Maximum Gawn

Probably for a different thread, and I take your points about our rankings but I think those stats might be slightly misleading for 2022. Our game plan clearly didn’t place a high priority on marks inside 50. Instead focussed on contest, defence and pressure as avenues to score. Likewise the goals per inside 50 stat is a bit misleading because our game plan was based on forward half turnovers and repeat inside 50s. Great if you can score from the first I50 but we were actually relying more on scoring from the second, third or fourth one. So a lopsided ratio there was actually potentially a good sign for us. Obviously this got figured out and countered by better kicking and faster ball movement over the last couple of years. But when it was humming it was very effective. The stats might say one thing but to the eye the plan was mostly working in ‘21 and ‘22.

It’s a good question. To put it simply in wins and losses, I would accept it if we had a 2019-type year, which I think was 4 wins? Could be wrong, might be less. So to answer your question, I probably would give him the year no matter what (within reason - no wins could be a stretch), I think he’s earned that. If we’re worried about the age of Gawn, May and Viney, then wasting the rest of the this year with a caretaker, then bringing in a new coach with new systems next year, effectively gives up on whatever good footy they have left in them anyway.

I just struggle to understand what the coach has done, in terms of on field results, to warrant such adamant calls for his sacking. He’s made the finals 50% of his time in charge. Picked us up off the bottom of the ladder once before to win a flag two years later. Who says he can’t do it again? Why does an unknown quantity in a new coach deserve more support than someone we already have who’s proven he can get us playing great footy, in multiple game styles? I think he deserves much more benefit of the doubt when there are many things up in the air about the club, no CEO for example.

It would be a massive mistake to sack Goodwin. Especially in the middle of this season. I would have thought our most successful coach in 60 years would have earned more grace than being sacked after missing the finals once followed by a bad start to the year. Make no mistake this is the veil of negativity at play. Be patient. Accept that form fluctuations are part of the game, especially when trying to rebuild and change game style at the same time. Support your club. Let’s not be Carlton.

Forward entries were in great shape in 2021 and much of 2022.

I’ve also got a sneaky feeling about this week. We may not win but I think we’ll play well. I also think we’ll win the following four games and be 4 and 4 after round 8. You heard it here first.