NeveroddoreveN

After watching am not finding much i dislike about it. 20 teams playing each other once would be great. It would finally be an even competition with no major advantages to clubs like Collingwood(home games) & Geelong. There is a lot of luck involved currently as you happen to play twice on any given year. Some of these teams are so much more likely to play finals due to these advantages. Even a top 12 is not too bad if out of 20 teams. Could be as simple as 11th and 12th are effectively wildcards. It would stop a lot of teams from tanking as more would be in contention for these spots. Overall i hope the competition goes down a similar path to this hypothetical one that is outlined. It would create a more exciting and fair competition....Something we have never had even close to!

Tex would be a lock at Full forward right now. Amazing he has turned back the clock, thought he was gone watching last few seasons.

Hmm good question. I reckon we have been so flaky in the past that our lack of effort and consistency within games we just respected the opposition way too much, or expected to win. Quite often we "allowed" opposition teams to play at their best. As to why we don't come fired up, i think quite simply we played as individuals and quite often the effort was not there. From contest to contest, from quarter to quarter, we could dish up anything and everything. Zero consistency. In the past few seasons, even all during 2018 we had this mentality of winning clearances at the cost of having structure. I commented a few times that our midfielders played like U12's with their mentality to all get around the ball, then play pass the parcel. We were so easy to play against, teams worked out pressure us and they will fall to pieces. There seems to be a resolve this year to do everything better. Play as a team, trust your teammates, have an adaptable game plan to name a few. Finally starting to feel like a team we can "trust."

I think you will find that singing the team song is actually mandatory under agreements with the AFL/media. The boys just sang the song but there was no real "gusto" to it. It was a good solid win, but they were not singing it like they would in a really tough match that went to the line. They will be reviewing the game and there will be lots of "learnings", it is madness to think that they would not be looking at things we did well, and also putting spotlight on things we did not do so well. Notice the changes after 1st quarter? It was massive that we denied them the use of the middle of the ground for most of the next 3 quarters. We allowed them to get their 1st kicks wide to a random player, then pushed them to kick to a contest long down the wing. Vs Geelong we probably will need to defend that 1st easy option, as they have better kicking skills, and they will just do lead up 20 m passes all day if we give them too much latitude. Lastly, as a team that have not regularly been able to win vs better or worse teams with any sort of consistency, we need to simply build momentum/belief. It would be crazy to not allow them to sing the team song or bask in a win for at least the evening. WInning games is tough. This would have been a loss in last few years, the players are showing a resolve to at least put in maximum effort. The skills will improve as the confidence grows. Enjoy the journey, we will continue to evolve!

He showed enough in rounds 1 and 2. He needs to get on his bike more, he took few marks working up towards half forward/attacking side of wing, but then just sat back 30-40 metres from goal for 2nd half and seemed to want it kicked on his head far too often. He needs to lead at the player with the ball, or just be a decoy and run his man away from the contest creating room for Gawn or Fitsch. Give him another week i guess and pray he shows a lot more than today.

Jetta for Hibberd. Tmac is a conundrum, do you keep the faith or drop him for Majak or even Petty? All players should know if they are not performing there is chance they get dropped, the look on Toms face after the game, he definitely realised this type performance will see him playing for Casey.. You don't often change a winning team but they are probably the only two i would consider. Sparrow runs very hard defensively, and although he did not do much offensively, should retain his spot.

On one of the footy shows on Fox last night they highlighted the differences between Collingwood in Round 1 and 2. They completely changed their style simply by looking forward and not looking wide for switches, and looked much more cohesive and damaging. They did not do anything too drastic just a resolve from the whole group to look for forward options. It was noticeable they did not look left or right in much of their ball movement. Would expect with rule changes, many teams are going to be altering their styles and tinkering until they find what really works. Sydney is the one that most surprises imo. Was expecting them to be somewhere in bottom 4. They are suddenly playing an attacking brand i doubt any of us have seen under a Longmire coached team, they are exciting to watch. They have some great young players but their style is barely recongnisable from previous years. Adelaide also looking like a team suddenly ready to compete again, after a few years in the wilderness. There are not going to be many easy games this year. GWS & Essendon look like they may fight it out for wooden spoon currently. Should be a lot of teams contending for top 8. Going to be a great season of footy!

