Fat Tony

We definitely looked tired against the Crows off a 5-day break. I would make some changes, even if we look a worse team on paper. While no one deserves to be dropped, Hunter, Bowey and Laurie would all be options to inject some run. Woewodin played a decent game at half back but Bowey will give us a lot more rebound. If we win this we go two games and percentage above Carlton, which is a big gap, so this is a massive game from a top 4 perspective.

I think we made an error against the Crows, particularly with Ben Brown.

Hunter would be a possibility given the short break.

I know the VFL fixture has been talked about at length, but it really is outrageous that this game is on Sunday when Melbourne play next Thursday night. The way the VFL is run is hopeless.

The Higgins tackle is why I think the AFL will need to consider allowing throwing in our game. To ask players to let go of the tackle is unrealistic. And Aliir was not going to drop the ball and get a free against. Neither party was really at fault and the suspension will do nothing to help prevent the incident occurring again.

The Kangas are in massive trouble. Free agency, the ineffectiveness of the draft and fixture inequities all make it very hard for small/poor clubs to rebuild from rock bottom. The removal of priority picks and the northern academies also work against the bottom clubs. The AFL also needs less teams. It makes money from fans watching every game. And even the most avid football watcher is only able to pay attention for max 7 games per week . The Kangas games are always the last on the list to watch and are negative value. I can see a shot gun marriage between the Suns or Giants and Kangas at some point in the next decade.

Both these team have been extremely efficient in front of goal this season. This gained us one extra victory vs expected score against Port and the Cats lost three times on expected score against Carlton (marginally), WB and Adelaide and only just beat Hawthorn. They are not that as good as their undefeated record suggests. That said, Chris Scott is a master tactician and has a lot of flexibility in his squad. Stewart, Blicavs and Cameron are particularly hard to plan against, so it will be interesting if we alter our defensive strategy to have someone follow Cameron up the field and how we organise at stoppages if Blicavs goes to Petracca. In addition to Steward, De Koning is also someone we will try to avoid when we go forward. Our best chance to win is a monster game from Max and the centre bounces going our way.

Draw was a bad outcome. Our percentage is well above both Essendon and Collingwood.

Can’t believe Rivers did not make the best players.

Windsor has regressed a bit the last two games. (Not suggesting he be dropped.) And disagree a bit on Hunter. While he doesn’t have the penetration of Windsor, he makes marginally better decisions and is still a reasonable kick. Having a left sided winger is another advantage.

I think Hunter comes in for Woewodin. Windsor goes back and Hunter on the wing. Petty will get better at marking and goal kicking and we need to back him in.

Jefferson’s intensity is pathetic. No defensive focus in his game and zero ground game. He won’t make it.

Fullarton isn’t strong enough or quick enough IMO.

Overall, we lack depth and have very little in reserve. Hore is not a good enough kick for AFL. Fullarton played a good game and got a lot of the ball but there is nothing in his game that screams AFL. He is not a strong enough forward to play against AFL defenders and not big enough for the ruck. Jefferson takes a decent mark when he gets a jump at it, but so incredibly poor in his second efforts that he will never be an AFL player. He is a dumb footballer in terms of positioning and does not work hard enough in defence. Sestan has some elite traits and is improving with his better endurance. Still 2025 project at best due to his running capacity. Kynan Brown has AFL level intensity but is too small this year. McAdam is clearly AFL standard but not fit enough yet. Tholstrop did little to get excited about. AMW has some good traits but not sure he has enough to make it.

Ben Brown would face the double drop to the VFL reserves on this performance (if it still existed). He has played like a bag of potatoes.

Casey have been very poor in terms of their defensive structure, letting several goals over the back. Hore is a bit dopey. McAdam looks a very good forward and obviously AFL level talent. Jefferson is too slow in both body and mind to play AFL. Seston looks like a good VFL player now with a high level of balance and skill. I am not sure he will ever get the fitness to play AFL but there is a lot to like. Fullerton has picked up a lot of possessions but does not scream AFL talent. Brown has done little. Hunter is still good enough.

Sestan post high from 60m!

All three AFL emergencies (Brown, Tholstrop and Hore) are playing VFL.

Time for the Demons to bring back some brutality to our game.

Surprisingly Caulfield and Cranbourne both have about the same average wind (14 km/h). Neither is that windy, but the openness really make both options not suitable/ideal for AFL programmes.

Maybe. But i am just basing my guess on Kev’s training report which had Woewodin with the defenders and Turner the forwards.

I think Woey will play high half back and replace Salem. Turner forward and Laurie sub.

The biggest problem I see with Caulfield (and Casey) as training options is that they are very open and susceptible to wind. This is not ideal for training at the top level given that wind is not a big factor at AFL stadiums. It is hard to run full ground ball movement drills when there is a gale blowing. I also don't really think the current situation using both Casey and Gosh's Paddock really puts us at a big disadvantage from a performance perspective. We have access to two pristine grounds, pools, spas and gyms. What else do you really need to train an elite athlete? (The other keys being medical, diet and film review but they don't require capital investment.) Casey would be better if we could get some cover and it was closer to the city, but it is it really worth spending so much money to build another Casey Fields closer to the CBD? As for the argument that we have to cater for four teams now, I would say that the seasons are not all aligned and the AFL team is the only one of those teams that is fully professional (and they train in the morning, while the other teams train in the afternoon). Personally, I think the biggest reason AFL clubs demand all this money being spent is so that they can show off their facilities to attract free agents/recruits. The government money would be much better spent going back into grass roots football (or other departments like healthcare/education). Lastly, as for the fans wanting a social club, I think that social clubs are a thing of the past. There are plenty of bars in and around the MCG to celebrate a win and the best place to converse with other MFC supporters is obviously here on Demonland.

I would bring in Kossie, Hunter & Turner for Tholstrup, Salem & Brown. Windsor to shift to half back in place of Salem and Hunter to come in on the left wing. Kossie for Tholstrup is straight forward. Turner could play at either end. If he plays back, Rivers would play in the midfield, and we have a taller defence. (Sparrow and Petracca play more minutes forward.) If Turner play forwards, it is straight forward in place of Brown. Woewodin the poor old sub again.