Adam The God

It's also his third game in a row. This has been a consistent number of games given to players to perform. Two strikes so far. Be interesting to see how he goes. Reckon he'll cost us a couple of goals from poor ball use. So you just like his fatty imposing presence when he's not tackling? Don't really understand it, but okay. Each to their own. I reckon one of the big reasons we're a chance in this game is that Adelaide will back their own game plan in, rather than try to neutralise ours. Whereas, Hawthorn were a bit like Carlton, in that they looked to stifle and nullify our strengths.

Two out of three weeks now, but good to hear. Has some talent, just needs to bring it mentally and will be best 22.

I think that's rubbish. It's not lip service. Surely you're capable of making a judgement on the clear improvement of our team without seeing us win every week. It's irrelevant whether you think the Hawks are past it or not. IMO they are, but that doesn't mean they can't turn it on from time to time. And one thing we know Hawthorn will always be is well drilled. The fact remains that we've been in every game this year. That's not 2 or 3 rounds at this stage. That's 7 rounds we've been ahead in last quarters or level in last quarters. If you can't see the clear improvement in that then I can't help you.

I hope Tex takes it easy on his mate this week. Could be the difference given our troubles with KPFs. Still think we'll win though.

This is an excellent post, because I haven't seen such an illuminating breakdown of turnovers and goals kicked by the opposition. It's also why I was so disappointed in Jones' game. This is the guy that's meant to be the captain of our football club and the younger players see him causing error after error and handing the opposition crucial early momentum. Just a shocking first half. It was as obvious as day that we needed to put our foot on their collective throat in the first period of the game. When people talk about our lack of leadership, it's these sort of unforced errors that should not be coming from our senior players and leaders. We should expect our younger players to make a few of these. We don't excuse them, but they have more leeway when it comes to skill errors. But we shouldn't excuse 200+ game veterans. I'm sure some won't agree (for his years of loyal service), but I reckon Jones owes us one.

Who would you be referring to here? It couldn't be (as they're too young or have come from other clubs): Hunt, Frost, OMac, Hibberd, Melksham, Stretch, Tyson, Hogan, Salem, Petracca, Lewis, Brayshaw, Oliver, AVB, Vince, JKH, Weideman, Garlett, Kent, Hannan, ANB, Bugg, Kennedy, Wagner, Harmes, T Smith and J Smith. So that leaves (those under Neeld and even Bailey): Gawn, Jones, Watts, Pedersen, Viney, TMac, Spencer, Kent, Jetta. Gawn has improved out of sight under Roos/Goodwin. Watts finally clicked under Roos/Goodwin. Pedersen is serviceable. Kent is struggling, but had a decent 2016, so isn't scarred. Jetta is probably the best small defender in the comp. Spencer is a trier and doesn't resemble a scarred footballer. Are you saying Jones, Viney and TMac are scarred? Jones is potentially. I don't see it with Viney or TMac though. I think those players with mental scars were moved on during 2013-2016.

Shows a real lack of understanding, if you're comparing what we have now with what we had then. Coaches, wider FD, facilities, administration - world's apart.

This is actually a really good idea, mate. This is the last chance I reckon. He and JKH have about the same speed, except Jack is a good decision maker and clean with his ball use. Would like to see him get a chance in the next few weeks and leave him in for 3 weeks.

Good article, but certainly don't agree with some of it. The following bit almost debunks the rest of the article: "if you can’t make good, calm decisions and execute long kicks to the advantage of your opponent, you’re not playing in Goodwin’s backline". He then proceeds to name Frost and McDonald. Now while Frost's decision making is improving every week and at times he is calm in order to take the game on at the right moment, I wouldn't necessarily refer to him as a calm decision maker who can execute long kicks to the advantage of his team mate. It's almost as if the author hasn't watched these two play before. There is one thing you would never associate with Tom McDonald and that's good decision making. But it was interesting to read the compliments on our ability to play what he calls 'stop-start football'. @Dr. Gonzo mentioned Hawthorn's ability to control the tempo against us early, which he says upset our structures and tempo. That may well be backed up by this article. Anyway, the biggest thing I took from it was that we're a better side than our ladder position or W/L record would suggest and also that it's only a matter of time before it all clicks. The author is almost certainly a Melbourne supporter too.

I wonder what May would be like in an offensive zone like our defence. His kicking would certainly be handy and he's good 1v1.

So there's a difference between the club having interest and the player...

We usually do, Steve. He is one of the elements we're missing. But I'd suggest someone like Lever would be much higher on the shopping list and cheaper...

Fair enough. My point was we've moved on from that though. Melksham was signed in a time when we couldn't attract anyone and we saw him as a role player. Garland was signed simply because we needed defensive depth. I gather he was being targeted by other clubs and so we put a 3 year deal to him, instead of two. Last season we attracted a four time premiership player who is still an A grader. I hope we can attract a player of Lever's quality. But Kelly isn't the right fit for $800k+, IMO.

He's not an offensive threat to the opposition if he doesn't tackle... It sounds like he finally tackled on the weekend. Is that enough to get him straight back in or will the FD demand he do it two weeks in a row at the bottom level?

Harmes runs just as hard as Kent, if not more so and he tackles. I reckon Wagner will get a three week stretch like most of the other guys have to cement his spot. That said, he was horrendous on Sunday. Agree it's all about the tackle count. He had a total of two tackles for two games before being dropped for the Richmond game. If he was a better kick we would have gone close to winning the Geelong game (he kicked 2.3 that day).

Kelly is not a blue chip. I'm not really concerned about the Melksham comparison. We're not Melbourne of 2 years ago anymore and we've built a list of young talent that will need to be paid. The fact that some would blow $800k on a soft outsider with great skills is mindboggling. Thankfully, I know our list management wouldn't be silly enough to entertain the idea.

Gave me the shits we kept letting it happen. The only time it didn't work out for Hawthorn was when they turned it over, but inexplicably, the ball was called back and they were allowed another go at it. I wanted to punch something.

They won't keep their list together GWS if they're offering a player like Kelly $750k. He's not a blue chip A grade mid. He's a silky outside mid who needs to play in a good team. He won't win you games. He'll help you win games. Prestia has started poorly at Richmond, but is the best player IMO.

Simple. Ins - Stretch, Harmes Outs - Bugg, JKH

I'd certainly have a word with his management. We can offer a lot more than North in terms of top 8 potential and we're equally based in Melbourne, so if it's about a money increase and moving to Victoria, we can tick a couple of boxes. $600k is a lot more than he'll get at GWS.

As I've said before, we also press too much in the midfield and we get done over the back. Our positioning in the midfield at times on Sunday though was putrid. This is one definite example.

I'd be offering Kelly no more than $600k. Good player, could play an important role at Melbourne, but he's not worth paying anymore than that. $800k is absurd. That's a sure fire way to demolish all the good list management over the past 3 years.

I wouldn't have said he was perplexed. More frustrated. He understands (and demands) that there needs to be 100% intensity, otherwise anyone is beatable in such an even competition.

Yep, fair point.

Just watched the presser and loved it. He was hurting and furious. Glad to see it. He was professional, but clearly very, very frustrated. Loved his wraps on Frost and Viney too. Just as a side note, our midfield has really gone up a cog under his stewardship. When was the last time we had 5 mids averaging 25 disposals or more? Imagine if he'd had access to Gawn for more than two and half games.