DeeSpencer

The lack of Casey game this week is unfortunate but I think he has to play VFL next week and then could be ready on the back of 1 VFL game and a lot of training to come in after that. He might take 2 or even 3 VFL games…I mean, I doubt it, but let’s let his Casey form determine it. No way would I be messing around with having him as sub.

Why does moving Petty back necessarily make us a better defensive side? Sure, he gives us more overhead ability but we seem to be giving up more goals when the ball hits the deck. If Petty goes back suddenly Lever gets matched up on a small that other sides can use to catch him out being too intercept happy, particularly as we often have Brayshaw doing the same thing. The balance of our backline (whilst a touch undersized) has looked best this year with Hibberd as the 3rd tall. The scoring differential compared to the last 2 years might well be less about Petty back and much more about moving the ball faster and taking more risks. We were elite defensively for most of last year and the end result was a team that played too safe and was far too focused on stopping goals and not nearly focused enough on kicking them.

JVR definitely gives him a good coat hangering around the head which causes the neck concern. Let's not deny that. But that's a risk when any player makes a spoil. The thing that never gets discussed in incidents like this because people fear that it's victim blaming is how many players have lost the ability to protect themselves. Ballard should've turned his body away from JVR, jumped to get to the ball early and stuck his backside out to protect the space. Had he done even part of that the worst he would've got is the arm in to his guts.

I said hardly ever, not never. Fritsch has had 2 in 3 weeks. And I suspect Gunston's 7 tackles made an impact in that 2016 game. 7 tackles is a good month for Fritsch

The AFL have leaked to one of their spokespeople the Zapruder film which apparently shows JVR looking at his opponent. Personally I’m not sure how looking at someone is a crime but I would think sizing up where an opponent is at to determine how you attempt to contest is actually the responsible thing to do. I don’t see how that’s incriminating at all. As far as I can tell his eyes are on the ball from the moment he leaps to make the spoil. I’d also suggest both JVR and Ballard misread the drop of the ball as it seems to drift away from the goal post late. Without that late drift of the footy JVR would’ve spoiled it cleanly.

Gunston was an excellent pressure player at his best and had versatility to play on a wing or behind the ball too. I doubt he hardly ever had a game where he was invisible for 3/4’s

Dropping him is radical, but I really think Ross Lyon would do it as he did Milne and Dal Santo one year at the Saints. Otherwise I think Fritsch should be constantly encouraged by whichever methods Goodwin, Stafford, Choco and co have to become a more rounded player. He was late to the AFL system and is only 26, there's no reason why he shouldn't be still improving. And to be fair to him I think he has made some ground this year. Disposals and tackles are both marginally up, goal assists are improving. I just think he can be so much more than what he already is which is clearly a very good player.

1. hit forcibly and deliberately with one's hand or a weapon or other implement. That’s a definition of the word strike. In this case it wasn’t deliberate, and there wasn’t a motion that could be called a ‘forcible hit’. JVR’s arm was out stretched in a spoiling motion. Not a striking motion at all. No part of this collision was a striking motion. If they wanted to charge him with some form of rough conduct I wouldn’t agree with it but I’d understand it. Striking - nope, there’s no strike here. Should be thrown out in 5 minutes.

That would most likely require Schache in as the second ruck. I think we’ll see BBB in. But I don’t mind the idea of Gawn CHF and Petty as the second ruck after centre bounces. Petty would be really valuable behind the ball and as an extra mid and would get more involved in games.

Yep, a couple of times our players stopped very quickly and got told they had taken advantage which isn’t how it’s usually called. Generally players get a fair leeway to stop if they haven’t kicked it

Also Brown missed a number of weeks through injury, it was reasonable to start him back at Casey to make sure could get through a game. As that happened others took his spot and he was ordinary at Casey. Why would that get him his spot back right away? Spargo missed 2 weeks. Players are often sluggish and unsure of themselves when they return from concussions so a VFL hit out isn't unreasonable anyway. Meanwhile JJ played some good footy as the 3rd wing/5th mid/half forward which - whilst not like for like - pushed Spargo down the pecking order a bit. Come finals I think you pick your best possible team and don't get too emotional with selection. And you often back in veterans and guys who you know perform roles. But for round 9 it makes sense to me to pick fit players and reward someone like JJ.

