drdrake

Looks very similar to the dark times pre Roos and Jackson. The older players just look defeated. We have been able to mask our skill inefficiencies by pressure and contested ball, worked for a few seasons but the game evolved to a possession game and we just cant keep the footy. Our back 6 was the best in the comp, now the ball is coming in so fast they are being exposed. Unfortunately a lot more pain coming, May and Gawn are looking like players that are coming to the end, Petracca wont hang around, Kossie the same. All good runs come to an end, Richmond, West Coast and now Melbourne, shame we couldn't win another flag with this group.

Essendon get the 4 points and most likely a top 2 draft pick from Melbourne. Time to take the shackles off and let the boys play, one on one accountability, stop giving an out number up forward, we cant hit targets. We are trying to play a style our team doesn't have the skill to execute

We are trying to play a possession game, short 25 to 30m kicks, issue is we hit 2 miss the third everyone is out of position and the fast break the other way happens. We dont have good enough kicks to play this way, Viney, Langdon, Petracca, Oliver are all terrible kicks, they are your main ball winners.

Really, if you cant hit that last kick inside 50m no forward will be effective. The GWS tsunami requires players getting behind the footy, get the turnover and then run forward in waves. Teams now score from stoppage or from turnovers usually in there defensive half. I love seeing this change, means you have to get elite ball users in your team. The change is happening, clubs now will look at elite kicks and back their conditioning staff to get their fitness up.

The game opens up and is enjoyable to watch when players become fatigued and can't work as hard defensively. Shorter quarters less fatigue more defensive slogs.

Outside of Richmond. North and West Coast, I think all other clubs have the potential to finish in the top 8, even North and West Coast won't be to far off. Not to many years you would say 15 clubs are a genuine top 8 contender.

There is no doubt that the 2025 season is going to be the most even comp we have seen. The last couple of years we have seen the gap get closer from top to bottom. All about early wins, get the confidence, win the close games and finish strong. It will be interesting to see the so called experts top 8, most will have us 10th or below and Collingwood top 6, I think it will be other way around.

Our game plan was based around winning the contested ball, mainly at stoppages. We backed ourselves in to win the contested ball and when that stopped happening we couldn't set up aggressively behind the footy and the ball just exited our forward 50 at a rapid rate. Lot of factors our 2 main big body mids had injuries, unfit, issues, was viney and second string mids at the contest. If Oliver and Petracca stay fit, May, Lever, Petty stay fit and the young talent improves no reason why we can't rebound quickly

I think the recruitment team for Melbourne Aflw side knew our list was on the slide, we would struggle to keep up with North, Brisbane, Adelaide. If we keep those players yep we make finals, most likely finish 4th to 8th, could we win the flag, IMO no. Can we do a quick reset and go again I think we can but unfortunately we will have to give up some stalwarts to get the picks we want.

The great thing about the rise of AFLW is the rise in participation and improvement of pathways for young girls. The downside of that for the players that have been around since the early years, the young players coming in are more talented footballers. I don't think our women's side can win the flag in 2025, they might make the 8, but I do think we have enough young talent to contend again with an aggressive draft hand this year. Very similar to our men's side, add a couple of high quality mids this year and we can get back into contention real quick.

I think both should go. Really liked the development of our talls this year and I think to get the pick upgrade from 10 to 2 for Mithen is a big win for the club. Your keep Pearce, Paxy needs to retire and we have a young list that will contend for the flag again very quickly.

There comes a time for players when another year on an afl list is just as important as how many games you play. Tom will fight for his spot but he knows where he is at. Petty, interesting with move, a good move. Wonder if this season we left him struggling up forward, interest for Adelaide drys up, new extension and he is back to the backline

I think it will be the club encouraging her to look for options. Based on her onfield performance this year the club is trying to use any currency she has to advance our pick and get her contract off to someone else.

Even Lily would admit her season wasn't a good one. You would take this deal, good for both parties as I see her on the fringe next year.

We will find out the reasons at some stage. Certainly hope it is not health related for him or his family. I think it may be, got this offer from Tasmania, love the swans but want a commitment past 2025. Swans sorry John we will review mid year, ok then see ya later.