Lord Travis

Our worst loss all season in 2023 was 15 points. We're already worse off and defending hasn't been our main issue tonight. It's gonna be a slog of a year.

Grundy close to BOG tonight. Good on him. Disappointing from Gawn tonight. Had his colors lowered for the first time in years.

Game over. What a waste of time. So who do we have fit in the VFL to come in next week? Outs in Laurie, Chandler, Spargo.

What a disappointment this is turning into. Losing to a team missing it's two best midfielders and leaders. Some really stupid and lazy efforts tonight with players bashing into each other with no communication.

Windsor is a player. Got the speed but his defensive efforts are top notch too. Looks another smart drafting selection by JT!

Brilliant from Mcvee. Can we clone him?

Laurie subbed off. Billings on. About time!

Gawn having a shocker. Grundy has him worked out. It's really hard watching this team play. Just weight of numbers and hope for the best.

Get Laurie off the ground now. Can't find the ball. Drops uncontested marks. Can't hit a target. Playing a man down here.

1 goal from over 20 insides 50s. Abysmal. Nothing has changed. Skill level and method is poor.

What is going on with Fritsch?!

Don't enjoy potting players, but I'm yet to see anything from Laurie that suggests he's up to the level yet. Sub him off for Billings at half time.

Didn't like that first quarter. Our ball movement is still stagnant or kick in hope. We're burning all our chances. We've got a few who are seriously lacking intensity out there too. Viney digging in as always though. Such a warrior and the ultimate team mate. Follow his lead boys!

Billings the sub. If we're not sure Windsor has the endurance to go the full match at pace, expect he'll be subbed off third quarter and Billings slots onto the wing.

All three debutants are skilled ball users. Great move by the coaches to address a weakness and try to find the right balance. Pumped for Thurs night now. Go Dees!

"Attempted spoil" apparently.

Not a free agent yet, but scratch Ben King off the list of targets for a few more years. Just signed an extension til end of 2026. Will be a free agent then.

Lifetime membership to the wingers club

A top shelf demon. So sad!

Harmes left. Jordon left. Grundy left (consider rucks part of the midfield). Dunstan retired. Brayshaw now retired. Oliver still an unknown, though looking more positive. That's a significant hit to our midfield group and depth. I initially expected us to be top 4 and competitive again, but upon reflecting on our midfield depth and now Brayshaw retiring suddenly also... I think the outlook is less rosy than I originally thought. Petracca, Viney, Sparrow, Neal-Bullen are our only experienced proven midfielders who will definitely be playing this year. Our fate this year now seems more heavily tied to youngsters such as Laurie, Woey, Windsor all stepping up quickly, and others unproven in the midfield such as Rivers, Kozzy, Spargo. It also robs us of the ability to play Petracca, and potentially Kozzy, forward as much. All the talk about our club is with the forward line issues, but the midfield is more important, and our personnel in there is getting less attention. It's more of a concern for us this season IMO.

So sad Gus has retired. He's a supremely talented footballer and great leader at the club. His selflessness and versatility set him apart from other players. He could play on every line and be close to All Aus level anywhere on the field. His 2021 playing as a defensive winger was the definition of being a selfless team player. He could've run around picking up 30 touches a game, but instead took on an unglamorous defensive role and nailed it. He was a key part of our game style and premiership. It sucks we'll be without him this year and in future, but his health is more important. I was surprised he wasn't forced into retirement after the Maynard hit. The AFL and Maynard need to be held accountable for that sham, and I hope Gus sues the absolute sh*t out of them. I wish Gus nothing but good health and a lifetime of happiness. He'll always be remembered as a legend of our club and a ripper bloke. Thank you Angus.

Any impressions on Tholstrop yesterday? I thought he would be more ready made having played against men in the WAFL and having a bigger body.

We need to find the next crop of superstar inside mids soon so they can learn from our best and have enough experience to take over when Trac, Clarry etc retire. Sparrow won't be that player. He's an important dog in the rotation, but he'll likely never become a superstar of the comp who breaks games open most weeks. 6th season coming up and hopefully he goes up a level. Same goes for Rivers, though he's already at a good level, has a higher ceiling, and could hit All Aus level.

We've done well getting so much talent in while still being competing for a flag. We do need some midfield bulls though. Midfields win premierships. Our premiership was mostly built off the back of Petracca and Oliver. We need to find our next gun inside mids, and they usually come in the first round.

He wasn't a first round draftee, though let's hope he performs like one!