bing181

Jack's been fine/improving in the second half of the year, and has started to look like a different player. Another pre-season with McCartney and Goodwin and who knows. He isn't the Nick Riewoldt Mark 2 that we'd hoped for, but he's handy with ball in hand - which is more can be said for a lot of our players. I'd take Watts over Howe or Grimes any day of the week. If he's part of a mega-trade, fine, but hard to see that trading him alone would gain us anything much.

Would be public, surely. Odd though.

Trying and getting aren't the same thing. Fingers crossed, either of those would improve our midfield, perhaps considerably.

Then it has to happen off the field first.

Well, it's the Toumpas thread, and not sure of Riley's current contract status, but I'd be surprised if we hang on to him (Riley that is).

Riley.

Confirmed.

And just see things in black and white.

Talk about blooding the kids ... great to see, but going to be some pain. Not all that optimistic, though it's a good call to include the likes of Oscar Mac, White, JKH, Harmes etc.

Has been great for the club, and would/will be even better if a way can be found for him to still be involved. Deserves a decent send-off, has really made something of his 2 years with us. But anyone who can't see that time is catching up with him has perhaps been looking elsewhere. He was never a skilful player, but if on top of that he can't get to contests ... Sure, 39 possessions on Sunday, obviously he was amongst it. But for someone who's hard at the ball etc. etc., only 1 tackle? Viney managed 13, and Vince 10. Let's not also forget that he was already moved on from his previous club 2 years ago, so obviously we're not the first club to be aware of his shortcomings. I can imagine how difficult these calls are, and I'm sure it wasn't easy for the club, but under the circumstances, the right decision. Another spot on the list for someone, but he'll be hard to replace.

For mine, the gaping hole in our list is players who can hit targets. Disposal, disposal, disposal.

There's a difference between a sycophant and someone who comes to the reasonable conclusion that the question doesn't need to be asked.

Sums up a lot of our current woes.

Go read the Casey reports, it's pretty clear. Younger and fringe players aren't being trained to get in the bests at Casey every week, they're being trained and coached to work on their weaknesses and then execute specific roles on match day. It's called development.

Disagree. Like it or not, what you're/we're seeing IS the best. (not helped by injuries ...)

It'll be Brayshaw, Harmes and Dawes - maybe JKH, though not sure who the 4 out would be.

Which he doesn't have at the moment after missing a large slab of the year. 2 or 3 weeks down the track, perhaps, but going by his form at Casey, he's not ready.

Think you'll find it's auto correct. My Brayshaws always end up as Bradshaws.

Don't entirely agree. Finals beckon, and there were quite a few Freeo players need to establish/consolidate their positions.

At quarter time, would definitely have taken that. Battled manfully - well, most of them. Considering that we were missing most of our first-choice midfield for most of the game (Jones, Tyson, Brayshaw) kind of did OK. Good to see a few of the younger players starting to show glimpses. Billy Stretch has what it takes, not only knows how to get it, but knows how to use it. Add him to the list of positives for the season(s) ahead. Gawn continued on in the right direction as well. But. Skills skills skills. Absolutely killing us. Never going to get anywhere when we can't keep possession or hit targets. Would love to see the "goals from turnovers" stat - there were 3 in the last quarter alone.

Tom McDonald kicking!

That covers the kicking, but how about the poor handballs? Grimes has a couple of doozies today - though like his intent and general presence around the ball/contest. Not sure though that we can have both Cross and Grimes in the team ...

Surely not. The 50% disposal efficiency is just a statistical blip.