old55

Wade Derksen key back for GWS is of interest too.

FTR, the sooner we move on Goodwin, the better. Chaplin takes over in the meantime. I've been a Goodwin fan and the trendline before the 21 flag was clearly up, but now it's obviously down and you've got to read it. I was optimistic we could turn things around this year and the FD had credits in the bank but they’re all spent now. We probably can't pull the trigger until the new CEO is in place, hopefully it's someone with sufficient veritas and gumption. IMV there's plenty to gain by acting quickly, we can get in early with the selection process and beat other teams to the drop of the ball e.g. the Dogs. If we go for an assistant coach without senior experience (my preference) then we have time to line up a mentor to replace Richardson e.g. Ken Hinkley or Luke Beveridge - these things take runway to get lift off (it always makes me laugh when there's a hue and cry about players discussing trades during the season, whentf are they supposed to do it - during trade period?). Even if an assistant can't be released to join us because his team is playing finals e.g. Scott Burns at Adelaide, at least he can be in communication, including with players, about list changes for this season which, to say the least, are critical given the Oliver, Petracca, Pickett, Fritsch situations. I don’t think for a moment that all the problems are coaching problems but we need to continue the changes we're making there next.

We've named 6 talls in addition to Max - May, Petty, Lever, JVR, AJ and TMac. That’s a pretty standard set-up. 7 talls and 15 smalls - one of the talls is on the bench at most times so we've usually got 6 and 12 on the field - that's pretty standard. Petty and TMac can play at either end which gives flexibility and the sub will come from Melksham, Langford, Chandler and Billings so that gives the flexibility to sub a tall out. I think it's a good balance.

If Lever is out TMac comes off the bench into the starting back 6 and Disco comes out of the Emergencies to replace him on the bench and play forward. Tall out - tall in.

Two of Dland's best posters.

Yes, but 6 debutantes is still adventurous. Goodwin could definitely gone with TMac and Billings, added Laurie and Woewodin who have AFL exposure, and squeezed Melksham and Spargo in from injury early, but he didn't. He wasn't forced into the debutantes decision.

I'm generally entertained when we're winning.

"In the back" in field play is extinct.

Billings' goal kicking issues are totally psychological. It's not a technique problem, he's a neat field kick on both sides. I think it could be addressed with the right approach.

Adams is from WA, it makes sense to at least take him over with the squad.

Kako on Kayo?

I believe Fox Footy/Kayo are covering all matches with their commentary teams instead of takin 7's so they'll need the practice.

Pretty impressive by Sinnema last year given he's a December birthday he was really bottom age and played all year as a 16yo.

Ruptured a tear-duct in the process?

Where on his body is the "bone stress"? I couldn't see that. There can be stress fractures to many different parts of the body - back, legs, feet etc.

I agree with PD, the quarters are too long. I liked the Covid quarters much better. 16 minutes plus time on would be good.

One take from that video and from what I saw at training is that Will Verrall won't make it as a ruckman. Tom Campbell absolutely monstered him. He's not tall enough and reliable track watchers say his running is still below standard. I hope we're going to try him as a KP, he has got some ball skills. The bright side is TC looks very capable of providing depth for Max.

Will be requesting a trade to us?

It's a bit disappointing that our new recruits aren't wearing their numbers on their training tops. At least they weren't last Wednesday at Gosch's.

In another world he joined us, Pendles was knocked out and we won the 2023 flag.

I'm fine with JVR rucking as long as we have 3 tall forwards. Most likely the same as last year - Petty forward and TMac back. The only alternative is Johnson plays and rucks. JVR and Disco forward, Petty back and TMac at Casey. I don't have Jefferson in the frame at this stage.

Agree. I really like Chandler but he's not going to kick goals from forward line stoppages, he's the likely ANB replacement. Spargo isn't kicking stoppage goals either. I think Brown is probably a wing or small defender. I still have hopes for McAdam but he's more along the Jamie Elliott lines, marking small forward. I can see why we drafted Mentha and are trialling George. You're right, GWS has a heap of small forward types and just drafted two more.

Yeah there’s no-one. That's the biggest problem with our list - it's not ruck, not KP, not midfield - it's small forward goal kickers.

That's a pity, I was going to offer you $1000 to expand on your thoughts ...

You saw him take his top off, no doubt 😀