I would actually put him and Nathan pretty close in ability. The only main difference is we had a bunch of chumps playing for us and Nathan won a few best and fairests, while Zac was surrounded by a much stronger Sydney team. Nathan Jones would not have won ANY best and fairests had he played in the same Sydney teams. i saw Zac trying to lift his team by trying to get physical. (Nothing wrong with that) Was not having a shot at either of the Jones boys though, was simply stating that Zac is AFL standard and the difference between their abilities is not huge. Either way each to their own opinions, it was just an offhand comment but i stand by it. Both are better than average players but neither are stars.

You obviously have not watched much of him play throughout his career, he is arguably better than his older brother. Definitely AFL standard anyway!!

Great last few posts! Have noticed something that we are doing quite differently this year so far. Maybe the new rules have something to do with it but there seems to be a concerted effort to take tacklers on, then get it through the contest to someone who is free. In previous years we see the tackle coming and generally a panic disposal ensued which resulted in a turnover or quite often at best another stoppage. We are playing to our strengths of backing in contested ball winners to take more accountability, and draw the tackle or break it. Just a small part of our game that really stood out to me. Will continue to watch us with interest as we continue to evolve and add layers to what seems a much more balanced overall game plan.

Tmac's resurgence could be one that we really need to be competitive....We are actually pretty good in this regard though. Tmac/BB/Majak/Weideman. We should have plenty of selections to ponder in the near future. Petty and Mitch Brown could also chop out in these positions, we are actually stacked for options with tall forwards.

In agreeance with Melksham. After his last few seasons he needs to bang the door down playing great footy in the 2's. I would not be even thinking about him until he is getting say 4-6 tackles a game, few goals and far greater urgency at every contest. He tends to coast and was one of the major reasons teams just waltzed out of our forward line with no pressure. If he is up and about and being ferocious at the contest he will add a lot to our team. Anything less that that and he becomes a liability. Big year for Jake, he owes us big! I hope he up for the challenge.

Interesting re Kelly. Was not aware he was in such a powerful position. His value so far this season would have dropped ( not worth a million a season atm.) Almost 8 million over 8 years is crazy stuff to have written into contract, he could just bend GWS over, take the money and live happily ever after. My suspicion is that he will want some success for the rest career, and GWS looks to be in some real trouble. Would he want to go to a North Melbourne/Hawthorn/Essendon for similar $$$$....highly doubtful. Would he take a fairly drastic paycut while still getting paid handsomely at around 800k to come to a more successful club? It would be really tempting as i doubt it will come down to pure $ offered. Be fascinating to watch Kelly throughout the season with his form and whether there are rumblings with his wanting out at any stage. GWS have lost so much talent over the years, this might be another year where they lose a heap of good ones. Getting pretty ugly for them, glad we are not remotely in their position!

WIll PM you :)

i actually had a 10 part multi with 8 of them coming in...$5 bet to win over 7k. Just needed Petracca to kick 2 goals and Fritsch to kick 2....you aint wrong at wanting to throttle them haha!

Max could really hurt GWS by pushing forward, stretching their defense and kicking goals. We should control the game in the air, our defense is playing really well. Let him either mark, or bring the ball down to ground for Kossie/Spargo/ANB can clean up. The opposition would need to put thought into how to stop him and will let others off the leash. Stretch the opposition, put him forward. He should kick goals. It would be good experience for Jackson going up against these less experienced rucks. Would be giving him at least 50/50 in the middle with Max switching for bursts. We could possibly afford to have Jackson at 70/30. Would help him develop much more than Max imo.

I was never a great footballer, but generally accurate when kicking for goals, was told pretty early on to pick a target behind the goals, kick through the ball and ignore the sticks. It takes most of the complications away. Fritsch is a lovely kick and i would say he is overcomplicating this area of his game. Definitely between the ears, like you said these guys call hit targets from 40 metres away with no pressure on a regular basis. The pressure should not actually feel amplified when shooting for goal if the routine is simple and repeatable. If while lining up you thinking please don't miss, you are much more likely to get the yips as your focus is on the pressure side of things rather than passing it to someone in the crowd. It is really not that hard to do.

