Adam The God

Jefferson isn't supposed to be a JVR type. That's not to say he's ready, just that he's a different sort of player. I would suspect it's more about his tank, forward craft and body work than how many kgs he has. Think of Fritta. Still super skinny, but he's a great reader of the flight of the ball and uses his body well.

Far be it for me, a lowly PA, to question the top dog, but I think this point is far too overstated on Demonland. Name a game where the weather cost us? When it rained during Geelong, we dominated them - they came back into it when it stopped raining in the last. When it rained against Richmond, we piled on goals in the last and it was slippery in the third after rain at half time. When it rained against Port, we kicked 7 goals in a quarter in hostile territory. I don't think 'Melbourne are a poor wet weather footy team' stacks up to scrutiny. I've felt it was the case in the past too, but really it's down to whether we win ground ball or not, because we obviously intercept mark less. I think our evolution, I won't say change, in game style, has meant less reliance on May, Lever or the third tall intercept marking, which means we can still win provided we win ground ball and neutralise the opposition in the air. To me, groundball and intercept are the two best indicators of victory in modern footy.

It wouldn't allow me to register a new name with the apostrophe. Trust me, it made me cry.

I was anointed by the neggy one.

I didn't even find it awkward. He was actually better spoken than he normally is. I have absolutely no idea why people are squirming. He's very confident he'll play, but he needs to tick off the training session, which is exactly the same messaging as the FD gave...

Lol 😆 And the idea that you've ever been an AFL talent scout is just as cute mate.

So I missed this bit on 7 News. Did Richo actually say "season over", because if not, he's still in the frame, and it would be logical management to keep the press off our backs and Petty's if we simply said it was a bad injury.

If it's not Reid or Curtin, I hope it's McKercher. All three would fill needs for us.

And didn't you think Weideman was gonna be a star, Steve? Not sure you have the higher ground here...

The other obvious factor, which we won't know about until after this game, is how does Collingwood's ball movement look from back to front without Daicos collecting 30 touches? Who's their kicker? If their ball movement relies so much on these deep lying movements to cut a higher press apart, I wonder if Geelong can afford to hold their press higher up the field and seeing if Collingwood can get through them. Geelong play a lot of counter attack footy as well, because when Dangerfield isn't winning clearances, they essentially have to slingshot and give up centre clearances to counter attack. I think it's a fascinating match up, because without Daicos, Collingwood may have to play a less aggressive game from the back if they don't have that kicker. This will impact on their ability to move the ball, and I wonder if this simply goes too much against McRae's offensive ethos. Therefore, they might even go more aggressive with their kicking, but hold a more conservative shape at the back. If I didn't have a two year old, this is a neutral game I'd love to attend, because it won't be the same watching the structures on TV.

I agree that the Cats looked slow, but I still expect them to take it up to Collingwood. Their game earlier in the year saw Geelong at least 2 or 3 players down and Collingwood managed a 22 point win, but still conceded 103 points. I expect this game to be a harder slog for both sides and lower scoring than that affair. The fact Geelong need to win it to not only keep their season alive, but present the illusion that they can defend their title, will make them very tough to beat. Brisbane and Melbourne have shown teams how to beat Collingwood. Do the Pies have a plan B?

They're kidding themselves. You really don't want to find out at Round 21. You want to find out at Round 4 or 5 at the latest, and you've got to have a plan B that you can go to. So far, Collingwood haven't demonstrated any capacity in game or otherwise, to play a different way. They're only effective when they're attacking the game. Conversely, we've shown we can win in a hard defensive slog that relies on ground balls, CP and intercept, and we can also win in a stoppage-based, intercept slingshot shoot out.

His lack of ground pressure and follow up work would be the query though. Could get shown up majorly at the other end of the ground.

The answer to this is to draw bigger crowds in Melbourne.

I reckon you'd fit in nicely to the AFL media landscape Roosty...

I meant which player, but thanks. Haynes is 31, so not sure too many would be interested...

And dump whose salary?

Haven't watched them since 2021. The AFL media is a trashfire.

Let me rephrase. Would not have played 100 games if his name was A F.

Would not be playing if it weren't for his name.

I'm happy to answer this one. Tell him he's a nuffy.

I wonder if Petty's emergence will see us recalibrate our drafting choices for Curtin? There's no way he doesn't get to West Coast though.

I was saying to my Carlton mate (who was laying the groundwork for a Carlton loss due to injuries) that they are a better side without McKay, because they can play a smaller set up around Curnow (who is the better player) and don't get slingshot on as easily. I also said that if Clarry gets up, it pushes things in our favour, but if he doesn't our outs are bigger than theirs or at least the equivalent.

Not a big call at all mate. He just needs to play a full bloody season please. His marking and his accurate kicking means he's going to get 3-5 chances a game at least.

He should have read Demonland first. ;)