Go Ds

If he's the best surely competent recruiters will snap him up before #7. Too much of these discussions will be pointless if we dont get him. I bet nearly every team has done tons of analysis before the upcoming draft.

I certainly expect he'll improve. But I'm asking how that happens in a few months down time.

Actually a lot of people can be shy. It's a slight fail that in the last few weeks that he hasnt been set up with mentors if that's the case. I'm a little surprised.

Im not trying to be a smart Alec here but can Langford or whoever improve over a ten- week break? What? More weights? He's grown? Niggling injuries have cleared up? Im sure players go into preseasons with a better attitude or newfound confidence and emerge round one as a better player. But just from 10 weeks rest? Is that possible? I'm curious.

Once you've hugged Jiath you stay on that path?!

Did you get to say hi to him again?

Wouldn't wanna start on the wrong Tracc!

Does that suggest Hawthorn players had a higher fitness base? 🤔

Theyd be cannon fodder. If they had been cruelled by injuries but now full-strength are the fourth best side it wouldn't bother me at all they're winning finals.

What about the rest of him?

But that could happen in the old set-up with 5th ; 16 wins; losing to 8th with 10.

Can't you guys see the irony? Suddenly 7th and 8th are much lesser achievements. They need to win 5 matches, miss out on a bye and even can have the ignominy of losing a ' final' to a team that managed only 9 or 10 H&A wins. Fifth and sixth will often have a cushy opening final now and they go into week two ... now week three against an opponent that had an exhausting ding dong battle with a top two side. If you change your perspective that it's really the final six now suddenly the complaints of mediocrity disappear. Now you need to come in the top third of the ladder. None of this is perfect (extra advantages for 5th and 6th and two Mickey Mouse finals). But it ain't the end of the world at all. Now.... back to Sesame Street and the Scon...the Biscu...umm that monster that eats baked goods. 🙄

At best?!!! Speak for yourself!

Like I said it's not that bad. But imagine a state of origin-type game instead in that pre-final bye spot with the best players from the also-rans. It's recognition and valuable experience in an almost finals environment. It may have worked. You'd get two very talented teams and a great spectacle as a lead into rhe finals proper.

I'm sure some are a plane flight away. But it'll interesting how many senior players turn up to make a good first impression (or even can't wait for team and/or their own 'redemption'). If you (Demonlanders) get there today have fun

Hmm, now it'll be 11th that could be the hard luck story. Now there'll be a two-tier finals series. Now too many teams play a final. (Actually it may turn out we end up with a defacto final six.) Honestly I'm not too fussed - there'll be a few more interesting late-season games. But really this is AFL looking to do something and well, they'll make plenty of moula with two bonus finals.

Hmm 2 or 3 years ago Tracc was the obvious choice. Im sure when the vacancy appears there'll be someone the right age with leadership qualities. They dont exactly need to be All-Australian standard, just in the best 18 or 23. I'm sure every club always has someone in the wings. Tasmania don't even have one player yet. But I'm sure they're not panicking about who's their leadership group let alone captain.

And did he do this when he met you? 😁 (Seriously, i love how devoted some fans are, including you.)

Im reminded of David Schwartz. When he was about 8 he witnessed his father's murder. He ended up an eleven out of ten problem gambler. Thankfully he ended up working his way out of that (which probably was connected to his childhood trauma.) Us older fans remember how amazing he was late 94. He was mercurial in our two winning finals and looked to just about overtake Carey as the best in the league. Unfortunately after that he needed knee reconstructions which dulled his game. His sister was a netballer whose knees were also a problem so I guess they had some unlucky genes. If Schwartz had rivalled Carey over the rest of the 90s we quite feasibly could have won a flag, such as in 1998, when we were so close.

I kinda agree with you. But I'm not sure the OP has nothing else to enjoy before then. I haven't been to training since the last session before the '88 grand final at the Junction Oval so it's not as exciting as it will be for trackwatchers. To rephrase it I've been excited about each season probably since Roosy came along. But, yeah, it's extra exciting with a new coach etc. The main thing I hope is that we go into 20-27(!) excited; next year could be quite challenging. Right now Im more looking forward to the Ashes.

Huh?

Well yeah. I was more thinking about 2025. But if all 3 were still playing like in 2022 and without off field issues we wouldnt have been anywhere near 14th

It would have been so hard to play well if arguably 2 of the main 3 players were causing so many problems.