Stiff Arm

Sure, but how do we kick goals when we are defence focussed in our F50? The connection i50 has been an issue for years. But that goes two ways, it's hard to connect when there's no space, resting rucks, poor leading patterns and small guys flying for speckies instead of crumbing. Spargo is a very good kick i50, but he cannot get the ball often enough I know it's more nuanced than that, and I'm just a punter in the stand. But clearly our forward line is not working and has been our biggest issue for years

I disagree, but see your point. The credit for where we are is due to our defence and contest. Goody has talked about this as being our core many times We've probably not valued the forward line enough in the last 4-5 years to make the most of the defence and contest. We recruited BBB, a crippled lead up forward, then banged it in on his head, and Grundy, who isn't a forward. I fear JVR will not develop as he should due to the pressure to perform We don't have enough quality forward players, but more importantly, nor do we have strategies to kick enough goals. The former doesn't work without the latter, regardless of personnel Our forward line last night was as crowded and disorganised as the train I took home. Maybe PTV are our forward line strategy consultants 🤔

Like it or not, footy will become less and less of a contact sport due to concussion liabilities. Knee to head in marking contest will go at some point. Not if, but when It is possible to train out these habits. We've trained out the deliberate hip and shoulder, we've trained players to turn their bodies to avoid head-on contact. In 15 years time, what is acceptable now will look like a 1980's biffs, bumps and brawl VHS video I know plenty of parents who are nervous about their kids playing footy due to concussions. The AFL will change the game to respond accordingly

That's a strawman response, rjay At the end of the day it is Stafford and Goody who create our forward line and the strategies we employ to kick goals. We've had injuries, Petty has had many, but so have other teams. The Grundy experiment has been a terrible failure, neither he nor Max can play forward successfully We've experimented with our forward line for years, had huge i50 numbers, but haven’t consistently made the most of this in big games since 2021 Collingwood's forward line looked far more open and effective than ours. That's a strategy issue, that's the forward coach and senior coach

And the opposition know it. It's much easier to defend against this Crowd our forward line, no space to lead into, hold up the i50 kicker. Three of our guys will fly for the mark, incl Kossie, or it will be kicked to a 1 on 3 contest. Rinse and repeat Very predictable

Was it the drumstick or the maryland?

Can actually see Maynard's right shoulder begin to turn before he's reached the highest peak of his jump. Definitely knew if the smother didn’t work he was going to inflict some damage

Am I right in thinking if we were to win on Fri night we play Bris in Qld or PA in Adelaide the following week?

His comments about playing harder during week should be brought up at the hearing. Was always gonna do something to back it up during the game

Because it's the AFL. Duhh!

#freebruz

Or using his hands to catch or deflect Brayshaw rather than drop the shoulder

But they have a forward set up that works 100% better than ours IMO Checkers and McStay are much better for them than JVR and Tmac are for us

Cripps was found guilty but let off on a procedural technicality (orchestrated by the AFL). If it is like that, Maynard should get 3 or 4. But he won't.

For the love of god, can Kossie please stop flying for speckies over the pack and crumb the contest instead!!! If I ever hear again "one day he'll take one of those" I'll spew up It's not school footy or an exhibition game, he's so wasting his immense talent

Press and radio this morning softening the incident. Most saying it was a football act, he was already in the air and he was bracing for impact. Demon fans: prepare for a dismissal with Maynard becoming the victim

Whilst I don't disagree that we need a big focal point in the forward line, I reckon its more our forward structure and the delivery i50 that is the issue. Sure, there's been injuries, Petty, Fritter and Melk, and major form slumps, such as Kossie, but we cannot get a forward system that looks like working at all. We've been killing opposition teams for i50s for 4 or 5 years. BBB worked for a year, but his knees are now shot. With nearly double Collingwood's i50, we should've won by 10 goals. It's not that their backs were overly masterful, more like we had nothing to offer when it came in, it was easy to defend IMO this has been Goodwin's major failure during his tenure, the responsibility rests with him. We've had 5 years where blind Freddy can see our forward set up isnt working. Rinse and repeat every week

And JVR will get one or two Prepare to be double disappointed

Especially given Maynard came out in the press mid week saying how hard they were going to play. He was odds on going to make a big hit statement early in the game

Have no problem with Maynard jumping to smother the kick, but to clearly turn and drop the shoulder into Brayshaw's head with eyes on the player is a dog act. He'll get offered 3, but Gil will drop it to 1 on appeal so he can play in the GF. Appease the big clubs. Nothing is surer, it's the AFL way

I heard the umpire's whistle blow twice, which means bring it back There's too many umpires not knowing what the others are doing

No, but he could've insisted we trade for a young, quality key forward over the last 5 years. BBB was always going to be a one year wonder

Max was immense after quarter time BOG by far

Pleased with the fightback. Bad kicking loses games every time Tmac wasn't a good selection But we can still do this Pies looked bog ordinary when the heat is applied Cox and Mayonnaise are sniping dogs Who's next?

I'm in same spot row E Might get a bit wet if the wind is blowing the wrong way. Won't care once we have won!