Adam The God

And does Ross Lyon have a B plan in terms of game plan? He's never seemed to really change his system too much. Reckon they're in a lot of trouble.

Behind Viney and Tyson I presume?

Agree that he's better as a CHF, but DS's point is that for Etihad it might suit him. In the NAB against the Saints, he should have had a bag, just couldn't mark the damn thing, but beat his opponent numerous times. I'd start him deep and then move him up the ground if he can't get into the game.

And I think we will win one of these games. I don't know which, but we will. Bookmark it. The only time I've ever been to Perth was for the footy. We played the Eagles and won by about 10 goals. It may have been 2000. Farmer ran riot. It was wonderful. We can do it if we bring our A game. I'll be really intrigued to see how our game style stands up to the Eagles'.

If he keeps executing it I'm all for it. He did it to Hogan on a lead the previous week too or maybe it was against Essendon. Can't remember, but he certainly did it on the 'G.

His disposal has surprised me too. He's a beautiful, low, spearing kick at times. Harmes stays in for mine.

I think he's a bloke that needs others working for him. He can't entirely create himself. I thought he wasn't our worst against Essendon either. He was trying to create, but it was another of those days like 2015, where we simply didn't bring the work rate. We're playing a game style that is perfectly suited to Lumumba and that's exactly why we brought him in.

And a bloke called Tyson and the perpetually injured Dion Prestia.

Spencer is underrated. Glad to see him back. Won't push Maxy out of the ruck obviously, but will play a handful of games at the right time. The Geelong formula won't work every time, but reckon they'll try it a few times.

Was speaking to a bloke I coach with who works at Oakleigh Chargers, but watched Petracca play from a young age. Reckons he's a better talent than Hogan. And this is coming from a Collingwood supporter. For the record, I'll be happy with 12-15 possessions and two goals. No pressure for a first gamer.

He is a proper leader. He is physical and then backs up that physicality by influencing contest after contest.

TV rights deal. I'm sure all parties are waiting for that before signing. Given Hogan's importance and the likelihood of a lucrative deal coming his way, that will obviously impact on how much is left for the rest of them. But we won't know this for sure until the TV deal is formalised.

Yeah, despite his untidiness, they're not going to drop Bugg at the moment. Brayshaw will make way.

I think I'm more frustrated by the fact that he's still clearly got class written all over him, but he doesn't get it enough. Even when he's involved in midfield rotations. But it's still early days and the point of him playing on the HFF is valid.

True. And Viney now has 50+ games under his belt, as does Tyson. Oliver seems like a plug and play, but looks like being capable of a higher level pretty early on. A bit Selwood-like. Gus is the one that might take another season or so. Afterall, he is behind in games played to Viney and Tyson.

I love Gus, but I am a little frustrated about where his game is at. I know he's taken some knocks and perhaps it's just a case of second year blues, but I was hoping this year he would be able to get more of the ball, because if he does, he becomes a very damaging player. Even 20-25 touches would be enough. He's first out for mine. Apart from his goal the other night, he wasn't in the play enough (9 disposals) and despite his 5 tackles, he just didn't have an influence. Oliver has dashed past him already, IMO.

I do understand cattle was a problem, but I went along every week and watched the same players stand on the wrong side of the contest time after time. This was never addressed by the coaching staff and we were helpless. We didn't even try going defensive or reading the opposition ruckman's taps. There was a lack of imagination from Royal. It seemed to me that the set ups were incredibly rudimentary.

And this year will be about finding that balance between contested and uncontested possessions. The spread and speed in our team already this year is noticeable and that will certainly contribute to an increase in uncontested possessions.

Gus played on a wing quite a bit last year. Perhaps that's his position when he's not in the middle? I think you're probably right too, mate.

N Jones is also not having the same sort of impact he's had in previous seasons. He's accumulating the ball, but he's not as damaging as he has been in the past. I think he can still lift his game quite a bit, but agree with all the others you've mentioned above. I still shudder at the stoppage set ups we had under Brian Royal. Urgh. Truly VFL level.

I think we did that under Bailey. It's the running the other way that I'm seeing more than I ever have. That's also the beauty of having really pacy players down back (Hunt, Lumumba in particular) to cover any of those plays that break through the press. Love that they seem to be spreading though. They've clearly worked on that over pre-season and they are just starting to believe in each other, which gives them the confidence to run forward of the ball in expectation of providing an outlet for their team mates.

I meant more that they weren't interested last year when he still had time on his contract. I reckon they'll be more interested now.

I don't mind it. The problem is it was being so inconsistently ruled. It was being paid against us and not them. If you know what you're getting every time, I don't mind the rule. If you're unsure whether it'll be paid and it isn't consistent, that's where it's shambolic.

Exactly. I counted ten steps after he took that first bounce.

North wouldn't be able to field a team if that was the case.