D Rev

Is it just me that can't see the name Frampton without thinking of Peter Frampton?

Politely disagree, Chin has been offering pressure up forward. Disco should be given another go, he's young, tall, smart and agile. He got better in the backline. I think he'd go well as a 3rd tall forward. Petty down back.

Effort is the main thing I want to see from the team this week. A repeat of last week and its serious soul-searching time. I believe this team is capable of so much more in the context of this league and the crazy variability of this season, as long as they have a go. Changes I'd like to see: No major changes for me. Petty down back for TMac (intercept role), allow TMac to run up and down the ground & apply pressure / drag Moore or Howes. Disco down back for Tommo or given another run up forward for McAdam with JVR & Fritta. Maybe bring Sestan in for McAdam, can't be worse. Jeffo isn't ready and BBB is done. Fullarton isn't up to it. Taj to not be sub, someone tell him "this is your chance to show you belong". And make sure he has a go. Happy for Trac and Clarrie to spend time up forward as long as the other mids are applying pressure. I wouldn't mind seeing McVee and Salem spend more time in the midfield to inject some skill and pace - as long as they are applying pressure (is this becoming repetitive yet?). Otherwise, I think Swallow should be dragged for Kolt or K Brown - someone that will have a go.

Some pretty, expectedly, wild takes on here. I just watched the Goody presser and he was clearly aiming his message at the players "you are not where you need to be" (consistent). We absolutely got smashed in every facet and looked lazy and unskilled for much of it. Goody is absolutely putting it on the players to take responsibility for their performance. I've mentioned this previously, but I don't think we have the pace or skill to compete the way we are playing (and being played!) at the moment. I do think we have the cattle (when fit) to make a difference. Looking forward to seeing how the players (and coaches) respond.

I'm not normally one to jump on here right after a loss, but jeez, that really sucks the air out of the room. The way we completely switched off after 4 mins and let them control the rest of the game was embarrassing. Amongst other things, we were badly out-coached. StKilda were completely disinterested, so Im not taking much from that. I dont think we've been competitive or impressive since the Blues game. As for the players today: That's the second game in 3 weeks where May has been completely outplayed. I thought Viney, Petracca and Oliver weren't as influential as previous seasons. Again. Granted, Oliver didn't have a pre-season, but we looked slow and our lack of polish was really on display. Something needs to change. Swallow is like a mini Viney, with less polish. I'm not sure how you can improve the situation. Nibbler had his worst game for the season, has he been found out? Salem was solid, if not spectacular. Windsor looks like he needs a rest, but probably wont get one. Im not sure if Billings is a better option than a tired Caleb. Kozzie completely faded out of the game, as did many. It's like they had given up on the red and blueprint. Our forward line was putrid today, again. We are lucky to have TMac in the side to go forward. I think Disco will get there given time. JVR will help. Petty is just awful. I dont know why everyone picks on McAdam, he's 27 and has played 50 AFL games - he's not that good and never will be. I thought Chandler & Rivers tried. Fritsch improved when moved down back. The backline should get some sort of book of vouchers or a box of chocolates for the number of times it came down there. You'd think McVee should spend more time in the middle if our skills and smarts are letting us down. In all, some tried, others were unsighted. It's like they all just disappeared. Did they give up? What does that say about their mindset, preparation and commitment? Max's shoulders must be bloody sore from carrying this team. Other teams are kicking it about, rather than pushing through contests, which is exposing our lack of skill or ability to adapt. They are drawing out our intercept defenders, opening up the ground and delivering to their forwards. Our inability to get the ball forward was frightening. Are Freo that good, are we that bad? It doesn't seem like a one-off. Im going out for some oxygen. Take care of yourselves.

Yes, its like an unofficial divisional system. Not best pleased with the fixture, really wish we didn't play down in Casey so much. We couldn't get more centrally located games?

Click bait!

#49 - one ahead of BBB....

I actually think Turner is a really smart footballer. He's also young, has built a tank, is athletic and agile. He provides a lot more versatility than BBB, and will cause the oppo far more headaches. Jefferson has had a couple of good games in the magoos but simply isn't ready. Lets not do a Jack Watts to him, but give him time to develop.

Obviously he's a lot shorter, but he could play that defensive forward role that Petty has been doing, dragging their KPPs up the ground to create options. He also is a natural forward with great footy smarts. At the very least he will do as much as Petty has, at the very most he will help our forward line immensely.

You suspect Windsor would relish playing 30-40 mins on a dry deck up in the Alice. I thought Taj was unlucky to start as sub (again), he did seem to be getting better with better minutes.

Completely agree on Windsor needing a rest, but Goody doesn't like changing winning teams and our fitness staff don't seem to love resting players. I thought Hunter was good, though lazy. You can get away with that against the Saints, not teams that have a go.

I am very, very happy to be proven wrong but I dont think Jeffo has the tank for AFL yet. A couple of good games in the VFL isnt enough for an up-and-comer. Petty gets viewed differently as he has over 70 games under his belt. He (Petty) is in horrific form though and should be dropped if crook. I really don't think Brown is the answer, I'd like us to use the opportunity to bring in someone with upside or potential. We can't have McAdam and another forward target who can't run or kick more than 40m in the side. Bring in Sestan or Kolt for mine.

Could easily have been 9 or 10 if we kicked straighter, but then I'll take the 4 points and the percentage that got us to 4th.

