Lord Travis

We’re not the team we were last year at the moment. We have injuries yes, but our pressure and tackling has been abysmal. We’re ranked 17th in the league. We’re leaking goals this year due to poor pressure, not structure, so it can be fixed quickly. Up to the coaches to motivate the players to put in the effort both ways as we’re not good enough this year. All effort based at the moment so easier to fix. We need to wake up though or we’ll lose this match and lose a few over the coming weeks.

Seems the Dogs can’t win when they don’t win the free kick count 😆 Love seeing the Dogs lose! Both the De Koning boys have got great hands. Them and the King brothers are the next wave of talls who control the air.

He suffered injuries and then Covid stuffed the VFL season so a large part of his first season was missed. By all reports he’s going well and has been emergency a lot this year so he’s close to cracking a senior game. I was pleased when we drafted him as he looked like he had the skills to be an effective half forward type. Like Bowza, he’s got good kicking and decision making skills, paired with good agility and decent pace. He seems to have the right attitude based on that interview too so good luck to him cracking a game soon and being in red and blue for years to come.

Swans get away with time wasting for the second time in a week 😉

Thank [censored] that’s over. The swans should be fined for challenge in the first place and having their defense cook up that absolute [censored]. Not intentional and not a strike my [censored]! Now let’s go out there and belt them this weekend. We’ll get some troops back and rebound from last weekend. Get it done Dees!

Have it a listen this morning and it was a good episode. Jones speaks very openly about his career and the club, from impressions on tanking, to success, to young players like Grimes and Trengove whose careers were ruined. He’s truly a legend of our great club and sacrificed so much to help get the club back to the success it is today. Huge respect for Jonesy. Youtube link for those interested:

Challenging it was intentional? He went back for seconds! They should extend the ban purely for the stupidity of challenging on those grounds.

Rivers had a knee injury preseason and was rushed in for round 1 due to our huge list of injuries in the backline. He’s been underdone all year and really struggled with form as a result. He’d be first out of the backline once Salem returns from injury. Hopefully the bye helps him recover a bit as he’s had heavy taping on is knee most weeks and really limited with his drive coming off halfback compared to his good first two seasons.

What’s May diagnosis? If they ruled concussion then he missed next week under concussion protocols.

Credit to Freo. They’ve smashed us in every conceivable way. They’re a good team. This is a wake up call for the players. Yes we’ve got some injured to key players, but the ones out there got smashed in the contest. Bugger all tackles and out worked both ways. Hopefully we get some players back and can reset. We’re still a game clear on top of the ladder and in a great spot.

Need to fire up or it’s done. They’ve belted us in clearances and contested marking. If we can’t get our handles all the ball at the source then it’s game over. Credit to Freo for smashing us at the contest. They’re a quality team.

I’ve had a horrible day today so hoping the boys can give me some joy tonight. Go Dees

Weid will play his role as he always does. Playing devils advocate here; Weid has averaged more goals and more tackles than TMac in 2022. He’s been fine when he’s played and kicks his 2 goals a match routinely. If he played every week at his current output he’d kick around 40 goals a season, which is more than serviceable for a second tall forward. I think he’s judged harshly on here. He’s no superstar, but he’s capable at AFL level and could play all matches and do his bit. It still baffles me why he signed a new contract with us and didn’t go elsewhere for more opportunity. He’s more than capable of getting a game every week at other teams. Guess he is hungry to play in a successful team!

Hoping Viney and Harmes are right to play. Our depth is good, but Dunstan and Melksham are a step down and we need our best up and running to take on Freo. Freo are the best defensive side in the comp this year, so we’ll have our work cut out for us.

This season has been his worst goal kicking accuracy in his career. Last year he kicked 29.19. This year he’s kicked 9.17 and multiple out on the full. In play he’s going ok, but his set shots have been poor. Clear area of improvement for him so he can continue to impact games and stamp himself as one of the best players in the game.

So frustrating watching us this week and last week struggle to get cohesion against Neeld era bad teams.

Pretty laconic start from us here. Players will need motivating today as they have a tendency to become very scrappy with their skills against poor opposition.

Carlton are like us in 2018. All out attack. It’s exciting to watch, but incapable of winning a premiership. Until they learn to defend properly, they won’t challenge for a premiership. Blues are a clear level below us and Brisbane. Freo have lost form recently but defend well so have a gamestyle that will stand up better in finals.

The height discussion this thread is one person arguing an incorrect view. Move on. JVR has the size to be an effective marking forward option and looks like a talented tough kid.

Well neither of these teams will challenge this year. Defense wins premierships, and neither of these teams can defend against momentum to save themselves. Pray one of them finishes fourth so we get a free ride into the prelim.

It is a record home and away crowd between these teams. 45000-50000.

Talented player who was very entertaining to watch. Hope he is alright and enjoys the next stage of his life.

He toured GWS years ago before he exploded as a player and when he wanted to leave Richmond. After meeting him, GWS said thanks but no thanks 🤣 That turned out well for them! He went scurrying back to the Tigers and took a lower paid deal at the time. Funny how things work out. He became a superstar and then got a very big contract. Could see him finishing at the swans as a forward.

That’s what we all hope for, but he’s not there yet. He’s still a kid and he isn’t ready to replace Ben Brown or TMac in the current wide. He’s behind Weid on form also. Give him time and in the next 1-2 years he’ll probably be ready to step up and get a taste.

Ryan only getting a week for a deliberate bump that hit the head is absurd. Chandler getting two weeks for an unlucky tackle at pace comparatively is even more absurd. Why does the MRO exist at this point? Why are the AFL not held accountable for their lies? Protect the head… ok, then penalty for Ryan’s action is 10 weeks. To ignore the game around you and just hip and shoulder someone’s head is a basically the worst thing you could do on a footy field outside pulling a Barry Hall punch instead. I don’t mind Chandler getting a two week suspension for the unlucky tackle. I do mind the deliberate head bump having less of a penalty!