DeeSpencer

They’d have to embrace being a second option but there’s no way Gawn gets through seasons healthy anymore. He’s not even healthy now! It’s different than sitting behind a 27 year old ruck who’s not going anywhere for years to come.

The dogs have offered Sweet two years to sit behind English who is absolutely in his physical prime and unlikely to miss games. If Sweet wanted to stay he’d sign that already. We can offer him 3 and just about a lock that Gawn won’t play all games or even be playing in 3 years and our lack of key forwards will present opportunities too.

He has all the talent - size, athleticism, skills, but some guys just don’t have the tank for afl footy no matter how much work you put in to them.

Goldy - old, no draft cost, probably looking for a gig that comes with coaching opportunities in the future? Flynn - free agent, will need cash but no pick, career back up? Fullarton - more of forward than a ruck, really poor man’s Luke Jackson. Could have upside with more game time. Hayes - doesn’t lack for talent, Port have never been able to get him fit or trust him to run out a game. If we had Burgo? Sweet - really solid back up, but Bevo never plays him. Wouldn’t offer anything forward. But could carve out a few years as depth and start when needed. Brynn Teakle - looked amazing to start his career but injuries and then sanfl form has been underwhelming. I’d take a flyer on the upside Chol - certainly fits as a forward/ruck. Plenty of talent but not sure he’s a structural player (maybe that’s ok). Preuss - lol 1. Teakle 2. Sweet 3. Fullarton Would be my preference depending on what we do with key forwards. Chol and Fullarton rank higher if we don’t bring in a forward.

Lack of continuity is really hampering him. Burst on to the scene playing some decent footy (probably got up to pace faster than the other 2) and pretty much playing the same level 4 years later. If you got his body right there’s still a combination of pace, endurance and contested ability (especially overhead) to make a good footballer. But with constant set backs his ball use and decision making is a mess. Just can’t see how you’d be brave enough to offer Port the required trade capital to get him when contracted.

I like him. Athletic hybrid forward/ruck. Wouldn’t star, but could prove ok depth and there’s a possibility he finds a role as a tall who uses his athleticism to largely do a role and stay out of the way. Price should be negligible.

The AFC is going to be a bloodbath, there’s maybe 10 really good teams and the 3 stand outs from previous years (Bills, Bengals, Chiefs) might take a step back. I just like the Jets defense and play makers even if Rodgers isn’t great. Probably got too clever in my nfc pick. Thought the SeaHawks defense would take a step forward and Geno could back up last year. Might be eagles, cowboys and niners still as the class of a weak conference. Falcons nearly won the division last year didn’t they? Panthers with a rookie QB. Tampa with Baker. Saints going to the well again with an ageing team and Carr. All Ritter has to do is play point guard for a really good offensive play caller and surrounding talent and the Falcons will be right there if not winning the division. The bears will be bad. Had a stack of camp injuries which ruined their ability to get continuity which they need with something like 11 new starters and new back ups. Defense should be better if they can stay healthy for a month but it’s a bad d line and they need that time together and some bad weather. O Line hasn’t had any practice time together and Fields just isn’t going to be an nfl qb unless he gets Ohio State like time to pick his throws and he’s still a mile off getting that. They got a reality check today.

Divisions winners AFC North: Bengals East: Jets South: Jaguars West: Chargers NFC: North: Lions East: Eagles South: Falcons West: Sea Hawks Super Bowl: Jets def SeaHawks

Jags Packers Titans

I don’t hate it, I’ve wanted Salo in the midfield for years but the issues are; 1. Salem’s struggles have to be related to fitness due to injury/illness impacting his preparation. Moving him on ball seems unwise when he’s already battling to run at half back. 2. Who comes in down back? Turner or Tomlinson? Disco provides a little athleticism, Tomlinson a little rebound, but neither really make the backline faster or more skilful. If we stick with Tracc on ball alongside Viney and Clarry and can get buy with JJ and maybe Woey then the one I’d roll the dice with across half back would be Sparrow because his huge work rate would give us extra transition help and he’s strong in the air. Wouldn’t help with skills but Riv, Bowser and Judd are there for that. Everything should be on the table but as it stands Tracc more forward and hope Viney, Clarry, Sparrow, JJ and others can break even in the middle is what I’d go with.

Would you have given up the Fritsch goal? The right thing to do was to let Fritsch kick the goal, let Gus get off the field and then for Viney and others to make a stand. The flat start was disappointing, but the pies running game is so slick I can see why players were caught out at times. We beat them up around the ball for 3/4’s after that. I’ve said all year we need a Vanders but it’s hard in the modern afl to find an expendable nasty/clumsy player. JVR sat McStay on his backside and he’ll miss next week because of it

I disagree, I think mobile key forwards are the future and whilst a 200cm one would be ideal we really only need a combination like Petty and JVR who can both take a mark or crash a pack despite not being 200cm. The concern is depth behind them and finding a playable ruck option. I would’ve liked someone like Harry Jones for insurance/developmental reasons, if he gets his body right he’s a nice lead up option who could compliment the main man. Obviously his body is a huge risk but it’s a risk I’d have taken barring any better alternatives. Hawkins gets those chances one on one because Cameron draws attention. Same with Daniher and Hipwood. Same with Curnow and McKay. Once you’re bombing it in it’s too late unless you’ve got Levi Casboult and Max King playing together. Sydney had 3 big talls last night, looked awful. Once Parker went to full forward and Amartey got sent to the pine they looked very good.

