D Rev

We were a lot better at this with Spargo in the team. The pressure from him and Nibbler is amazing to watch.

I thought this thread might be a tribute to 'The Dollop', but am even happier with what it is! Thanks!

I was at this game and thoroughly enjoyed it, though it was more than a little stressful. There really is something to be said for the smaller "boutique" grounds that represent communities in the northern states that people want to travel to (here's looking at you GWS). The first line of respect I'd like to pay is for the bloke on the accoustic guitar on the MMM stage who seemed to play "Free Falling" for 7 hours straight (I got there in time for the reserves). Tom Petty no longer owns that song. This was a bloody tough game, the Suns are a very good team who move the ball at G-Force speed from their backline to their forward line. Their mids are absolute gold who dominated congestion. I actually feel for Suns fans, they don't have another home game for SIX WEEKS. Can you imagine that happening to a Victorian team? I understand they need to sell games to the NT for cash (imagine being there...). I don't know what their fitness program is like, but thats a big interruption to the season and makes it hard to build support. Great ground though, and loved the passion of their fans. As for us, we started well then they got on top and really pushed us to the end. The Grundy-Max thing seems to take away a bit from both of them, Max plays his best in the middle or intercepting marks and sending him to the middle FT seems to be a 'break in case of emergency' play at the moment. Grundy is perfectly adequate as a tall up forward. Speaking of forwards, Fritsch had his worst game in years, so lets forget it and hope it doesn't happen again for years. Langdon was absolutely woeful too, I thought he was on mushrooms he was out of position so often. Again, here's hoping it's a blip. Spargo had an awesome game in the twos and needs to come in to stop the ball rebounding out of the forward 50 as soon as it hits the deck. It was good to see Disco get through a (nearly) full game without being concussed but he was too undersized for Casboult and its a shame it took Goodwin 3 quarters to work that out. Im happy for Petty to be back or forward but Spargo should come back in. Brown looked slow in the twos and his opponent regularly outmarked our out-ran him. I'm not convinced he is a better option than Grundy up forward. Sounds crazy, I know.

I'm pretty concerned about the quick turn-around for this game, many players looked proppy in the last game. You want to treat every opponent respectfully, but I wonder if this is a good chance for some rotations. Bowey looked off for mine, but can we afford to give him a spell with Salem still out? I would reckon that (if fit) Pickett and Fritsch will both bounce back. The question is, are they fit? I'd actually like to see us continue with Petty up forward as a foil for JVR and the rucks when they are up there, the defence held up OK without him last week. Would be good to give Disco a run if May needs a break.

Not related, but I was astonished by the amount of merch the Richmond fans had. Must add a serious amount of cash into their coffers.

I don't think slowing down is always an option in the modern game. Midfielders are going to have "clangers" which is just inevitable really. The focus is on the ability to retain possession after a clanger, so having that defensive pressure all over the ground. I'd say the bigger concern last night were the "unforced errors"; dropped marks, handballs askew etc. Basic skill errors. I hope it's just an aberration. Also, and apologies if this has been covered, what's the go with all the handballs off the ground?!

Schache?

I'll be sure to bring my boots. Does anyone have a hamstring I can borrow?

Apologies as this game is a while away but I've already booked flights with a mate and am looking forward to getting up there for a bit of sunshine (and hopefully a win!). Is anyone else going up for the game? Are there any social functions on?

I used to listen to the "2 guys, 1 cup" podcast a lot, but would get a little annoyed that they kept referring to Melbourne as being a team that was way ahead of itself (specifically Petracca and Oliver). Now I'm thinking that maybe they were right. I don't mind getting beaten if we at least have a go, but not even trying is beyond the pale. It's all very well for us to smash bad teams, but you have to give every team respect and turn up to each game. Lack of effort and a disjointed (rudderless?) approach does nothing to dispel the theory that Goodwin does not have the team. I strongly suspect Lever is a lot more important to us than any of us know. Our list is too good to play this badly. A statement is needed.

Pretty sure some English Rugby league did it first

Really good point re: wet weather footy here. I was surprised at how much we were falling over & dropping the ball v the Swans and there was a bit of it early v the Eagles too (though the sun blazing peoples eyes out of their sockets may have been a factor). Long stops for sure. Need to make sure the Defence is ready for their counters if we cough it up.

I'm not sure why you'd change it when we are winning? Give him more time to settle into the new role.

I think this is a little unfair. He has certainly been crucial to the structure down back and constantly found himself in good positions. His disposal still lets him down a bit, but he is hardly alone in that.

My take away from the article is less around being 'due' or a fairytale and more around the normalisation of watching your team from anywhere but the game itself, which is helpful.

Good luck to him. He seems to only play how it suits him. We jumped at him when we didn't have much choice as to who came to the club, but he's gone backwards since then (arguably the only time he does run back...). Can't see why a young club would want him around as a mentor. Arguably should just go and teach people how to kick.

Pick 20 for SW would be pretty great. I'd have thought Hawthorn might go after him as he seems to play his best against them...?

-15. Am absolutely loving everyones stories here. Thanks to all.

Who is the second tall then? Fritch is mid sized. Melksham stopped playing 4 quarter footy last year (at least) - he won't cut it in finals. Even injured, McDonald is better than Jake. He has kicked 30 goals this year and his fitness (when fit) has been the sort of thing you need to win finals. McDonald is obviously suffering from the back injury related to flying up and down the east coast of Australia before the Suns game. Probably not the time for an aerial tour of Australia, but who am I to judge? I've almost gained faith in selectors this year. If they pick McDonald, then he is right to play and part of our best 22.

He may be lucky to get a run in the VFL next year. Eddie etc will be grateful that Tex has come along to be the very public face of racism in the AFL. Without deflecting from how awful this issue is, it also points out how much of a train wreck the Crows still are. All the boot camps in the world can't change a culture like that.

I normally don't care too much about lauding individual players, leave that for clubs like St Kilda who have no premierships. That being said, the treatment of past players certainly impacts the culture of the club, as well as whether players want to come to it. "Woey" overcame so much to get himself where he did (a Brownlow and playing in a GF) and really should be celebrated more. The whole team of 2000 really should.

I think the class of Bomber as a human has been on display for all to see. At least there is some comfort that he, Bomber, has to wake up being him every day.

Apologies, simplistic question; the AFL website says the game will be in VIC and there doesn't seem to be a game at Marvel on Saturday - so shouldn't it be there? Have I missed something, other than my marbles?

and my axe!

I absolutely love this post. Thank you. Here's hoping someone at the club shows it to Trac with an arm around the shoulder while saying (in a gentle voice): "they're on to you son, time to prove them wrong"