Left Field

Haven’t read the thread but I want to say that we seem to be wasting a generational list.

I’m done with our Aldi version of Paul Roos as the head coach (both are stuck on one flag btw).

It was easier for me when I knew we were not going to win.

43 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

 

We took Jackson because he was best available and he was life after Gawn. That's it. He wasn't drafted to play forward. But we've put him there to help with his development. He is a ruckman through and through. 

The facts are that he played primarily ruck in the juniors.

But he is an early developer for a tall and his athleticism makes him a horrible deep defensive match up for the opposition.

I'm not saying he is not a Ruckman, but his game is still developing (as all players do once their are in the AFL system).

He might be a Ruckman/Resting Forward or Forward/Relieving Ruckman. I am guessing that he will turn out to be more of the latter. 

Exciting times ahead.

1 hour ago, Hannibal Inc. said:

I like learning from experienced players that have played in premierships and been part of a rebuild.  Players that have seen the whole journey up the ladder.  And I particularly like listening to Luke Hodge.  He talks sense and is straight to the point.

Very recently he said that the difference between being a good team and becoming a flag team is recruiting role players.  Obviously, the stars are already in place, but a handful of stars aren't enough if you don't surround them with players who can help complete the task.  Think Hale, Poppy, Guerra etc. at Hawthorn.  You really need 22 players performing their role to a high degree.  21 or 20 will leave you short and cost games.  Richmond are a perfect example of how lesser lights who perform their role to a high level make an enormous difference.

You only need to look at the top 20 of our B&F.  There was a chasm between the top 12 and the performances of the rest.  In reality, to win more games than we lost shows how good our better players performed, because they weren't being supported.  I blame the lack of quality role players, but also the coaching panel, game structures, etc. 

I think we've got the core group of stars or very good players already on our list, but we're lacking quality role players to take us forward.  A great core group, but not great/quality depth. 

Not every player we're looking at recruiting this trade period needs to be a star.  They'll ALL have deficiencies that Deespencer can pick apart, but if we choose wisely we might just bring in players that can have a significant difference to our overall fortunes.

Well said.

I'd add to it also that (a) we need a less fragile game plan (b) the team all needs to be on the same page and (c) we need better skills execution to take us to the top level.

On the game plan, how often did we see rebound 50 goals against this year? Our turnovers I50 converted to opposition coast to coast goals at an infuriating rate. Which was then followed by extended periods of zero risk boundary hugging, easily defended footy. And then another turnover.  And so on. Then the equally infuriating press conference where the coach said he knew what the problem was but didn't seem to know how to fix it.

I'm happy with role players, but they'll need good foot skills as a minimum and a better script.

At what point does the club consider converting Weideman to a tall defender? Currently in his 5th or 6th year, as a forward he appears to be behind Jackson and adjacent to the aged and one-dimensional Brown.

He is a confidence player with no confidence and little trade value. Flip him back - what have we got to lose?

The one I am struggling with is Hibberd. 

Not fast, not particularly strong overhead, OK in a contest but often turns over the intercept or just plain hacks it away.

Also pretty sure Tmac will need a big game this week. He has been below average now for over a year. And that old "bring the ball to the ground" chestnut? Worked so well when we had Chris "Gravity" Dawes patrolling the forward line, right?

1 hour ago, rjay said:

Can't see Sydney making it.

Also could see Geelong drop out this year, ageing stars at the end & the loss of Kelly...

...and unconvinced by Port.

Kelly out is a huge loss for Geelong. With Selwood declining, I have them dropping out. Sydney will finish bottom 8. 

Can we please resist for once? Poor young bloke is clearly not coping with a lot of [censored] luck. Good luck to you Jesse.

3 hours ago, Baghdad Bob said:

 

As to you lefty!  Didn't realise it was you.  Did you know it was me when we chatted?  Keep safe mate.

Figured it out afterwards BB. We last met more than 10 years ago at a pub in Hawthorn.

Agree with the confidence for 2020. We’re closer than most realise. Richmond, WCE then about 6 (including us). 

All the best.

