layzie

I'm with you on Mitch Brown. He's been infuriating to watch these last two weeks but I'm not ready to condemn him entirely. I still think he has something to offer and could feature again at some point. He's one of those forwards if you can just get the ball into his hands enough you can get your 1-2 goals a game out of.

Not always the most efficient field kick but he does lower the eyes. A move there could be what is needed.

I'm speaking more generally here but I would love to see these resources put to more skill based coaching roles like the positional training coaches, goal kicking specialists, ruck craft and general development guys like the Choccos of the world. As a whole we need to involve the great teachers of the game a lot more. My feeling though is that teams will tend to ramp up their fitness staff. We've been talking about loading all week and the truth may well be that this is the emphasis of the modern game and teams fighting for top honours, probably even more than it used to be. Yes the season is the same length it always was but things have changed, it's never been more difficult to get through a 22 game season. So yeah, while I would like to see investment in specialist skills, I can see the budget either going towards retaining good assistants or getting the best fitness experts in.

A lot of us loved Jack, great kid who loved the club. He was never a business driven guy, he valued his teammates and his club. There was a lot to like about that as you really don’t see that in society much these days. Even the week he was traded he came out on his own and stated how much he loved the club and didn’t want to leave, his loyalty and happy go lucky attitude may have been to his detriment. I’ve got no issues at all with him going on shows like this and sharing some good stories, having a good bit of a yarn. The problem for Jack is he is not an insider anymore and if he thinks he can live off this last shred of clout he has as a former AFL footballer then it’s only downhill from here. The only reason a story like this has any relevance is because the two former teammates of his are either still playing with a decent profile or recently retired legends. I’d like to see how many hits a take like this gets in 5 years time, maybe I’m wrong and people will still lap it up but I was hoping to see an encouraging new path for Jack post AFL career than the back page gossip stuff. Apologies in advance if this strikes a nerve with some, that's just my view.

Yeah in a way there is some fortune needed and very fine margins between 'acceptable' and 'unacceptable'. Had Max have kicked that one against Sydney and we snuck home or if we managed to grit out an ugly win over the Pies then would we even be mentioning loading? 2-1 or even 1-2 would have masked over the debate a bit more than 0-3. It's unfortunate, I'm sure none of the coaches/fitness guys wanted it this way but if they're sticking to something because they firmly believe in it then I have no choice but to back them. They've proven themselves right before.

I guess you wouldn't pronounce soften 'sof-ten'

I think both are acceptable aren't they? I had an Oxford dictionary once that had both pronunciations.

Think Jack needs to go back to bed.

This is brilliant.

Yeah would take him too, either would help!

Ouch Jack

Gonna be quite the show tonight I reckon Binman, looking forward to it!

Circled in calendar.

Cam Pedersen in

That thread is definitely something I'd start. Missed opportunity 😛

Great result! Qualifying for a World Cup is always a plus and doing so when there is a clear talent gap right now is even better. I'm not the biggest fan of Arnie but you have to admit his teams are always ambitious and willing to die for the cause. If we're offered 4 points in that group right now I don't think any of us would turn it down, let the chips fall where they may!

Exactly, just get a bit physical Sam. We're going to have a few guys being asked to do things outside of their regular job description. I know crashing a pack isn't necessarily in his wheelhouse but he might need to start doing things like this, get out of the comfort zone and make defenders know you're there.

I don't disagree entirely with that statement. I can see how our skills would be affected by fatigue and energy being sapped but if this is the case then where do you draw the line? We often hear so much about 'flirting with form' in the junk time games of the year and how detrimental it can be to rest players. Is it possible that they see this as a better method to battle harden our players so when we get to the pointy end we are able to just bash through like we did against GC, WC, Adel, the rest last year no matter where or when? I can see it being a plausibile reason but at the same time I'd see it as a slight shame. Max kicking that one late against the Swans could have been enough for the win, Trac fumbling in the goalsquare really felt deflating in a game where goals were at a premium. To have come out of this period with 1 win 2 losses would have been a lot better than zip and 3 in my view considering the tough remaining draw. I'm much more in the camp of loading existing, I've now just got my questions about it and I sincerely hope the trade off will be worth it.

Like those real up and under kicks? Could raise some uncertaintly for their defenders and anything that creates chaos up forward is a good thing haha.

In these times there can sometimes be blessings in disguise. A smaller forward line leading up and making options is something I'd certainly like to see more of, need to create a bit more chaos in the 50 again.

Carlton have managed without Pittonet reasonably well, Grundy has been out since Anzac Day and the Pies just won 4 on the trot. It is possible, it might look different but it is possible to work around this. I know Max is a special player and we will miss his presence no doubt but this is where our coaches and strategists will earn their bucks. Have to give them a chance.

Well that's just it, sometimes from these moments you're forced to shift to a new setup that catches teams by surprise with it's unpredictability. Remember when Cam Pedersen had to stand in for Max around 5 years ago? For the short term the opposition never knew what to expect at bounces and it actually benefited us.

I'm more than happy to accept loading as a key factor, what I don't want it to take away from is our ability to play the game of football. This means gathering a ball cleanly, handballing to someone 3 metres away, making good decisions etc. I am glad to see Binman presenting facts on loading and being unequivocal in his stance on this, I respect that a lot. What I don't want is people (and yes they are in the minority) using loading as an excuse for missing a shot from 15 out, fumbling in the goal square and stuff like that. Yes we might be loading but I still want to win the games if we have a chance to because otherwise scrap loading just send a reserves team out there.

Next four are Bris, Adel, Geel, Port. Not ideal but not the scariest jobs for Jackson ruck wise.

Good god I want to be sick. After waiting a few seconds I still want to be sick but we have to face reality. Luke Jackson the time is now and let's make sure he gets some support in someone who will compete like their life depends on it for the next month or so.