Dr. Gonzo

I assume Petracca is categorised as a half forward/mid rather than a pure mid. Hence the difference in ratings.

Anyone who dismisses the Champion Data analysis should do a bit more reading to understand the basis of their ratings. There are a tonne of stats that go into the formulas they use and it really does make sense if you bother to understand it. Theres a reason clubs shell out thousands a year to get the data direct. Anyone interested in understanding the game at a higher level than is presented in the Herald Sun should pick up the AFL Prospectus (where the Sun got their ratings from). And yeah, based on his performance over the past two years Pedersen is above average (in the top 35% of key forwards in the comp). While someone like Viney has only performed average (between 36-65% of all midfielders). No doubt Viney will hopefully and should go up to the above average category this year. The ratings also show McDonald is one of the best key defenders in the comp and is still only 24yo.

I cant find anything about this and id be surprised if 1) hawthorn wanted someone with as much baggage as Martin and 2) Hawthorn would be able to afford his asking price without upsetting the rest of the playing list

Obviously just loves the club so much he's willing to put that to the side

I'll give him one thing at least he tries to lift the conversation around footy and uses advanced stats to explain what is happening out on the field. We need more of that type of footy analysis instead of ex-players waffling on about the good old days, wannabe comedians trying to work their bits in and social try hard telling us which player is dating his teammates girlfriend

He reads the AFL Prospectus and palms off Champion Datas analysis as his own. He was explaining the "relative ratings" of the Tiger mids the other day without even a hint that this is a Champion Data metric. I doubt he could explain the equation behind it if asked

We're not playing the Lions though, we're playing the Giants, Swans and Dogs who have pretty scary midfields of their own

Against the Pies 2015

You forgot Viney

What would you like, a formal Press conference? A written statement? It's been addressed multiple times including by the coach and Watts himself. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.

More like a potato

Pretty sure they have the retro wool jumpers in long sleeve - a bit more expensive but much better on those cold winter arvos/nights

Sadist or masochist?

Goodwin trying to instil the Nietzschean "will to power" ethos in Watts

I'm astonished people wanted to trade him. I must've missed those posts. He'll be one of our best once he strings a season or 2 of games together. He has all the attributes, maybe minus the x factor

Jones has a bit of a deadly left foot on him these days which is remarkable considering where he came from

Agreed, just providing a bit of extra context

But would you rather he take risks that can start a great attacking chain with the occasional stuff up or play it safe and always either slow the play down by going backwards/sideways or go down the line to 50/50 contests? Obviously the coaches know which they prefer; how many coaches would love players that "back themselves in"? Half of their battle is trying to get players in that mindset.

They seem to have developed their endurance to a more game ready level so they can double back and cover as well as streaming forward in attack.

They also only used 4 interchange per half (vs our 8?) and it was their first hit out while we'd played a decent game last week. I don't think it would've mattered though, even the way we played last week would've torched them yesterday.

Tom McDonald in particular is far better than a lot give him credit for. When you take chances you make mistakes occasionally. People remember one or two mistakes a game and think that is indicative of him as a player.

Not spite or stupidity, fear

Pretty disappointing theres only been an extra 500 or so since the family day

The sky is falling..... Is this what happens when a player is held to account? Happen at other clubs all the time. As Clint Bizkit pointed out Stringer and Boyd at the premiers last year. People really need to chill the [censored] out, he'll be back in the team when he proves it which will be sooner rather than later

Seriously? Get a grip man