Dee*ceiving

System is definitely broken. Some deep rooted issues, whether new or existing, now is the time when that stuff surfaces. But when you break it down we've lost a lot more talent than we've gained over the last two years. Oliver and Viney are injured/not fit. Confident they'll get back to their best. It just won't be this year.

Bruise free footy is correct. We had enough of the footy to win but are largely impotent and when we do get a shot we burn it. But... Pies were missing half their team We didn't pressure the ball We didn't stick tackles Aside from 5 or 6 we play like it doesn't really matter.

Gawn Roo Kozzy Rivers McDonald May

ANB and kozzy and been playing midfield last 3 weeks trying to paper over sparrow, Clarrie and JVs chronic form. Should be forward and langdon on the wing. Not sure about Alice Springs accommodation issue but issues that can fracture a playing group is people being selected having not done the work and others playing out of position to cover form and/or effort from those with the big contracts.

Jeremy or Blake? If Blake, I wonder Howes he'll go?

We will learn a lot today. Another meek performance and we've got a long road to hoe. A genuine four qtr effort needed. Guts and determination before all else. Go dees

No

Fewer better definitions of relief than seeing mcadam kick a set shot goal from 35m

Looks like mcadam, tholstrup, sestan best on for Casey as at 3QT 👌

Windsor playing for Casey too. Out Hunter, McAdam, Tomlinson, wowoedin, Windsor In JVR, billings, Laurie, howes, K brown? I'm guessing either Howes sub = Petty back Or Laurie/billings sub = Petty forward

We're about to get another big nudge on Monday with the reports it's a sell out. The whole measurment is comprimised though, we've played home games in Adelaide and Alice and only 4 home games at the G. Plus the Adelaide and Perth teams would draw bigger crowds if their ground capacities were larger.

I like it...thanks. Largely the things, we want to know they know! Though the 'it's winter in Melbourne comment' blows chunks, [censored] excuse 🤮

Agree. This will be the first year we've had the cash to splash since graduating Bernie Vince and Jordan Lewis to May, Lever, Brown and Langdon - which unlocked a flag. Clearly the club knew when the $ would free up based on the contract/age profile of the list hence he work they did to get early draft picks and settling for NQRs to satisfy the need to turnover the list and acquicse to trade requests (JJ, Harmes, etc.) It will be a package of things Ned will need to weigh up. I honestly believe it will come down to the medium to long term strategic plans presented by the clubs and the terms of the contract (length and $). I would hope the manager of a 22 year old prospect is providing better counsel to his charge than pick the club that promises to play you as #1 ruck next year. Good grief!

I'd prefer you remain in your own shoes in that case Bates! 😉

We can put forward a good case coupled with a long term financially attractive deal. But i agree with others we'd need to be confident both he and Max can play together and convince Ned of that.

Big lad about to hit his straps. Stats are impressive for a 5 game ruckman!

Yes agree, I probably could have used a better term. My thinking being don't play blokes that aren't optimally fit/injured, Oliver an obvious one and don't play Max & May just for the sake of it, manage them. Then using the remaining games to settle/correct the method, see who's worth retaining and who's not and scouting for the gaps. Then hit preseason focussed on refining the method, not launching it, and getting super fit.

Good point but he has played forward previously. I'd get him in forward ahead of McAdam based on what I've seen. It must be tough for AMW, notwithstanding his drawbacks, to get 25-30 touches a week in a terrible side to see McAdam get picked 3 weeks in a row for a total ~10 touches

I can see your logic but I'd be of a different philosophy in this instance particularly with our stars all being the wrong side of 28 (except Koz). If we can't win it all this year start planning to win it all next year.

He mightn't be ready but neither is McAdam or Petty who are currently in the side nor Hunter who must come out of the side.

It looks as though is has been an overcorrection but it was done to preserve the bulls who have been battered come September last 2 years. We did seek to bring players in that were (allegedly) better/smarter kicks (Billings/Windsor/McAdam) but they haven't had sufficient effect. We also looked to put the ball in Salem's hands more. Personally I think if we lose the Pies we should put the cue in the rack and start getting ready for a final throw of the dice in 25. Ditch the NQRs, get back to our DNA, get blokes fit and head to the draft/FA cashed up and single bloody minded. Oliver, Viney, Trac, Langdon, Fritsch, Lever, Kozzy, ANB are all still in their prime years, they won't forget how to play footy between now and next September, the just need to be fit. Gawn will still be fine, JVR, Windsor, McVee, Rivers, Bowey can improve. There's enough there if they are fit and playing their proper roles if we plug some gaps. Must find a big bloke that can contest the ruck, batter the opposition and bring the ball to ground in the forward line. a mid with some zip a meat axe for the guts to assist Clarrie and Vines I'm not taling about stars or AA level, just solid citizens, but they mustn't be broken down or bits and pieces which we have too many of right now.

I honestly believe we'd be a much better team with McKay and Curnow instead of Petty and JVR. Defienitely no less that 4 points better on the ladder because we woud have beaten Carlton.

I understand people being critical of Fritsch but his job has been difficult all year with Petty offering nothing JVR in and out of the ruck. It became even more difficult with kozzy and anb out of the forward line and McAdam in the forward line. He's supposed to be the dangerous third/medium forward, as he was in 21. Not the only forward!

Sadly you're right Picket. We should have found another flag or at least a GF appearance in 22 or 23. 2022 we tried to replicate what we did in 23 with a shorter pre-season, suffered injuries to key players (that we didn't sustain in 21) and ran everyone into the ground by September 2023 we tried to time our peak better and actually looked really good rounds 18-24 but lost Melksham and Petty at the wrong time. Despite this, and ballsing up the Grundy situation we should have beaten Collingwood and made a prelim if not for ThugHead braining Angus and Fritsch & Pickett combining for 5 behinds. The coaching was pretty solid that night, in hindsight Laurie as sub was a miss. In those conditions and at that time Jordon or Harmes likely would have offered more in place of Angus. We also even more clearly should have beaten Carlton. We dominated, should have iced the game (+16 CP, +8 scoring shots) but choked in front of goal. Somehow the Blues got 8 goals from Walsh, DeKonig, Motlop and Acres (WTF!!). Schache as an unused sub and JV going for a short kick on his right with a minute to go are knives in the chest! 2024, although I was hopeful, was always going to be a bigger stretch than 23 as soon as Clarrie was disrupted and we were to be without Angus and Smith.

Don't disagree, it is harsh to retain Petty and drop Tommo but we have no choice. Petty has greater upside and we need him to show something because there's a good chance he asks to be traded at the end of the year. ATM he'd be worth a half eaten four 'n twenty and an egg flip Big M