D Rev

I think a lot of the posters here are missing this point - we do not exist in a vacuum but in the context of the entire league. Yes, we have been bitterly unlucky this season with injuries and stupidity (sometimes both): Smith, Angus, Clarrie, Trac, Max, May, Lever, Spargo, Salem, Bowey etc all injured or out for one reason or another. Some players have gone backwards due to injury, age or being exposed due to the overall (team) fall off in performance. BUT...look at Richmond and their injury list, these things happen and cannot be controlled. ALSO....look at Hawthorn, a young side with no fear that is learning to play together and running on top of the ground. With the right management and some luck, we have as good a chance as anyone to improve our list and performances next season. We've blooded a LOT of kids this year, more than most, which will provide benefit next season. No real surprises we looked flat on Friday. We are in a much better position than the pre Goodwin days, I do have hope for 2025.

Absolutely. If you don't support them when they are down, you don't deserve them when they are up.

I got in a fair stoush with the then-CEO years ago too. The bloke is a the pied piper of disaster, it follows him everywhere. Him getting hired by us, the 3rd club to do so, shows how small minded the execs in the AFL can be. You can link this to the Craig Kelly post (if its still up). I'm glad he's gone & that we've (largely) moved on.

I've got this date marked in my calendar so I get a reminder every year, it's good for perspective. If you told me we would win a flag in 2021 back then, or the 5 years after, I wouldn't have believed you. We've come a long way as a club, which is great, but it's also good to look at how the competition has changed. The Geelong and Hawthorn teams from that era were ridiculously good, so much better than the rest. Look at the competition now - incredibly even. I'm not sure if we'll see those dominant eras again. The competition is so much more professional now, although the AFL does seem to be resisting with its fixturing, management of match umpiring etc.

Excellent point. Lets not forget the pall that the tanking era left our club under in regards to culture and performance. We have to play every game to win. This season has been very tough for us from the start. We lost Smith, then Clarrie went off the rails, then we lost Brayshaw. All 3 would have been in the starting 18 this year. Why we lost two of them is probably up for discussion. Where in the world is Charlie Spargo? We've had a really tough draw; lots of travel and 5 day breaks. Petty had an interrupted pre season while Lever, Salem and Bowey have been injured and down on form (not so much Lever). To Goody's credit, he bit the bullet after "The Malice in The Alice" and played the kids. Lots of positives coming from AMW, Disco, Kolt & Windsor (who was already in). McVee, JVR (especially) & Chandler also looking good. Pup and Jeffo are two for the future, as are Sestan and Verrell. Rivers has been awesome to watch in the middle and Nibbler has really stepped up this year too. We've had the normal older and mid-tier players (Sparrow, Tommo, B Brown, Hunter, Billings etc) fall away or not be good enough. Milkshakes output has dropped, but thats to be expected. Fritta has been very disappointing despite kicking over 35 goals. It seems like Woey or Laurie aren't up to AFL level either, which is a shame but Im happy to be proven wrong. Jeez, I really went sideways here. In all, Id like to see: IN (any of): Sparrow (if he's learned his lesson), Disco (starting), Howes, Hore OUT: Woey (to Sub), Laurie, Billings, Bowey For those wanting Kolt in, he may still be out with concussion protocols. Jeffo, Pup, Sestan and Verrell all aren't ready.

Not sure about Langdon in the best, certainly tried but his disposal was pretty ordinary. Also don't think May or Lever had their best games. McVee was the best of the backline for mine.

Some excellent points made in this thread. It actually grinds my gears a bit when people make the judgement call about "proper fans" being the ones to get to games. Not everyone has that luxury, we should remember that. I 100% agree that 16k on a Saturday night is a poor scene. The AFL needs to take some of the blame - Melb v GWS is never going to draw a crowd drawing over 40k outside the finals in July. That being said, I dare say there were more people watching this game at home so the good people at Ch7 may have been happier (isn't that what this is all about?). Then again, maybe the Olympics took a few eyeballs away. I've said this before, but I would love for us to pack up our stuff from Casey and do a deal with Port Melbourne. This game would have had a real 'retro round' feel at North Port Oval. Regardless, I really don't want us to be a club that really gets on board the "only real fans turn up" mojo.

Both of them?