It was truly unbelievable to see! Hopefully it wasn't a one-off!

I really like Sestan as a prospect, he seems a smart footballer and *looks* like he has the physical qualities needed. You'd think he can at least compete and run, which is more than McAdam and Petty.

I'm actually not getting that excited about McAdams tackles, most of them were on his direct opponent who had beaten him. McAdam really doesn't look up to AFL standard, Petty too. I know Goody doesn't like changing a winning team, but we can't carry two players like that every week. Issue being, who comes in? I dare say BBB wouldn't relish a trip to the Alice this week. Possibly Sestan, Kolt or anyone that can apply pressure and has upside. Similarly, Windsor looked pretty shot and probably could do with a week off. I dare say Billings is the natural replacement, but I'd like to see Taj get more game time.

I saw that Fullarton is listed as 'new' - stupid question - but does that mean he is in?

I remember JVR having some awesome games in the magoos in '22 and there being braying for him to come into the ones (this is when we were just bombing it onto the heads of TMac / BBB) but they kept him out for another pre season - JVR later came out and confirmed he wasn't ready to come in then. Jeffo should definitely keep working on his tank

He may do better with JVR up there, rather than Brown. No doubt means Tommo gets a go, which is deserved. Will be interesting to see who Langers comes in for, the cupboard is definitely getting bare. Hopefully Bowser can get up, need some silk in this team.

Our forward line was terrible last week, BBB needs a spell. Possibly the kind that you see delivered to Princesses in Disney movies. JVR and Langers are obviously straight ins, Langers for Billings, JVR for BBB. The question then is who comes in for Lever. Tommo as a straight swap, or do you send Petty back and bring in another forward? Or, put Trac forward and bring in any of Sestan / Koltyn / K Brown for rotations in the mid for Petty? Lower risk is bringing in Tommo and giving Trac time up forward. I think.

I really appreciate your considered and detailed response, I think we can shut the lid on discuss around the closeness of the competition, given our furious agreement there. I agree that there are issues with the team, including depth. However if you look at the top 8 teams in the VFL - 5 of those teams are stand-alone clubs. Of the AFL affiliated teams, only Geelong is a chance. The VFL is essentially treated as an extra training session by most AFL sides, and Geelong has been probably the most successful side (overall) in the last 50 years. So, most other (good) AFL teams dont seem to have a wealth of talent at the ready either. For us, we've been a victim of our success in that we've had players like Bedford and Jordan in the twos, they simply wont stay if there are better opportunities out there. Should we have tried to keep them at the expense of others? Maybe - hindsight is always 20/20. It's also worth remembering that we lost Brayshaw before the start of the season for absolutely no compensation (to date). He was in our top 10 players and versatile in ways that can be hard to define. Clarrie had no pre-season, so is still playing catch up - so we are down 2 of our top midfielders. Langers, who has been really good this season, was also out Sunday - so thats 3 of our top midfielders out. No team can replace that sort of talent easily. Lever was also out early, which also hurt. Again, the issue when our top players fail (e.g. May), it really exposes the next tier down. I agree that Sparrow has been disappointing and that BBB and McAdam didn't seem up to it. We can't really send Sparrow back to Casey as there is noone down there who can play his role. Laurie doesn't seem up to it while K Brown and Thurstropp need another year or two. Same with Jefferson. I disagree about Chandler though, his pressure acts have been incredible. The way we play isn't to kick 100 points, its to hold the other team to about 10 goals, then kick more than that. This is a strategy that holds up in finals and relies more on fitness (which can be developed quickly) than skills (which cannot). I'm not too worried about our forward line...when we are fit. We had Turner and JVR out, as well as Melksham. All 3 are smart footballers who can provide a target and run. With our style of play, we need the talls to compete and the rest of the team to lock the ball in and move it forward. Fritta has kicked 25 goals this season, while Kozzy, JVR, Trac and Chin all average about a goal per game. Then there's the others that chip in (Gawn, ANB, Windsor etc). That's enough to get above the opposition if the defence works. All in all, with: the closeness in the competition, the draft, the salary cap, travel and injuries - it is very difficult to be competitive every week throughout the whole season for multiple seasons. I think we are looking OK in the context of the league and have the opportunity to get better if we can stay fit.

I thought the pressure from both was awesome. Kozz seems to be more conscious of big hits too

I don't think there is any 1 real flag chance in the league. Sydney still look good, but it'll be interesting to see how they go at the MCG. Port were very lucky against Hawthorn. Geelong, Carlton and GWS have fallen away. I dont think the Blues or Cats have the legs to get through the finals. It's a very even league, we have to accept that we aren't going to be great every week - particularly with travel. Fitness and depth will get us over the line as finals footy will be more like Rugby Union. Getting to the line will be the issue. When our top tier doesnt fire, it really exposes the next level down. Oliver didnt have a pre-season, so should have more in him. The form of Viney and Trac is not up to previous years, perhaps Trac should stay in the forward line more? That was probably Mays worst game at Melbourne, I dare say he will bounce back. Lever was missed. I thought Kozzie, Nibbler and Salem were all very good. Windsor is going to be a 200 gamer. Not stinking over the last couple of years has meant we haven't been able to draft players of the ilk of Harley Reid, which is part of the even competition the AFL wants.

we could definitely use more of that