Adam The God

Haha, it might have just come out a little long winded.

Wow, I forgot about Frawley! I agree. He's had a great year. And Colin had a fantastic month and a bit of footy.

Yep, I agree. The start to his year, from about Round 1 to 5 or 6 wasn't great, but since then, he's been regularly kicking goals. He seems to have developed a little bit of footy smarts too. I thought his thought process was slow last year and his decision making therefore poor, but this year, he seems to be making less mistakes and hopefully that continues. He's also improved his set shot, out of sight this year. IMO, he was a bet shot on the run last year, but now I believe he's better from a set shot. But to be honest, I'd back him from almost anywhere on the 'G. I've been very impressed with Grimes' development and improvement. While, Morton has come on leaps and bounds. With another 30 or 40 games under both their belts, they'll be great players. Meesen also showed something, but more impressively, Jamar has easily been our best ruckman. He's even been taking pack marks!

It was a goal umpiring mistake and therefore her gender had nothing to do with. Quite obvious, I would have thought.

Well, well, well. Interesting. I wonder if Jurrah will play this week.

It seems to be a hot topic at the moment...how do we get the draft picks, but at the same time develop something for the future. I would say experimentation. If the experiments work, then well and good. Use them for short bursts, so we know there's something to implement next season. Some posters have also been saying that we should drop those that won't be with us next season (ie Macca, maybe Wheatley, Robbo etc). But I don't think it's as simple as that. As captain, Macca should be allowed to play out the season. What I'd do with him is play him off the bench and rotate him through the middle. That's basically what we're doing now, but he deserves to play each game, because he's still doing the team things, just not as effectively as he once did. Now to Robbo, with his lack of discipline this week, it gives our coaching staff the perfect chance to give him another rest. Just for one week and say to him, 'look Robbo, if you want another contract next year, start doing the team things'. Meanwhile, I'd restructure the forwardline and begin to shape it into our future forwardline. But more on that in a moment. Other senior players such as Wheatley and Wheels, should be given a chance to play out the season (and possibly even another yearly contract), but if they don't do the team things (which Whealen could never be faulted for), send them back to the 2s as well. Furthermore, this has been discussed by a few posters too, but I'd begin to rest Brock and keep a watchful eye on some of the youngsters (ie Jetta, Bennell and Jurrah) and make sure they don't over-exert themselves in their first seasons and pick up little injuries, which may keep them out for next year (ala Aussie last season). Now to discuss the forwardline. If Robbo isn't going to do the team things, I'd rather play youngsters, even if it means they have to play on the best defender(s). There's no point in playing a guy who goes to ground after/during almost every contest. It's getting to the stage that Neita was at early last year...he looks knackered. But the thing with Robbo is he doesn't do the team things either, so unless he improves his attitude over the next few weeks (which he won't), I'd continue to drop him. So without Robbo, this is what I'd do... I'd play Bate and Jurrah in the forward 50 by themselves, I'd push everyone out, except those two. I'd play everyone else up across half forward and push them up to the wings. I'd throw Jetta in there at certain stages and rotate him with Jurrah, as Jet's tackling pressure and footy smarts (he has great vision) will be inavaluable both up the ground and in the forward 50. Bate, I'd keep as a stay-at-home full forward, just as Bailey did vs Hawthorn in the NAB cup. Petterd could play across half forward, as a leading player up the ground. While, Sylvia, Morton and Green can sneak inside 50 and rotate through the middle. This is how I'd play Sydney this week. In the following weeks, I'd really like to see them bring Watts back and allow him to develop an understanding with Jurrah and Bate. We need these boys playing together. Watts may not be big enough yet, but he like Jurrah has a very smart footy brain. With Watts playing, I'd restructure the forwardline again. Bate would push out to centre half forward, leaving Watts, Jurrah and Jetta isolated in the forward 50. Bate can kick a long goal, so playing him as a CHF suits him perfectly. Watts, Jurrah and Jetta are all capable of crumbing, but we'd need someone to bring the ball to the ground, so it might not work