bing181

Just a reminder that this year's Norm Smith medal went to a guy that was traded for what amounted to a future second-rounder. You don't always have to take big name players to do well out of the draft.

For reasons beyond our control, I don't believe we had the same forward set-up for any two consecutive weeks. That lack of consistency was always going to get found out, especially in finals. You don't necessarily need stars - just look at Collingwood's forward line! But you do need players who really know how to play a role and work together.

Lots of talk about Collingwood this and Collingwood that - though as we showed, they're more than beatable. But if it's one thing we can take from them, it's their ability to do what's needed in the dying moments of quarters. Whether that's a late clutch goal, or shutting down and defending a slim lead, it's the one area in their game that they have over all the other clubs, including ours. Helps having a couple of really experience and skilful players to drive/lead all that, but I hope our FD and players were paying attention.

I don't know ... taking two KPF's as our first choice in the last two drafts, bringing in Schache as cover, using Petty forward, training up J Smith as a forward ... It was injuries plus a suspension that kiboshed those plans. We have the cattle.

Lions only themselves to blame. That 50 to Sidebottom turned the game, but they just looked sluggish when they should have dominated around stoppages.

And not to mention training up Joel Smith as a forward - where he wasn't half bad, at least in the finals.

Not necessarily, the "bring in some fresh ideas" argument seems to have been one of the deciding factors.

Mid contract. Players who've recently re-signed aren't leaving.

Just announced his retirement. Good luck going forward Jimmy. Article on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/wwtfc/posts/pfbid0NEnmVCYCSvejzZMdC2YBdpt5Qtir44jnFAG742Yysq4jLuTqU99MV4ybSCZk7hjPl

There are any number of reasons why Goodwin (like an increasing number of AFL coaches) would prefer to be down at ground level/with the players.

This is just fantasyland. Apart from the fact that most trades involve lower-in-the-pecking-order players, there are in reality very few players who get traded at all. e.g., in 2021 there were 19. As to quality, if we get even one regular first-22 player we'll be doing well.

Already pointed out I know, but some real discrepancies in the voting. e.g., Sheezel won North's B&F, but only 3 x 1 Brownlow votes.

We could have beaten both of these sides. Except that we didn't.

Hard to watch to be honest - could/should have been us out there. The Pies don't look all that invincible, we had their measure. Hope GWS get up all the same.

We weren't to know that BBB and Tommy Mac would be permanently injured/fall off a cliff in terms of form, but we also put time into Smith as a forward. And we did bring in Schache. But then what KPF's were available?

Sure - but Petty plus another year into JVR, they could really do some damage. I feel that our priorities are elsewhere than a KPF, e.g. longer term backup for May + Gawn, plus some on-ballers with decent/elite disposal.

Agree, though for me, not enough acknowledgement of the importance of Brayshaw's absence in the two finals - which we weren't able to cover. He was having his best season for quite a while.

One factor among many. You need everything to go right in finals.

I'm probably not too far off the mark in suggesting that perhaps you haven't spent much time in a rehearsal studio at an elite level ballet company.

Can't underestimate the negative impact of a constantly changing forward line. The best teams have played together for years.

And more of the same (and blaming Goodwin for, er, sticking up for his players in public). Though can't disagree re undisciplined.

Another in the series we need more players who are reliable kicks (dont entirely agree with the comparison, but still ...):

"Angus Brayshaw wants to continue AFL career after latest concussion Angus Brayshaw will have brain scans to guide his path forward after being concussed six times in the AFL. Will he be playing for the Demons next year? Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw has resolved to continue his AFL career despite losing consciousness in his latest concussion." HS Story.

Not at all. The point was made during the commentary for the Pies game re JVR "trying to impose himself", and it's equally clear that Pickett went out with intent to cause damage against the Blues. Similar re Sparrow/Walsh. Young players, will hopefully learn from the experience.

Also covered in On The Couch. I posted in the post-game thread re the impact of Brayshaw being knocked out on at least some of the players: “A strong belief from senior figures still a week on is that the Angus Brayshaw furore derailed their finals pitch,” he said On the Couch. “That the players were shell shocked to witness Brayshaw concussed and laid out cold. So Jacob van Rooyen suspended because he was trying to basically physically intimidate the opposition, the Kossie Pickett first half brain fades this week. Him trying to impose himself."