DeeSpencer

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

He’s going to miss kicks at times but when he has days like this with his hands it’s a killer. Honestly think he plays scared of contact when he has the ball at times which is crazy given how brave he is when winning it, drive forward, give a clean handball, wear a hit.

Oliver’s decision making is just bizarre. He had Tracc running free. Goes backward to Hunter under pressure?

Why? He’s been patchy for 2 years now, needs the message sent

Fritsch to Casey next week please

Terrible inside 50 from Oliver but you’ll take it

Ben King’s second touch, not all May’s fault

Gus letting his man roam free at half forward as usual. Allows the deep inside 50 and you never know what they’ll create from there

Our forward pressure is a mess when he isn’t forward

Anyone who’s watched Disco at Casey knows he’s not a deep defender on big talls. That’s not a fair match up. No 3rd up from Lever either

You can see the hangover from the 90 point win with how many stationary handballs and Hollywood stuff. Pickett cleaning up a very bad decision from Chandler there

If Langdon is getting tagged we could send him forward and use Fritsch on a wing to get him in to the game. Otherwise I’d like to see Fritsch as a lead up half forward and the instruction to kick to the leads rather than bomb it