Dappa Dan

Ta for that.

Stunned at the Dunn hate. Seen him play a lot more good footy this year than bad, and so often held up certain goals.

Also likes playing as the forward Brayshaw was trying to be. But with Kent and Track, probably no room there either. Defenders starting to look like a weakness.

Wowee. Garland in for Frost. I'm ok with that. Other changes too. But no ANB? He can consider himself hugely unlucky.

Yeah. Another selection tick from the committee. Rewarding players who perform. They'd better give ANB his go though. I'm wondering if someone can answer this as I haven't been au fait with the rookie rules for some years. We already upgraded Wagner, doesn't that mean someone has to be added to long term injury list for Michie to get a spot? Is King that?

Why is everyone still talking about Hurley like he's a possibility to move? He's staying. All but confirmed via Slobbo. And Tmac tradeable? For a first rounder? Another KP defender we'd have to wait 80 games to see if they've got what it takes? And that's assuming they're good enough and don't end up a dud? People actually think he's worth a first rounder? Either he plays well enough to warrant a first rounder, in which case we'll be desperate to keep him. Or he plays horribly, and we want to trade him, by which time his market value would have dropped out of the first round. We lost Frawley already. We have no really good KP defenders coming through, unless OMac improves 300% overnight. Frost sin't the answer. Dunn is older, Garland is almost finished. And all this while TMac is still playing some good footy? Have I got this straight? This is gonna be up there with the dumbest threads this year.

I find that sensibility interesting. People are entitled to it... Personally, I put press conferences right at the bottom of my list of priorities when it comes to assessing a coach. If he uses management speak, I'm fine with that. Produce on the field, and everything else will be fine. I think 90% of the time coaches are just trying to deflect nonsense questions from the media. Many respect the media, or certain members, and that's fair enough too. Personally I don't really.

Bravo demons again... They keep ticking boxes.

- Thought that many times. When they opened us up, traditionally, we make a change. Not this time though. - Hadn't thought of running defenders as a weakness, but you may be right. I see Salem and Watts as part timers there (though no doubt Watts forward is our current need). Stretch I think will end up there, along with Milkshakes, Bugg and OZ. I'm not as down on running defenders as you. But then again, each of the ones I like do have weaknesses. And apart from Stretch and Milkshakes (who is a poor kick) none have genuine pace off a flank. I'd like to see some players develop it in their game. If Trengove wasn't so slow he'd be perfect. Good aerialist. Smart. Yeah. It's the pace, and the skill we lack. The skill is improving with names like Salem and Watts in there. Petracca is a pretty kick (haven't seen enough to know for sure). Viney is an underrated kick. He's like Judd... no great gift, but smart enough to know where to put it.

Yup. lol I've had Steven in ultimate for this year, so I'm very fond.

And how long have we been averaging that for? Six games now? We're still a work in progress. The Viney/Oliver situation... really an amazing one. But jeez, one of them has played only a few games, and the other is still 21. Those two have been our prime movers in the guts! With Jones doing as he always does. I really think this midfield will have the same or similar names in it and be pretty amazing in 3 years time. Whereas St Kildas.... they're getting great production week in week out from Montagna, Steven, Armitage. But they're ayt their ceiling now. That's cause for optimism. This last weekend.... will happen less and less.

Roo or Hickey?

I think it depends on how the game was won and lost. We were smashed in the guts by bigger bodies. The big strength of the Saints in their current squad under their current coach. We're building towards that crunching side, but it's still only really Jones and Viney doing it. With a bit of Vince thrown in occasionally (Also Oliver when he's selected). As far as I'm concerned they're our only reliables. There's good players, but they're still to come... In 50 games, Trengove, the aforementioned Oliver, track, ANB etc etc... If they're in there and spelling Viney we don't lose a handle on the ball and it doesn't get out the back with membrey (who?) kicking 5. This, IMO, is where we lose out... the midfield. They have maturity there. Their youth is located elsewhere on the squad. Deep forward with guys like Bruce and Billings. What I think is inaccurate... or perhaps statistics telling a false story... is how the ages match up in the area the match was won. There's no way their talls are better than ours going forward. None. Hogan, Watts, Gawn, Pedo (liked some of his game)... They have old stalwarts in Fisher and Dempster, and a talented kid in Bruce. I think if we have 50 more games into these young MIDFIELDERS then the whole thing swings back the other direction. We open up a 20-30 point lead on them and they have to take those quicks they sent over the back into defense, and we start playing the game on our terms.... ie.... Hogan kicks 14. lol I think probably the real pain we're going to have to endure is seeing a lack of pace and sometimes a lack of skill in our 22. That's also where we might become frustrated. In the future that is.

