rpfc

Yeah, we are going to drop games while missing 2 of our top 7 players. I just want to see some exciting footy; there is no point in making it 60-70 slugfest.

That’s too tall and dumb. If BBB is done then just go small and put microchip in Grundy so he is shocked every time he goes more than 30m from goal. Smith, JVR and Petty are just not forwards up to a standard we need to move the footy against the best… he’ll even middling teams would bottle them up. Go Brown or go small. Also where is Track and Kozzie?? You know what, go back and try again.

My ignored users list has some absolute doozy’s - anyone remember Hardnut? Anyway, BBB does the kind of forward movement that we have dropped $650k worth of resting ruckman to learn in 3 weeks. If he is dropped it is his body that is failing him - for those that pay close attention - you will see he creates space for others behind him and makes our forward line seem deeper. Anyone can create a contest (actually that is a fallacy) but to create it in the right spots and the right times is the key to a functioning forward line. My best games at CHF in my opinion were the ones where I drew two to allow an open player, worked to get across to split the defender, and provide a target on quick plays that sometimes was simply to get it to ground in the hot spot in front. Why have we forgotten how important role players are? Didn’t we win a flag based on that? The stars keep you up there, but the salt of the earth role players are the ones that win you big games when the stars cancel each other out. Now. Bounce. That. Pill. Note: Not Broden Kelly but thought I needed something rousing…

Yep, just like [censored] holes - everybody has them. Some stink more than others tho

‘Have a teary’? Why do you think he is playing? Let’s flip that around; Goodwin comes up to you and tells you to wipe your nose, close your mouth lest the flies get in, and asks you why you think he is playing. What do you say?

Literally the worst kind of ‘supporter’

Is it still school holidays in Vic?

How good was Pickett up the ground? I think it’s the Chandler Effect.

I agree with him. We have shifted in game style and personnel and it has worked. We look better with the footy than we have for a couple months. At some point I would bring in Grundy for JVR and Oliver and Fritsch of course for Jordon and Smith in the 23 but we are getting there.

I think it is a bit more counter offensive and aggressive with getting an extra to the defensive contest. We are happy to leave May one out against the best he is that good, but we won’t in the future. And I would lean into McVee and Rivers natural desire to run through HB, Salem and Bowey will still be there which is crucial if we want to quicken up the pace - they are elite kicks. So without the footy; press with wings behind footy trying to cut off short kicks toward top of 50 mitigating Lever going full interceptor. You can do this from a stoppage too without the press. Then with the footy; run from interception through HB line as quickly as possible. Have forwards deeper to stretch the field and create space left by the press (no one knows where anyone is on either side) for the initial kick off HB. It would be different from stoppage without the press in place of course. Anyway, high level - lean into Lever and our HBs skill sets as opposed to May. I want opposition mids coming forward to think twice because of how hard they are going to have to work defensively immediately from turnover.

Yeah, as May ages I think we need evolve that back line and what drives it.

Yes, but the premise of your thesis (and I peer reviewed it and it stands up) is that even in our dominance - we didn’t do it for 4 quarters. We simply have to capitalise when it is our turn to - hence the need to open the game up these last 5 weeks and play some effing footy. Trent Rivers and Pickett look so exciting when the shackles are off and this forward line of plucky upstarts and well worn vets and this midfield of lunch pale union guys look happier when they are running and gunning.

It’s a tough call. I don’t think you can drop McVee tho. His dash just needs to be rewarded. I prefer a Spargo-less forward line especially with Fritsch not there. CS is smart with ball in hand but he is like Chris Paul sometimes with how play slams to a stop as he assesses all the options he can no longer use. Fritsch was great at finding that space and making that work. Also, Pickett has to go up the ground and for that to be something we go back to - our forward line needs speed on the feet and ball - CS lacks both IMV.

The Tigers have some pluck about them but we should be challenging the team to push the pressure with forward movement and kick 4 goals a quarter at least. If it is 110 to 90 so be it, I don’t think we can keep good teams to 60 with 6-6-6 and the way the teams at the top play - more likely than not they are going to kick 5 of 7 goals and we just have to meet that in our own way.

He is in the team, like Langdon, for his defensive positioning and ability to understand when to push and when not to. It’s obvious that Goodwin likes to play with the AFL version of wingbacks and he, like Ed, is never going to hit it into the Haymes paint bucket from 30m but they will both be there at the kick out of the D50 and the kick I50. I don’t really think he has been tremendous but meh is an undersell. If Woey had a year like that we’d be salivating.

And the fact that we lack polish isn’t a surprise. 14.13 is good production from about 50 entries. Again, the worry internally will be ‘The Slice through the Press’ but I hope it isn’t. Move the footy better and with purpose - which we saw a bit of today after 2 quarters last week. If you can do a suffocating press once against the best (KB) that’s enough for muscle memory and belief. Just celebrate having 27 scoring shots and kicking 13 goals is where I would go - can we do more of that?

Oh I don’t disagree. Defensive perfection is not an ideal I would shoot for, but tell that to Goody and May because that’s what they seem to pride the team on. We are defensive first and foremost and then willing from there - if this is that changing then I am all for it because - playing to your personnel aside - I don’t like footy like that.

We have a battlin’ midfield right now and that’s ok but it’s going to be cut up for periods. Our press ain’t death atm which doesn’t help. Amazing how stars keep you winning; Viney, Brayshaw, Kozzie… …Chandler… We are still a work in progress with the major frustration being - we are a defence first team but sometimes we are butter to a hot knife.

80% is still a distinction

You should probably apply the ‘rule’ in your last sentence to your first sentence; the FD don’t seem to care about ‘winning the trade’ if they get their targets. We may come out so far ahead in the Jackson trade that they don’t care about ‘paying too much’ for ND1.

Winning form is good form at this point, even if it means going to the Gabba. Having said that, we may prioritise resting May, Gawn, and some other stars.