to start with, but still, we have to start developing it. Watts will be that player to bring the ball to the ground, eventually. There's another guy who I haven't even mentioned yet, who I'd play in place of either Jetta or a smaller backmen and that'd be Aussie. As last year showed, he's quite capable of kicking a couple, so hopefully he can get back this season for a few games. Now, I haven't even discussed the backs yet. I'd keep playing Rivers, because it'd be good for his confidence to make it through an entire season without an injury (which isn't entirely true, with his ankle vs WC, but he's had a sustained period this season). BUT, if he does have any niggles, I'd give him a few weeks off. Then, there's Frawley. I'd continue to give him the big jobs each week, but not just the big guys, continue to give him a variety of different players to play on (from your Brad Johnson types to your bigger bodied power forwards in Fevola). Challenge him every week. As someone else mentioned in a thread 'round here somewhere, the backs improved last year, because they were thrown the challenge. I think there's a lot of truth to that, but I think they're also a talented bunch. Personally, I think this was one of the main factors in Jared Rivers' development being fast tracked, as a youngster. Keep giving them the big tasks to see if they're up to it. While with Warnock, I'd continue to do a similar thing. He seems to play better on the bigger bodied opponents and is less versitile than Frawley, so perhaps it would be interesting to play him on different types too, to see if he has any other strings to his bow. As for Grimes, Bailey's doing the right thing with him at the moment. I'd continue to play him across half back, as he develops. He gives us that poise and assuredness that we often lack, under extreme pressure. If he's getting sore at all, I'd be giving him a rest too. Just a week or two off. We want everyone fit and firing next season. Finally, the midfield is the area of the ground that we're certainly vulnerable in. It seems that we've started by developing our backline (last year) and during the latter stages of this year, our forwardline. Unlike our backline, which seems more settled in the long term, our forward half still has a bit of experimentation to come. But the midfield is our final port of call. Fix that up, get games into the youngsters and all of a sudden you begin to win games. There are 3 attributes that we desperately lack in our midfield: 1) pace and ball carrying ability, 2) elite/even decent, consistent disposal by hand and foot and 3) great decision makers. Decision making often comes with experience, but some have a natural ability to 'know' exactly what to do, without having to play 50 games beforehand. They are rare in their numbers, the Judds, the Rich's, these types, who have come straight into the game and with little AFL experience make the correct decisions. We don't have that in our midfield. We have it in our forwardline, but not midfield. During the second half of 2009, there seems to have been a concerted effort to inject pace into our midfield, with the likes of Davey, Jetta and even Jurrah at times (as of late), being released into the midfield. These players have ticked the three boxes that we lack, but they cannot be everywhere. It's slowly become obvious that the team cannot carry Jones, McLean and Moloney in the one midfield. They each offer none of the three categories and so, when we play the good teams (ie Geelong), we struggle. It wasn't in the forwardline that we lost the Geelong game and it probably wasn't even in the backline. It was lost in the midfield. When a team's midfield does not apply enough pressure, on the ball carrier, to either turn the ball over, or keep the ball in their half of the ground, everyone else is put under pressure (especially the backs). So when our midfield or engine room if you like, is beaten, it's natural that we loose games. That's how it works. So why do I spiel? We need to begin to work towards finding a combination in the middle that works for us. We need a back up plan, should Scully and Trengove not be ours, come next season. So, I'd persevere with Flash in there, as I would Morton, because both offer some of the 3 categories we lack. What they don't offer is ball winning ability, so at least one or two (of Moloney, Jones or McLean, but not all three), must win that ball. It's up to the coaching staff, to come up with a couple of different centreline combinations, to work through games this year. The aim of this is to develop for the future, not win soft victories, in a season that equals only development and pain for us, the supporters. That should be the focus for the next six weeks, in all departments. What does everyone else think?

