Master Chief

I spoke about this last week but I am going to keep saying it. Max Gawn absolutely deserves his 8th All Australian jacket. He’s been one of our few constants this season, consistently delivering elite performances and dominating opponents across the ground. He racked up 23 disposals (14 contested), 5 marks (3 contested), 42 hitouts, 8 score involvements, and even slotted another beautiful snap goal. I just hope the selectors don’t fall into the trap of recency bias and let a short burst of form from Grundy outweigh Max’s sustained brilliance across the year.

After another stellar performance surely Max Gawn is now a lock for his 8th All Australian jacket?

Really love the Podcast guys. Thank you for continuing to front up each week. It really does help me make sense of where the team is at and what we need to do to improve. Do you genuinely believe that Jefferson is up to AFL standard and will make it. I know the key position players take a little longer to develop but I just can't see any upside to his game. Admittedly I have not watched him play at Casey but from the little I have seen of him in the seniors he lacks upper body strength and 2nd efforts. He was barely in a job when chasing opponents. I think we may have made the wrong call in drafting him.

The umpiring in this match was nothing short of horrendous. I was genuinely gobsmacked to see the free kick count even on the final stat sheet. However it is always the free kicks that you don't get that kill you. That blatant non-call on the trip to Kozzy in the goal square was inexcusable. Wasn’t tripping once considered a reportable offence? Melbourne should be demanding a “please explain” from AFL House. Once again… FREE KICK HAWTHORN

Jack Viney answered all his critics for the past few weeks. He was back to his bullocking best and proved he can still be valuable as a midfielder. I guess we just want to see consistency from our stars. We know they have the ability.

Genuine question—because I’m out of answers. Do you think we can turn this form around without sacking the coach, overhauling the playing group or staff, or heading into a full rebuild? Can we steady the ship this season? I’m not after a detailed plan—just wondering if the panel believes it’s realistically possible.

Is it worrisome that we only kicked one goal from a set shot or do we just chalk it up to the conditions?

Good to you have you guys back. Excellent show last week. Would love to get your thoughts on Langdon's new role through the middle. Do you think we will persist with this or will he return to the wing?

So sad we won't get to hear the obscure nicknames.

So happy to hear reports that Jeffo is filing out. Expecting a big year from him. Assume he will start at Casey but you'd be expecting him to push for senior selection later in the season. Thanks to all the trackside reporters for your observations.

Dodoro doesn't get enough credit for bringing the whole AFL world the joy of 7000 plus days of no Essendon success in September. Here's to another 500.

Our defence was once again rock solid and at this point we don't expect anything less. Tommy MAC's resurrection in defence has been a revelation. In particular his intercept/contested marking down the line is exactly what we need to allow Petty to swing forward. Always been a big fan of TMAC from his early career as a defender to his swing forward where he was instrumental during our entire premiership season. Not gonna lie I thought this last foot injury would be the end of him and I absolutely wrote him off after last years finals series. He has risen.

Traffic lights 🤣

Unnecessary lifting of the elbow by Kozzy is going to cost the team. He needs to pull his head in with these kinds of acts. Missed too many games for silly, avoidable incidents.

They played witches hats.