JJJ

I know a couple of forward scouts at 2 Melbourne based AFL clubs and I asked them earlier this year about a potential market for Sam. They both told me that their particular club didn’t have him on their radar and doubted any club would trade for him unless it was a swap of late draft pick type deal. Contrast that to the press at the time when Sam was beating up VFL defenders….

Yep I know. I was referring to the players as the ‘voting public’. Could’ve made it clearer i guess.

That tells you all you need to know about the voting public. Petracca above Oliver…

He’d be one of them. His age and experience are irrelevant to our situation right now. We want a premiership and he’s shown the ability to be a match winner. We’ll need that in September. Same goes for Spargo, ANB, Tom McDonald amongst others. They’ve shown themselves to be capable of more. I just hope that they can show it later in the year.

We can strangle teams and come away with wins simply by continuing to do that. But, It’s just one example but look at the 1st qtr last week. We pummelled Essendon but failed to capitalise up forward. We’ve not shown an ability to put teams away and I think media types wonder about our ability to manufacture a score in a hurry or reduce a deficit. I don’t care what they think but I do worry about some of the guys who were putting up career numbers early who have dropped away. Have they been figured out? Are they tired? Bad habits forming from lots of wins?

Spoke with someone in the know as I had this problem. He confirmed there was an issue with people on PC’s. Smart devices were unaffected. After 4-5 minutes I switched to the phone.

I should’ve added, my mate doesn’t expect any teams to bid on Taj at this stage. I just thought I’d mention that we like some of his intangibles and think he’s a great kid. ?? he can get on our list for nothing and turn out like his old man.

My understanding from chatting with a part time scout for another club is that he’s rated enough to be picked up later in the draft by us as we love his attitude, professionalism, competitiveness and hardness. His overall play/skill set is a bit vanilla and seen by other clubs as a limiting step in his potential. Seen as a HBF type. Sounds similar to his old man…. And blokes like Hibberd who had to ply his trade in the VFL as he was seen as not having the required skills and athletic profile to succeed.

His highlight package shows that he can mark and kick at a high level. He’s played against men already in a pretty serious competition. I look at that photo and just wonder what an AFL training regime will do for his body. I see upside.

6 Petracca (4 qtr performance) 5 Oliver (best pure mid in the game) 4 Harmes (super work rate) 3 Gawn (at half time the Lions coaches would’ve been reasonably happy with Big O’s attempt in nullifying Max but he was obliterated in the 2nd half) 2 McDonald (2nd half dominance) 1 Pickett (the spark)

He’s an A-Grader with B-Grade output at the moment. I think your point on his physicality is spot on. He’s a huge man but lacks a bit of presence at the moment. Could be injury or a little bit of indecision/lack of confidence. He’ll get back to his normal output soon I am sure.

Our connection to the forward line is pretty bad still and also impacts our ability to maintain pressure once the ball hits the deck. Although I think our effort level was poor for 60% of the game which compounded our poor delivery. A few blokes won’t enjoy the loss review during the week.

6: Oliver 5: Petracca 4: Langdon 3: Lever 2: Harmes 1: Jackson???? In reality I don’t think we had this many good players tonight, hence the loss.

I was shocked that he came in...

Although that goal by Rivers makes me feel better.

After watching my team in the NBA not value possession of the ball and losing this morning, I’m having a real hard time watch us lazily dispose of the ball....

I meant just our coaches. I don’t think he’s impacted the games as much as a couple of other Dees. But your point is well made.

I think that order is pretty good. Although I doubt the coaches would have Gawn that high. We as supporters love him but tend to give him votes even when he probably doesn’t deserve it. I think he’s carrying a niggle that stops him from asserting some physical presence at times. Was watching Jordan pretty closely and I found myself reflecting on Scotty Thompson when he played for us. Not to say that JJ has the ceiling of Scotty, but I feel very safe when he’s lurking around a clearance that he won’t let the ball exit too easily and hurt us. Much like Scotty used to do in his MFC days and Jnr McDonald after that.

I know there was a site in Bentleigh East which was nominated by a prominent supporter about 5 years ago. That same supporter offered a cash donation to turn first soil but it never got off the ground as the club felt it was too far from the MCG. Trying to remember the exact location....?

I like him and thinks he’s improved but I’m not sold on his long term prospects. I suspect if he is to succeed, at least early on, he’ll be a system player. Chase, tackle and link midfield to forward. I think he lacks X-Factor and doesn’t seem to be a natural goal kicker but if he continues to improve his decision making and forward pressure there’s a spot for him to go for.

I love Rosman’s hair. Looks like a young Duke Spalding. Bedford and D.Smith look the most interesting to me so far.

It was a board member who said it. With a huge smile on their face I might add. I don’t think he’s seen as someone who oversteps the mark. I think he brings such a different view point and is so strong willed that he creates discussions that some aren’t used to. Which I think is a great thing. I must admit to not really liking his hire initially but little bits of information like that have turned me around.

Was mentioned on Saturday that he has challenged the coaches constantly causing a level of discomfort that is seen as a massive positive within the footy dept. After the rumours of the assistant coaches acting as a bunch of ‘yes men’ to Goodwin in the bubble, this is an excellent development for the head coach and players alike.

I think he’s an effective centre bounce player but he’s not clean. Have a look at his play on the weekend and last year. Double grabbing, dropping marks, fumbling out to congestion, missing targets... If he can learn to stay wide and find space he can be a useful winger as his link play is a strength. He’ll also get the opportunity to win contested possession in one on ones. I’m hopeful he can do it. Seems to be a terrific bloke.

I agree at this stage as we’ve not developed replacements. But ANB would want to start making better decisions and hitting more targets wearing red and blue.