GS_1905

Left a tad early. Summary was that there was not much to see. A few drill stations to break up a lot of transition drills that in my view was to focus more on running from d50 to f50 repetitively. Th vibe was pretty low key and not much stood out to me other than Max Heath’s size. He also appeared rather agile too so could provide a great chop out for Max. Good to see a few the senior leaders present too. Chin looks to me as someone who is definitely going to command consideration for the leadership group and potential future captaincy.

Jiath appears to be playing a sweeper / deep back role. He gets back very quick in defensive transition. It’s all fitness related drills though so hard to read much into it. Did I say Max Heath was huge? Well he is.

I’ll say one thing. Max Heath is no string bean.

I’ll be heading down to this one weather permitting.

Solution has always been taking the easier option. Either Goody didnt coach it; the players were not able to execute or a bit of both. No doubt King will try and implement a variation of Geelong's system so we will see whether we can turn that into results.

No Geelong trip - win. Mostly Sunday arvo games which is a commercial disaster. The double up games are a bit strange for a side that finished bottom 6. You would expect to play WC and North twice, but we only get Richmond and Essendon. In any case, not much expectation next year so tbh does the fixture really that much?

haven't been convinced with this bloke but think its almost 100% mental. I feel like if he can get on a roll; get confidence in his game, he'll be a real find. We need to 2-3 elite half backs to help distribute the ball and setup the ground during transition. He doesn't need to be quick on foot (it helps) as kicking the ball is much quicker so as long as he is quick in making a decision; identifying a target or play and executing with great accuracy will make him look like Gout Gout.

6,7?

The first thing we need is to secure our ball movement and that means half backers. Salem does not cut it anymore and I think is bound for VFL time if he cannot reinvent himself or S.K cannot find another role for him. Grij has great potential and has speed to link up with others like Lindsay and Windsor who are positioned further up the ground. We should move heaven and earth to move up the pick order to get him. I think he needs to be our number 1 option. Unfortunately for us i think Richmond are in need of him as well and will likely take him with Pick 4. If not, they may entertain a pick swap for their pick 4. Trouble is 7,8 is way overs for Pick 4 points wise and we dont have any Future 2nd's to hand over 7 with. Grij wont get past Essendon either.

He has reasonably speed and acceleration as well - not lighting quick, but would be in the top 4-5 in our club. Good kick - can see the comparisons to Salo, but i like how he takes the game on with some of his kicks. Wouldnt be the worst choice.

The reality was quite obvious after round 5 this year. That was, that the current playing list, coaching dept and board were not going to cut it. Thankfully we did not waste another season in 2026 to come to this realisation. In all honesty this was 12 months overdue. However, in all fairness not many footy clubs would have made the call 12 months ago either. They would have want to have convinced themselves that there was absolutely nothing left in this group to salvage and that is what we chose as well. Would have been a very brave call. So, where does this leave us? I think we just have to accept that 2026 and 2027 are going to be developmental years. Come 2028, we will have our young emerging crop (Lindsay, Windsor, Langford, Tholstrup, White Jnr) in the 50+ game region, our senior players will be Kozzy, Bowey, Rivers, Lever, Petty, Turner, JVR, Chin, Steele, Jiath, Sparrow and Lingers. Likely be without Gawn, Viney, May, TMac, Milkshake. Will this group ultimately be successful enough to have another tilt at the flag? I think it really depends on the quality we get this year and next year in the draft. Honestly im not convinced either way - that is the risk you face when you bottom out the way that we have. Aside from Kozzy, it is hard to see where our other elite talent comes from and i think you need at least 2-3 in a team to have a real chance. I think all of Lindsay, Windsor and Langford have very strong, obvious traits but they also have very clear flaws in their game atm, which is to be expected. If we can finish anywhere between 10-14 will be a successful year in my view. Id expect a few more beltings too.

The only way we are able to renege our obligations for Clayton's contract dump are a) if he retires early or b) the AFL withdraws his playing license. Hard to see scenario a playing out, but if he really does go off the rails again and potentially strikes out, then i think this maybe a possibility.

The kids is exactly what we’ll need off half back. I’d say prioritise him over Robey 100%. The game is now speed and skill. The brute force element will continue to get more phased out as an athletic more skilful orientated game style takes over.

You forget we are death riding GCS. We need them bottom 4. I just think there is a chance they take a backward step. History shows that there is a reasonable chance this happens. Can you imagine another two top 10 picks next year! It would allow us to go after a major prize and if we play our cards right, will allow us to effectively exit the tough part of a rebuild.

Looks too slow. need more zippy kids that can kick. Harvey is going to be our brute we need a defensive midfielder but it’s not a priority with Viney and Steele covered for the next 3-4. Need more like Lindsay and Windsor.

Not impressive IMO. I’d say in a normal draft he is 2 nd round stuff. He is agile but looks heavy and slow at top speed. Gives off a handball too easily rather than using his agility to go inside to out. For a top 10 pick to likely spend a year at Casey is saying something. If not who does he replace? Kolt? Chin?

Would it be mean of us to create a scenario where we kick the ball just a smudge over the Brands head causing him to run back with the flight. Not suggesting we get anyone to deliberately clean him up but I’d love to see if he goes back with the flight of the ball.

Dont forget the old cliche of smashing PB’s.

True. It also sucks that two of the most talented MFC players we have had in a long time had to come with off field issues. When you couple this with Gus's medical retirement, the odds on this outcome in the immediate wake of '21 would have been astronomically low.

I don’t know how you can change a contract without making the initial one obsolete . I thought the deal is you have to accept the contract as it stands or negotiate a new one which would render our obligations in the contract null and void. Somehow I’m starting to doubt whether Oliver can last the full tenure of his contract.

If nothing else it will be Humphrey hour every hour for 2 weeks straight next trade period. Let him mature and get some more finals experience. He’ll request a trade next year and as long as we are not a complete basket case and win < 4 games he’ll be at our club.

For me and all those that critise the club re: Oliver and Trac trades, this was the key quote i found most relevant. “And we could have stuck with Clayton and Christian, no problems. But we finished 14th in 2024, 14th in 2025. And if nothing changes, then nothing changes. And we’ve made the decision that we don’t want to finish 14th again. Both of these players are over the hill and were not contributing to the team given we finished 14th consecutive. We were not getting better with them in the side, so getting 3 first rounders to help turn over the list is a better outcome.

First year player that was hanging around Trac was Langford. I dont like the brand 1 iota, but would find this hard to believe.

At Under 15 he should at least be playing rep footy. I believe that starts from U14 in the boys comp.

Yeah the AFL will surely ruin this run of F/S. I dont think any of them are banging the door down for a top 10 selection but early days i suppose.