Lord Travis

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!

Cripps probably wouldn't even be top 10 for me. Great ball winner, but his influence on matches is often far overhyped and I don't believe he's a very good leader either. Bontempelli is basically better in every facet bar pure inside contest work, and it's a mystery bigger than the Bermuda Triangle how Cripps has two Brownlows and Bont has zilch. If I had to pick a player to build a team around, I'd be tossing up between Bont or deciding on the best key position player.

Here's what I got from a single role based prompt asking it to factor in player movement, pre-season injuries, and form of the past few years. It looks pretty good to me other than GWS finishing last randomly! Based on the analysis of team performances over the past few seasons, current pre-season injury reports, and player movements, here is a projected ladder for the conclusion of the 2025 AFL home and away season: 1. Brisbane Lions: With a robust defense and key players returning from injury, the Lions are poised to maintain their top-tier status. 2. Hawthorn Hawks: Significant defensive acquisitions, including Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, combined with the return of key forward Mitch Lewis, position the Hawks as strong contenders. 3. Sydney Swans: Consistent performers in recent seasons, the Swans’ balanced squad is expected to secure a top-four finish. 4. Melbourne Demons: The return of Christian Petracca from injury bolsters their midfield strength, enhancing their prospects. 5. Fremantle Dockers: A talented young roster suggests potential for a breakthrough season, aiming for a strong finals presence. 6. Geelong Cats: Despite an aging core and some pre-season injuries, the Cats’ experience should keep them competitive. 7. Western Bulldogs: Pre-season injuries to key players present challenges, but the team’s depth may secure a finals spot. 8. Port Adelaide Power: Early-season injuries, including Zak Butters’ knee surgery, may impact their performance, but they remain in contention for the finals. 9. Collingwood Magpies: Inconsistent pre-season form and injury concerns could see them just missing the finals. 10. Adelaide Crows: Recent key player acquisitions may improve their standings, but a finals appearance remains uncertain. 11. Carlton Blues: Despite a strong list, pre-season injuries might hinder their ability to break into the top eight. 12. Essendon Bombers: A developing squad with potential, but likely a year away from serious finals contention. 13. St Kilda Saints: Inconsistent performances and injury challenges may result in a lower-mid table finish. 14. North Melbourne Kangaroos: Optimism surrounds the club with new acquisitions and internal growth, but significant improvement may take time. 15. Gold Coast Suns: Continued development of young talent, but immediate success remains elusive. 16. Richmond Tigers: Retirements of key senior players and pre-season injuries suggest a challenging season ahead. 17. West Coast Eagles: Despite optimism about retaining key players, recent injury setbacks could impact their performance. 18. Greater Western Sydney Giants: Facing a rebuilding phase, the Giants may struggle to climb the ladder this season. Please note that this projection is based on current information and is subject to change as the season progresses and teams’ circumstances evolve.

Culley makes most sense and seems most likely. A 194cm mid/forward who has already been in an AFL environment. He'd provide midfield depth in the short term, and at only 21 years of age and a mature age recruit, he could still develop to be a decent AFL player longer term also.

Thanks for a great write-up Gator. And the doubters at draft time thought Langford was too slow and wouldn't be up to AFL speed 😆 If he can get his hands on Kozzie, he'll adjust fine!

You've got Trent Rivers confused with Jared Rivers. J Rivers was a Rising Star winner who played 150+ games for us in the 2000s and was a great rangy CHB type. He's definitely in the conversation for this team. Trent Rivers is nowhere near it. He's had a few good but not outstanding seasons, but is young and has a long way to go to be at this level. He may well get there in years to come. There's a number of players mentioned in this thread like Garry Lyon who didn't play in this century, so aren't part of this discussion. One named is Schwarz. I loved him as a kid, and his 1994 season is one of the best ever, but he only played 2000-2002 and was average at best due to his body being shot. Basically went at a goal a game at the end of his career and is nowhere near this conversation. Others like Febey brothers, Tingay, Charles, S White aren't eligible either. My 21st team thus far would be as follows: B: Jetta May Hibberd HB: Salem Lever Yze C: Johnstone Oliver Langdon HF: Bruce Robertson Green FF: Davey Neitz Farmer R: Gawn Jones Petracca Interchange: McDonald White Viney Fritsch

Langford already showing signs he will be a midfield superstar for us long term. His footy IQ and power are tantalising to watch. The fact he's strong in the air too means he can play forward and be a tricky matchup due to his size. You'd love to see him and Petracca form a rotation of roles mid/forward and forward/mid, with Trac more mid and Langford more forward, then gradually swap them over time as Trac winds down and Langford develops. Can't wait for round 1!

