pitmaster

Agree. Bedford was not trusted by Goody and he has something we lack...genuine pace. A much bigger loss than JJ who is just a negator. We've been lacking pace for a couple of years and Toby has it in spades. That is one black mark against the coach but they all have their favourites.

Classic Chris Scott press conference, citing 10 or 12 unknown challenges that made Geelong's task this year so difficult. What might some of those be? Well, being the only Victorian club with a weird home ground unlike any other in the competition for them to train and play at to the disadvantage of all who are sent there, almost gifting them 6 or 7 wins a season. And maybe being gifted the softest fixture of any of the previous years' finalists, that could be one. So while he goes through the motions of praising Brisbane he spends most of his time hinting at challenges but not really explaining any of them in case we learn what they are and think so what? I mean, does he even know that Brisbane were missing Coleman and Hipwood? (I am not fan of Hipwood but he is structurally important to Fagan) It makes me wonder why Simon Goodwin did not moan about Petracca playing a finals series with a fracture fibula (secondary bone in the lower leg) or Gawn carrying a debilitating back injure in the second half of 2022 (Mason Cox you rat). Really ungracious performance typical of that entitled winger.

I was open to Snoop performing today since he has conducted himself well since arriving but this pre-game stuff is awful Americanised rubbish. A mix of marching bands, cheerleaders and dance groove. Utterly underwhelming and a cultural cringe from the AFL. Dillon, no doubt, will say it's the best yet.

Utter [censored]. Best ignored.

That's hilarious, with the mooted Flanders trade for pick seven. You're right. Every half cut commentator has some bright idea for where Petracca should or might go. I had a Hawks fan yesterday claiming Trac for the injury prone Mitch Lewis. Given the new coach has said he wants to keep them - they are (potentially) A graders (again) - why not accept that the Dees have the whip hand and they are not moving unless the price is right.

Nothing.

Heard of him? I was introduced to him! He must have been one of my father's favourite players because way back in the 1970s, at the MCG, my old man recognised him and bailed him up in the old MCC Members' Stand, since demolished. My dad would have been a teenager when Eddie was playing and he even told Eddie what number he wore, so that kind of confirms demonwiki's description of him as a cult hero. Eddie, as I remember, was pretty happy to be recognised.

Commentators were suggesting he has been slow to adapt to his new home and regime and will be better next year. Maybe. But for the moment I am happy he went elsewhere. He will be 29 next year which, as mentioned on ABC yesterday, is close to the Pies' average age (28 and 8 months) so that makes him a good fit. And if he is a recruiting bust, a perfect fit. 🤣

I'm the poster referred to. Here's a fuller exposition. His game was a shocker. He is broken. A toe tendon injury is not an easy repair as it's part of the body that has relatively low blood supply hence slower, more problematic recovery. Anyone contemplating bringing him in is relying on past performances but he has never been a goal machine, averaging 1.67 goals per game (267 in 159). He has been a handy addition to the Pies' forward line but never its main target. His output is similar to Fritter except Mihocek will be 33 by round one next year and Fritter will be 29. Wounded Mihocek is the Pies' problem now and they have other ageing players to dispose of so let's leave him to them to resolve. Our recent record on recycling bit players from other clubs is not good. We would do better punting on a promising kid. Experts sometimes do that.

This is exactly the point.

I was at the prelim. On the evidence of that game I wouldn't touch Mihocek with a barge pole.

What's the source for this comment?

For the historically minded should be more like "Off with his head". But count me out. I loathe those threads about undermining the coach whoever he is.

And Hardwick's laptop played up, ruining his presentation.

Actually, binman, from long experience I can tell you Caro's form is to say "it was right at the time" which is the ultimate get-out for a report that is later shown to be wrong, because as an excuse it is simply unprovable either way.

I'm looking at finishing positions in a competition where there is only one prize. Ten years is a big enough sample to cancel out variables such as a bad run with injuries one year, or an extraordinarily good run with injuries, or close finishes. It is relevant that he inherited from Malthouse a team that had contested the two previous Grand Finals and within three years had them in the bottom half of the ladder where they remained for four years. I acknowledge that only rotten luck and a freakish kick denied him a premiership but that form of 2018 was not sustained. Whatever the variables his record compares poorly with coaching contemporaries such a Clarkson at Hawthorn, Hardwick at Richmond or Scott at Geelong. And whatever the variables it is also significant that he had charge of one of the strongest, best resourced clubs in the game and could not deliver what they wanted. I am not saying I'd be burning a membership card if he is given the gig, but I would not be shattered if he opted for the Tassie Tigers either.

I don't claim to know anything useful here nor would I pretend to know better than any member of the coaching selection panel, but nowhere have I seen any run down of Buck's coaching record, so I checked and it's very mixed. In 2012, having inherited the 2010 premiership side and 2011 losing grand finalist ,he took the Pies to 4th. 2013: 7th 2014: 11th 2015: 12th 2016: 12th 2017: 13th 2018: 2nd (denied a premiership by a poor umpiring decision and a miracle kick on the final siren) 2019: 4th 2020: 4th 2021: 17th (good times) He was coaching one of the best resourced clubs in the comp. It's not a great record. An equal mix of mediocrity and success. If he wins the job I hope he has learned plenty.

Harry Sharp?

They are precious. You are absolutely right. Another example is their outrage whenever N Daicos is closely tagged. They seem to think, and some of the media go along for the ride, that Nicky should be allowed to play the game entirely on his own terms, that is, scouting about off the contest and with a licence to receive the ball at will and distribute as he wishes. He is very effective when left to run free, but what other player is entitled to play without an opponent? None of course. And when a close watch is kept on him, as in both Kings Birthday and Round 24 against us, he is quelled. I suspect Matthew Nicks is regretting little him run free last night.

It was a speak tackle similar to what cost Kozzy three weeks a couple of years back but Kozzie ran passed the ball to lay his hit so that may be the difference.

Adelaide fans are bogans (generally speaking) and they hate Victorians almost universally, so no surprise they'd boo a player from an opposition club for any reason. But the hypocrisy of the Collingwood club whinging about it is breathtaking since they boo players who joke about them (Ed Langdon) or who consider them beatable (Steve May) or who is kicking for goal (any Collingwood opponent of any club at any time).

Reading this morning's Age (Sept 1) where Tim Membery talks about the difference between being at St Kilda (where players talk passionately about ending the club's premiership drought), and Collingwood (where reminders of past glories are everywhere - "it's painted on the walls"), so that "you just feel that as a player being in this environment it's going to be successful", this new base cannot come fast enough. For all our sakes I hope Brad Green, Paul Guerra and Steve Smith make it happen and give us something to see taking shape by the end of 2026. It would make a great marker for a 100th premiership anniversary.

Fair point. He has never had an impact at senior level but has not really been given much opportunity. The sub role has diminished the prospects of a few players. The one who got away and now playing strong footy for the Giants is a similar example. I had given up on Laurie but watching him today thought it may not all be on him.

Possibly a condemnation of Simon Goodwin.

Yeah, but as a kid. He was in premiership sides in his first and second years, so not a senior player or leader. Just a lucky kid, so that premiership record was never particularly persuasive to me, although I love what he did for our club as a coach.