Bring-Back-Powell

100% agree that injury really took it's toll on Lever. How many games did he go off injured only to hobble out the remainder of the game? Tearing his plantar fascia on the eve of the season didn't exactly set him up for success either. A key barometer to our defence. I can't recall too many good wins when he's had a poor game, and vice versa - rare that he's had a terrific game in a loss compared to say a May who has played really well in losses (Sydney final on Buddy) The highlight of his season was that central kick against Carlton with 30 seconds left which was too hot for Motlop to handle and then led to the Kozzie winning goal. Showed genuine football smarts in a severely pressurised situation.

Assume everyone's happy that Luke Jackson will automatically be made a MFC life member after he retires as per the new policy whereby every MFC flag winning player attains life membership.

His low possession count/low goal kicking output might be explained by the fact that he's only playing mid 60'% - low 70% game time. Compare that to another small-medium forward in ANB who averages high 70's - low 80's game time. Any reason why he spends so much time on the bench? He should be aiming at a 20 goal season next year. Up from a disappointing 10.12 this year from a so called sharp shooter. On the flip side, his ball use inside 50 is definitely his point of difference as an AFL player.

Played his best bulk of footy between rounds 11-15 which ironically coincided with our 3 game losing streak. Also played a ripper V's Port in the earlier season game. I wonder if he was missed in the finals as we didn't really have a dedicated non Langdon winger. I also wonder what the recruitment of Hunter will do for Jordon's chances for a game next year? Will Jordon keep his wing spot and Hunter plays on the HF and/or HB flank. Or will Hunter be our full time winger and JJ plays as a utility or at worst Casey.

I wonder if this his dress rehearsal for special comments on Fox Footy for the men’s season next year??

Was is it the year after we beat West Coast in Toronto?

Worth a shot considering we're a bit light on for ruck depth.

It's not out of the realm of possibility. In - Jackson, O'Meara Out - Lobb, Mundy, Acres, Logue and Tucker is a net loss in terms of their list for next year. Unless Jackson takes a massive quantum leap from 2022 to 2023 and become a super star. However I would expect them to finish 5th-8th and make it as far as semi final weekend if they have a good run with injury.

A certain prolific poster around here even went to the point of putting me on ignore because he wouldn't accept my view that Luke Jackson was NOT the sole reason we won the 2021 grand final. He was instrumental in that magical minute before 3 quarter time no doubt. However there were a few players who were more influential throughout that third quarter. Someone like a Bailey Fritsch should've been getting more of the credit than LJ. He was the one that kicked the two goals when we looked dead and buried.

Was correctly dropped after the Geelong loss. Was incorrectly left out of the side for 5 weeks and then the finals IMO as our coaching staff persisted with almost the same line up week in week out. His start to the season was very good and had an outstanding 34 possession game against GC which surprisingly didn't get him a Brownlow vote. I expect him to be back in the side for round 1.

You're absolutely entitled to your opinion of course. However, is the idea really that bad? The magic round replaces a round of practice matches that nobody cares about. And all clubs still get their 11 home games. The weekend of 9 March - 12 March 2023 may as well be used for home and away footy as opposed to the 9 televised practice matches that took place in the corresponding weekend of 2022.

Neale was pathetic in the Prelim. Absolutely did not stand up for his struggling side that night.

Can sure kick a snag and was surprised he only nailed 7 for the year. Didn’t take a quantum leap from 2021 to 2022 (mind you who did) but hopefully 2023 will be a major break out.

So what’s SA’s answer to an alternative venue as I can’t fathom 9 games being played at Adelaide Oval over 4 days unless they’re willing to have two sets of triple headers at AO.

Sounds like if you did a poll on defence or forward for Petty you'd have a very even count. On the DL podcast there was a question on who had genuinely made improvements as a player in 2022 and the consensus was very few or 0 players (can't quite recall). I would argue Petty improved. He started slowly in 2021 and was thought at the time to be a downgrade on Tomlinson’s very good 2021 start. But he was more than comfortable in his role by mid season and became a very useful defender that was key to our structure. In 2022 he lifted his disposal count per game from 8 to 12 which reflected more involvement in the game and showed genuine flashes of a future all Australian defender. His contested marking at times was brilliant. Very happy with his 2022 and as the above poster mentioned, tried to will us over the line in the Brisbane final.

Was an abject failure in the finals. 1 goal across two games for a player on the meaty contact that’s he’s on, Is diabolical. I apologise if that’s harsh on a much loved player, but we should be expecting more from our number 1 tall forward. If he was indeed injured then why did Goodwin play him in the two finals? In fairness he did play some very good games throughout the season and was looking set for a big September after a 3 goal game in round 23.

The way we finished this season I’m happy for them to report back Feb 1.

Should’ve been utilised in the finals if you believe that we had up to 11 injuries. His 38 possession/2 goal VFL final against Sydney should've been rewarded down the track.

You could but don’t watch the last minute of their loss to North this year. How to cost your side a game 101- by Jake Aarts.

If we're to win the flag next year, our MCG form against the best in the business needs to improve dramatically. This year we were 1-6 against the top 6 sides at the MCG.

The AFL and clubs are finally listening to the fans and their game day experience preferences. What parallel universe is this?

Clearly judging by the Herald Sun photo, the 4 boys the will lead us back to the promise land are: Fritsch, Kozzie, Grundy and.........Oscar Baker.

18 games between 2020 - 2022 is hardly a massive endorsement but won rave reviews for his round 19 game against us at the G in 2021 playing as a defender. A sufficient replacement for Weid.

Interesting that Aaron Francis just got traded to Sydney when it was expected that the Weid trade would be involved in a 3-way between the clubs. Maybe we get the future 4th rounder for Weid that Sydney paid to Essendon....

SEN had Josh Bruce's manager on this morning and he couldn't possibly be any more adamant that Bruce will be a dish licker next year.