My first time in 2 years - in town from NSW visiting family.

Exciting to see so many on the track.

May’s left foot is laser like.

Jackson shows good hands low down.

Nice chatting to you towards the end of the session @Baghdad Bob. Very much agree that Petty will be a gun.

3 minutes ago, SFebes said:

Is there any possibility that he is being considered as a KPF and not as a ruck? A 10 year mobile CHF?

Shorter than Eric Hipwood who plays key forward well.

Might consider 8 for 14 + 17 + future pick.

Just recalling we are still not in the first round next year, right?

I'd expect to see Petty at CHB and Lever on a HBF.

No way Lever is a CHB.

Unfortunately the OP's team looks pretty one paced to me - especially on the wide open spaces at Optus.

Hunt probably has to be in the 22 somewhere.

14 minutes ago, Demon Head said:

Just to add some perspective to Jack Martin, these are his career averages (per game):

16 disposals, 5 marks, 0.8 goals, 3.7 tackles, 2 inside50s, 1.7 clearances

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-gold-coast-suns--jack-martin

Contrast JM to Billy Stretch using Footywire. Why on earth would we pay this guy $600k+ per season?

Elite sporting competitions are about small percentages.

Our collective fitness at the start of last year was poor. Burgess must be pooping himself.

Our adaptation to 6-6-6 was poor (god I hope the focused recruiting of wingers is not seen as the silver bullet). 

Our team's on-field bond seemed stretched thin. Coaching or on field leadership?

Enough of the taggers in our forward line please - we need offensive small forwards to make the next step.

To win the comp, we need a lot going right.

Of our mid-range players, Petracca is the most obvious one who needs to become elite.

Make Max captain please MFC.

Stays on the park (80 out of the last 82). Ended up playing wing at the Giants after having a go at cementing 4 or 5 other spots. Probably a 15-22 player there and maybe the same with us. I'm cooling on him from a cap perspective (unless he is cheap or free - pay wise).

Thinking Omac out is a match up - would prefer he had a month at Casey to find touch rather than come back in next week because May isn't yet fit (or an elite trainer apparently).

I had hoped the decades of pain were going to result in a significant and sustained opportunity with this group.

Can someone find the WD40? Not sure why but the window seems a bit jammed.

On 4/13/2019 at 8:15 AM, stevethemanjordan said:

Indredible. 

It won't be long before it becomes, "at least he is trying".

Not in my best 30 FWIW.

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

Frost will become a very important player when May and Lever are back!! Bookmark this comment!

Oscar was dreadful last night

Oscar had a bad night and is out of form. But watching live, he at least got to the right spots before being beaten at the contest.

Does anyone here see Spargo becoming anything other than "good ordinary"?

Smart, sure - but how is he going to be elite? Not tall, not quick, not a great tackler, can't kick it 40 metres and not a special set shot.

Sorry if anyone takes offence. Just asking how he becomes elite.

Ed Langdon worked into the Hogan and pick 5+ deal.

4 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

Small man syndrome and ego are a bad combination. It’s not about ‘winning’ the trade it’s about coming up with a deal that is beneficial to both parties. That offer is quite possibly the worst thing Fremantle could have done. 

Peter Bell managed to reference himself in his first press conference ("that would be a real feather in my cap"). Hey little fella, how about we park the ego and have a go at doing some business?

Either Bugg or Kent will go out next week.

On average, Kent will convert more shots than Bugg but will need to keep contesting and not go to ground.

Interesting playoff for a single spot I reckon.

Proud of the club on this front. It's blood money and we have chosen to rise above it.

Anyone commented on Jordan Lewis' ego yet. Shut up and make him kick from 55 out on an angle. Not the goal square.

You [censored].

Wagner was lamentable in the first half (like many defenders) but much better in the second half (given Geelong scored less than 20 points after half time). I see Wagner as a confidence player - and he played well really late. Stays in my team.

Maynard played as a stopper and it didn't work (39 touches to both Ablett & Selwood). Didn't hurt by foot (not them anyway). Maynard is promising but needs to go for either Tyson or Brayshaw.