Adam The God

I find it interesting the way some posters are writing about our list and choosing to frame it in this way. We're not where Hawthorn were. We're already 3 years into a re-set and list reshuffle that is now seeing our game style shift with it. If anything, our approach has been closer to Geelong's, where we acknowledged the shifting trend of the game at the end of 2023 and drafted for speed and ball use. We've since spent 4 first round picks on midfielders in two years. Prior to that, 2 first round picks on tall forwards (JVR and Jefferson). Within that time we've picked up a key tall defender at the Petty pick with Jed Adams, who is starting to come along nicely, and Judd McVee has turned into a legit AFL level player, one of my favourites. Add to that we already had relative youngsters (two first round picks) in Kozzy and Bowey, and we had Rivers in the same age bracket as Kozzy. This is our team drafted over the last 5 years: McVee Adams AMW Bowey ??? Windsor ??? Langford Lindsay Kolt Turner ??? ??? JVR Jefferson ??? Kozzy Rivers That's a significant injection of AFL level talent in 5 years. Question marks for me over AMW, Kolt and Jefferson, but I really like AMW and think he'll make it, but acknowledge it could be too early to say. And really like the energy and power Kolt brings too. Add experienced premiership players in Lever, Petty, Langdon, Salem, May, Max, Trac, Oliver, Viney and Fritsch, and our age profile is really pretty good. If we can get our game going this year, a free agent or two in the 25-27 range would be handy, but unless they're a Butters or Callaghan type gun, I think we're better hitting the draft for these type of players. If Trac, Clarry and Kozzy stay, we might have to trade out of 2026 and 2027 to get into 2025. I'm sure the club is thinking this way. Providing we believe the 2025 draft is strong enough, just keep adding to our under 25 talent pool. Number one on my wishlist would be a speedy small forward ala Kozzy / Papley / Watson.

I think our midfield across Rds 2 and 3 played like the 2018 midfield. All one way traffic, little two way running, but would still win their possessions at the coalface.

Well, Harvs was spot on with his selection prediction. I'll never question you again, @Harvey Wallbanger 🙌

I think I need to read posts more carefully. Sorry @Harvey Wallbanger . I'd missed that detail in your post. Howes won't play if he was in the B team. Old duffa, Adam.

I'd hope so. But I thought the discussion there was trading Oliver and Trac for picks to get Butters.

He also needs big bulls around him to get the ball. I love him but he's been shown up in a few big finals now... It's why we need balance in our midfield.

I don't think we have to go scorched earth, nor do I think we're totally changing our midfield. We're balancing our list and midfield more. Many have cried out for better ball users, more pace in the side etc. Well, with our last 4 first round draft picks that's what we've gone and got. The only guy I'm not completely sold on is Kolt, but I do really like the energy and pace he brings.

Grass is greener. Put Kozzy, Windsor, Lindsay and McVee into our team, and who knows...

I like my jokes to be funny, even better if they're not punching down.

You may not have, others have. It's one set of rules for everyone else and not us, like we operate in a vacuum.

Is that comment necessary? Such a cheap shot.

So who plays on Stengle? I'd be surprised if Howes comes out mate, but we'll see.

Ah yeah, I love how we can use injuries for other teams, but our injuries are considered making excuses for ourselves. Again, it seems grass is always greener.

Sure, but not really what I was saying. I was talking about those who come cheaply. But I love Butters. Absolute gun. Would love him. Particularly, if we trade Trac or Clarry.

The guy who oversaw the richest club wallow in mediocrity for 4 years? And yet you want to get rid of Goody? The grass is always greener apparently...

Absolutely. Unfortunately, far too many in the modern world like an immediate fix or they get frustrated and want to blow everything up. The immediate fix is rarely how life works.

I don't expect us to win tomorrow night, but I do expect Kozzy's inclusion to have a transformative impact on our ball movement and defence from stoppage. If we can get our ball movement going and aggressive forward handball ala Round 1, I think we could be a chance.

At this stage, perhaps you're right, but let's see how he goes with more pace around him that spreads the field and gives him options.

We just want guys that can kick, run and make good decisions. If they come cheaply, have leadership qualities, even better.

I think we'll move Windsor, Lindsay and Kolt into the midfield, so we're going to need wingers that have toe and can kick. He's shaping up nicely, and another left footer. Clarkson era Hawthorn-esque. We could have 9 left footers in the 22 by next year: Salem, Lindsay, Langford, Chandler, Adams, May, Viney and then the likes of Fritta if he stays and Sinemma. 6 of them (Salem, Lindsay, Langford, Sinemma and Adams) all good kicks. We are watching us transform our list on the run. Our 2026 midfield could well be led by Windsor, Lindsay, Langford, Kozzy and Kolt. with support from Oliver, Viney and Trac. We've gone from a brutal, power midfield that wins stoppage (Oliver, Trac, Viney and Sparrow), to a much greater balance between ball-winning bulls and good users.

Yes, but we also need to maintain possession. This is where modern chains start from. You want guys that hit all their kicks and maintain possession (Salem), and you want guys who run and carry, and can hit angled kicks or more aggressive kicks (Windsor, Bowey and Lindsay).

I'd hazard a guess he plays a different role. He used to play receiver at the back of stoppage to maintain possession in '21. Now he's more about maintaining possession in the back half. Could we get more out of him, totally, but I'd prefer he play a solid role and others are tasked with line breaking and hitting kicks. There are going to be role players on the defensive wing and in the back half that play a certain role to free up the likes of Lindsay, Windsor and McVee to attack. Without knowing Salem's role, it's hard to pin point whether he is achieving his KPIs.

They have started in blistering form. It's Round 4...

It makes them more impressive that they haven't achieved anything? Righto. Not what I'd go with, but sure.

Sometimes.