Adam The God

We absolutely needed to play two tall forwards, but I reckon Sam earning his spot will be better for him in the long run.

In short, Weideman had to improve his one-on-one work and positioning – "I was probably still really weak in contests" – and he was double-grabbing at marks too often.

I wonder if we're utilising Langdon a bit like Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, in that he sweeps at one end and offers us width across half forward at the other. It'll be interesting to see what Collingwood do when we get the ball from a stationary position in the middle of the ground or across half forward. And our forward leading patterns will be vital for opening up space for others, as well as taking pressure off the mids under the pump from stoppage. Looking forward to it, but you're right. The lack of analytical data available to the public is strange, I reckon. Why wouldn't you release the data? After all, much of the football economy is money just floating backwards and forwards between clubs and the AFL.

Viney playing a tagging role will definitely help him to reduce the see ball, get ball at stoppages and will bring team mates into the game I reckon. Good post.

Do you have these sorts of posts queued up ready to go every week, mate? ? I really admire how you change it up.

We'll agree to disagree then mate. I rate Brayshaw far higher than Florent.

I love the bit where he bursts through a contest at half back against GWS and then hits a leading Melbourne high forward on the wing. It was that last game against of 2015 at Etihad, from memory. He needs to do this more often from half back.

Some mighty fine work there.

Couple of things about this mate. RE: the tall behind the ball, we're playing slightly differently nowadays. We work the ball forward with more thought most of time, rather than the old bomb method. If Collingwood play one behind the ball, it'll enable Langdon to tear them to shreds behind the ball and through the midfield, as long as we use the ball well going inside. RE: no right side for Viney, that's true, but hopefully the majority of his game takes place inside 50. Gus does kick on either side and Jack showed he can snap goals on his right inside 50. I reckon we have a system now that can beat Collingwood even when fully fit, but it relies on us cleaning up our stoppage work and inside 50 delivery.

I've questioned Salem's toughness recently, but watching the 100 game video before, I'd forgotten his toughness in a tackle. There is also a clearance out of the middle where he looks like silk. If only we could add him to our midfield too.

Let's wait til the game is over, shall we? Bloody hell.

No, thanks mate.

Great article. Matty Egan mentioned again. I'm liking what I'm hearing around him.

This has coincided with Buckley finally discovering a system that his team can play. Goodwin's been out-coached repeatedly. Today will be fascinating.

I'd hope Preuss can at least get through 80% and be able to rest forward maybe 5-10%, otherwise his inclusion will pull at our forward structure too much.

Yep, these guys usually kill us on the outside. I'd play Melksham and Viney on both of them. Make them accountable. I reckon Maynard is a bit of a faux tough guy and if you pressure him with ball in hand, he'll turn it over.

Instead of properly analysing the game, most of these commentators are only concerned with muck-racking in regards to player trades or coach sackings. Given the amount of AFL journalists out there I reckon it's a disgrace. You're paid to discuss and analyse the game, instead we're half way through a season and they're talking about trades.

The Doc has already proven that his qualifications are a farce.

I really don't care that much about Hannan. He's okay when he's going, but he's not worth all the fuss I've read in this thread.

Fair enough mate. I think Viney and Oliver clash, rather than compliment. Viney often goes for the same first ball as Oliver and Petracca. It's why I want far less minutes from Jack and for him to be a lot smarter in the contest. Ironically, I actually think Gus and Viney can play in the same midfield, but I'd compliment them with a player like Harmes in that mix. If it were as easy as saying goodbye to Jack that would be my preference because I think Oliver, Petracca and Gus compliment each other much more, but if we're being realistic, the club is not going to allow Jack to leave. Therefore, it's up to the coaches and players to make this work. I wouldn't take minutes away from Petracca in the midfield, I'd just take the majority of Jack's minutes away from him and get him to go to forward half stoppages and occasionally bursts in the midfield at the end of quarters or at strategic moments in the game, otherwise I'd have him as a pressure forward. But each to their own. : )

I know the feeling on this one. We should comfortably account for them, but we've been here before and this team needs to do quite a bit more to regain the trust of the supporter base. It's going to take more than a few wins this season to make me go into a game like this feeling totally confident. This scum have had our edge for a few seasons now.

Agree. If he was at Collingwood, Essendon or Hawthorn, the media would cream themselves over him.

See, I reckon Gus' strength is he can get it inside or out, but getting to the outside is where he comes to the fore for me and not in tight, but breaking away from stoppage and kicking long.

Gee, Lewis is a plonker. You'd think he'd have learnt something whilst playing alongside them. In what world would a mid first round pick be worth it for a player who we paid pick 3 for, finished third in the Brownlow two years ago, has yet to play 100 games and can play inside or outside, and is one of our most penetrative kicks from stoppage.

I completely disagree. Gus is nothing like Viney. He's not bang and crash and can get the ball on the outside. This thing Lewis said is just ridiculous and completely inaccurate.