D Rev

Thanks very much for the detail here, really appreciated. My big concern with Tholstrup, at this point, is that he hasn't played against high quality opposition at this point. That isn't his fault at all, but he spent a year in the Colts in WA - then was in the WAFL in a year when anyone fit was playing for the Eagles or Freo. Again, Im going to be pumped to be proven wrong and he seems like he has the right attitude.

My issue wasn't to do with service levels, but treatment of their workers. I understand most supporters seem OK to take cash from anyone on the basis that everyone else does, I just wish our club could be more ethical.

Yes, but how many teeth does he have and how many are his?

I'd be happy if we got UP TO 10 games from him - as long as they were all high impact / high importance games like 2023. I dare say his value in 2024 will be as much with working with the kids as it will on the field.

Can we nominate who we get to kill for their achilles?

His forward pressure was certainly an area you could criticise him for, but he seemed to address that this year. He is also, probably, the smartest forward we have with the best natural instincts and "forward craft". Having Melk working with the young forwards while he is in rehab will certainly improve our list. I would have looked at signing him in a forward-coach role if he didn't decide to play on.

Not best pleased about this. Hertz has a very poor history in regards to ethical behavior, particularly in the way it has treated employees. You'd think that a club that has finished Top 4 regularly and won a flag could attract someone more in line with our own values.

As always, very excited by new recruits coming to the club. Hope is one of the secrets to a happy life. I'm not sure how likely it is that these new kids will be playing next year, I dare say they are more likely in the coming years when Langers & Hunter may not be on the wings anymore, or Tracc is spending more time up forward than in the middle. After years of MFCSS, the one thing I have been cured of is distrust in the recruiters. They have done a fantastic job the last 5+ years and the club seems to have the right culture for success. I'm sure these kids can get the most out of themselves in the MFC environment and with the right approach.

Am I feeling stupid. Saw this thread and thought "Odd that's come up, where's the one for Marty Hore (insert internal LOL here)?". Good luck to Oscar, he obviously likes playing by the beach. Reckon Freo may be a bit nicer than Williamstown (no offence to the mighty Seagulls).

Not loving the idea of Caulfield, it's a lot better than Casey but hardly as central as it should be. The plusses include multiple train lines to get there, as well as a major arterial, and even trams for those that don't mind a walk at the end of it. Also, it's a lot bloody closer than Cranbourne. I'd certainly accept it as a short-term thing, but wouldn't it suit St Kilda or Hawthorn better (location-wise)? My ideal would be for us to do some sort of deal with Port Melbourne to take over / share their facility. Half the players seem to live around there (that's subjective, I know and am willing to be way off), it's bloody easy to get to (by car), central and in a far more vibrant area than the Caulfield Race Course. Would be awesome if we could set up some sort of flotilla to provide transport for fans to/from Port Melbourne to the MCG.

Seems like an experienced depth player who can play forward or in the mid-field that is a good kick. Exactly what we need given some of the outs. Play on.

I think there have been so many players with a strong desire to leave Adelaide that their staff must believe this is how everyone thinks

Im not sure if this guy will talk into the starting line up. He seems more in the Fritta / Melksham mould, playing closer to goal - not sure if we can afford less pressure players in the way we play.

To all those who think Petty and JVR aren't good enough to be our targets, who would you get rid of to get someone better? We have one of the best midfields and back-lines in the clubs history, and there is nothing that is below average about our forward line either; the crows wouldn't be throwing the South Australian GDP at Petty if he was no good. The main issue that we (still) have is kicking efficiency, but (again), this doesn't apply to Petty or JVR who are both good kicks. Petracca kicked 28.34 this season and Gawn kicked 10.14 - including some crucial misses (with a broken foot). You switch those numbers around and we win the GF.

If we are stuck with both these guys for next year, so be it. I can't see TMac getting right but you'd hope he'd be a good influence at Casey with the younger players. He may even teach Schache to compete. BBB is an interesting one. I can't see the selectors picking him unless he is 100%, and why would they with Petty and JVR in front of him? If he is absolutely firing, I can see Petty going into the backline again, but wouldn't bet the house on it. Worst case, we have ~$1.5m invested in two talls that may be fit enough to play for Casey. Best case, we have depth when injuries happen. Not everyone has a Coleman winner in the twos.