The problem with a Brown and JVR combination is they are both full forwards (as much as anyone is a full forward these days). JVR doesn't find space on the lead and he struggles to out body opponents on long down the line kicks, all his best work is his ability to run and jump at the ball and his defensive pressure inside 50. BBB can come up the ground to contest but we've seen him fatigue badly in that role last year. It's certainly better to have a CHF ahead of him. Petty not going great guns by any means but he's shown the ability to cover the ground and create a contest and he's found a bit of footy on the lead too. At the moment Petty seems to play CHF early in games and then Gawn seems to take that responsibility as the game goes on. As for the backline I still maintain it's transition defending when the ball is on the ground (which can be helped by intercept marks but can also be helped by just being better at it) and the lack of run and skill to move the ball out cleanly that's coughing up scores. Stop butchering the ball or being so predictable with the rebound 50's and we defend just fine. Caboult really got hold of Turner once? May and Lever weren't exactly destroyed. I'm not sure key back is some huge liability.

Hunter’s been progressively worse through the year, apart from the Sydney game and some nice moments late v Richmond he’s had little impact. He’s still best 22 because we have no alternatives but he’s not making us better. Grundy does some great stuff but at any moment he’s capable of giving away a dumb free or butchering it. His early jumping in the ruck tonight could’ve given up 10 frees. My disdain with Fritsch has nothing to do with goals. It’s all about his contested and defensive efforts. He could be the same goal kicker and a far more valuable player if he just bought in to those sides of the game. Oliver was bad against Essendon when the game was there to win and he butchered it against Richmond too. I never expect perfect kicking from him, far from it, but he can’t be a hot potato backwards handballer. He’s the best player in the comp when he goes forward. He’s ineffective when he goes back or gives 30cm handballs

Ahh yes, the time I pointed out that Sparrow’s decision making is one aspect of his game (and the teams) that meant he’s probably unlikely to become an A grader. Then I had 500 notifications calling me stupid. Now I have to defend Sparrow who’s an excellent role player from the same people. Im happy to get worse to get better come round 9. That’s called player and team development.

Out: JVR (rested), Turner, JJ, Fritsch In: BBB, Hibberd (if fit), Spargo, J Smith Happy to persevere with Petty at CHF. There’s no one else on the list who can give a contest and 2 way run. BBB at full forward where he belongs. JVR a rest, get that knee (and elbow) a break. Spargo back in, we need his pressure, smarts and skills. Fritsch out would be a huge call, chuck an injury designation on it if needed, but come on, he can and should do so much more. And if BBB is in we need to make sure we aren’t losing tackle pressure forward, let Joel run around as a hit up and pressure forward

Yep if there’s no short kick then so be it, but otherwise run your full distance and send it as close to the boundary as safely possible. Inexcusable that it didn’t land on Gawn’s head.

Never said I’d sub May or Lever. I would’ve subbed Fritsch or JJ. Hunter is on his last legs, I’m convinced of that.

Probably back on the booze with Harley B. May’s done some good stuff, blanketed King for most of the night. But he’s in panic mode when the ball hits the ground and he isn’t the lock he once was in packs. Other stuff - his desire to fold back to guard the hot spot is somewhat following coaches instructions.

What’s the issue. If you’re going to bother to reply at least pick a part of it and offer a counter

Grundy might have something more to offer if he can be coached up. Hunter, nope, it’s been 8 weeks now of progressively less interest in putting his body on the line or making quick decisions. And his brain is making choices his stumpy little legs can’t cash.

I don’t feel for him at all. If you don’t get a kick for 3/4’s of course you’ll be under the pump late. He had plenty of opportunity to win some of the ball or lay a tackle in the first 90 minutes to get himself in to the game

Hunter’s cooked and Grundy’s a headless chook so there goes our recruits from last year. Fritsch needs a wake up call. Chandler’s struggling with his leg, had no explosiveness in the second half. I thought Oliver had left behind these shocker games in 2020 but he’s had a few this year now. May and Lever madness bubbling along. Petty could help but he gives no offensive drive and that’s how the ball gets stuck at the wrong end. Disco was really coming in to the game late in the 3rd with some intercept marks, not sure they subbed the right guy. When a team turns up the pressure and speed and we can’t get the backline set we’re coughing up goals. And our ball movement just becomes gimmicky or bombing because too few of our players make quick accurate decisions.

Honestly would’ve preferred to lose, because last year showed Goodwin only responds to loses. The lack of leadership and composure out there all night is just hard to believe. That last May kick out was icing on a disgusting cake

No leadership at the stretcher, no surprise

A bit of leadership and bring the players in together FFS