seventyfour

Half way through the game now. It's almost like we didn't touch a footy over summer. So many of our players are FUMBLY. It's a bizarre part of the game, but seems like a confidence thing and something that can fix itself? Honestly think we've cost ourselves 4-5 goals over two weeks by fumbling the ball when we're speeding out of the back half.

Wasn't able to see the game live, but watching the replay now. Hard to believe we won by 40 after the first quarter. It was classic Dees, full of bad decision making and missed opportunities. That Gawn brainfart in the back pocket was something else. Glad it didn't cost us. Looking forward to it being upwards from here.

Most players peak at 26-29 so his best years are still ahead of him. KPFs are extremely hard to find. They don't often become available and usually you have to draft them and wait years with a slim chance they develop into above-average KPF. With all of this in mind, we need to fight like hell to keep him. If we can't, the minimum price is two first-round picks. Or Rachele is a Victorian - we'll take him plus a first rounder.

I don't disagree with this, but you also select teams to win all year and win in September. Confidence and chemistry are important for both of these, and both are impacted negatively when you drop blokes who played well.

At least Jordon was bad. Very average player. Lost nothing when we let him go.

There's just too many things to fix. Game style. Ball usage. Bad players getting games. Goal kicking. We're done. It was a fun ride but I think we're heading for the worst place of all - mediocrity.

He shouldn't have to wrestle in contests though. Better delivery would hit him on the lead.

Yep. Bring Billings on ASAP

Laurie and Schache never again

Laurie is no good. Easy change for Pickett next week.

We SHOULD win clearance by a mile.

6 players from the 22 who played in the Carlton final: Kozzie, Spargo, Smith, Jordon, McDonald, Hunter. In comes Windsor, Howes, Billings, Laurie, Van Rooyen and Schache. I think most would agree that our ideal 2024 team will have Petty and McAdam playing, possibly Fullarton too. It's positive to see a different looking side, and room for further movement. At least we won't die wondering.

Some mock drafts had Howes going in the top 20, and almost all in the top 30 prior to his draft when we grabbed him at 39. So he has 'pedigree'. He was emergency in 2022 before his stress fracture. Could be our next Jordon type... second rounder who was had to mature and wait for a chance.

Love to see it. Sounds like it'll be the first 22 from the Carlton game with Oliver replacing Kozzie? FB: Tomlinson, May, Salem HB: McVee, Lever, Rivers C: Langdon, Viney, Neal-Bullen HF: Petracca, Fritsch, Laurie FF: Chandler, JVR, Schache F: Gawn, Sparrow, Windsor IC: Billings, Howes, Bowey, Oliver

That news about McAdam and Petty is very, very pleasing. If we can be 4-2 or better going into our round 6 bye, with the best of our forwards still to come... look out.

There was a lot of positive offseason commentary from the club around Laurie, and he was getting games last year even though he wasn't standout in the VFL. Does anyone else see it? He reminds me of Jordon, in that he is not bad, but there's no standout element sof his game. You've gotta have something. Be quick, tall, an elite ball user (smarts, decision making or skills), tough as nails, an elite endurance runner... I don't see any of that. Depth at best.

Blues laid 39 tackles for the night, very little pressure. Still only a practice game. Hope it eases last week's doomsayers though.

It is still stupidly hot outside. Why didn't they push back the start time when they saw the forecast? They moved the time of a Brisbane game.

Hmm. On paper that is not a forward line worthy of finals. Take Kozzy out for our opening game and it's bottom 6 stuff. I would hope we're gonna see some Petracca forward early in the season like we did for periods last year, but with Angus gone and Clarry out for now, we aren't deep at centre bounce or stoppages either. I'm trying to be positive, but there's definitely some worry for the first 5-10 rounds of the season. Positively, there's huge room for us to improve up forward if we can get the likes of Petty and McAdam fit. I really hope Woewodin is ready to play soon too.

Pretty sure the players got a break after the Richmond game?

For the Simpsons fans...

How do you know that we didn't do EVERYTHING we reasonably could to move up? We weren't there, so having these negative attitudes about something we can only guess about doesn't do favours for anyone. Sanders and Windsor have played one match sim each. Give both a chance to build a career before we judge. Rhys Palmer was taken at pick 7, won the Rising Star in his first year, then had a very average career. Luke Tapscott was a gun in his first game, Gysberts had 26 and 27 touches in his first two game, look how they panned out. Players who look good early don't always develop into stars.

Everything i've read said he was "ok without being outstanding" in Sydney's sim today. That is exactly how he played at Melbourne. We need to move on. Sparrow is entering his prime, RIvers is ready to go to another level, Woewodin could be anything, and Billings could be a great addition once he finds his groove. There are plenty of players available to fill the small shoes left by Jordon.

We can win it in 2024, and I can see it being a great story. A terrible off-season full of bad news and injuries. A tough start to the season. Strong competition and a lot of travel. Written off, supporters and media saying the era is over... But the club galvanizes. The players, the staff, and the fans. We make a run from outside the top 4 and ultimately win the bloody thing on the MCG. Sweeter than 2021.

We went 9-3 in preseason games 2016-2020. Not great years except for 18. We went 1-2 in preseason games 2021-2023. Great years. Richmond went 4-3 in their flag winning years. It's zero indicator of season performance. Relax.