Bring-Back-Powell

He's the sort of bloke that you assumed retired in about 2017 and yet keeps re-appearing.

The Monday report in the past usually came out at 5pm or so. The Chandler one should be left as a free kick. Didn't look much in it. The AJ one had a bit more beef to it, so that may be a border line suspension, but should get a fine as his opponent wasn't hurt.

It doesn't make sense that you'd have our number 1 centre bounce crew in Gawn/Oliver/Trac/Viney take the opening bounce of the season which was a roaring success. But in the game deciding last centre bounce, you put in someone (Langdon) that's barely had a centre bounce attendance in his career. In fairness, it was a clear set play where Gawn would tap it to Langdon and Langdon would use his pace to stream clear and bomb it inside 50. But Langdon just missed Gawn's hitout, Gawn then fumbled the loose ball it and game over sadly. If I was at the presser post game, I'd be asking Goodwin why he has such a poor record in close games (6 point margin or less) since round 22 2023. 1 win from 8 games.

Impressed with the defensive side of our game yesterday and that was exemplified by the hunger shown by Bowey at times yesterday. This side of our game was sorely missing last year, and hopefully yesterday was a trend and not an event. I thought we were hard to play against for a lot of the day which is what you need to be if you want be a good team. Key defenders in Petty and T Mac were outstanding but it was predictably their small forwards in Greene and Coniglio (no way would you budget him to kick 3) that did all the damage. The ability to finish off a close game is a huge issue obviously. Not sure if many people are aware, but since the round 22 game against Carlton in 2023 when Trac was involved in that controversial goal decision, we're 1-7 in games decided by 6 points or less. And that one close win came against North last year when we conceded the last 6 goals of the game. We can't win a close game to save ourselves.

Goodwin didn't seem overly concerned and suggested he might be a test for Gold Coast in round 3. So, you'd imagine he'll be back by round 4 V Geelong.

It’s interesting that all summer we begged for JVR to play solely up forward with no back up ruck duties that would interfere. He’s them given that luxury and subsequently plays a very average game. The counter argument is that he was on Sam Taylor who’s the number 1 key defender in the league.

Yeah I can see Spargo coming back into the side once he dominates a VFL game. As for Fritsch, the guy’s clearly in career worst form. He’s managed just 2 goals in his last 4 games with back to back goals-less games. Why are we using a 50-60 goal a year player as either a high half forward or a defensive forward (not sure what role exactly)? He desperately needs a 3 or 4 goal game for his confidence.

Imagine if we don’t clear 16K which is the number we got massively criticised for in last year’s game V GWS.

Doubt we’ll be seeing May for the first 6 games if Gawn missed training for the entire month of January.

I’d be absolutely staggered if Collingwood miss the 8.

Is there a club that covers for injuries better than Brisbane? And massive credit to the Dogs for winning given their state of injuries although for all we know North could once again be a bottom 2 side.

Yes it appears to be unfair for us this year but we benefited from this exact compromise in round 1 last year vs Bulldogs. We played opening round last year, Dogs didn’t. We won easily. Connor McDonald from Hawthorn didn’t hold back in declaring that it was a clear advantage for Hawthorn over Essendon the other night.

Exactly. They could easily finish top 2 and it’s surreal (in a bad way) to think we were in the early running for Houston.

For those questioning the high amount of debutants, our large injury list (fortunately quantity not quality) has necessitated the volume of first gamers. Billings is the only player on the list of available players that arguably should’ve gotten a game ahead of one of the debutants due to what he has to offer on the wing. T Mac and Campbell are best 23 quality but not needed while Spargo, who’s technically available needs a couple of weeks at Casey to build himself up. The rest of the available players like Laurie, Sestan, Fullarton, Brown, Adams, Woewodin, Verrall and Mentha aren’t going to move the needle at this stage of their careers and you couldn’t say with any confidence that those players would provide any more than the 6 debutants.

Will clearly go down as a legend of the club with his 6 frankfurts in the GF, and has provided Dees fans with many enjoyable moments. Seems to be in a bit of a form slump at the moment dating back to the second Freo game onwards last year and didn't play his best in the praccy match 2 weeks ago. Is his apparent revised role further away from goals getting the best out of him? However it was only 12 months ago he kicked 5 on the currently red hot James Sicily as the forward line was his that day. I'll back him to get back to his best in no time.

Can only assume one of those three will be on the bench at any given time, and one of the latter two will be subbed out to address the issue.

I'm going Lindsey as sub with AJ or Jeffo to be subbed out pending no in game injury. If they'd prefer a first rounder to start the game, then Henderson will be that sub rather than XL. Given we lack some small forward options without Koz, ANB and Spargo who have been our mainstays, I wouldn't mind seeing Henderson start the game and see what he's capable of.

Old mate PF is going to have one heck of a sleepless night on Saturday.

Has it been confirmed that level 4 of the southern stand will be closed? Even allowing for wet weather.

You'd imagine tomorrow.

Assuming Billings isn't playing I reckon one or both of the Langdon and Windsor experiments won't be continuing. I expected Billings to be one of our wingers to start the season. I can't see a world where XL and Sharp are our 2 primary wingers to enable Langdon to be top 3 or 4 in centre bounce attendances AND Windsor to play half back. I hope it's Turner rather than JVR that slides out of the 18 that was listed last night but the MFCSS in me reckons it's the latter. (Although Turner has had an injury prone AFL career to date so he may have sustained a late injury)

Goes to show how much stock coaching staff put into expected score, that Richmond have one of their greatest ever wins and the coach still mentions that they got done on expected score.

In fairness to Carlton they probably won on expected scores….

I expect Green to play and am not surprised in the slightest he got selected. In a pre game interview vs Carlton 2 weeks ago he was confident that he’d get up for the game. Theyll look like fools if he breaks down but all the language coming out of GWS over the last fortnight was that he was every chance of playing.

I don’t disagree with those 3 at all but Langford might be a little flat if Lindsey was chosen ahead of him on the back of restricted pre season.