DeeSpencer

Harsh on Bowey, he was a bit rusty early but finished with 22 touches and 10 intercepts. I thought the longer it went the better he went, and even though they weren't good players Carlton did replace 4 half forwards with 4 fresh players. There's every indication Bowey will grow in to a very good player in the Salem role, he's just a second year kid. Similarly Tommo looked much better when not against McKay, and he's missed a year. He'll be at his best when allowed to play CHB on the less dangerous talls. Which is the same as Petty. Petty v a full fit and in form Tomlinson, I lean Petty but it's a discussion not a clear choice. At least that's one position where the choices are both solid, rather than a choice between guys we have no confidence in at AFL level. Brayshaw got better with the pace out of the game too, but if he's used at half back he has to be told to stick to a man like glue until a kick comes in. Was giving huge amounts of space. Think that's just a break glass if needed role for him. We definitely need more 22-25 year old midfield and flanker depth though, particularly some guys with some size.

I doubt it's tapering. I hope it's mostly mental, knowing we had a great hit out the first week, then a few players out opening a deficiency (last year it was no Viney, Gus or Oliver killing our midfield v Dogs). The concern is last year we started the reason without playing great footy but with a lot of desire to grind out wins. This year there's pressure to play well AND to win. The players have to all focus on not putting the cart before the horse and knowing what we need to do to win games rather than to expect champagne footy.

I'm annoyed that we've knowingly kept 3+ list cloggers on our list rather than gone and chased midfield, half back and half forward depth. Players that you can find in the state leagues and players that other teams have found in the SPP period. Not much we can do about that now though. Game plan wise I maintain that we just aren't sharing and running with the ball to full capacity. Everything is too straight lines and bomb it. That worked last year, but you have to adapt and build. Bowey, Lever and Tomlinson started to settle down in the 2nd half, that was good to see. With more quality back in against the Dogs the backline should be far better. Midfield probably couldn't play much worse. Oliver and Petracca do play such a physical style though so I can see why if they're a little bit off they kind of drop away. Just not convinced by our depth though. JJ was a great story last year but he's kind of meh. And Sparrow unfortunately doesn't look to really have made a big leap. And Harmes in Harmes, useful, but not exactly getting any better. Forward line is the real worry though. Ben Brown fell back down to earth after a great effort last week. Jackson hasn't made a lot of progress in terms of clunking marks and it can't be easy having to switch positions so much. And Tom McDonald is so feast or famine from contest to contest. You just don't know if he'll clunk a mark or hit a target or if he'll let his man gallop away from him with ease.

Think this one is against Peanut McDonald and not Tracc.

Kind of funny that Fritsch is one of our better players on their non preferred

He’s not being impartial he’s been overly negative. It’s unprofessional.

Turner on, wonder who’s off

We play so direct it really exposes the backline if the forwards and mids aren’t on. If this was a real game I’d hope the message from Goody would be tempo and spread. Bomb bomb bomb is such bad footy

Joel Smith has talent and a potential role but it’s got to be being used in space and on smaller opponents. He has elite athleticism and movement. He doesn’t have any idea how to use his body to shift bigger forwards who can out reach him. As a 7th defender who does a bit of everything he’s interesting. As a full back he’s hopeless

Not having another mid sized marking forward on the list is an oversight. Not counting the super collectors in Melk and Brown

Our big guns are a bit off and we’re mucking around with it inside 50. Plus the backline is the backline. Nothing too concerning so far, really it’s the result of winning a game by 80 points. Advice for the inside 50’s is take the easy ones. Advice for the backline is stick more defensive then worry about rebound or intercepting.

Sure but it’s a new rule and preseason, someone has to stuff up so the others have seen it

Baker in a different role was worth a go but the backline isn’t it. Half forward next (at Casey)

Jordon stiff. Free kick was rubbish and we’ve got away with walking up as we returned the ball for years. Viney is Viney.

Not a great start for the ‘Fritsch is a top 50 player in the game’ fans

I’d give him a run in the last quarter with a few stints in the ruck. Otherwise the first choice guys need 3/4’s of solid work

Who you taking out from Jackson, McDonald and Fritsch?

Laurie and Dunstan sightings

Carlton fans would've been elated to see Juddy back kicking goals at Princes Park.

Yes, but they pretty clearly just slotted players in to open spots to fill 26. Would've been very weird to see him actually play given the tall forwards and rucks are all settled. Unless they were finally going to roll the dice on him down back. Can rule out Bedford too by the sounds of things. So down to 24. One of Baker, Chandler or Turner plays, the other 2 are probably the emergencies who might come on late or for injuries.

It’s very Geelong for their new CEO to have started a scheme that pays women outside the soft cap then to sign up the best available (by a mile) woman. I see works are underway at the stadium but they must nearly be due to announce another phase to the upgrade there.

You’re correct, I was just keeping it brief. Protocols is all I know

We played our best available side last week. 2 players (Lever, Fritsch) were sore and 1 had covid (Viney) We’ll play our best available side now, a week later. 3 players (May, Hibbo, Salem) pulled up sore, 1 is injured. Then in round 1 we’ll pick the best side possible and of course a lot of fringe players will miss out. 4 of the 26 likely won’t play tomorrow unless there’s injuries or need for fresh legs late. May, Salem and likely Hibbo (Smith and Hunt a chance to pinch his spot if he’s not cherry ripe) will come back. Just as Viney, Lever and Fritsch came back this week.

You mean a repeat of last years strategy of picking our best possible 22 without risking injured/sore players? We’ve picked our first choice midfield and forward line, unfortunate a few defenders pulled up sore otherwise we would’ve picked them too.

5 of our premiership backline out! Tomlinson, Hunt and Smith fill 3 spots. Harmes listed back, but it might be Brayshaw come game day. Weideman, Turner or Baker perhaps the 7th defender.