Bring-Back-Powell

Maybe they had an agreement that if he can’t make it to June without surgery, rehab and constant management, then both parties will part ways and we can get a pick in the mid season draft.

That was my main take from the day as well. Goal kicking single handedly ruined our finals campaign last year (and robbed us of top 2 with some deplorable home and away scores) so it was nice to see some crisp goal kicking today, albeit under minimal stress. Fritta was automatic from 40-50. Laurie nailed a set shot from the boundary (as did Langdon) and kicked another from 45 after taking on an opponent who was asleep. Chandler kicked 3 or 4 and looked assured in front of the sticks JVR nailed the set shot of the day, 45 out near the boundary. I hope we respect our opportunities on goal more this year.

I agree with your assessment of Windsor and that there’s no chance he’ll be in the side for the Sydney game. You can see what he’ll become but not yet. For example there was a passage of play where he tried to take an opponent on near the boundary line at half back which would’ve opened up the field for his teammates, but ended up getting pinged for holding the ball. Tholstrupp was quiet as well.

Impressed with Chandler today. 3 goals and set another up.

Very impressed with Laurie today. 2 nice goals and been heavily involved. My tip for most improved this year.

The goal kicking has been elite today so far. Nibbler with a mark and play on goal from 45 or so. 4.1 to 2.0 May it continue.

Laurie a lovely set shot goal from the boundary on the back of a good contested mark from McAdam who passed it to him.

Trac with a regulation set shot goal from 45 in front.

McAdam with an opportunistic snap and goal for the white team.

Chandler two nice goals to commence match sim in the first 4 minutes.

Hoping to pop in for a few mins. Anyone know if Friday is more of a match sim/practice session or a craft session. And more importantly will the Demon Army be putting on a sausage sizzle to keep the kids (and parents!) happy?

Agree with this. In the first half of 2015 he was a leading contender for the All Australian full back. If you can cut him some slack with the occasional poor disposal, he's a fine defender who is very competitive one on one. Even in rare cameos down back such as the round 1 win over the Dogs in 2022, or in Gather Round VS Essendon when he stemmed the bleeding down back in the absence of Lever, he gets the job done. I think we're good hands in our defence with Tomlinson, Turner and T Mac all vying for the third tall defender which is an essential position in our side - we simply lose games if we go too small in defence.

That forward line looks 300% better than the one we fielded last start, and it doesn't even include Fritta, Melksham and Kozzie.

Agreed. I know media isn't everything but he's the media go to man after Max and represents our club tremendously the way he speaks publicly. The other candidates would be Trac and Brayshaw due to their age profile and solid citizen criteria. On a side note, it's a bit disappointing he's once again injured his ankle at training. He's had a number of minor ankle issues that have either kept him out of games (think Essendon loss in Gather Rd) or played under duress the last couple of years.

Lyon has 3 adult sons that couldn't or wouldn't make the grade. Neita has 2 daughters probably both aged under 10. Ox has a teenage son (and daughter I think). Does anybody know if he's jumping up the ranks or even plays footy?

Thanks for the report. Sounds like Sparrow and Salem have minor issues as they've been in the rehab for probably 3 sessions in a row.

BBB once had 11 hitouts in a game back in 2016 so he clearly would've been the back up ruck to Goldstein that night. So the idea isn't without complete merit and it's not as if the poster is suggesting Spargo takes the third key defender role in preference to Tomlinson. However, as mentioned the guy can barely move anymore, has had to be nursed in every season he's been with us, couldn't make himself available for selection in the semi final (even though he was apparently training) when we were crying out for a key forward and quite frankly should have retired last year....(yes, yes I know he's contracted and has every right to fulfil his last year)

Aside from some poor losses in May, 2015 was a pretty enjoyable year and we started to win 1 in every 3 games which was a heck of a nice change. Loved the win over Collingwood that year. First win over them since 2007 and absolutely stunned them in the last quarter to win an upset. A Saturday arvo win over the Pies at the MCG. Doesn’t get any better. The win down in Geelong was special as well.

With all the wet weather we’ve copped in training this pre season, one would expect us to improve on our 0-6 record in wet weather games last year.

He was dropped after the Brisbane game in round 2. Came back in for 2 games here and 2 games there before once again being dropped for Kings BDAY. I don't know who his replacement was. In rounds 20 and 21 he was brought back into the side as a last ditch attempt to be a part of our midfield rotation. Unfortunately for Harmes he was so devoid of confidence that he missed regulation set shots against Richmond that the old James Harmes would kick in his sleep. Then the following week in Hobart he couldn't even execute a 20 metre pass to an open and spare teammate next to the boundary line as his errant ball rolled out of play. I suspect Goodwin and Co lost trust in him by then and put a line through him before finals.

His career best year for sure.

As of 2023, the 3 or so channel 7 games per week can been seen on Foxtel's 4K sports channel if you have a 4K compatible TV. I doubt you can watch 4K on channel 7, just HD. A resounding no to question 2.

Be interested to know how many centre bounce appearances Salem has made in his career. I recall he either played on the wing or in the centre in that belting we copped down in Geelong in 2016 (P Roos farewell game) but he was good that day with 27 touches. I agree that we need to throw new options into the midfield for the reasons you stated above.

For perspective, compare the 28 goals he kicked in his first full AFL year to the current best forward in the land (Curnow) who kicked 20 in his first full season back in 2017. Couldn't ask for much more from a 19/20 year old key forward, particularly those early games against Sydney and Richmond. Unfortunately he had a disappointing finals debut, but I'm sure he would have bounced back the following week had he not been suspended.

I can't recall a worse pre season (with all respect to Troy Broadbridge in 2004) in terms of negative media and distractions.