Adam The God

And yet three games by under a kick go the other way and we're second. Lions and West Coast games were both post 5 day breaks, so it's clear we weren't "out classed". We didn't bring our game in either performance. As evidenced by the next time we played both opposition. We led Brisbane the majority of the game and late in the last, and we easily accounted for West Coast the second time...

Yep, exactly. 1 point to the Blues, 5 points to Brisbane and 2 points to GWS. It's such a game of margins. The difference between Collingwood finishing top last year and finishing outside of the 8 was often a kick or two. They won so many games from behind and by thin margins. We led for the majority of the Brisbane and GWS games. Both likely top 4 teams, and Carlton could still be a top 4 team too. Freo had our measure both times, and Sydney at home ultimately did too. So did Collingwood when we played them. Otherwise, we have nothing to fear from other teams.

Clarry faded in the last, but with a full pre season, that's when his gut running sees him dominate and go above 30+ touches. If Clarry was fully fit this year, I reckon we're top 2. Provided he has a full pre season, he'll be back to one of the best mids in the game in 2025. And that's with Trac only playing half a season. We have a lot of upside next year and I expect the media to write us off. Just as they did at the end of 2020.

You're kidding right? If that were the only attitude, and we weren't constructive with our feedback, we wouldn't see consistently brilliant development of our younger players...

Yep, and he'd give us good flexibility next year, given he's a half forward that can genuinely contribute at contest and stoppage. He's good by foot and has very good hands. I was impressed by his ground ball last night.

Yep, he was good. And we have to give him some continuity. Team high score involvements too.

Laurie? 19 touches, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 goal assist, 6 score involvements (equal most for us).

Agreed. But I don't think he's been the same player since getting injured late last year. That said, he will still kick 40+ goals this year. He's an A grader and our forwardline is a bit feast or famine.

I wasn't sure who or when we'd sub Turner on, but as it turned out, I reckon that was a tactical error not playing him. When Turner came on, and we went long to contests inside 50, we looked dangerous in the air with three talls. As it didn't rain, I think we could have afforded ourselves the three talls. Perhaps we were worried about their run off us with three talls + Melksham and Fritta, but I think we could have stretched them more in the air when we had territory against them.

It's hard to know. I think our transition ball movement in the first half of the year was him, but it didn't exactly work either. It'll be telling what changes we make this off season.

Is it a personnel thing or is it McQualter? Our loose marking at stoppages has happened way too many times this year for it not to have been picked up. So are our mids simply falling asleep or are they being instructed to position themselves really aggressively (read, stupidly)?

I just want to say, how good is Windsor? Just about everything he does is gold, rarely makes mistakes and often beats 2 or 3 players 1 out. Absolute star. As is McVee. Who was not embarrassed tonight against TG.

Yeah, it was his worst game for years tonight, but he's had a great season and should go around again next year. IMO, we need him to go around again too.

As my sister just said, we've had a nearly season. Lost by 5 to Lions, 1 to Carlton and 2 to GWS. Win those and we're top 2. And we've had a year blooding a bunch of youngsters on every line who are now all best 22. We're not far off. For the game itself, Clarry much better, really good game, Laurie's best game, 6 score involvements, 3 clearances, used the ball well, let's see it again. Our hot and cold two way running from midfield was a factor though. Our mids need big pre seasons. Finals not totally out of sight, but it'll be tough from here with our percentage.

Saw a bloke today at Crocs Play Centre proudly wearing his Melbourne gear. I said "how do you reckon we'll do" to which he said he wasn't confident (me either) and "there's no way I'm going". Typical Melbourne supporters. So many do my head in. Half of them are either "kick it, kick it" types with no idea about the modern game or bandwagoners, the latter have basically been absent this year. Hi mate, if you post on Demonland. Get along and support your footy team.

If we can land Houston, Cumming as a FA and maybe even split our first pick for two first rounders this year provided we think the top 20 is deep enough, it could totally transform our best 22 in 2025. Probably means we finish outside the 8 to get a top 10 pick that can be split. Alternatively, Houston, Cumming and a top 10 draft pick young mid is pretty exciting too. I'd back us to trade back into the first round in 2025.

That's where I'd start. Or I'd try and split our 2024 1st rounder. That said, losing a defensive mid when Viney is getting towards the end is a little dangerous.

I've never seen Ted Lasso, but watching this just now I am staggered that he is not AI generated. Did a Google search and the real actor says "I am a human man!" The uncanny valley is bizarre on him. Anyway, not the point, I know. 😆

If that alone gets it done, I'd be staggered.

I would, each to their own. Bowey is quicker than most and Kolt is powerful and has topped our speed charts in offence and defence at least once this year, which puts him as one of our quicker players.

Absolutely. Brilliant news. Well done, Lingers and TL.

Yep, totally.

They're human beings, Cranky...

Bowey, AMW, Windsor, Kolt, Kozzy. If anything, we've net added pace.

It's a tough one, because if JT has access to a top 10 pick in a midfielders draft, you'd expect we'll nail a gun. Problem is would we prefer to guarantee a gun by trading in a Houston for that pick. Obviously get less years out of Houston, but if Clarry and Trac are themselves next year, we need someone that will immediately make us better.