Don't know if Id start with Billings on - keep him as sub

Kolt wasn't great against the Dockers, but he wasn't Robinson Crusoe in that department. Brown looks way too small to be playing big minutes (which Kolt has been doing) in the AFL. He needs another pre season (at least). It sounds like Salem will be out, likely for Gawn. This is an absolute must-win game for us, we need to pick a side that will maximise our chances of winning. GWS have had a pretty easy run the last ~6 weeks and haven't been too convincing. We are a dead-set chance against them at home with (a supporter created) wind at our sails!

For everyone that is saying we need to drop x or y, you need to consider who we have to come in. We don't have a lot at Casey that are better options that who is playing. Billings had one of his best games for us after a long spell in the 2s and not playing a full game. Howes for and injured Salem is probably the only viable change, aside from Max coming in for just about anyone.

Fritta has been up and down this season, but has still kicked 35 goals - I wouldn't swap that for a young bloke that has done OK in the magoos. Likely Gawn will be back this week, so that will let us play JVR up fwd more. That will certainly help our midfield and forward line. Every game is a final from now on & we need our best team in. I really dont think Jeffo is better than Fritta at this point in time.

Happy Birthday to Clarrie from everyone at RevHQ

Given the amount of youth that we are playing at the moment, the senior players out or underperforming, I was thinking how lucky we are to have Jack Viney in the side. Yes, he had a better season last year with Trac and Oliver firing, but he has really been incredible this season with his leadership and continued efforts. As a very social person, I was re-watching the Brisbane game and he was absolutely incredible in it. We are super lucky to have him.

If you think that's me easily triggered, you should see me at the G sometimes!

This is a great way of proving a lack of bias to ensure your opinions are respected...

Some really great points in this thread. I dont think the issue is with AFL broadcasting losing money, but the Free to Air channels being run poorly. It's still (largely) a boys club at the top, with lots of back slapping and long lunches. Kind of like the Melbourne board in the bad old days. As per the above, most of the FTA content is below the standard of streaming services, but they do have high rating content like the Footy and (mysteriously) MAFs (the highest rating show in the Country?). I would love to see the blowtorch being focused on AFL broadcasting to make it a product that is easy to consume to help grow the game. Cricket had a similar issue years ago until Nine sacked Brad McNamara. It's still not the greatest commentary, but the insights and range of opinions is a welcome change. Look at how much Cricket has grown since then - participation rates and viewers.

I'd keep Turner on the ground ahead of Fullerton and Petty. I do think we will need to pick Petty to play Max's role, attend centre bounces and drop back to take contested marks. JVR and Turner to help out. Maybe TMac too. It could really be (big) musical chairs out there. It'd be great if we treat this like a final. Clarrie will surely shine in a contested maul.

I dont mind this, moreso with Petty and allowing him to drop back and take those big defensive grabs.

That play when TMac had about 4 touches, first collecting it in the backline then assisting move it up the ground was incredible to see too. We look pretty sharp when we move the ball quickly. In the words of Vanilla Ice: "Slice like a ninja, cut like a razorblade"

Absolutely this. I've been excited by the mid-season rebuild for some time. I reckon it was after the Freo debacle and then Trac going down that Goody pulled the pin on Billings, Hunter & McAdam and really brought in the kids. I loved that passage of play where Disco took a great contested mark at HF then looked up to see JVR in the pocket and Fritta in the goal square. What a problem to have! We showed plenty against the Lions and now got it done against a team that bullied us in the West. Although my tips this weekend stank (how even is this comp?), I predict we are good chance to make the 8*. Even if we don't give it a royal shake, it will set us up beautifully for next season. Lots to be excited about. * past performance is no indicator of future performance

Would prefer to see Howes in for Woey, he's just a better player and gives the team real flexibility down back. Would love Taj to prove me wrong. Otherwise, strong line-up, no excuses!

Speaking of predictions, Sportsbet has at $3.20 to make the 8.

Apologies if this has been covered off, but doing a bit of a stocktake (happy new financial year Dees fans!) and we *should* have salary cap space in lieu of: BBB Brayshaw Smith Hunter / Billings / McAdam? Laurie The first two should be a nice chunk of change. Surely we can go after some talent?

Absolutely agree. I have no idea why Blues fans hate him so much, maybe they don't like his Mums ads for Chemist Warehouse or whatever it is. Change of scene may do him good. And possibly some moisturiser.