Dee*ceiving

VFL stats and Demonland podcasters don't point to much hope, but I'd love to be proven wrong

There is a core chunk of our list that still have a chance to play close to their best footy if fit, eg. they are young enough to believe the cliff hasn't arrived yet. Breaking out the depth chart it doesn't look disastrous yet IMV. Still capable of best footy Petracca Lever Fritsch Pickett Langdon Viney Neal-Bullen Oliver Bowey Fritsch Hopefully still capable of best footy Gawn May Sparrow Petty Salem Potential to improve further Van Rooyen McVee Windsor Rivers Howes Turner Tholstrup Unknowns – can they still/will they make the grade? Sestan Wowoedin Melksham Spargo Billings McDonald Laurie Jefferson Verrall Hore Adams Chandler Moniz-Wakefield K Brown Kentfield McAdam Moving on (delist / retire) Smith B Brown Fullarton Schache Farris White Tomlinson Hunter Brayshaw

Agree. From multiple points of view this is the biggest failing of the FD under Goodwin. Gave up after 1 failed plan, then managed it all so poorly that Brodie (allegedly) refused to play for us again a month short of finals. Pathetic & bizarre.

Fritsch was manned by Moore in the first half. Moved up the ground in the 3rd and got into the game. He can be laconic and defence is not his go but we play him out of the square copping the best defender who doesn't have to worry about Petty doing any damage at all.

Just a reminder that this can be fixed. The question is whether the coaching group we have are.uo to it. Collingwood needed a change but also have an impenetrable support base, fans, media, sponsorship, etc.

We are too nice. There is no fire in the belly anymore. We've always played like gentleman, Goody has coached for it and Gawn has lived it but there used to be an edge. Hard at the ball, no backward steps, steely determination. Flying the flag for your mate...it's all gone. Bereft of confidence, playing a style they don't enjoy and can't see working. We've got a long way to go. Simon is also exhausted, it came through in the article last week. It's all filtering through.

You mean being "crashed and bashed" takes a huge toll? I haven't seen us do any meaningful bashing or crashing since the cats game

Go after him? We were grinning and slapping him on the backside. Then he tried to bury Fritsch under the forward pocket. I have no idea why a Melbourne player would think that's ok! Bewildering

Since round 11 2022 we've had pressure piled on to us. One thing after another and sadly more that one own goal. Once cracks appear they either get fixed or widen slowly. May / Melksham The President debacle Extra curricular culture allegations Grundy disaster Oliver disaster Smith/Asada disaster Angus tragedy The media has attacked us in a fashion most other clubs wouldn't have to endure, with no protection from the league. I'm tired from it...it's hard trying to run through brick walls day after day.

I was on L4. Could definitely hear us booing Maynard at first but it didn't take long for them to drown us out. Plus boo May

We have 5 or 6 that apply little to no pressure. Viney generally in the top 2 or 3 for pressure, will be surprised if he got neat that today ANB following daicos may not have helped our pressure rating. Then there's Petty, Sparrow, Chandler and Billings...nuff said

Viney only 30 and tough as teeth. He will come good. Both he and Clarrie have lost the drive in their legs. Heaps of players have had seasons like that and improved the next year. Tmac will have a out 400,000 reasons to play on if we offer another one year contract. Will only retire if we don't IMO

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!