That's a very good point. I hadn't even thought of that...bit slow I am, apparently. It'd be a perfect outcome. The Eagles don't really need the PP, so it would put them on 5 wins and without a priority and hopefully allow us to get our PP.

It's funny that her bogan accent annoys people, because most footy players I know are bogan's and all the footy players in school were bogan's. Bogan is almost synonomous with footy. Beer, pie, footy, footy, footy. She should have a place with that voice...

Yeah, it was superb. It was Aaron, not JB though.

I've just watched that video ten times in a row! :D

Not really, we wanted him gone. Whereas, Johnson wanted to leave. Jurrah is certainly the most exciting player since Jeffery Farmer was in a Melbourne jumper, but has far, far greater upside than the Wiz. As Einstein mentioned, it's Jurrah's footy brain that is so impressive. He seems to have everything and whenever he's on the ground, I'm more excited. I expect something to happen. I can't remember a more exciting player wearing a Melbourne jumper. Not in my life time.

A fantastic read. It almost brought a tear to my eye. I'm a softie at heart though. I noticed The Age article the other day, good on them for the coverage.

The Port game wasn't fun for me either. Neither was the Eagles game. I basically cheered anything Grimes and Jurrah did but apart from that felt weird, basically barracking against the team I go to support every week. I love my club, but this season has been so difficult...I'm sick of us being an ordinary side, or good to very good side. How we haven't at least won one premiership in my lifetime (born in 1987), is shattering. We haven't even had a genuine star in 22 years. It's an absolutely hopeless record. I don't like the fact I actually have to go to games hoping for merely an improvement from our boys, but nothing more. Alright, one must be realistic, whilst they're developing, but it's got to the stage where I actually hope we loose games. But anyone who thinks we'll win a premiership with our current list is dreaming. We need elite mids, if we get those, I reckon we're a 50/50 shot at a premiership, which in my book is good odds. In this instance, one or two elite players will make all the difference. I'm not saying we'll be a shot at a flag next year or even the year after, but if we build a star midfield (with picks) then it's just a matter of developing our youth. That along with the new facilities, will help our cause dramatically. As bad as it feels and may seem, I hope we only win one more game, if that. That doesn't change the fact that I'll be going every week to support the younger players in their development. I want them to make a good account of themselves, but ultimately nothing more. As paradoxical as it sounds and seems, I'm going to Canberra to support my team. After all the suffering we've endured as a supporter group, particularly those, that like my family go every week, we can certainly handle another 6 weeks of it. I've had 22 years of it, so 6 weeks is a mere trifle. 6 more weeks and then I will be as passionate and as vocal as I've always been. I'm still the only one that uses their voice in the MCC and that will continue to be the case. Sorry another rant, but as I've said before, having won two meaningless games, it's mission impossible to loose all 6 remaining games. I hope I'm wrong...

Mouth-watering. Thanks the info on these guys, DJ&MH.

To be honest, I think we've improved our kick ins this year. Yes, it's still cost us a couple of goals this season, but nowhere near as many as last year. Grimes kicking in has helped, although even at times, he turns it over. This is another interesting thread...I'd like to think Bailey has some set plays up his sleeve for next year and the following years. Clarkson has his rolling zone, Roos had his flooding etc, I wonder what Bailey will bring to the table next year. I want to be an innovative team, the innovators are usually the premiership sides. We'll need far better tactics next year and in the following years, if our list is going to win a premiership. It's not just about the list, it's about ball movement and the structures put in place by the coach and his staff. That's on the offensive side, then there's the defensive side, being without the ball, if your team can force the opposition to turn the ball over (ala St Kilda's defensive zone), you'll win most games. St Kilda have shown this. I don't want to judge until next year and the year after, but I suspect not much is being done to rectify this at the moment, as we're not really in the finals hunt.

This is an interesting comment, because both have something that the other needs. Dunn has good footskills and speed, but winning the football doesn't come naturally to him. Whereas, Valenti is a ball winner but lacks speed and probably awareness. I'd prefer to persist with Dunn than Valenti, as he has more upside and we have enough of these slow type midfielders, that can win clearances.

His excellent goal kicking the other day, made me think of this again. I'm not sure he's key position material, but who knows, if he puts on a bit of weight? I'd prefer him in the midfield to be honest. A player like him just sneaking inside 50 (he did this a couple of times earlier in the year) and kicking a goal against the defensive zone, seems to be invaluable these days. He gets himself into good positions to receive and is a beautiful kick at goal. Does anyone know if we've re-signed him yet? Yes, I'd forgotten this. Jones did start very well. Pity we didn't stick with him, when Ablett went forward. There's no point tagging someone, if they can just go forward and shrug the tag like that. Although, I thought at the time we made the right move to move Jones off Ablett once he'd gone forward, with Ablett getting 40, in hindsight, we should have stuck with Jones. Sorry, another off topic post! Morton is a gun! :D

The goal umpire's gender is not relevant here though...

As I said in another thread, our forwardline is beginning to look quite dangerous. I think the makings of an extremely successful forwardline are there...Bate, Watts, Jurrah, Aussie, Jetta, Sylvia, Petterd and I'm sure I'm missing someone. If you think of Geelong and their forwardline, you don't necessarily need two power forwards, like the Hawthorns. I'm now firmly in the 'fix up the midfield' camp and if we do that, these already exciting youngsters will start to blow games apart. That said, for some insurance, I'd pick up Vic Metro's Carlisle with my first second round pick (obviously, if available).

I'm with you there, why you little, but I'm probably a little biased, as I dislike Carlton immensly.

