Adam The God

Not to be an alarmist, as we'r prone to be in these parts, but there seem to be some worrying signs. I didn't receive an email or any form of notification RE the AGM and we definitely seem to have lost AHG as a major sponsor. It'd be great as a stakeholder, to get clarification on this.

It was generally pretty well accepted that Robbo failed to apply defensive pressure in his final few seasons when that element became a big part of the modern game. Robbo was eventually let go because he spent half his time on the ground, refusing to tackle. Seems like a really nice bloke, but was a pretty selfish footballer and undoubtedly defensively lazy.

Yep, completely agree. Sacking Goodwin after 2 or 3 years would be Richmond of old and certainly not stable. Nor the right move for our football club. There's no way we won't win 12+ games next year and without significant injuries, which always play a part, I think we'll comfortably win 14 games.

Legend. Lol.

If Salo can get consistent 20+ disposals, he'll be an A+ grader. Beautiful kick, good game sense and not shy of the contest. Has all the tools. I hope his body gives him a chance.

So do I take it Plapp will move into the development role vacated by McCartney or will Macca juggle head of development and defensive duties?

Agreed. I will admit I was wrong about him being able to nail down a spot in the 22, but long term he'll be cusp 22. I don't believe his decision making is strong enough to be a consistent best 22, even as a role player. 2018 is a big season for ANB. He made some good strides in 2017, but was nowhere in 2016, so if he plateaus now he won't be good enough long term. He had a lot of ground to make up in 2017.

I quite like this team. That centreline has a lot of promise. Gus off half back is nice too. I'd like to see Spaego given a chance ahead of Fritsch, but we'll see. I'd always have Jesse at CHF as he's a true CHF, but there is a need for versatility with KPFs, so I'd expect him to roam further up the ground, but also go deep on occasions. What I love about this team and our list at the moment is I count 14 guys who can go through the midfield if required (and have in the past). That is incredible modern day versatility. They are: Brayshaw, Salem, Petracca, Oliver, Hannan, Melksham, Garlett, Hogan, Viney, Jones, ANB, Harmes, Tyson and Lewis. This makes us wonderfully unpredictable. Our MC could also throw Hunt in there as well, while TMac can play second ruck. ??? Winning!

No way we should ever be playing a forwardline of Hogan, TMac and Pedersen. Unless, as you say, we're ravaged by injures. Even then. We want to hold the ball in better in 2018. Those three will not help. We need Jesse and Tom to improve rapidly in this area as it is. Pedo will get games in 2018, but if he plays 10 or more we've been hit by a wave of injuries. I'd prefer we play a bulked up Weideman ahead of him.

Too slow IMO. I think he's competing for a spot with Lewis, but time will tell. That's exciting. Time to take that next step, Salo. I'd keep Gus coming off the back of the square though. If Salo and Gus can take that next step, Oliver, Viney and Petracca can contribute, along with Tyson and stints of Jones in there as well, we'll have a combative ball-winning group of mids with a nice mixture of skill and explosiveness. I agree with most of this, mate, but not the last paragraph concerning Vince. I'd have him comfortably in my bottom six. The follow 18 are all ahead of him: Hogan, Jones, Salem, Petracca, Lewis, Viney, Lever, Brayshaw, Gawn, Tyson, Oliver, Hibberd, Melksham, TMac, OMac, Hunt, Jeffy and Jetta. I'd also have Frost, ANB and Hannan ahead of him on their day. He's in the 25, but if things go to plan, he won't make the 25 by half way through 2018 either.

What a creep.

His stoppage work isn't clean enough. All he does is bang it on the boot. Even Bernie at his very best and ball magnety was imprecise with his disposal from these situations. He'll still work as a midfielder tagger, but not every week, so basically it means he'll play defence. But I can't see him playing every week, though I'm really surprised they renewed his contract at all. Be interesting to see how next season unfolds RE: Vince.

Does anyone know how Spargo rated in the kicking test?

How the heck did I forget Jeffy? Anyway, add Jeffy to Hannan, Spargo and Petracca. And I'd agree about Weideman, but his leg speed is an issue in this sense IMO.

This is the key ingredient to the last two flag winners' success. Hogan and TMac are the talls, with Hannan, Petracca and a Spargo providing forward pressure. I'd consider moving Hunt forward at times again too. His pace and marking overhead are handy and as Richmond's smalls showed, if you work hard, tackle and tackle, and work to keep the ball in a dangerous area, you will eventually get just reward for your toils. One of the major deficiencies of Hogan's game I'd be looking to rectify over the off season is his inability to lay tackles or chase. He needs to build his tank and improve like that pill Riewoldt did. TMac has enough aerobic capacity to put enough pressure on too. Another pre season with Petracca will also hopefully see him improve in this pressure area. If our forwards can lock the ball in better and our backs can repel consistently (Lever helps in this regard enormously), we will finish top 4. Our midfield (with a fit Gawn) is dominant enough to beat any opposition. And if our forward pressure improves and Lever continues intercepting everything in sight, we really don't have many weaknesses.

Yeah, looking at his highlights, if there are any injuries back there, I'd say he'll get a look in if the FD are convinced he has the fitness base. The thing about Lever is he has been known to pick up a hammy or two. So there may well be a few games in 2018 that we can use to give Petty a look in.

It's a good point this, Daise, he may well be back up for Weideman as well.

A laughable OP and I'm glad pretty much everybody has knocked this on the head.

Does anyone know much about him or seen him play? We seem to have a few scouting experts in these parts. Would be keen to hear their thoughts. Looking at his highlights package (I know, I know), he seems to read the ball beautifully and reminds me very much of our own Jake Lever. For a kid his age, his seeming ability to intercept mark is incredibly exciting. I only coach and I don't scout, but I don't recall too many young defenders with such an impressive intercept marking highlights package (outside of Weitering, who was always a top 3 rated kid).

I remember reading on Demonland that we'd purchased the Poker machine licenses, but it always seemed at odds with something else I recall reading on AFL.com.au and Demonland, regarding how we, along with the majority of the other clubs (excluding Hawthorn), had signed an anti-betting or anti-pokies agreement. Did I dream this?

Haha brilliant. RIP Richard Kiel.

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't hold Gazza's opinion above many others. I think most of us picked Clarry for a big season after Round 1 2016. But for the record, Corey certainly has the body and I'm intrigued to see what he brings.

Neither do I, but I really don't care. As long as we return to being a successful football club, the type of jumper we wear means little IMO. It doesn't bother the Manchester Uniteds or Liverpools of the sporting world and it shouldn't concern us. That is 21st century sport. Jog on.

I guess that's relatively true. It's more he blew the really elite top picks, which as we know, usually yield the absolute stars.

Cameron's tenure would be deemed very ordinary if it hadn't directly preceded Prendergast's car crash. The latter must have one of the worst records for a recruiter in the history of the game. It was his horrible record that made Cameron's recruiting appear serviceable. But when you fail to recruit an A grader in your 10+ years at the club, it's an indictment on you as a recruiter.