Lord Travis

Can we stop with this revisionist [censored]? We had more than a great few weeks in 2021. We finished top of the ladder, so we had a great year from start to finish. We more than earned that premiership and were a dominant force all year. "Good few weeks" is an outright lie.

Gawn struggling again this week. Is he struggling with carrying the load on and off field for so long or is the end coming fast?

I'm usually dark mode all the way, but for some reason I prefer light mode for this site. I find the topics list clearer that way. Maybe I need more time to adjust.

He's a ripper. I was on his bandwagon all last year and stoked he slid to us. He's going to be an elite midfielder and he showed why on the weekend. He's got a long way to being a finished product obviously, especially his defensive efforts with weak tackling attempts, but he's got an innate ability to find the ball, make decisions under physical pressure, and hit targets by foot. Love that he hits the scoreboard too. He's the key cog to build our future midfield around, with Windsor being the perfect partner in crime for the outside pace and stoppage exit. That was Langford's first full game on the weekend and I reckon it's the best "debut" game since Clarry burst onto the scene against GWS approx 10 years ago. Hopefully we can lock Langford away long term and build around him.

We're already rebuilding on the run. We need to get games into our young talent that will drive us to our next premiership. The problem is our best young talent is all unavailable. We have a group of first rounders we need to pump games into. Windsor, Langford, Lindsey, Tholstrup, JVR, Jefferson, Kozzie, Mcvee. That's our next premiership core. Windsor, Mcvee, Tholstrup, Jefferson, now Lindsey all out injured. JVR struggling without any other tall targets around him and poor midfield supply. Langford only 5 quarters into his career but already showed he will be a star inside midfielder and was among our best yesterday. A long way to go for him and needs to improve defensive efforts, but his ball winning yesterday was the best we've seen since Clarry debuted 10 years ago. Kozzie has been suspended but will come in and have immediate impact, issue there is keeping him at the club when he wants out to WA. We don't have our first rounders this year, so need to trade up again or make tough calls trading out players who have currency. We need more talented kids, especially a tall defender, a ruckman, and players with x factor like Kozzie and Windsor. Kalani White could be the tall defender.

I doubt it's a wise step to take, especially unsettling young players already struggling for consistency. I will say though, Disco was drafted as an intercept defender and excelled in that role in the VFL and early in his AFL career. JVR played mostly, and excelled, as a defender at underage level. He had 2-3 games up forward and we drafted him with the hope he'd make it as a forward based off those few games. Neither are natural forwards. We're building a forward line around talls who aren't natural forwards and it shows IMO. JVR mistimes his leads, runs under the ball, rarely holds marks etc. Disco doesn't know where to lead and is rarely involved. Jefferson appears a natural forward, but isn't up to the level yet. List management has been poor the last few years IMO and we've failed to address a key shortcoming.

Game over. What a pathetic disappointment. Time for the proper rebuild.

At least we were top 4 for most of that period. Was good watching us win, even if it was a slot at times to watch the game style. We're headed for bottom four now. Time to get games into the talented kids of the future. Langford, Windsor, Mcvee, Tholstrup, Jefferson, Lindsey etc all need to be played if healthy. Depth players like Woe, Howes, and Bowey need to be sent to Casey unless injuries hit badly.

Bowey an elite kick. Haven't seen it for 3 years or so sadly. We really lack quality rebounding half backs. Salem is a shadow of his 2021 self, Mcvee injured and being made unnecessarily into a midfielder, and Hibberd is retired.

What's Rivers role? Was supposed to be midfield this year and he's not really been in the guts or at half back in his old role. Looks like a wasted talent at the moment having no impact.

He was subbed off last quarter, so not sure if you're watching live. Our midfield is the problem, as it has been for over 12 months now.

Was the same when TMac got caught a few mins ago. Petty just silent while his man runs off and gets TMac. There is no communication out there today.

We're no longer a contender. It's all about getting games into the talented young kids. Unfortunately Windsor, Langford, Tholstrup, Mcvee all out.

8 scoring shots to 2. I expected them to put up a fight today, but jeez our midfield can really go to sleep at times.

Should be 3-4 goals down here, so we're lucky they've been inaccurate. Getting dominated around the ball and in territory. Midfield getting torched as expected. Hoping we steady nicely as the game goes on, but the roos young mids are very talented.

Will be a closer game than expected today. Norths young kids are exceptional, and Larkey could prove to be a headache with May out.

Agree with this. While it was great to score heavily from stoppage, we didn't get bang for buck on transition, and the modern game is all about scoring off turnover. It was pleasing to see us chipping it around and maintaining possession in the first half. It worked well for the most part, and with greater chemistry amongst our young forward line it would've been unstoppable. Let's see how it pans out over the year and against stronger defensive sides like Geelong. Lindsay was brilliant and looks like he'll be a key driver for us long term both off half back and wing. His defensive efforts were also far better than expected considering his size and inexperience. We've drafted a ripper there. Windsor was sublime when he got the ball and was able to charge through the corridor and either hit the scoreboard and kick inside 50. He might wind up our barometer for offence this year. Coaches will start playing a forward tag on him.

I was... until my toddler had a melt down and I was forced to leave. First time I've attempted a match with him and it was a disaster to be honest. I've attended far less games these past two years since his birth. The posters here calling fellow supporters pathetic for living lives outside of attending a football game is the ultimate example of the pot calling the kettle black. It was our 3rd biggest crowd against GWS at the MCG ever, despite the Grand Prix scheduling clash and 20mm of rain and GWS' minuscule supporter base. A great effort by Dees fans to still show up in such big numbers!

Not sure if you're trolling or you're legitimately as dumb as a brick and have no life?

23,000+ against an expansion club with bugger all members in the pelting rain while while global event in the grand Prix was on is a pretty phenomenal effort. Our supporters prove time and time again to be the most loyal. The narrative suggestion otherwise is false and Trump-eqsue. Hats off Dees fans!

Howes really struggles under pressure. Looking forward to getting Mcvee back in his place.

Christ it's been less than 10 minutes and the umpires have already ruined my year. Blind maggots deserve the fires of hell.

Hate this. Let debutants get out there and have the proper experience and show of confidence. Sucks May is injured by TMac is a superb replacement.

Great news! Welcome back big Russian

Outside of conversion, we won this game. Our stats and control of the game outside of the second quarter were strong. Not convinced on our new ball movement, but our contest and defence were back on show yesterday. It was a big step froward from last year, and looked like a less powerful version of our 2021-2023 seasons. Our stars were up and about, and seeing Trac and Clarry fit and firing was the biggest positive on the day. With Gawn, Trac, Clarry, Viney all fit, we'll be competitive this year. Can pretty much lock in finals IMO barring bad injuries again, but can't see us being at the pointy end anymore due to lack of firepower up forward. Outside winning, yesterday's practice match over in WA was as good as I'd hoped for against a likely top 4 team. We gave some of our kids a taste of AFL level against strong opposition so they can experience the level they need to reach. Langford and Lindsey both look like they'll have cameos this year. AJ contested well and will be valuable if he converts his opportunities to score. On the negative side, we've got some battlers out there still. Billings is a momentum killer. Bowey hasn't been up to AFL standard for a few years now. Howes is still a deer in headlights at times. Chin and Disco were MIA. These guys are all on the fringe of best 23, but we need them to step up as the stars can't do it all themselves. The reason we were so good in 2021 was those lessers lights all nailing their roles. The JVR injury was the black mark on the day. We really need him fit for round 1 as not only is he a key target up forward, he's one of the few who converts consistently!