bing181

Sure. Which only goes to show how little it takes to really fall off the pace. Oh for an in-form Ben Brown as a forward focus, and the duo of doom in Lever and May (who was clearly playing injured tonight?) down back, and a Gus Brayshaw holding everyone and everything together. Yet alone a 2021 Clayton Oliver, or a Jack Viney playing in a game style that suits him. Then there's Jackson, who not only held the fort when Max was off but effectively gave us extra midfielder. Them's big losses, and we're paying the price.

A few good signs, probably all we can expect for the moment. Decent performance across the ground, marred by a few costly errors (May and Gawn dropped marks), the younger players struggling a bit, Windsor hasn't been himself since returning, Langford can't handball to save himself, Lindsay getting too easily out-bodied, etc. etc. But tackles, clearances, contested possessions all trending in the right direction. However: This was supposed to be the breakout year for JVR, unfortunately it's close to his worst. Add the injury to Jefferson, Johnson not there yet (if he'll ever be?), and Fullarton improving but ???, and we have a forward line that is a long way off kicking enough goals.

Not sure astonishing is the right word, but damning all the same. The figures for Oliver confirm what the eyes are saying, which apart from anything is sad to see. Regardless of whatever else is going on, lower tackle and contested possession count is rarely going to be a positive.

Corrected ...

Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Happy with the changes, Lindsay in is a plus, and backing the players in to get the job done sends a strong internal message on what's expected. The idea that we have fringe and developing players running round in the two's who'd make any more than a marginal, move-the-deckchairs difference is just delusional.

Casey have only played 3 games and Fullarton was leading goal kicker in one.

Linsday back, Rivers into the mids, Petracca forward. Stability is good, it's been a selection merry-go-round up till now which is disastrous in terms of game plan etc.

Played like rubbish for a whole season?

It’s not fitness. On one of the footy shows someone made the comment that across the AFL all clubs do more or less the same thing and all players have more or less the same level of fitness. People are just clutching at straws.

Given you’re the one making the claim and given that very detailed fitness and biometric data exists on every player in the AFL, yes. But thanks for confirming that you have no such data to back up your assertion.

So it’s not about whether it’s useful as part of an overall training program, it’s what it looks like. I.e. it’s all performative and they’re not performing “failing football team” to your liking. Perhaps you could drop past training with some hair shirts?

You have figures to back that up?

If being 0-4 isn't proof that "this side can't play a different style that is competitive with the modern game", then I don't know what is.

... and Sydney Swans:

Not the point. The point is these kinds of practices are common-place across the AFL. Because they work as part of a balanced approach to training and in particular, recovery. It's not soccer vs skills training, it's soccer vs laps of the pool or time on an exercise bike. I posted the Zaharakis one as an illustration of the above and because he covered the when and why well in the context of an AFL team's training program, but there are plenty of other examples. Here for your viewing pleasure, Adelaide AFL players playing soccer. https://www.tiktok.com/@adelaidefc/video/7390734002149248264

I think also that one of the issues here is the loss of leadership and through that, a loss of cohesion and connection, both on-field and off. I've heard on multiple occasions that Gus wasn't so much a leader per se, but the glue that helped hold everything together. Similar for ANB. The absence of Lever isn't helping. You can see players like Chandler trying to step up, with some success, but it will take time.

No, because he's working with the same players with the same strengths and weaknesses. The list needs to be built in terms of game style, a coach can only work with what he has at his disposal. On the other hand, you can remodel the list on the run by bringing players in: the drafting over the last 2 years clearly shows (to me at least) that the club is well aware of the issues and well aware of what's needed. The natural evolution of these younger players will help turn the ship around, though in an ideal world you'd want to bring in experienced players as well - which once again, we've started to do with for example Billings (elite kick, regardless of his various shortcomings), and Sharp (outside run). A Butters would be the icing on the cake (cough), though not sure how realistic that is, perhaps there might be others looking to move.

No.

"Monday (two days post game day) we’ll do a light run around session where we test everyone’s heart rate to see how their fatigue is going. Then we do a skill-based session in preparation for our main training session that week. This might include some light touch drills, a kicking circuit, a handball game or some weeks we might play soccer or American football. The purpose of the session is to get the body moving." David Zaharakis.

Fairly in depth commentary on the Dees on First Crack, with the usual damning footage of players just banging the ball on their boot. Oliver and Viney main culprits. Not sure how we get out of this with this list, though the list can grow and evolve over the season - if we can get some of the next gen players on the park and keep them there.

I just don't get why people post things that are demonstrably untrue and not difficult to check: "Spargo recently made his long-awaited return, facing Sandringham in a VFL practice match." https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1729810/charlie-spargo-the-road-to-recovery

I hope to god he never tells the truth about our injuries. The last thing we - or our opposition - need to hear is who's carrying what injury etc. etc.

If the Lions' list was more injured than fit every season (which apart from being a hyperbole is demonstrably untrue), then that would be the responsibility of their High Performance Manager, Damien Austin. Who has been there for 10 years, including for their premiership.

Like who? AMW out for the season, Lindsay, Lever and Hore injured, Howes not doing it … there are only so many small defenders on the list. About the only one left might be Seston, but is he up to AFL standard and fitness?