bing181

We'll have to wait for the book, but from recent revelations, that may not be the case. Also, it wasn't just the group that was fractured, it was the whole club. Remarkable what a difference it makes when from the President down everyone is on the same page. (Not saying it wasn't right to move Goodwin on, but at least the incoming powers that be - as well as various incumbents - understood that our failings didn't start and end with Goodwin.)

Don't disagree, but the counter argument would be that if you want to fast-track his development you leave him in the ones. The pressure and speed of the game is so much more intense, and I don't know how much he'd get out of the lower-intensity VFL. Similar argument for XT, though as a defender it becomes more much about positioning, focus etc., in which case some games at Casey could be of benefit. Equally, he was fairly dominant in his last Casey game, so once again, not sure.

Learnings ...

Playing the kids, great, but wish we had a Hibberd or Jetta down back to steady the ship. Taylor, Howes, Tholstrup ... nothing that 50 games won't fix, but going to be a bumpy ride.

Will be a better indicator of where we are than the following week against Sydney. Consistently beating sides below us on the ladder would be the first confirmation that we're on our way, rather than still finding our feet. Definitely a danger game.

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A lot more than half.

No we don't. I can't be bothered going through it again, but have a look at the top 8 teams and see where their forwards coach came from. (Or any of their coaches for that matter.) The myth that you need a forwards coach for the forwards is just that - a defender has MUCH more exposure to different forwards and forward line systems across a career.

Unless there's a turnaround with Adams, I would have thought that a key defender would be high on the shopping list. Also any mid that adds to what we have. Butters would be the dream, but it's a long queue and I wouldn't have thought that we were near the front of it. Similar for Humphrey, if he leaves GC he'll be naming his price.

Me too. I didn't get that he was suggesting that Petty was faking it, just a query re concussion and was putting other possibilities out there. They actually went back through the tape and could only find a possible head knock back in the 2nd quarter, but even that looked fairly innocuous.

Doesn't necessarily make it less real. Will have to wait for the club, though they may prefer to protect the player.

AMW in? Also Lindsay back after his managed week. You would imagine Tom Mac for Petty, but it's starting to say something that after all this time we can't turn to Adams.

And ... In spite of all the talk about game plans etc etc, I'd suggest that so much of what we're seeing is anchored in great leadership and good man-management. King is obviously smart and knows his footy, but it's his relationship with the players and the other coaches and staff which is the key. Also that from the President and the Board down, everyone is on the same page. Just makes a world of difference.

Massive vindication of the changes that were made last season through the leadership of the likes of Guerra, Smith, Green and I suspect, Richardson, perhaps others on the Board and in the FD. OK, early days, long way to go, but we're starting to see the results of the new broom. I thought that King's "I want this to be a place where players look forward to coming to work each day" was almost a throw away line or a given, but it clearly goes much deeper than that. Well done those people.

Players with 5 disposals or less till half time: Windsor, Laurie, Sharp, Taylor, Jefferson, Chandler, Heath.

Defence all over the shop. Is it because Turner is on Rainer, leaving Petty and Lever to handle the other talls? Whatever it is, not a lot of synchronicity.

Now where have we heard that before ...

Fantastic for him and for the club. The future. Does surprise me a bit, because I didn't think that he'd debut against the Lions forwards, talk about baptism by fire. Equally, the cupboard is bare so he gets his shot. Go well young man.

Maybe. But in 2024, the year he was re-signed, he won our Best and Fairest, we'd just lost Brayshaw and we were about to lose Neal-Bullen. Also, if some of what's recently come out is true, Goodwin (and others?) wanted to move on Oliver and Petracca as well. We were desperate for leadership on fiield and off, not to mention what he brought to the on-ball brigade. A 3 year extension on top of the one he had is perhaps a year too many, but if that's what it cost to keep him, fine. It's also a recognition of what he's given to the club, and keeps him around the place across our transition. James McDonald says hi.

Don't think we'll get another season out of Melksham. Or perhaps even much of this one. Which is a shame, when he's up and about he still has a lot to offer.

"Trent Rivers continues to manage a knee concern and will remain on the sidelines over the next fortnight. “Trent has been dealing with ongoing knee soreness,” Griffith said. “We’ve continued to work with him to ensure that he can get back to the brand of football that we all love to see from him. “Unfortunately, after the match simulation on the weekend, he’s pulled up with soreness, which means we’ll now focus on reconditioning his strength and power over the next two weeks.”

It goes a lot deeper than that. He'll end up at the Dogs, outside chance Geelong for the same reasons. Everything else is just blah blah.

Interesting to see Essendon's Jacob Farrow take the Rising Star nod this week. 22 disposals and 12 marks. Was taken one pick before Xavier Taylor, just behind Robey.

Seriously credible from what I've read. Grew up around Bacchus Marsh (family still there I believe), went to Maribyrnong College, played for the Western Jets and supported the Dogs as a kid. If he's leaving SA to come home ...

So do half the league. From what you read, the Dogs are so far in front of everyone else for him it's all over bar the shouting.