D Rev

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

I reckon he will play Discos role - if he can - providing agility and a marking option. Im not 100% that he has the tank so may stay closer to goal.

I like all the optimism about the mid-season draft, but in reality it isn't going to provide any stars, just band aids. I think Disco was a real anomaly, a smart footballer with great athleticism who is able to play multiple roles. Still, it's taken him years to get to this point, not a quick fix at all. If we do get something good out of the MSD, then I say go an buy a lotto ticket too, but most of the players *may* just play a role.

I think the VFL is treated like an extra training session these days, rather than a respected competition, which is a real shame

This probably says more about you than Petty.

Very good point on the backline and keeping it stable. We don't want to risk Max rucking >90%, and given their ruck stocks are (checks notes) "limited", it might be worth giving Verrel a run in there. I also like bringing Kolt back in for a "home" game. I've really enjoyed the innovation from the coaches this year, has really meant we have more options come finals and makes it harder for the other teams to know what we will do.

I really dont mind TMcD up forward for this week- will provide another string in our bow ahead of the finals and he is looking fit and agile enough to go up there and ruck a little. Tomlinson in for TMcD seems like a straight swap.

I think May would explode at this as a suggestion

I think Trac worked particularly well up forward against the Blues as they were playing man-on-man and Trac can beat anyone in the comp like that. It was great to see the Coaches notice that and make the change. This game will be much tougher than the ladder suggests, but (ironically with our injuries) it will be our fitness that gets us over the line. I reckon Langers and Nibbler to be in the votes.

It's actually ridiculous what they've let the VFL become / how it is treated - probably deserves its own thread!

I actually thought Turner was pretty good, provided a foil and led well. We haven't had a second young, agile, tall forward in years - got to give him time to settle in.

It's still a rubbish jumper.