Out: JVR In: Grundy Out: T Mc In: Woey or Spargo (Tracc forward) Out: Gus In: JJ Possibly Out: Hibberd In: Turner/Tommo (matchups) Got to go with a forward line of; FF: Pickett Grundy Fritsch HF: Tracc Smith ANB Int: Chandler That has mobility and skill around Grundy/Gawn as the long bomb target and Smith as the lead up. If that means a midfield of Viney, Oliver, Sparrow, JJ then so be it. Tommy could actually be a decent sub, coming on fresh when the pace is out of the game.

Perennially injured and can’t kick but he’d at least offer fresh legs on the wing and is strong overhead.

I’d have gone after Harry Jones but his injury history is as bad as most of our talls. New club might’ve helped. No doubt we’ll call Richmond and ask on Lynch but I don’t love the odds of it happening or the odds of him staying healthy. Need to audition some state league or delisted options over summer. Must, must have someone train for a list spot. But classy mids and flankers are more likely and reliable predictable ball movement will incentivise the forwards to lead better and create more hit up marks.

He and Tommy Mc could’ve competed in the senior Olympics at half time. Race with their Zimmer frames

He had a very good first half winning some vital contests. Was far from our worst

One thing we do is on repeat forward stoppages is we drop Gawn out and we pull our wings back and are incredibly defensive in set up. Often allowing the opposition 2 spare at the ball ups. If we sent Max in or sent the wings in (or both) we would be a better chance of scoring from forward 50 entries. We’d also be able to get more effective pressure on the opposition outlet kicks. Which would force out on the fulls or even better rushed corridor dump kicks that can be intercepted either in scoring range or with the option to hit up targets or both sides of the mark. So many times when we have a forward 50 stoppage we end up with the opposition getting a nice long clearing kick that goes to Gawn/May/Lever 60m from goal. That’s a good defensive position to kill counter attacks but a lousy chance of scoring.

Because they get such tremendous burst from stoppage those kicks only have to go to 50/50’s and half decent forwards can snag a few of them. Fritter, BBB and co snagged more than a few in 2021. I’m less of a believer that Viney, Gus and Sparrow can be the 3 alongside them if they all play the majority as mids. We had Gus on the wing but it was also a Harmes miracle kick that set the onslaught going. Maybe we keep all of Viney, Gus and Sparrow as on ballers but Gus is the 3rd winger, Tracc, Viney, Sparrow all play significant forward minutes and that opens a midfield spot for a classy user.

Clarry’s developed his outside running game year on year and it’s important because it gives Tracc someone to one two with even with it ends with poor kicking, but he just hasn’t been near his best since the injury. Thought he played very well tonight but we need him to get back at least to 2021 ball use and ideally to go levels beyond that.

Geelong did this for a decade guys. It takes sustained good drafting and some lucky recruits (easier when you are a genuine big club or destination club) to get out of this. Its the reality of a good side that isn’t and never was a super team. We haven’t jettisoned classy mids or gun key forwards. We lost Jackson, we tried a move to replace. We signed Lachie the stuck in a puddle Hunter we were that desperate for class. The recruiting team surely no what needs to be done. My only criticism is not taking more chances to churn the bottom of the list taking gambles on mature quick runners. But they aren’t easy to find.

He turned his shoulder. Gus turned his shoulder too. The issue is he turned in to Gus, he should’ve spun the other way

Absolutely agree. I will say Riv is trying all the time. McVee was 8 touches a year in the VFL last year, he needs time. Bowey’s often trying, Salem can do more when fully fit. Lever’s taken it on a lot more this year. Our wings just play far too wide and get no penetration, you never see either of them swing corridor. That’s a tactical and recruiting choice. Our backs know the wings are there and use them. We also lost Gus who’s probably our best uncontested disposal on baller. But his kicking doesn’t get value for it obviously.

Midfield don’t run, link and kick with any reliability. So the forwards don’t know how or when to lead. And we know tonight’s group aren’t very good. Need midfield polish. Need key forwards. Need at least another medium forward with class too. Our brand stacks up, can’t throw out the vital importance of strong body contested mids. Just missing someone other than Tracc who can break it open and more guys who can give and get

Correct, but they’ve either done it (Oliver, Pickett, JVR, Bowey and drafted Jackson) or tried it (Butters, Humphrey) nearly every year. If there’s anyone they like at all they won’t be trading backwards out of an early pick. JT’s said many times the best players go at the top.