rpfc

Again, the ‘game plan’ would be overlaid over the three phases of the game. So that last paragraph is essentially ‘the sky is not blue; it’s obviously blue!’

Winning contested footy is not the outcome that you should worry too heavily about; it’s score after the contest, clearance. We were much better previous to 2024. I don’t see this as shifting blame from Goodwin, he is in charge. And ultimately, the players are the ones that are going to slow down and hit a target, or work collectively to win a contest and get the ball forward to advantage to score.

#joyride

Isn’t that the point? We could only be ‘in’ games when we played an unwatchable, unsustainable to win big games, style. I applauded the attempts to get that going but it was sputtering and not universally embraced across the team. Give it to Judd and Trent and we were off to the races, but nothing slowed us down more than if Lever and May got the footy. And that is damning on a level isn’t it? Anyway, I hope and expect Chaplin to get them all on one page like he has previously.

It’s fixable. But ‘fixable = top 4’ is what you’re asking. If we are patient and can put up with the occasional complete collapse away from what they want to do without the team reverting back to ‘tried and true’ boring nothing footy, then, yes, we can get there in 2025. I would say for young teams that the cattle will be the problem but ours have smelled that paddock before - they can get back there if they all commit.

For those that need the explanation; there are 3 phases. With the ball, without the ball, and in dispute/contest. With the ball we were slow and boring and stilted and bottom 4. Without the ball we are much better but still allowed sling shot goals when we overcommitted forward in the press. Top half but still not as good as we have been. In dispute we have been chaotic. The red mist was back when we did get it and there wasn’t much time or reason for how we would move it. And there were also times when we would get flogged in contested possessions and clearances for quarters at a time. Probably middle 6 ranking for that. So I think it tracks. But you might want to put a link in.

Having current Casey players have roles in the NGA is inspired, I also would think there is value for the DNA that Mark Williams runs.

Nicks is a coll board.

Yes, more risks lead to turnovers. More pressure the same.

The logic is TMac is nearly done, May spent time injured last year and will be 32, and Lever is literally injured now. Petty has to be back.

Wow. Exciting talent.

Yes, I wouldn’t blame Ben for the contract he was given… No offence, but that’s a bit boiler plate - we are painfully aware that the genesis of bad decision making are footy departments not players.

Yes, we have been blessed with Max the last 7 years. Simply club changing contribution. I only single out Ben M because at least with the others you can argue about some form of past contribution demanding that investment. Can’t say that for McKay.

I have never gone wrong assuming the best (if misguided) intentions of people. Even when I was wrong that was on that person - not on me. Perhaps Mr Fence, who I have on ignore but not many others don’t, can keep that in mind when he lambasts people for their empathy.

You can’t have a rectangular oval.

Ben McKay…

I do jest, and there is never a happier time than in pre-season where most are healthy. I am forever faithful, I just know there are going to be a disappointed few. Especially if we start well.

We are going to have 27 play Round 1 at this rate. Big chance to win with 5 extra players…

You can take the supporter out of Collingwood, but you can’t take the Collingwood out of the supporter.

Ummmm

Mate, we might have been happy to shop her for a first round pick… ”you don’t need clubs like that, !” This is a business and Tayla is a great human being, a Demon flag hero, an excellent athlete and footy player, and I am glad she will be a demon a little while longer.

They aren’t really candidates because they haven’t had good first years. Shame they are still struggling. Caleb is different and was immense on the wing but will have a lot of attention paid to him and getting ahead of a possible form drop might be what the FD is thinking about putting him behind the footy.

It is interesting having Windsor move behind the ball. I can see both sides of the issue; should be great experience to learn to defend versus the wing being such a natural spot to use his speed and skill. One wrinkle I have been thinking about is the ‘second year blues’ - which are really just coaches putting the time in and figuring out how to diminish these effective kids in roles. One way to get around that is to displace them and make their role less about what they do and more about what they stop the opposition do, and of course in a new position - harder to game out a plan to diminish him.

About as long as the cheque took to clear

We are also somewhat lucky that our nadir years 2019 and 2024 have coincided with years we haven’t traded our top draft pick the year before.