layzie

Dunno, was so long ago I need my memory refreshed as well.

Just saved me a listen because this is exactly how I thought it would go.

It's all possible. Gotta do the right thing for yourself at the end of the day, careers are short.

I'm backing your info for this one and think he'll commit to us. It's likely taken a little longer than expected and we'll hopefully see some good news soon. He seems happy here but the manager always needs their slice of the cake.

Play the kids/don't play the kids. It's not going to be enjoyable regardless.

I'm not devastated if it doesn't happen but it would be nice to have some kind of representative footy to change things up a bit, even if every 2 or 4 years. I just think it's an experience lost for the players more than anything. Things are quite different to 25 years ago, academies in NSW and QLD, a Tassie team coming in and the old guard of VIC, SA and WA. Yes it's not perfect but much more widespread talent than it once was. Well aware that I'm in the minority on this. Not pining for the past, more of an opportunity to create something new.

That is true. And maybe it works when you have completely nailed your support staff, like we did in 2021. The Scientist in the basement is an exaggeration to make the point that nearly all coaches need to be working overtime on the actual coaching these days. Relationship and man management is important for a senior coach, there's no doubt about that. I'm sure all of those names put in their time in the film room though. Fagan spent long periods under some brilliant tacticians which would have honed his balance that you have mentioned.

No WFH days Praha? Either way that's a painful commute, something better will come up.

It's a complex situation we're in right now ANG13. I know they always are but ours is not an easy one. Questions over the coaching, coaching staff, playing list, player leadership on field, fitness program etc. There isn't one area that is sound right now and couldn't use improvement. Not to mention we already had a 'big review' last year that none of us are really sure what it uncovered. Then there's the off field stuff like the membership drop off and then the fact that we can't really do or plan anything until the new CEO comes in. It really feels like a holding pattern and our hands are tied.

If anyone says that a certain coach is 'great to have a beer with' as their main strength then I'm out. The game has never been more demanding on senior coaches and you need to be a high football IQ literally dreaming of tactics and gameplans at night. The 'good bloke' coach sucks and doesn't win flags, Bob Davis as great a man as he was wouldn't last two seconds today. I would prefer to have a rocket scientist who lives in the basement studying tape all day than the guy who stays with the guys at the pub for another few rounds. And I'm not saying that Goodwin is like the above or is soft. Up until the flag I've mostly thought he was reasonably balanced eg firm in his believe of what he was trying to achieve with his system/culture while still maintaining good rapport with players. This year however, all we've heard of is the rapport and connection side of things and players loving and supporting him despite repeatedly coming out in first quarters putting up meek efforts.

This all just feels like valuable planning time wasted right now waiting for the new CEO to come in. As much as I'd like to think he's spending his spare time taking notes and making mindmaps in a Zoho notebook it would be much better if they were in now. This is the definition of a state of flux.

This is one of the things I've been saying most of the year. How do you sell hope to the member and fan base? Our season was essentially shot after 5 games, that's a lot of football to endure to even get to the next season for another shot at things let alone make any big decisions. I'm still undecided on whether I think Goodwin should stay or go. Some people will scoff at the membership numbers dropping because there's often a need to simplify things only to the performance on the footy field. Members are the lifeblood of any football club and if membership drops dramatically in a single year then that is a fail when the board goes through their KPIs. The on field stuff is important but whether people like it or not the off field stuff matters too.

Yeah probably

Thanks Carlton for once again giving us nothing to watch.

Oh man, this one is depressing. RIP Brian, great man.

I'm a big rap for representative football and would dearly love it back, but it won't happen. I would prefer this over almost any other ridiculous concept that the AFL comes up with whether it be a pre season cup, wildcard round, AFLX, Round 0 etc. I firmly believe that you become a better footballer by training and playing with the best footballers, there are countless ex players who have said that the one or two games a year they played in State of Origin was one of the best things that happened for their careers. The fact that this benefit no longer exists for current players I find a bit sad actually. It's a time to bring footy fans together and support the game in a different light than the tribal club at all costs mentality and maybe just for a moment, shed the money machine image that the AFL is and do something for the grass roots community for a change. If people are worried about injuries just remember that they added another game to the season at the drop of a hat, for what? I would bin Round 0 and start the season with this in a heartbeat. Injuries are a fact of life in this sport, what difference does it make if one of our players gets injured in a SOO game or one of ours? Even Gather Round I'd prefer to nick off, if they can gather in the same place then they can do this. The game they did just before COVID hit was incredible, people who enjoy footy but don't want to see the highest quality football are like people who like swimming but don't want to watch the Olympics.

Understanding that we need to get forward time into JVR, would there be any harm in trying him down back for some of these games to finish the season? Personally I think you can learn a lot about playing as a forward from playing as a back and seeing the game from a different perspective. Won't play on Larkey obviously but a physical battle with Zurhaar would be interesting and he'd learn a lot. It's not going to happen obviously but it's fun to think about.

I second this. Binman, your job this week is to find the name of that book!

It's not silly and you know it. This list has a good nucleus for the future as a lot of lists in the comp do, but it has holes, is unbalanced and has backed ourselves into a corner with multiple long term and legacy contracts. The fact is that if we want to be challenging again, we may need to move on someone who has helped bring us success in the past. The key word here is 'listen' to approaches and have the conversation, not actively shop them around necessarily. 3 - 4 players with the rest untouchable is a bit generous, I'm surprised that some think that most of our players are completely off limits at the trade table. Aside from first and second year players which not trading is a given as well as Max, Koz and possibly Viney, I wouldn’t be rejecting advances out of hand for anyone else. Trade currency is low and if we're going to keep the range narrow then we could miss out on potential strengthening opportunities.

Story or not, I'd be listening to all approaches on players who aren't named Max or Kysaiah.

Think we need him.

Fitness was the theme today. One side had the A-grade running power that we've come to know from Darren Burgess, the other side had, well, what we've had all season. An inability to run out games, run out quarters or even carry out the gameplan that we were sticking to with reasonable effect halfway through the second quarter. Interested to know your thoughts but one of the first things I'd be doing in the off season is looking for the absolute best in class fitness coach we can get. We had a similar issue in 2019 and bringing Burgo in changed everything. We find ourselves in the same place now, this needs to be a high priority.

I've said before that I don't mind losing these games as long as we are trying to develop the game style. But was this the style? Does anyone know? Did we use the corridor at all? I was pleased that they stuck to what was clearly an instruction with the uncontested marks. We had double the uncontested possesions of Adelaide by half time. However we clearly don't have the fitness to play this kind of style all game. The fitness battle of AFL footy was in full affect today with Burgo on one side and systematic Selwyn on the other. Far too often we have finished quarters like garbage and the 2nd quarter of today was no exception. Good performances were ok but looking for positives in most of them is a fruitless exercise. Apart from Viney, May and possibly Turner no-one really put together a full 4 quarter performance today. When the pressure was dialled up on the 2nd we didn't go with them, and probably couldn't. I would like to see a new head of football. We need new ideas. I would like to see them hire new fitness staff. Whether Goodwin is here or not the coaching staff needs a revamp. I cant say that Troy Chaplain has been a success as forwards coach. Not the worst loss out of the last 5 (ouch). What are we actually playing for? Otherwise just start the trip early.

Viney May Melksham Pickett Turner Rivers

Good performers in the first half like Salem, Rivers, Lindsay. Just couldn't sustain it though