mandeelorian

I often hear Jimmy Bartel's name being thrown about in reference to overseeing Footy Departments. Can someone enlighten me as to what his credentials for this type of role are besides his illustrious career on the field? His name is always talked about like he has already had success in transforming a footy club.

I'm shocked that a coaching search panel hasn't already been formed.

I was going to raise this after the Saints game last week, but the same issue cropped up again in this match. What on earth is going on with the centre bounces at Marvel Stadium? To be fair, centre bounces have been deteriorating across all venues in recent years. It’s clear that the current crop of umpires just aren’t as proficient at the bounce, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we eventually see it scrapped altogether, or reserved only for the start of games and quarters. I don’t watch many non-Demons games and thankfully we don't play much at Marvel, so I haven’t been paying close attention to the games at this venue. Over the past two weeks at this venue, there have been a staggering number of recalled bounces. Is there something about the surface at this godforsaken stadium that’s contributing to the problem?

I have been super impressed with Harvey Langford all year and I thought that his foot skills yesterday were just superb. More drafting of kids with elite skills by foot please.

Would love to get the panels thoughts on our tactic of "chipping it around". It seemed to be effective for a quarter and a half. We kept the ball out of the Crows hands and were killing them in uncontested possession but it seemed to fall away after that. Are we simply not fit enough to keep that up?

Thoughts on potentially re-signing Kozzy on a $12 million 9 year contract?

Wondering what the panel's thoughts were on Salem's game. Was interesting to see him attend so many centre bounces. Despite a couple of errant kicks I thought it was his best game in years and loved the goal he kicked. Vintage Salem.

Despite a couple of undisciplined moments, I thought Melksham was instrumental in our win. He plays the defensive forward role so effectively that Brisbane had to shift one of the league’s best defenders to full forward. I still can't believe he was 'managed' for the game against the Hawks. He would’ve been the ideal match-up for Sicily. He has to stay in the side!

Early in the 2023 season, Kade Chandler was winning praise for his career-best form, regularly hitting the scoreboard as a dangerous small forward. In 2025, he’s gone to another level in a new high half-forward role. This week he racked up a career-high 26 disposals, and he's averaging three more touches per game than last year. With the loss of Nibbler , we've desperately needed someone to fill that high-workrate, two-way role pushing hard defensively up the field and still being able to work back to provide that pressure in the forward half and also hit the scoreboard. I'm absolutely loving what 2025 Kade Chandler is bringing.

What has happened to Christian Salem's once silky skills and his decision making? He turned the ball over on multiple occasions under no pressure and just seems to be bereft of confidence?

Just a reminder that Essendon have our first pick in the draft …

I’m sure there will be a lot of pile on comments and questions this week so I will contribute something positive. I thought Kade Chandler played a very good game this week. 25 possessions and 3 goals. Was our only shining light.

Super flat by the result but happy with the effort in terrible conditions. Five first gamers is the most of any team in the AFL era (not counting the inagural matches of new teams). How did you rate each of the debutants games including Harry Sharp?

I think the wind and the kickers are more to blame than JVR.

6. Gawn 5. Lindsay 4. Petracca 3. Bowey 2. McDonald 1. Lever