I'd wager Sharp plays high half forward similar to Nibbler in previous years. Has the running capacity and pace to do damage in that role. We'll rotate a few through the wings this year.

Thanks heaps to all the track watchers for getting down and sharing some great insights and photos. Love hearing about youngsters like Kolt stepping up!

Big year for Dees to be competitive again? Or big year to keep their career on track? If it's big year for Dees to be competitive, then it's our A graders and core leaders like Trac, Clarry, Gawn, May, Lever, Viney. Pretty self explanatory. We saw what happened when most of them were injured or not firing this year, and it will continue to happen if they don't perform and lead again like 2021-2023. If it's a big year for their own careers, we have a fair few but here are the ones that stand out to me: Petty - Obviously struggled with injury in 2024, but his season was poor and for position and experience he was rated one of the worst players in the league. He's not a natural forward. Send him back to defence. Bowey - Not convinced he makes it longer term without a position change. He started his career well, but has regressed in the years since, to the point where IMO he has minimal impact on games. We rarely see his supposedly elite kicking, and he doesn't have the speed or skillset to be made into a pure lockdown small defender either. He should be tried at half forward and used similar to how Spargo was a few years back in an attempt to improve our forward connection issues. I respect his bravery in attacking the ball, but he needs to impact games or he's wasting a crucial spot in the team as a rebounder off half back that doesn't actually rebound. Sparrow - Regressed and isn't up to AFL midfielder standard on output. Coming into his seventh season now and career best is averaging 17 touches. He needs a big season or he'll no longer be best 22 as other youngsters pass him. He had a big opportunity to step up in 2024 as he was fit and ready to step into a core midfield role with the loss of Trac and other depth, but he didn't step up and looks likely to be overtaken and be depth/delisted. Had decent success off half back as a junior, could potentially be trialled there. Laurie - Coming into his fifth year he needs to establish himself in the team or he's delist material (despite inexplicably being given a contract extension). Appears one of JT's biggest misses. Salem - I rate him highly and don't feel his 2021 season is given credit or kudos. He's constantly injured though, and when he returns from injury he struggles. His impact on games this past few years has been minimal, and at 30 years old next year he needs to fire and lead. OOC 2026, so he's likely only got two seasons left before he's cooked if he can't get himself fit and performing. McAdam - 30 year old who battled injury and form. Given we essentially traded ANB for him, we need him best 22 and playing his role. Likely will be delisted end of 2025.

The failure was mostly down to development and culture, not recruitment. We drafted talented footballers, then couldn't develop them and ruined them both mentally and physically. They had a horrible work environment, poor leadership infield and off field, poor resources, mountains of pressure etc. I feel sorry for those kids getting drafted to such a pathetic club and having their careers ruined. Their failure is on the club. It's a miracle Gawn survived and became the champion he is. Interestingly he did multiple ACL's and wasn't around the club as much, not getting on the park consistently for 5 years. Ironically those 5 years of ongoing injuries saved him from the rubbish environment. Trengove was on his way to being a star of the competition and was basically on par with Dusty for the first few years. Injuries and shoving captaincy on him when he wasn't ready for that pressure is what ruined him. As a draft option, he was 100% a great recruitment and it's a shame injuries and poor development ruined him.

Great to hear Langford already showing he'll settle in fine. We've definitely got another gun there. So excited by what he could become. He said in an interview the other day he tries to play like Petracca, and he could become a gun mid/forward like Trac with time. Thanks to all the track watchers today! Awesome stuff!