D Rev

They weren't ideal conditions for big guys, but I don't think the kicking was as bad as it's been. Actually pretty good for us. That set up for Jeffo's second was awesome. JVR did run under the ball a lot IMO, or maybe was out positioned. He is still young but needs to improve on it to be the target we all dream of.

I think they only did this do plug a hole and set up attacks for brief periods.

100% this. Coniglio and Green kicked 3 each. Who is best placed to shut down these small forwards that get away from us so often? We seem to have no shortage of tall or mid-sized defenders, I would think that we should have someone who can't make it as a midfielder who has the desire to play AFL in any role?

Woey, Laurie and Billings must be spending a bit of time on SEEK at the moment

Im going for best 22 players IMO - positions can (obviously) change: Bowey, May, Petty Rivers, Lever, Salem Windsor, Viney, Langdon Langford, Turner, Sharp Fristsch, JVR, Chandler Gawn, Oliver, Trac Int: Howes, Sparrow, AJ, Tmac

Id really like to think that AJ will come in, but have we seen enough of him yet? One quarter (?) against North (!) and then a bit of a pick and mix against Freo. We definitely need someone to give Max a chop out and I really hope its him, but Im not sure if this is the game for it. I actually have Jeffo behind AJ at this point, unless a tall forward gets injured. Not like that WILL EVER happen. Definitely get Langford in, why the hell not? No downside.

Nibbla? Never heard of him.

Thanks for the update, hope all is well with Field Marshall Demonland

I'm struggling to find an update on JVR and live in hope that he will be OK for R1. In his absence, I'd like to see TMac given a go at being 1-out in the square. He's big and strong enough, and proven in the spot. Can also back up in the ruck. I don't see Chandler as a natural forward, he can do the hard running and pressure bits, and occasionally finish, but doesn't have natural goal sense or that ability to create. Still, who is in front of him? Gutted for McAdam that he is injured as he would be a straight forward 'in' while Kozzie is out, providing some natural goal kicking and creation ability. Fritsch, Disco, Sparrow and arguably Sharp round it out. Thoughts?

Thanks for posting this but it doesn't seem that recent. Lots of smoke and mirrors at play methinks.

Dunno. I wouldn't risk the trip to WA with players that aren't cherry ripe for a practice match. You want to be building for finals. Don't get me wrong, I despise freo and the recent losses have really stung.

Lot of LOVE for this thread

Jefferson is a very different player being trained to play a very different role. Really hope he (MJ) gets a go in the ones this year - we desperately needed someone who could lead out of the square in the way BBB did, it really gives us so much more structure and headaches for the opposition. I really don't mind that Fullarton hasn't worked out so far. Not every roll of the dice is going to produce Shane Woewoeden and he still has time.

"The Brand". Me like.

Good shout, I was just wondering how we could work with his talent for the benefit of the team. None of the players you mentioned are really shut down defenders, apart from possibly Brown, which is one of the things (I think) we are missing. I'd also prefer to see McVee spend more time further up the ground given his skills

I wonder if there is an appetite to turn him into a small defender? It's a lot easier to do than turning someone into a gun midfielder. We have really missed a lock-down defender since Jets left and small forwards seem to have a great time against us. To have someone with lateral movement and pace that can also dispose of the ball would be awesome.

AMW and Pup will both develop greater smarts with time. They do have pace, but disposal is questionable. Good kicking skills are difficult to develop once you are already in the system. The comment about not hitting the scoreboard enough is a bit erroneous in the modern game for mine. Every team has a spread of goal kickers, just because you are listed on the HFF or FP it doesn't mean you will kick goals.

Honestly, I am a terrible person to come to for AFL stats.

Can't wait to hear what Nathan Carrol has been up to

He was a class pressure player before his mysterious injury. Also a good kick into the forward 50, of which we have few. Very much a different player to Chin, more similar to Nibbler when he is at his best. Wish him all the best and really hope we can get the best out of him this season. Go Dees!

I still remember that great night in 2018 when we beat them in the QF. I was genuinely astonished by what an absolute grub Selwood was. I almost - ALMOST - agreed with my Hawthorn mates for once.

I watched the 2021 GF (again) last night. He really was next level.

I like this. I'm actually quite happy with where we are at with our group, particularly with the restrictions of a salary cap. Starting 3 of Petty, JVR and Turner is good, and all have upside. I still believe Petty will move down back when May steps away to pursue a full-time career in customer service, but happy to be proven wrong. We also have Jefferson to come in, which may still take a couple of years to be completely realised, but is exciting. Relying on big forwards to kick a massive score isn't the go-to that it used to be, you need talls to compete, smalls to gather and everyone to contribute. I think we really have this with the talls mentioned, Fritta and Milkshake (Im quite excited about him this season), Kozzy, Spargo (remember him!), plus contributions from those up the ground (Trac, Langers, Windsor etc).

Jackson is really not very easy to replace.

It's great to get a thread on here about hope. It's a very powerful thing and has led to great outcomes in the past. This season was super close, the competition is very even now. I don't think we will see back-to-back Premiers again for a long time. This season was tough for the Dees, we lost Gus before it started with no compensation, had a tough draw and a bucket load of injuries. Despite all this, we only finished outside the 8 by a couple of games (and we had more than a couple decided by less than a goal!). For mine, the evenness of the league means that being able to develop players & depth are more important than ever. We all saw what the injury to key players can mean. We blooded lots of youth this season and will bring in another raft of good young players in this draft. We will also get an easier draw, so hopefully less travel and longer breaks (you could lock me in for 1:30 each Sunday at the 'G and I'd be quite happy!). I fully expect us to improve on last season and make the finals. Brisbane has just shown that finishing top 4 isn't necessary to win it all if you are fit enough and know how to play at the MCG. Go Dees!