drdrake

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.

Tasmania

It looks like a draft you will still get good players into the 30s.

I still think we may off load 9, maybe to fremantle for 14 and 30. Freo jumps up to get Allen and I think there is still enough quality at both 14 and 30

Our CFO has just re written the budget for 2025, you couldn't ask for a worse commercial draw. Gws, suns, freo as home games mcg games to kick off the season.

It's funny watching the evolution of the pathways over the last few years. Still very much based around athletic capacity rather then skills, that is evident in the draft combine testing, not even sure if they still do the kicking and handballing tests. As Players are getting fitter and defending is more like soccer zones protecting space rather than an opponent, skills in particular foot skills are becoming a much higher priority. If you can't hit targets by foot you can't work through the zones and will get hurt on the turnover. Rather have a player with great skills and a footy iq and teach them to run

Once you hit 15 to 16 years old changing your kicking biomechanics is extremely hard and as soon as pressure comes on you revert back to bad habits. What can improve is decision making and other skills, but kicking near on impossible to improve field kicking.

As good as Tmac was this year, I think he should be depth. Howes needs to come in as that third tall defender or we back in Jefferson up forward pushing Turner back. I think they will try Salem as a mid again, I liked AMW when he played another preseason and I reckon he will claim a spot