying to adjust their style to be more impactful which will either take time or won’t happen at all. My concern is we attempt to re-build and then end up with players that don’t suit whatever the game turns into in 5 years time.

Maybe it just highlights the growing struggles of smaller clubs in a free agency system - big clubs get the pick of the crop and everyone else has to battle it out for the scraps (eg Fullarton) OR have to think outside the square (eg Daniher, SSP ex basketballers etc) to compete.

The integrity risks become a whole lot heavier if they [censored] local wagering operators and dodgy off-shore operators start picking up market share. AFL was the #3 sport in betting revenue last time I was involved in the industry, and that doesn’t include any racing code. They haven’t got as much hand in negotiations as people would think.

Yes, agree. The average teams that have cut back hard were rewarded with either eventual salary cap relief (Collingwood) or picks (Richmond)… we won’t get either with clarry so as long as he isn’t a a cultural problem you’re almost better off keeping him and hoping a) he improves a bit or b) the way the game is played changes again to favour more contested types

I think the problem is either/both are only coming to us if the money is absurd

Must be a reason North aren’t playing him, they’re hardly flush with players of that variety. Dont mind your thinking though, we will need a good-finishing mid-sized type to replace Melksham come 2031 though.

I remember saying this about Jimmy Tounpas.

He’s a horrid finisher. Huge risk what confidence he has left plummets as we leave him in the forward line to shank snaps and 30m set shots for goal.

JT has helped build us the best list many of us have seen in our lifetime, a list that delivered a flag. Tim Lamb too deserves credit I do believe we get over excited about him though. He has done some great things but he’s not Jesus. Conversely, he’s also not a very naughty boy.

This is the worst I’ve ever seen any football side play. Ever.

I have never seen him do anything good on a football field. He is a truly average footballer.

Kolt is the worst footballer in the comp by a significant margin. How does he keep getting back into the side????

Dropping Windsor and JVR was not on my bingo card this season. Prior to Langford and X those two were my long term hopes. My emotional re-build has been set back years.

Would struggle to snaffle a six-pack of Swan Lager for JVR right now.

Still don’t understand why we’re stubbornly playing him on a back flank. The right position is the first fix for him.

Jeffo looks great. Hitting packs, leading up hard. Even a good one-grabber in there