Bring-Back-Powell

He has indeed. But I'm not sure a coach without Payton's superbowl resume would have survived conceding 70 points in an NFL game, which is the second most of all time. That would be the equivalent of giving up 230+ points in an AFL game and keeping your job. Fair enough with Simpson's contact. A bit hard to remove someone with 2 years left, albeit a seriously under performing coach from a results perspective.

Adam Simpson, and to a lesser extent Bevo and Chris Scott (prior to his 2022 flag) are examples of how much capital and extended job security a coach gains from winning a flag. How Adam Simpson survived the 171 point belting to Sydney (15 points less than Dean Bailey's 186) and even Sean Payton (coach of Denver Broncos) surviving a 70-20 mauling, albeit at the start of his tenure with his new club, in the NFL is beyond logic - aside from the fact that they've won a premiership. I don't 100% disagree with you that he should be sacked if we fail to win yet another final next year, but I can't see Pert and Roffey getting rid of him after what he achieved for the club in 2021.

Was told by a die hard St Kilda supporter colleague that Billings is an outstanding character.

I think there's an important role for BBB (if fit) in the first month of footy with Smith out and Petty having a likely compromised pre season. Then as you say I would put him on ice for a while in order to nurse him through the year and have him available for the last month and finals. I wish he would've been fit for the Carlton final. We needed a professional goal kicker that night.

I think that's one area I'm comfortable with going into 2024. May, Tomlinson and Lever as our three taller defenders, with T Mac (some may disagree), Turner and Hore as back ups.

A Collingwood supporters honest (not trash talk or trolling) assessment of Melbourne that I came across on another forum. 5th to 8th with a chance of dropping out. Also sees parallels between Collingwood's fall from grace after 2010 and a potentially Melbourne's from 2021. That’s the nature of a very even league. As a Collingwood fan who depressingly watched the 2010 team unravel over the following years, I can’t help but draw several comparisons to the Melbourne premiership team of 2021. Both teams were absolutely red hot on route to winning a flag and near unbeatable for a long time - the Pies won 32/35 games at one stage and Melbourne won 17 on the trot over two seasons including their premiership win. Pies 2011 and Melbourne 2022 started on fire but at some stage, the invincibility aura wore off, and culminated in unsuccessful finals runs. Pies 2012 and Melbourne 23 were similar too - still carrying much of the core and class of their premiership sides, the depth had dropped off, and the teams were just not at the level of the competing grand final teams anymore. In 2013, the Magpies went 13-9 to secure sixth but bombed out in the first week of finals. My realistic expectation of Melbourne for 2024 is probably a 5th-8th finish but my bullish feeling is that due to an unbalanced 23 and skinny depth, Melbourne could drop out. The forward line is still a serious concern and intercept defenders will likely continue to hurt the Dees. Is there too much expectation placed on Petty to glue the forward line together based on his 6 goal game against Richmond? I think so. A pass mark for he and JVR would be 65 goals between them. Realistically both are in their infancy as forwards at this level and it’s not going to be easy. I really like the Billings acquisition and if Windsor kicks on immediately, the Demons will have elite outside run and better connection with their forwards. McAdam at best breaks even with Melksham’s output I think. Trading Grundy was obviously the right move, but a back up as unreliable as Fullarton is not good. You can’t afford to have Gawn miss games IMO. Then there’s the behind the scenes factor. I don’t have a read on Melbourne’s plying chemistry, but history suggests when you’ve got a number of loose units at one club, it eventually catches up and hurts on field results. Smith looks suspended, Oliver very close to blowing football and (I edited player out per DL rules) by way of rumour has some real issues. There’s likely some other culprits too that are better at covering their tracks (as would be at any club). Melbourne undoubtedly still have a really good playing group but I think their days of seriously contending are gone unless there is change

Kane Cornes has just read this post and will run with it in his 5:30pm opening sermon tonight. He had a crack at Ginnevan for not rocking up to day 1 training, so I expect he'll do the same for Clarry.

I agree with this. His days as a forward appear over if his finals performances were any indication. I think he would make for a good key defender to call upon if we have some issues down back.

Playing a third of a season at his age (albeit off a reco) might work out the best for player and club, rather than grinding out 20+ games. Based on his late 2023 form, he’s clearly a staple in our forward line.

At round 3, I would've said Jayden Hunt was more of a loss than LJ. That didn't age well.

Is Schache any good in the ruck? Reckon he might add to his 1.25 games with the Dees if Fullerton isn't up to it and they elect not to use JVR as a second ruck. However all things being equal, I'd imagine JVR will relieve Max in the ruck, while Petty and J Smith (if Goodwin is talking to him by next year) will be our 2 stay at home forwards. I can't deal with or contemplate the options available to us if Gawn goes down.

Welcome back Jake. Bring your A game in August (and hopefully September) like last year.

Riley Bonner picked up in the PSD. Potentially good pick up by St Kilda. Probably too good a player to be out of the system.

Ablett and Sheehan talked Brown up very nicely in the Fox draft telecast last night mentioning that he had a very good carnival and would be a good pick up for the Dees or any club that got in before us. (Mind you they basically talk up every person that nominates for the draft)

I'll have a ton of time for this kid if he sticks it out in WA for his entire career given the calls by everyone except Harley himself that he'll want to come home in 2 years.

Our round 24 home game V Collingwood could get 80,000 if top 2/top 4/top 6/top 8 spots are at stake for both sides. A good result considering we miss out on the gate for Kings Birthday next year. And it could potentially be our only Friday night game in Melbourne next year. I suspect we'll play Brisbane on Friday night at the Gabba in round 16 and possibly against the Dogs in round 21 at Marvel as there has to be a Friday night game at Marvel that weekend.

Commit to the boy immediately if that comparison is even remotely accurate.

Is understood to have a fantastic character. One recruiter told foxfooty.com that he was the best character of the 2023 class.

If we can't nail a top 2 spot, I honestly wouldn't mind finishing 5th next year (rather than 3rd or 4th) and approach the finals from a different angle. We might go into an elimination final with far more urgency than the first quarter we showed against Collingwood this year or the overall lame effort against Sydney the prior year. Then the pressure got too much for us in the respective semi finals. The club and coach will be the absolute laughing stock of the comp if we go out in straight sets 3 years in a row.

Geelong have been outscored 8.4 to 1.1 in the last quarters of both finals. Good luck beating Brisbane with that stat.

The usual suspects will find a way.

Anyone got the biggest AFLW 3 qtr time comeback margin handy?

Clutch goal by Gay. We’re travelling way better than last week given we have a goal to our name by half time.

Expecting the girls to win by around the 16-18 point region.

Unless one of our players gets knocked out into next month.