I think it depends on how the game was won and lost. We were smashed in the guts by bigger bodies. The big strength of the Saints in their current squad under their current coach. We're building towards that crunching side, but it's still only really Jones and Viney doing it. With a bit of Vince thrown in occasionally (Also Oliver when he's selected). As far as I'm concerned they're our only reliables. There's good players, but they're still to come... In 50 games, Trengove, the aforementioned Oliver, track, ANB etc etc... If they're in there and spelling Viney we don't lose a handle on the ball and it doesn't get out the back with membrey (who?) kicking 5. This, IMO, is where we lose out... the midfield. They have maturity there. Their youth is located elsewhere on the squad. Deep forward with guys like Bruce and Billings. What I think is inaccurate... or perhaps statistics telling a false story... is how the ages match up in the area the match was won. There's no way their talls are better than ours going forward. None. Hogan, Watts, Gawn, Pedo (liked some of his game)... They have old stalwarts in Fisher and Dempster, and a talented kid in Bruce. I think if we have 50 more games into these young MIDFIELDERS then the whole thing swings back the other direction. We open up a 20-30 point lead on them and they have to take those quicks they sent over the back into defense, and we start playing the game on our terms.... ie.... Hogan kicks 14. lol I think probably the real pain we're going to have to endure is seeing a lack of pace and sometimes a lack of skill in our 22. That's also where we might become frustrated. In the future that is.

Stop quoting numbers as though you know something we don't. When it came to the coal face they had montagna, weller, armitage, dunstan... Their bigger bodies who all know the ground better played with more confidence. It's not a disaster. That game at the g, would be the inverse. We have a lot of kids learning their craft in the one area we need to smash them. The rotation limit is having its effect. And they're not smart and wily like a jones... With another 50 games into Salem, hunt, Wagner... And no riewoldt or montagna, and an aging armitage and Steven... The point is, I don't know that I would want wholesale changes. I saw a lot I liked in the game. Just needs a match day coach that's not stuck in development mode.

Moreso commenting on the 'land guys getting it right. With this many posters of course we're gonna. Lol

Yeah I follow what you're saying. And I'm as pleased as punch with the state of the list. But I think it's a mistake to look at us as suddenly in great shape and teams like dockers and tigers being miles off. In other words it's the old "things are never as good or bad as they seem." Tbh, I could care less about the Tigers list... But for demons I see the problem areas being kp defender (as you pointed out... That's why we were heavily linked to hooker)... Though only because Tmac and Dunn are the only proven quality. I disagree on Dunns decline. I'm still seeing him make freaking awesome decisions and kicking it 70 meters. I think last week or the week before he started the game by working through traffic somehow without actually moving from the spit he was standing. One of the weirdest fake outs I've seen. I used to hate him. Now I love the guy. Has three really good seasons left at least, and will stay for longer. other weak areas is two more kp forwards, three is Jesse leaves. Weed could be one. I don't think, despite his footy this year, that jack plays 4 quarters there for his whole footy life. Too damaging elsewhere. the last big weakness? Freaking skills. Milkshakes is gonna cop it so hard on this forum. You watch. We need the silky kicks. Think stretch, tracca (wow the shape of his kicks), Jack, Prestia, Salem... That's 5. But we need half the team to have delivery as a strength to win footy while clarkson is coaching. Historically the skilled guys leave the dees. We have to drop everything to keep them.

It's interesting WJ, but I think overall, most would have this year's selection policy as a huge win for the club. It's hard to crack the side, and hard to keep your spot. Nothing wrong with that. Roos rewards unheralded players with a game, and then sticks with them for at least two to make sure they have a decent chance. Expects more from senior players than from younger ones. And he's unwilling to change a winning side... those are all, really, the policies we want to see week in week out. What was it he used when he won the flag? 28 players or something? Post Tigers, I assumed some good performers would be down against a fast Saints side, at the dome where they play a certain brand. I didn't think it would be Hunt or Wagner though. Personally I reckon he made the correct choices at the selection table going in, and you can't fault him for not having a crystal ball. His gameday execution? Yes. Fire away. But selection has been a strength.

Yeah it's not like the demons don't share some of the issues Tiges have. We haven't gone to finals, and it's a big call to say we will this year, and while our list is young, plenty of the heavy lifting is still being done by aging players. Jones, Vince, and I don't care who thinks H, Dunn and Pedo aren't lifting their weight. Garlett is 27ish, Jetta is awesome but in his prime, not developing. I'm not saying we're in trouble, but these are all names that when the Petraccas, Brayshaws and Olivers of this world are starring, will need to be replaced. I'm as positive as anyone, but the job is only half done. And if Jesse were to leave, then we'd still be needing to find talls.

By that logic, Suns should be even more confident. lol

Wow. It didn't feel like that at all.

Going by this thread, the 8 is decided.... North, Dogs, Hawks, Swans, Cats, Crows... So it seems we can qualify to be the also rans with one other team. I feel like Eagles will get one with their home ground advantage... The other you'd think would be GWS. No way Blues, Pies, Tigers, Suns, Dons, Dockers or Lions are getting past us. Makes us 9th, 10th or 11th with Port and Saints. It's a step.

Oh for christ's sake.... Stuie, you're better than that.

Yeah. Plenty of huge collisions in Soccer. But to my knowledge there hasn't been a dive from a deliberate ear flick like that. Give all the evidence you like, that one's new.

Anybody trying to find more info is just reaching. You're exactly right. They hit the contested ball like a mature side should. We'll learn. And we'll get better.