Jjrogan

Yep. And the snake was for Dayne Zorko.

I know everyone has Petty pencilled in as a forward after his 6 good quarters last year (admittedly so did I) but if our delivery into 50 is improved and Schache/Fullerton can put up 10 touch, 4 mark, 2 goals stat lines. Petty down back is an amazing thought. Carlton don't kick 40 points last night. Not a knock on Tomlinson, he played on the best 2nd tall in the comp so it can only get 'easier'.

I haven't watched the other games but seemed to me the new ruck rule is going have a big effect on clearances and momentum swings of midfields. Starting rucks can basically shove and out weigh a second string match up now. lt will give a huge advantage to Max, but on the other hand our second ruckman is um, yeah, well. it's not just about intensity, you can be intense all you want but if the other guy has 15 kg on you. I say let Josh Schache eat all the meat pies he wants for a while.

Why exactly is Josh Schache on the MFC list if he can't get a game in the opening round? Is he not fit? Is he totally unable to follow any instruction? Is he a massive liability in game to the extent it means an immediate loss? He played in a grand final less than 10 games ago. This isn't a matter of 'hunger' or 'appetite' or 'insert your prefered metaphysical football term here'. He was presumably signed to be a break in case of emergency when he was resigned last year. Are we waiting for every player to be unavailable and selecting him last? We have no back up ruck, under30 3rd tall and he's kicked more goals than JVR and Petty combined, if the FD department can't fashion a role for him why bother even paying him. He isn't a project player.

Interestingly, we were 6-3 last year with Tomlinson selected and 2-6 record with Mcdonald (possessions of 6,8,6,7,6 in losses in his last 5 games with the significant game time forward). I'm not sure I'd want either one on the opposition 2nd tall but it will probably come down to the match up so I dare say we will be having this discussion all year. Oh, what fun.

I wonder if the playing group and coaching staff are privately messaging each other this morning about how the season is done and how they can't see a realistic chance of a flag now.

Fit enough but Billings historically hasn't done the hard stuff was my impression. As soon as the Saints stopped allowing passengers on defense he struggled to get a game. Personally I'd give up the extra 4 pressure acts and 2 tackle a game as the 2nd HFF if he can hit McAdam or BF inside 50 once or twice a game. We kick 1 more goal per game last year we have a percentage of 130+ and the number 1 offensive team, the margins are that slim.

I think Max averages well over 4 and is the better player in my view. Ben is around the JVR mark (pun intended) but not to data mine he did play for a very poor team in his first 2 years. Since then it's trended up with the team improving. Also Ben has had many matchwinning games, which JVR can hopefully replicate if he doesn't mark it consistently. I All i'm saying is JVR hopefully keeps finding more tricks in the bag other than simply filling out and providing a contest.

The most important metric for any key forward is simply marks per game. Averaging under 4 will not keep you in the system long. This is not a knock on JVR but if there was one thing he needs to focus on that's it. The rest is just icing. (That's not to say averaging more than 4 makes you a gun but it's fair to say 4 or below and you'll be struggling to get games or make an impact in the long run) Personally I'm not convinced. Yet. By his own admission he isn't a natural forward, and whilst he has impressive physicality, he needs to find the ball on the end of leads more. T Mac, Fritsch, BBB have all done this in recent years so it is possible with the current delivery system. I think he needs to get the 2nd or 3rd key back but having said that, those defenders are typically quicker so it's not so easy. Having Petty back and McAdam firing is going to be crucial so he can take either weaker or slower defender and then exploit it. As a related point Josh Schache averaged well over 4 marks a game in his first 2 years at Brisbane but then regresed at the Doggies, which tells me they didn't use or develop him correctly. I fear Melbourne holds the same view on his abilities, which imo are being harshly judged. His output isn't awful when he is given extended game time. If he doesn't play significant minutes in the early part of the year as a back up ruck and key marking target for a team that surely needs both, um, what exactly is he on the list for?

If our premiership window is to stay open, its fully on the coach and the football department. Teams that stay on the top for decade change their playing style as the mix of players change. The Hawks that won the 2008 premiership looked nothing like the 2015 premiership. Sydney for a decade looked different game to game let alone year to year. Geelong went from the dream team in 07, to hogging the ball for a few years (which almost worked), to some more run and dare. He adapted to his list and this list adapted to change. My biggest concern is we try and win 'the Melbourne way' consistently and exclusively. We have recruited some X factor in McAdam and Tholstrup. You cannot have them play like Spargo and ANB. Keep them inside 50, forego some structure etc. The game plan needs to adjust to the personnel. Speaking of which, May is a much bigger concern than Max imo. Max is the GOAT, but unless you find another one out there (you won't), just take anyone ffs, the position is massively overrated. Apart from us, none of the top eight had a match winning ruckman or even one that was that important to their game plan. They all have great key backs. The dude just needs to be competitive and neutralise the other guy. You need to change the game plan to adjust for life after Max, not go look for the next Max.

