Altona-demon

Did anyone else think that the midfield didn't miss Gawn that much? Really Clarry, Petracca, Brayshaw are going to get enough of it, irrespective of ruck dominance. It almost looked like a weight off their shoulders not worrying about having to run off shoulder for planned tapwork from Gawn - it looked more unpredictable and tbh that worked well. The games that we have lost - have all been because our midfield has been predictable (and that includes Gawn's tapwork) and been able to be shut down. In this game, Norf dominated the hitouts (Goldy had 25) yet we had parity or better in clearances - and this is probably the first time our midfield has had to shark in about two years. I don't know - maybe its food for thought, but are we better team when we have this different look? Is it a look or shape that we can use to be more dynamic in our games going forward? Max is 28 - is Jacko our next Grundy (and the succession plan?). I personally love the idea of a roving ruckman like Jacko who can get his own groundball and has great decision making and hands like he does - a couple of times he was able to take that wider handball and clear the contest to relieve pressure (some of those inside midfields could take a note lol). Let's give Max a rest again and pair Jacko up against Grundy - master v apprentice!

Really like this idea, great experience for Jacko to learn from probably the games best roving ruckman - can't believe Jacko's second efforts sometimes, he has no right to be able to get down to balls the way he does, and he has great hands as well (option selection often taking the wider longer handball to relieve pressure - rather than add it, as is the case for so many of our middle players). Did anyone else think that the midfield didn't miss Gawn that much? Really Clarry, Petracca, Brayshaw are going to get enough of it, irrespective of ruck dominance. It almost looked like a weight off their shoulders not worrying about having to run off shoulder for planned tapwork from Gawn - it looked more unpredictable and tbh that worked well. The games that we have lost - have all been because our midfield has been predictable (and that includes Gawn's tapwork) and been able to be shut down. In this game, Norf dominated the hitouts (Goldy had 25) yet we had parity or better in clearances - and this is probably the first time our midfield has had to shark in about two years. I don't know - maybe its food for thought, but are we better team when we have this different look?

Love this, love the idea of Viney going forward as a pressure forward part time. With Harmes tagging Sidebottom this week, could be a great time to trial it.

Great two-way runner. He can kick as well, just needs that confidence to come up a bit, and get more comfortable in the team and he will start hitting up targets a bit better. Really encouraged by his play. Love the way he plays super wide and can stretch and open up the middle of the field. Invaluable player for us.

The team looked relatively balanced to me - but a few performance stood out as lacklustre. 1. James Harmes - fumbling, poor disposal, and free kicks. He's down on form - and looks lost across the half-back line, although admittedly is finding himself in good positions. 2. Nathan Jones - he's cooked, let's give that position to someone a bit more hungry for the ball and with much more run. Watched the tape back again this morning, and his lack of run and aggression is noticeable. Been a great servant, but I think he needs to have a rest and is at this stage a depth player. Underrated performances perhaps: 1. Langdon - continues to run into great positions and dispose poorly. If he can clean that disposal up, could be very damaging. He can kick, there was a great example when he got back into the defensive pocket to support and managed to release pressure with a 30-40m laser kick to I think Salem. More of that please entering forward 50. 2. Christian Salem - once again, everywhere and in everything - he is SO crucial to the back half and rebound of the footy team. Although interestingly Jake Lever is starting to support in that role (think Jake is really coming into his own now)

Agree - it sucks, but Brayshaw and Viney can't go together in the midfield. He just appears so natural through the middle, and looks silky (can't believe I am saying that) as his confidence is building. He has two feet, and can hit up leads into forward 50 at the same level or better than Viney (Viney has improved in this area). Viney's stoppage goal against Adelaide got me thinking about playing Viney as a small forward - could he play more forward of the ball? Gus is getting his mojo back, and I would hesitate to stuff with that.