Yeah, don't get me wrong, Robbo is a dog, but he's still vital to our structure and we look so much better with a target to kick too. This week, I wouldn't mind seeing Bails stick Bate in the square (ala vs. the Hawks in the NAB cup), next to LJ and clear out the rest of the forward line. Play Petterd as a lead up forward across half forward and through the middle. Bate is really starting to excite me as of late. His finishing is becoming deadly. I back him from 50-55 metres just about everytime. His finishing in close has been spot on too. With LJ naturally exciting my pants off, throw in Whopper and suddenly you have a forwardline worth talking about. Oh and then there's another deadly finisher called Colin Sylvia and throw forward pressure and goal smarts from Aussie and Jetta- we're improving. Bailey is doing his job, as far as I'm concerned. Let's fix up that midfield and we've got exciting times ahead. I suppose on my above evaulation, we can't afford to get rid of Robbo just yet, as his presence allows the players around him to develop at their own pace. But, that's why I say, Bailey should start to work out some potential future forward structures now. May as well start this week against the Swannies. Sorry, slightly off topic, but we have a bright future if you side track a little bit, outside of this thread.

Very good post, Akum. This is the major reason why I've valued Flash's output so highly this season. He hits targets and turnovers rarely occur from his foot.

Really? We never really headed them. We did play decent quarters after quarter time, but the game was over at quarter time. Geelong tried experimenting once they'd got a desired lead. The only point we looked like getting back into the match was during the 2nd, when we kicked three in a row, but that was extinguished when Petterd kicked an up and under and as a result we turned it over. But ultimately, the Geelong supporters seemed more frustrated than anything. They wanted a 20 goal win, as you do.

Wow, list management eh? I'm actually travelling up to Canberra so would prefer if we left in Grimesy and LJ, but I suppose LJ would kick a bag against them, while Warnock would probably shut down Jesse White. I believe we must give Newton another chance to prove his worth, obviously he's contracted for next season, which is why we're probably not rushing him back in, but if he could work out his kicking and bulk up, I could see him playing a Kozi type role for us. His work rate, despite what some people think is actually quite solid, while his hands are usually pretty strong. It's not like Kozi doesn't lack a bit of coordination, in fact I'd probably call him the most 'un-co' player in the league. Yet, he is playing his role, structually for the Saints, in kicking his couple of goals each week. If Newton had converted his opportunities earlier in the year, he could have had a few bags. Particularly, against the likes of Adelaide at the G, a game we would have won, had he kicked straight. As for Cheney and Whealen...do we have a spot for both of them in our back half? Watching Cheney again last week, I don't think he's good enough. Perhaps, time will tell, but last week he was way too fancy with his disposal in blustery conditions and turned it over a couple of times. Unfortunately, I agree with YM on this one. Brock's disposal has always worried me and a number of times in the past few weeks, even when he's had good games, he has turned the ball over by foot, under little to no pressure. I'm still a little dumbfounded that people have not realised Brock is actually just slow and no matter how much pre season he gets, his speed will not improve. That said, I do have my foot in the camp of giving him a chance with good support players (like Scully) around him. Add another star in there (Trengove) and all of a sudden there will be competition in our midfield (Jones vs McLean vs Moloney) and hopefully that will be good for them. There's no doubt that both Jones and McLean are ball magnets, they just need to learn to make better decisions. Moloney is muscle and occasional ball winner. I'd keep him in the mix at this point in time too. As for Robbo, I have never got so close to actually hating one of our own in my entire life and that's going week in, week out for the past 16 to 17 years. It's like he's an opposition player, he does nothing to help the kids trying to learn around him. Strangely, he will win us the odd game against weak opposition (like Freo last year and the Eagles this year), but is that what we want at the moment? It doesn't really help anyone in the long term. There's no doubt Macca will retire at the end of the year, I wouldn't be surprised if he announces it after Round 20. As for Bruce, the last probably 4 or 5 seasons his disposal by foot has been one of the worst in our team. He's not a tough player, but he is a smart player. But as some have said, he is the sort of player we need to get tough on, in order to achieve premiership success.

I agree with Commetti and Grybas. Not Huddo though. I used to like him, but ever since Geelong have rocketed up the ladder he is too biased for my liking. I also really enjoy comments by Tim Lane and Robert Walls, while Richo is becoming a favourite of mine on Ten. Michael Christines is horrible (and terribly black and white biased) and Matthew Lloyd is equally pitiful. Lloyd seems to know very little outside his own club, while Richo is well informed on all the clubs it seems. Bruce is also good for a laugh occasionally and to be honest very un biased which is great.