I actually think he was good in the first half of 2022 before he got injured. We won ten on the trot with him in the side then it all went the way of his ankle / foot.

you did - I apologise

Quite enjoying this thread, apart from the dunking on current players, but am thinking about possible inclusions for next season. Hayden McLean from the Swans could be a useful tall, although Joel Amartey would be a better fit for what we are looking for. I'm wondering if McStay or Cox could be lured away from the Pies, assuming they will have greater cap pressure after the weekend. Given the way he gets treated by their fans, Silvagni may be open for a fresh start too.

I think it was when he kicked 5 (?) against the Crows (?). He's a good set shot and has kicked over 160 goals for us - that's a pretty good target in the modern era.

I think a bit of calm may be needed here, it's not quite time to throw the baby out with the bathwater and volunteer the whole bathroom to Scotty Cam for a nice Tuscan-style reno. We went into the season with BBB, McDonald, JVR and Petty all as key forward options. Then we had support in Fritta, Melksham and Smith as mid-size. No-one thought that: JVR would play as much as he did, or as well as he did Petty and Melksham would both peak as forwards, then have season-ending injuries BBB and McDonald would make it through the season Smith would have the game of his life, kicking 3 in our final game of the season What you need is depth and cover for an AFL season, as well as the opportunity for new players to get experience and learn. BBB does seem to be well and truly shot, Im not sure if the club can risk him being available for 4-8 games a season. If he can't do more than that, you'd think retirement is on the cards. McDonald does seem past his best, but he does have a full pre season to get match fit and his body right. I do think there is a place for him to provide the depth needed, Im not saying he's in the starting 22, but you need back-ups. He has also done the team thing (salary wise) to help us hold onto our mids etc. Sacrifice goes both ways. We have finished top 4 in the last four seasons, and while bad kicking is bad football, there is still plenty of upside with the majority of the list we have.

I'm disappointed but not surprised at the AFLs decision here. You expect it from a corporate body that will make money, no matter the cost. The two things that worry me most from this are: 1) Filth fans chanting their team name while one of our players is out cold on the ground. I'm all for tribal mentality, but within reason. This is a game people play for fun, entertainment and fulfillment. That sort of carry-on is insensitive at best. Apologies if it has happened, but I would love to see a formal apology from the filth about it and a plea for better behavior. This is the club that caused issues with Goodes, Winmar etc. They need a health check. 2) What happens now. How many kids think this is OK and try and do the same? How many parents dont think this is OK and pull their kids from the sport?

That's absolutely understandable, but you also *should* be taking into consideration the context of success. The league is a very even competition now, with many teams results being dictated by their physical capability (e.g. fitness, body strength and injuries). Geelong is a prime example of this. While our list, on paper, should be getting premierships, it had to build to this point (via the draft and trading) to get to the fitness and body strength needed to play out an entire season, finish top 4 regularly, and then battle to get to the GF. We were very lucky in 2021 with injuries, Tommo being the only real big injury. Last year they caught up with us in a big way after a 10-0 start and finished us off by the time the Finals started. This year we have done really well with big injuries (e.g. Max, BBB, TMac, Melksham etc) largely because of the depth of the squad and its ability to play to our plan. I would certainly trade almost anything for another GF, objective reasoning says that we are doing very well in an even competition where you are judged on your on-field results.

I'd say the last few years have been very good!

He's only 27?! Seems far more mature than that. Jesus, the things I was doing at 27... ...very lucky to have him at the club, embodies everything we want to be. Really hoping we can hold onto him in leadership and growth capacities in the future.

Very excited for this one, will have to watch from home though as my kids have an indoor cricket final. Oh, the glamour... ...I'm sure it's been raised elsewhere, but (as much as I love AFLW) could the fixture have been moved so it didn't conflict with the AFLM season? I "feel" that starting now is taking the attention away from the league that it deserves. Also, can something be done about Princes Park? The ground is fine but the stands are appalling, the ancillary services worse and the toilets are terrifying. Not really family friendly! Crazy as it sounds, I much prefer Victoria Park.