Dee*ceiving

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.

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We rode a wave of momentum, desire and emotion through September last year. In my view this was triggered by our come from behind, after the siren win against Geelong in R23. That moment is immeasurable. We may still have become premiers, from 4th, had we lost. But I am not so sure. We were good enough, and we still are now, but intangibles and inexplicables are also relevant. These landed our way in 2021, but unfortunately not in 2022. A tougher fixture, injuries, being the hunted and perhaps a touch less motivation all factors. Despite that we finished second to Geelong (who enjoyed a far easier fixture and fewer injuries). A few tweaks, better player management, the introduction of some enthusiastic youths (e.g. JVR, Taj Wowoedin) and return to form of a few who struggled this year (Salem, Lever, ANB) and we'll be back at the pointy end next year.

You missed... Lever banged up can't run Other than that, spot on

Too many injured players. Salem, Lever, Brown on one leg most of the season. Gawn proppy often. Oliver, Viney exhausted by September Petracca clearly broken No use of our depth, no debutants putting pressure on the senior players for spots, and hence no energy from youngsters trying to make a point when they get the chance (Bowey, Rivers, Sparrow, Jackson great examples of this in 2021)

We, the coaching staff, players and fans have learnt some very hard lessons. 1. Other teams/coaches are smart, they will spend a lot of time thinking about how to improve & beat the best team 2. It's a long, long season, chances to rest and refresh your players need to be taken 3. Injured players, even out and out superstars, are still injured. And...they may offer more than a fitter seconds player, some or most of the time. But, in a close, physical game and particularly late in quarters the risk they present will show 4. It's bloody hard to win one, let alone 2 in a row. Our second half of the season was 6 wins, 8 losses. That's where we start at R1 2023. If we recognise this and act, we'll be top 4 again. If we don't we're toast!

Gonna be a grind. Sydney's fierce attack at the footy is what keeps it rolling their way. Need our mids to lift at the drop of the ball

Let's go DEES!

If LJ ends up at Fremantle as anticipated would Sean Darcy not be a better target for us?