I been taking Oliver for most possessions....he just works so hard and has gone up a level or 2 this year....multi with Melb to win, relax and enjoy us slaughtering GWS. I can't see them recovering after their last performance, a days less rest etc. They will come out angry for a quarter and fall to pieces again.

Not when he is getting in the way of Lever/May/Tomlinson. You might think it silly, but we looked better the moment Gawn was told to go forward, as we were not so congested. Gawn previously has been an issue in the backline imo.....You can't just flood back and have nobody to kick to when you go forward. After watching replay of the game earlier today my comments stand. The coaches would have realised he was actually creating more issues down back, than solving them when we were under the pump. I expect to see this 208 cm giant forward or ruck, where he can exert a lot more influence on games. Sorry to be so silly communicating something i thought was as clear as daylight actually watching the game. I don't think any less of Max, just how he is utilised. Hopefully the coaches see that too.

6. Clayton Oliver....Runs his absolute guts out all day and is adding layers to his game by taking responsibility and care with disposals, could win Brownlow if he continues on this path. 5. Christian Salem....Have not seen him play a more influencial game, showed urgency and was constantly breaking lines. Been pretty harsh on Salem at times for cruising and not doing enough for the talent he has. Many more games like this please, we become a much better team with him playing at such a level. 4. Adam Tomlinson...Has been an absolute rock down back, can play on bigs or smalls and just seems to be doing the right thing so often. I breathe easier when he is in the vicinity. 3. Kysaiah Pickett....His best game by far. Every time he gets near the ball you can sense that anything is about to happen. Has so much x-factor about him he is going to be a ridiculously good player. i got the feeling Pickett/Spargo are feeding off this thing called pressure and they love to create it. They both are so exciting atm! 2. Ed Langdon....Just another game for him, but he just works so hard and consistently creates options. Love him as a player, he is getting better too! 1. Christian Petracca....Not overly his night, he fluffed so many opportunities! He worked so hard in the 2nd half to exert his influence around the stoppages, and turned an average game, into a good one in the end. He just needs to play his role, stop trying to do too much at times and play the percentages a little more. Host of players unlucky to get votes but pretty damn proud of just the overall effort from the whole team. Hard to pick any passengers from that game. Hunt/Brayshaw perhaps the least influencial but both played their roles really well. Guys like Melksham/Hibberd/Dawes are really going to have to bash the door down to get a look in. FInally players have to earn their spots. Bodes well for our future!

@DeeSpencer covered this nicely few posts back. Women talk comfortably with each other. Men....not nearly so well. Not sure what you are trying to achieve in this thread, it seems like you are way off the mark and your understanding on depression seems rigid and clinical. All these "causes" are about awareness, this is no exception.

I have had more experience with psychologists/psychiatrists than most people. The lol part was how simplistically you are looking at a very complex issue, and likewise think the answer is so simple as seeking "Professional" help. It is a big thing if someone realises they are struggling and can talk to "anyone" about it....which may, or may not lead to professional or paid help. Seek professional help is not at all the message they are trying to get out there. If you are struggling talk to a mate/ a stranger, anyone, it does not matter....it may lead to the type of help you are referring to but it is naive to think that is is the only way you get on top of such issues.

You may have missed the actual point here. People with depression often suffer in silence and not even their close friends often know. The simple message was don't suffer in silence, tell someone, they may be able to help. It does NOT have to be professional help that is the catalyst for getting on top of depression. I thought Gary handled his speech really well, what would you have said? Seek professional help lol?

Yeaah me too on Tomlinson. He is a solid type player who does not make many glaring errors and is super consistent. Can see his confidence growing week by week. He allows May and Lever to play the way they do. The only time things looked messy was when Gawn kept floating back into the backline, for about 10 minutes where we really lost the plot and started dropping easy marks and fumbling. Max really needs to stay out of the backline as he messes up any structure we have back there and was flying for and dropping marks while taking out Lever/May/Tomlinson out of the contest. Most of all though i think Gawn adds very little at ground level and if he is not taking marks he just gets in the way. As soon as they moved him forward and Jackson into the midfield we looked so much better and regained some composure. Max could kick 30+ goals this season if we just rest him forward. Our backline is great atm, keep the beard out of this area of the ground!