drdrake

I really hope that they don't make helmets mandatory at junior level, unless there is clear medical evidence that it will reduce concussion. I get the feeling the AFL just make it mandatory to try to increase participation rather than decrease concussion. The concern with helmets for kids, there will be an age group say u14s that helmets are no longer mandatory, kids will need to learn at that age how to protect their head. I see kids u9 and 10 level now that wear helmets just go head first into contest, tackles it gives them the false sense of safety.

Petty is struggling with injury, B Brown the same, TMac no idea why is training with the backs, Fullarton injured, Smith suspended, Jefferson a long way off, Schache is no good, our tall forward stocks are pretty lean.

Or gone harder to get pick 1 from WCE to get Reid, this kid will be a star

Wouldn't this become like a workers compensation claim, he was injured whilst at work, all players in AFL would be insured. No club should oppose to any money for a forced retirement should fall outside the cap.

Pretty easy for list managers this year, going to have a few spots to fill Brayshaw, Melksham, Smith, B Brown, T Mac, Schache, Tomlinson

We saw on the weekend Sparrow, Pickett, ANB and in the seconds Salem spend time in the middle. Oliver will he right for round 1, I reckon he will play next Wednesday night.

Really 3, B Brown is cooked as well

Best call for his health and that is the most important thing. People blaming Maynard, Unfortunately this was the last hit, but this has been a concern for a long time. There were doubts a few years back he would play again, to get back, win a premiership was fantastic for him and the club. He has been 1 more concussion off this outcome for a while, the hit was bad no question but you can't put this retirement solely on that hit. I'm sure Gus will be in the media, such a well spoken young man, we hope making this call now will limit any on going effects

St Kilda has this title. Bulldogs not to far behind them. They are pretty hard to win, 2024 will be the most competitive season the AFL has seen. The gap between top and bottom sides best 22 isn't that big. To me 16 sides are chances to make the 8, I think North and WCE will be much better especially if WCE can keep their best 22 fit, but they are both a couple of years of finals.

Rivers isn't an elite kick, over distance he is good but that 25 to 35m kick he misses it to much. To Jack Viney's credit, I thought yesterday was the best he has kicked the footy. Windsor hit the hard kicks, just missed some easy ones but you walk away happy with what you saw for his first hit out. The speed would take time to adjust, you hit a kick based on what level you last played at and it is a turn over at this level.

Our biggest issue remains the skills forward of centre, so many turnovers in our forward half. We were away then a missed handball, kick and Richmond just went the other way clean and used the ball so much better than us. We did try to hit the dangerous kick inboard, which for most of last year we avoided that kick, just need the right players hitting that kick, we missed it to much and as soon as you miss that kick your opponent will score.

That last disposal inside 50m still killing us

You want to see something that shows we will be a better side, the key areas that we needed to improve was skill execution and forward line efficiency. We have seen none of that

The big concern our skills are terrible.

There are massive alarm bells, no defensive pressure, no skills and being out worked

Richmond just cleaner by foot, they are controlling the ball.

Went to that game, saw a half fit Elliot Yeo towell him up im the first half. Agree good player but not sure about no1 captain, I reckon dogs on field leadership is why they are the great underachievers over recent years

The big difference between Gws and us they have better skills with ball in hand. Yes the introduced being harder at the contest, but there ball movement was much better then ours especially late in the season.

I liked watching GWS in the last part of the season, they had dare and skills. We played a boring predictable game style the last 2 years.

They would have asked the question but I don't think they would have had the cap space in 2022, a few players on big money not playing much. Clearing out NicNat, Shuey, Hurn add on what you expect lower contracts for Yeo, McGovern and Kelly when they renegotiate, Gaff is cooked most likely last contract and all of the sudden they have some coin to spend going forward. To me he is either staying in the West or moving further West.

West Coast Eagles will get him

I think we traded for him to play that 3rd tall forward 2nd ruck role. We have to manage Max Gawn, especially early in the year,

I think Fullarton comes in for Billings, starts on the bench with Sparrow starting hff.

The fat shaming was the old skin folds test, you would come off your break and see the callipers and you knew your were in trouble. Then coming back after Christmas always 3-4km time trail and skin fold test.

The window is open as long as your trading and drafting continues to help improve. Have we added better quality players to our list, not for 2023 season, for 2024 McAdam, Fullarton and Billings traded in to fill gaps, but we lose Melksham injured, Grundy, Harmes, Jordan. What can B Brown and TMac offer in 2024, vital in 2021 but no impact foe last 2 seasons? Will Petty be healthy and partner up with JVR? We all know we can get the ball inside our f50, can we improve on the delivery to convert into more goals. The window is open, but we do have some serious questions on a few players and how we have played.