pitmaster

Yep. You'll see elsewhere that goal kicking is a big bugbear of mine too. The creativity I mention is upfield and how we move the ball. The goal kicking is so fundamental I am mystified why it can't be better addressed by line coaches and head shrinkers.

I had some bloke tell me last week that we had the best list in the AFL. That's the sort of nonsense that is thrown around after you win a flag. The same sort of people earlier this year and for the past couple of years have said the Dogs have the best list. Also nonsense although the Darcy kid elevates them a bit. The truth about 2021 is that we had one of the best few teams in the competition and we had a great run with injuries with only Jayden Hunt unavailable in the immediate preview of the finals. And even Hunt could have been selected by the first week of the finals but he had lost his place in the team and Goodwin was keeping a winning group together. In the two years afterwards we were cruelled by injuries to key players at key times and that famed list was nowhere near as good as it seemed. In fact, it was, and is shallow even though I agree there are some promising kids developing now. Goodwin did a great job with the list he had and ran with his luck. He is now trying to craft this group that won a flag with one style of play into something that competes with a very different style. It is a work in progress. He has not lost the players. Some time next year, as his contract begins to peter out, we'll make a call on whether he stays or goes. Given this year is pretty much shot I reckon we sit tight and see just how creative he can be. He still has the players and some coaches improve over time. Goodwin might be one such.

I disagree. Kicking is the most fundamental skill in the game. It's called football, after all. Max is a champion and an all time great of the club. Nobody could dispute that. Also, he is a wonderful ambassador for the club who is respected almost universally by football followers. But the raw facts are that he has a serious, match-losing flaw in his game and it is one that can be corrected with application, with a routine and with practice. As captain I believe he has a role in showing to the rest of the list that constant improvement is what the game demands, and no-one is exempt from it. Not even mighty Max.

Agree but as of yesterday I think he's at 2.15.

Did anyone notice that after Max marked on his chest directly in front of goal that he prepared for the kick by walking, with his back turned on the goal, AT AN ANGLE that increased the degree of difficulty of kicking the goal? He actually set off from a point pretty much in line with the outer boundary of the goal square, so he could have taken his kick from directly in front, instead of at an angle. Of course, he missed. Back in round 1 2018 Max's inability to kick accurately from directly in front cost us a win against Geelong. Despite his 2021 heroics in the preliminary final and round 22 against Geelong, this has been a costly recurring problem. Basic (secondary) question: If the captain cannot be persuaded to correct his one serious flaw, how can any player be made to do so? Little wonder we are the only team to have registered more points than goals in 2025.

No, not Hipwood substandard. That was Hipwood typical. A fraud even though he did have a glorious match winning 10 minutes against us. He really is a chronic under performer.

It's sad to think how much more complete we would be with Jesse in our ranks now. But happy for him to see some success.

Huge for the club. Really exciting news.

Also a Demon supporter!

What is the point of the club's website? I ask myself, as on the eve of the game there is no team list and nothing new over the past three days. Thanks WJ & ANDY FOR DEMONLAND.

Sure, it's a tactic to slow up play and enable the filth to set up defensively. But the point is he is allowed to get away with it, mainly, I suspect because the umpires are cowed by the Collingwood mob in full voice, as they were last week when the Hawks were on the receiving end. Stuff he is excused over would see our blokes punished every time. Count on it.

Watch the number of times Howe pushes his opponent in the back once beaten in a marking contest but don’t count on a 50 metre penalty. He got away with it multiple times against Hawthorn last week.

To answer a query above: On the few occasions I have attended training there has NEVER been a concerted systematic goal kicking session. Not varied angles or distances or even more than a handful of shots. Is it done secretly at Casey Fields? Old style full forwards supposedly had 100 shots at or separate to training. If Max won’t bother to fix his goal kicking issues what hope have we?

Yes, he did. Maybe making it a family tradition.

Discipline. Nowhere have I seen or heard anyone congratulate the Dees on their discipline yesterday. In the face of some of the most appalling umpiring ever witnessed at any level, never did I see Dees players show the sort of dissent that has you penalised 50 meters or worse. The players copped it sweet. Even Kozzie who had every right to go ballistic, so congratulation fellas, and Simon Goodwin for drilling into them where to direct their energy. For those who weren't there and who can't face the replay, the umpiring was bad but worst for the Dees. I have only just remembered the free to Watson for McDonald's attempted spoil. (Resulted in a goal to Watson, who, unlike our blokes knows how to find the space between the big ones.) There appeared no contact at all. And since when can't you bump a player when he's disposing of the ball? We copped two of those. It was kiddie rules. One bloke behind me (MCC) shredded his throat all afternoon venting at those clowns, which saved me the same. He had a moustache like Lever and I reckon this morning he sounds like a post-game Jake as well. If you read this, I feel for you, mate.

I should have mentioned that as invisible as JvR was in the forward line, he was terrific in the ruck and won most of his contests. It's a shame because I want him marking in front of goal. He had two chances at FF and blew them both then marked strongly in defence, 120 metres from goal. We had nothing from Jeffo who I have not seen much of but I can understand the doubters on that showing. Until those big forwards start holding two or three marks a game and convert we are going to struggle. When Lever returns Turner should go forward. Strong mark and beautiful kick. But until then it's grim times.

Terrible conclusion to a game in which we outplayed the opposition for the better part of three quarters. Barring the first 10 minutes I thought we more than matched them and at one point in the third term we looked like kicking away if we could just get a break. Must wonder about the fitness team after that finish although had we taken our opportunities (Fritter take note, also Sharp, Spargs, JvR etc) scoreboard pressure may not have seen them play with the freedom they did in the final term. I am normally critical of umpires but I have to say that was one of the most lamentable performances I have seen. The insufficient intent against Clarry, the non-free to Kozzie for a trip, the free kick to Cool (I think) for launching himself at a pack in what was clearly a reckless exercise and should have been penalised, the disregard of Hawthorn's throwing (barring one instance) and an absurd holding the ball against one of ours who had literally no time to dispose...left me speechless. That said, you can't complain about the umpires when you kick yourself out of the game in a manner that is so familiar it seems to be part of our game plan. It's early to say it but I fear that's the season, right there.

Jake Niall's take is quite different. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/goodwin-s-candour-invites-unwanted-attention-on-gawn-but-empathy-can-t-be-faulted-20250324-p5lm64.html

This is also true. Where was the effort to create separation from opponents? It's ok to run to dead pockets if that's going to break up the oppo's back structure but all I saw was our tall forwards flailing against out numbering opponents.

Losing is one thing. Capitulation is something else. Awful skills sure but you should never drop your heads.

Beautiful autumn afternoon. Roof closed. Wasted the sun cream.

Looks like a strong turnout from Dees fans. Let’s make some noise.

Then I reckon you'd be happy to be called 'kid'. My point stands, round one is a famously misleading pointer to full season performances. The Mark Neeld years notwithstanding.

You're drawing end of season conclusions from round one? How old are you, kid?

This one is going in the time capsule.