Howard_Grimes

Some ordinary names being thrown up. And ones that I highly doubt we'll be going after. I think we're past the stop-gap players at this point and some bigger pieces need to be shifted for us to really hit back hard. I'm talking shifting two of Oliver, Lever, Trac, Langdon, Salem, May. I know the one-eyed 'landers will stomp their feet. Just as they have for the impending Buckley arrival. Just as they did post Melksham arrival, Watts being moved on etc etc. Same ones who will no doubt vomit emoji this post. A quick look at the coaches votes across our games lays it all out. You simply can't keep carrying that amount of consistently underperforming senior players and expect to be able to evolve and keep up with the rest of the comp. For me, I'd be putting up Salem, Oliver, Langdon and Lever and seeing who bites. Give us some cap relief from Oliver and move on someone who is just so far from it and has contributed to the unrest and agitation you see across the group. Langdon's running role is no longer the cog that it used to be in our impenetrable game-plan. He is now being caught out because of his awful skill level. Salem is just floating, Lever is surplus to needs and can't get on the park. Take the picks, take the cap space. Work our way up the draft or perhaps going into next year's draft. I still think we're a chance for Jackson but obviously some big names need to go for that to eventuate. We then have picks and ammunition to attack some better quality trades over the next couple of years and with a new coaching group who will have 'pull' for opposition players assessing their options, (unlike Goodwin has had), we'll bounce. Even if next year is a bit rocky.

And still nothing alike.

We'll be a better side when Langdon is squeezed out. His strengths are not needed like they once were when our system was once impenetrable. He is the biggest butcher of the footy and momentum killer. Along with Viney. And has been for too long now.

Clayton has to go. He offers nothing.

I still find it absolutely wild that a couple of popular posters believe we're one elite half back flanker away from being able to move the ball well. The skill level across the board is unbelievably bad. Fumbles, missed handballs, bobbles, kicking, decision making. And our positioning is awful because we have such low confidence players who refuse to bite something off. The gap between their best and worst is just unbelievable.

As far as the details go, my understanding is that we asked the question to Buckley back at the start of the year to gauge his interest in the job. Around when we hit 0-5. As I said, the club and board doing what all clubs and boards should do. Cover all bases.

I mean, I understand if you think the idea of it is shambolic. But I'd say with a fair dose of confidence that all clubs would have these types of conversations when almost at breaking point. Which is where we were. They're conversations. They have to take place before a coach is moved on. As I said, it would be a dereliction of duty if they didn't. Same as any business.

First time I've seen you post something other than a Melb and Casey best 22. Unbelievable.

Shambles? I mean, we've been a shambles, but not for the reason you suggest. This is the AFL in 2025. The club would be derelict in its duty not to have conversations at a time when we were 0-5 in a new season without injury, coming off the back of a terribly underwhelming season before and coming into Goodwin's second last contract year. This is the landscape now. Same as players chatting with oppo clubs in-season and that being a more public and normalised thing. And Rp, it is I, formerly known as stevetheman/JimmyGadson, you know I wouldn't be having you on.

You're assuming there's been no semblance of a process. Buckley would not have been the only coach we spoke to throughout the year.

Except that time he took them to a prelim and was 30 seconds away from being a premiership coach.. But let's not mention that hey..

Can't wait see Kentfield get a go before the season is out. Very impressive consistent block at VFL

Great post, agree entirely and what you've outlined is missed too often amongst supporters.

Tell us what you think of Buckley though?

Buck's wants a premiership, and whilst the Tassie gig has its own list of unique perks and positives, even he knows being head coach at a time where the Devils are ready to challenge is unlikely. I mentioned it earlier in the year as countless others have. We've been in contact with him since the start of the season, a lot of prep has already gone into this. And letting go of Goodwin three weeks to go before the end of the season gives us the best chance of getting a settled coaching group together, RETAINING certain players and hitting the trade and draft period knowing exactly what we're going to do from a list strategy POV. I think the second point has been missed a lot around here with those who think someone like Buckley is the wrong choice. I bet my bottom dollar that part of why we're keen on Buckley is to retain Petracca as well as get a spike in performance from our senior core group who will be more inspired and motivated by an aura like Bucks. As well as the assistants that will be brought along. Supporters forget how important this is. It's happening, get on-board and leave your silly Melbourne-bias anti Collingwood nonsense behind. Buckley is the one.

We're talking about elite athletes who spend a quarter of their lives trying to build their bodies to compete in one of the more demanding sports in the world. A competition so ruthless that any small advantage is worth its weight in gold. Somwhow, methinks it's not a minor factor.. Have you been involved in high level sport?

Bump from an older thread FYI.

But if we were on par with another club in those areas and it came down to club training ground location and level of facility, nobody is choosing us. So of course it's a massive factor. I can't believe there are still supporters that think it's a non-factor. It's hilarious.

Looking forward to the meltdown with a few on here when Buckley is named coach. And then, slowly but surely, the come around once we bounce next year.

I don't know what your 'coach isn't the problem' fixation is, but the evidence is against you wherever you look. Not winning a flag doesn't equate to an incompetent coach. It also doesn't equate to 'the game has passed that coach'. I know winning one gives a coach a golden ticket for the rest of their coaching career, but you might want to dig a bit deeper to see that all coaches across their time at any level have an expiry date/time at a club. And when that time arrives, change is always required in that position.

The same crew who believe Buckley is past it, believe Oliver can get back to his best.. 🧐 Talk about contradiction.

Wowsa. I don't know how to respond to these types of comments, they're so silly.

It's true.. Although, some of Trac's discontentment has been player related too without wanting to go into detail. A lot to play out.

Trac wanted out because the club was a shambles in so many ways. I know this as fact. We covered cracks for so long and look what's happened? People on here can believe what they want but trac wanting out last year is a reflection of the state our club has been in and what has been allowed to go on for too long.

So. Many of the wishes of supporters on here have been granted. Had to happen, whichever way you look at it. He was great for us for a number of years and continued on from the Roos era, building a strong, uncompromising and competitive list and game plan that won us a flag. No small feat. Our fall from grace has been alarming to say the least from then and whilst there are many factors involved, it's clear Goody has been a contributor. The intel I've heard is that we've been in close contact with Buckley. Someone I'd love to take over at the helm. The one-eyed supporters that poo poo Buckley are the same that were against bringing Melksham in etc etc. Demonlanders being demonlanders. His aura alone will help keep some players and most definitely be more attractive to opposition players looking for a new home. And the idea that 'he's past the modern day game' is the most boring and unimaginative commentary I've heard. He made prelims and was a kick short in the last minute of a Granny. Christ. Watch this space.