Been bullish for the past 3 seasons but least confident heading into 2024. My main concern is that we are relying on 2 young key forwards with less that 50 goals between them. Essentially rookies. There's a lot of talk of how they make natural progress but so do other teams young key defenders. Really hope McAdam can grab a few and Fritsch is fully fit. Our marking depth inside 50 is shallow.

Apart from McVee spending more time up the ground (I've been on this bandwagon since R2 last year so still hoping), the player I'm most excited about is McAdam. I think he will be one of the recruits of the year. He brings a different skill set to our f50 and his marking ability is going to surprise a few. Already on pre season snippets you can see him leading into small pockets of space and finding gaps. We've been desperately needing another forward who leads up at the ball, reads the flight and can beat his opponent one on one. Generally speaking we were too short up forward last year. I say he'll kick 40 goals with a few bags of 4 or 5.

Since 2020, when Petracca has more than his season average for score involvements 2020 (more than 6) 5 wins 2 losses 2021 (more than 8) 11-0 2022 (more than 8) 10-1 2023 (more than 8) 8-1 In a nutshell, if Petracca plays an above average game and turns his possessions into scores we win. If he kicks well we go into God mode (see end 2021) Of course, one could argue it's the forwards output as much as the kicker but if there's one wish I have for next year is he has an up year in terms of his kicking. Only Bont and Martin come close (and not even that close) to his importance in converting midfield possession to where it matters.

For me it's not his height but his reading of the ball in the air (admittedly just from these highlight packages). Fyfe was a beast in contested marking for a mid. Average nearly 1.4 per game across his career. Cripps is 0.6, Yeo is 0.7, Bont 0.7, even Hird was barely 1. This kid is not as tall but appears can take a contested mark and has x factor Very unique.

Fyfe went from a skinny gangly teenager to beast mode in about 3 years. If this kid puts on similar size he will be a weapon in this competition. All aboard!!

+ 500k I'd say overall

Ya. It's incredibly rare that player improve their kicking to a significant degree even if they want to. The muscle memory is too far engrained once they enter the AFL. Like a golfer who has to de construct his whole swing. I can't think of many players that went from horrible kicks to great ones just through training and practice. I can think of countless that remained awful, despite training their butts off I'm sure. Jobe Watson became a very good kick over one off season but he was never that bad.

Talented youngster. Poor man's Lachie hunter. Will help Casey's percentage. Upgrade on Harmes for about the same price if possible. Yeah, go on.

Norf have 2 end of first. Reckon WCE will get a priority also. Will be some f/s and band 1,2 and 3 compo. We finish too 4 and this pick is likely late 30s,early 40s. Go home Justin, you're drunk. Said it before, this is like Peter Vardy all over again. I hope McAdam is as fun to watch.

He's definitely got a few tricks and he can play out of a the square also. Sure he's a bit lazy (I'll put him in the top 5 match day whipping boy status) but right now I'd give up some defensive forward intensity for a guy that can snag 3 creative goals from nowhere. 47 is a great price.

Serious question, why do people think is this way unders? A future 2nd would be spotted around 27-29. Sydney will most likely be mid table. And we have a third rounder as change. Do people value next years pick as worthless less cause the competition may not be around, there'll be no draft so we'll lose it? Ok maybe not that serious.

Putting together tea leaves here. To me, the market is valuing Reid roughly A top 5 pick + A 5-10 pick + A 10-15 pick (Typically pick 1 is worth just the 6 and 11, buts he's presumably better than the average pick 1 so fair enough. ) An offer of 6 + 11 + our future 1st is right around the mark if slightly unders. However norf have a better hand but no way they send over 2 and 3 imo, that's over. They will have to split pick 3.... For our 6 and 41 and maybe a swap of future 2nds v 3rds. I'd be happy going to the draft with pick 3 and 11 and keeping our f 1st.

death ride Sydney @adonski ?

Does any of this give James Jordon pause for thought? Asking for a friend.

To be fair, it appears to be have been confirmed by list managers that we are open to offers, so the club putting out statement he is a required player would be a little perplexing. Joining the dots, we made the first move here.