Crystal Dees

You don't think not having to play Gawn injured and running him into the ground each week won't improve his effectiveness or longevity? We will have to agree to disagree on that. As we will on Grundy's value. Still 2nd best ruckman in AFL.

We will not give a top 10 pick for Grundy

My take on the club getting Grundy is to always have a fresh, fit AA ruckman on the ground at all times. This year Gawn was on the ground 89%, Grundy 82%. Nic Nat plays less than 70% game time. Both Grundy and Gawn were injury affected this year due to workload, so not only less effective when they played, but also lost games to injury. How about we give both around 70-75% ground time so they will always have a fitness, as well as an ability, advantage over their opponent. This leaves one of them in the forward half around 40-50% of the time making it a bit less predictable up there. I expect it will also prolong the careers of both players.

Wow! Really? Thanks, he had me fooled. Give back your 2 AA's and your 2 Copelands ya dud!

Given he made his debut against us this year as a 19yo key position, with a little ruck, it's surprising they didn't give him another year to develop. I wonder if there were other issues. As daisycutter said, one grabber and lovely kick. Good start!

Should come to South Gippsland DD 😁

I heard him on SEN and he did say Melbourne the city. Just lazy from foxfooty.

The pick we used to get Max 😉

Are you there KC?

Kane just continues to confirm the widely held opinion of him.

...and we were outscored in 8 of those 10. In 2021 we played 7 games against top 5 teams and won EVERY 2nd half when comparing last 14 games. What you raise is a factor, but clearly there are other issues that we as a club got wrong. Maybe DemonSam has highlighted one of them (see above)

I have just done a comparison of out last halves for 2022 and 2021. I thought the last 14 games for each season was a big enough sample. Note that the 2021 numbers includes our low patch. 2022 For Against % 71.80 506 91.74 620 81.6 2021 For Against % 98.91 679 54.49 373 182 You can throw up all sorts of reasons/excuses/explanations. Bottom line is, there is a problem.

They are Champion Data stats quoted on an episode of On The Couch last month after 20 games. To my knowledge, plebs like myself can't access them but I can tell you exactly what was broadcast. Player Kicks inside 50 Mark rate = targets hit for ytd (my calc) Petracca 124 14% 17 Oliver 94 13% 12 Viney 62 19% 12 Gawn 59 12% 7 Spargo 56 46% 26 Sparrow 54 7% 4 Jordan 53 15% 8 Langdon 50 18% 9 AFL Average 19% Maybe it's just me in that I value quality over quantity, but I am impressed. And ONLY with Spargo.

I still can't get my head around this. If Collingwood are prepared to pay around $300k a year of Grundy's wage and pay McStay $650k they are basically swapping those 2 players for very little salary cap saving and similar draft pick swaps. Grundy would eat McStay for breakfast as a footballer. The only reason I can see, is Collingwood believe Grundy's injuries are chronic and/or they are being delusional about the draft pick they will get for him. If Jackson goes, and Grundy is fit, I'd love to have the best 2 AFL ruckman at our club.

Just want to say Charlie Spargo is very underrated by many. He leads the AFL, let alone MFC, in hitting targets inside 50. Without him we would look a lot worse going i50.

Then don't read it. You saw the topic title. Hawkins named captain is a joke and embarrassing to the AFL and needs to be called out. The obvious injustice won't affect our flag chances or focus as supporters. Gawns snub as best AFL captain may even further unite the team. Clarrie won the only non AFL judged award. There lies the truth. Agree about the ultimate goal though. Back to back is what counts. Crap like this makes it sweeter.

Every time I see Blake, he reminds me of Flower. At this stage Tom, but if he could get to 25% of Robbie I'd be rapt! He is a beautiful mover I am very confident he'll be a regular in a season or so.

I laughed at the thought, then googled. They ARE still performing!!! 60th anniversary tour this year. I'll never bag Geelong again! Oh, who am I kidding 😈

I'll join in the standing ovation for this post. As horrendous as it sounds, just for one moment, forget 2021 happened. We are having our best year to date since 1964 when there were 12 teams. What would Demonland look like then! Our emotions flucuate madly during and immediately after matches because we are so passionate and invested. That passion is why we stuck with the club during some horrific decades. 3 years ago we were 17th - that is West Coast today. Think about that. Tell their supporters they'll be sitting 2nd on the ladder in 3years. I'm guessing they would accept that. Let's smell the roses and not what feeds them.

Exactly! I was at the game and it was at the top of their oft referred to 4 letter word list. I have no doubt it's why Grundy is exploring a move 😈

Indeed, the best 60 game, 60 possession career in living memory. 🙄

Started writing but this sums it up. Never thought anyone could top Robbie in my eyes and heart but I believe he's our best ever already. Geatest day of the year......so far 😈

Re Lever: Yep, first minute poor. Then rest of game masterful. Gee, we are hard on players. Appreciate this team, I've not seen better.

David King was asked a few weeks back about Bowey possibly win the Rising Star. His response "can a half back flanker win it?" This backs up your point. Bowey is already a very good and consistent player in a great team. I agree with others here that I would choose him above all other Rising Stars to be in the Melbourne side right now. The fear is judges will see the others best highlights package and think that happens every game. It doesn't. Bowey plays like a 10 year player, full of poise and class, week in week out. He is an important cog in a Premiership team, not a sparodic, flashy player in a middle to bottom side. I know what I value most.

6. Oliver 5. Langdon 4. Bowey 3. May 2. Gawn 1. Sparrow