Dee*ceiving

Gents, love the show. My question is regarding our clearance work against the Blues. Whilst not entirely clean we performed much better in this space than previous weeks. Is that a result of a tactical adjustment, greater work rate, the Blues not being very good or something else?

Moore is no dummy. If Smith is playing decoy he will recognise that in seconds and peel off to create out numbers. Will only work if Smith runs hard to make space, in dangerous positions and we actually kick the ball to him. Melksham would be a risk but he may actually be a better option as a decoy because he knows where to run and can bullet the ball 55m.

We are good enough defesively to keep sides under 12 goals, even good ones. Question is can we score more than 12 goals ourselves. On recent form we are: being beaten in clearances displaying poor connection going forward by hand and foot finishing poorly in front of goals and taking fewer marks in the backline and through the middle of the ground than we used to Lifting in 2 of these areas might be enough to bridge the gap though...remaining optimistic Go dees!

Kept Carlton to 44 points and really only 1 of their forwards looked likely to hit the scoreboard. We butchered enough finishes to cost us 3 goals and sloppiness through the midfield 3 more. We had to win and found a way. Defense was rock solid and midfield connection can and must improve. Carlton didn't make us pay for several howling turnovers. Turn the ball over in the corridor against the pies and our backline will be watching the ball go back over their heads through the big sticks.

Just a tease, hold him back then burst onto the scene

Great point. Might be a swing option when Salem comes back. Riv to spend more time in the middle, Sparrow relegated to sub?

Throwing gets a blind eye because it keeps the game moving and often, it's the slickest of questionable handballs that breaks a deadlock and opens play leading to a score

Angus??!!

I don't agree. It's Collingwood coming from behind that captures those reactions. We never trailed, which is actually more impressive

Brisbane at the gabba is the hardest test in football ATM and we lost gawn in the first ten minutes. No face lost there. Bombers loss was disappointing but even then we had our chances and they had the pies on ice a week later before running out of gas.

Pies and cats the only real threats. Finish top 4 and hope were hurting less than last year and we'll be a big chance. Hard work and a big chunk of luck involved.

JVR hit on Ballard was a glancing blow across the face at worst. Old mate clasped the back of his head immediately despite no contact being to that region. Good thing he did though because that prevented it from impacting the turf with force. Massive beat up...stretcher job was worthy of a WWE PPV

A natural forward. Won't get in Fritsch' way Will take the no. 1 key defender Will hit the scoreboard when he gets his chances Petty is a defender, and thankfully so because our defence needs him ATM. Jordon is paying a role and would be stiff to be dropped but we need Spargos creativity and touch. Hunters run up and down that wing will be tough to replace but agree he has been wasteful at times.

Definitely not in top form, yet. But...we have a few players going very, very well (Viney, Trac, Gawn, Oliver, Pickett, Rivers). Challenge now is getting them to play like a team...pies and cats are doing that already. Brown, Hibberd and Spargo in. Turner, Jordon and Harmes out. Petty to the backline. May a worry...

We didn't take anywhere near enough of our chances to rest and freshen up players last year and paid for it in the long run. In terms of who needs the rest most it's difficult to determine, but, i think these 4 players should be given a run next week. Two were never dropped and two have form justifying a place, at leat to have a taste. Ben Brown James Harmes Luke Dunstan Bailey Laurie Beyond that I'd consider Daniel Turner if another tall needs to miss.

I agree with others regarding the back to back interstate trips as a good opportunity to manage some players. Anyone with a niggle should be considered for a relaxing weekend in Melbourne for R4 or R5. This week i'd think Out: BBB (rested) In: Kozzy Sub: Tomlinson There is still some depth if there are any others that could use a rest eg. Viney or Hbberd. Can back in McDonald, Harmes &/or Melksham or blood Howes

Love Gazey...Aussie legend, all around top bloke, family man and a great leader... Everyone could learn a thing or two about how to be a good human from Andrew

I must say, I just don't see it that way. I feel Gerard Healy is often supportive and keen to see us do well 🤷‍♂️

Brayshaw rotating through the the middle for mine. Adds depth and flexibility, which should see Trac and Clarrie hitting the scoreboard a little more (preferably 6 pointers please, Christian). Hunter and Langdon are going to own those wings. Hunter will surprise most I think. Very talented, clever and an elite runner, just fell out severely with Beveridge (appears somewhat common). Bowey to get Salem's role, at least until he returns. I wouldn't be against trying Salem as a forward upon return, if Bowey locks in down back. Evasive, tough, creative, strong for his size & and a great kick. Could be a Chopper Lovell/Peter Vardy type.

And expect to drop $150 on food, beer and transport every time you attend live/visit a pub

I agree SWYL, personally I've thought he is often pro-Melbourne when commentating or 'On the Couch'...could just be me though

RC Cola has been criminally underated over the years (IMV)

I hope you're right DeeMee but I actually fear the opposite, unfortunately. They have a fantastic coach, learnt a lot about their strengths, built a resolve as a team and unearthed some really good young talent. Will be a massive threat in 2023 I think.

Agree Layzie. A negative by product of running our guys into the ground also meant we didn't get a proper look at many of our depth players through the course of the season. Which in my view made a conservative coach and selection committee more conservative the closer we got to September. In hindsight, getting a few games into JVR, Chandler, Dunstan etc. through the course of the season, at the very least, would have informed views about their suitability for September. Without that we were forced to dig our fingernails into the dashboard and hold on for dear life with the tried and true, even when on one leg and supported by others played out of position or out of their depth (eg. Jake Melksham as a key forward and Spargo as a winger).

I feel Max spending a vast amount of time forward only works if it's in place of BBB and we have JVR and/or TMAC in the side playing the mobile role. Max and BBB spending a bunch of time inside 50 together made us to immobile. Meaning teams escaped D50 too easy and/or Spargo/ANB/Kozzy/etc. had to run even harder than normal to lock them in. Might be another contributing factor to our second half fade outs Also, agree we need to better manage Max through the season. In fact the Cats managed their whole list well throughout the year (they've had time to learn though, several years with an aging list). I'd argue we didn't manage our players at all. We could learn a lot from Geelong's 2022 season.