bing181

The carrot. Keeps him motivated. But ...

Yes. Our problem is though that there's currently a big step down to the next player in line for that dominant forward role. Perhaps with a decent support cast (AJ, Turner ...?) one is enough, but feels kind of thin to me, especially if JVR gets injured.

Disagree. Both teams have some pretty handy players in their forward lines.

Very good. It enables Sicily to go forward, and that should have alarm bells ringing across the AFL.

Isn't this at odds with the medical prognosis? - though I'm lost with it, I understood it was bone stress in his foot, but on the AFL site they refer to his back.

Quite a few positives, but JVR is head and shoulders above any alternatives and we really missed him. Similar story at the other end, we missed either Petty or TMac as big bodied defenders. And up forward, hoping Mentha or Henderson or Sharp can step up, Chandler just doesn’t seem to be able to take that next step and if they’re going to play Kozzie further up the ground …

No matter how many pre-seasons he does, Viney' disposal never improves!

Another goal against Adams ... nothing against him, still learning etc., but bizarre for me that Tom Mac or someone else wasn't included.

Not sure why we wouldn't have taken Tom Mac if Petty wasn't playing? Adams out of his depth at this level, Treacy running rings around him.

Also to provide a chop out to JVR providing a chop out to Max.

Demonland myth. Last year we used 36 players, which is around the AFL average (37).

At the very least, Culley will keep players like Sparrow (and Langford) honest. Pressure on spots is never a bad thing.

Every year there are one or two dumped players who resurrect their careers and become successful at a new club. Hoping that at least one of Henderson or Culley falls into that bracket.

Not what you said 15 months ago though is it. In fact, you were quite enthusiastic about both McAdam and using our future 2nd: and: and:

Odd that you didn't mention most of that when we were looking at him:

Just ridiculous and apart from anything else, nothing but hindsight bias. A few here are going on about how he was always injured at the Crows, but even without playing full seasons he was in their top 3 for goals in 21 and 22. It was absolutely worth taking a punt on a damaging forward and backing in the fitness staff to get him right.

Not at all.

Given the nature of contracts and the trade possibilities these days, we can hold doubts about the long term commitments of all players. Look at how long it took Angus Brayshaw to re-sign, yet it's obvious from hearing him speak since his retirement that he bleeds red and blue, and always did. All we can ask is that players do what they need to and are fully committed for the season at hand. Anything else is a bonus. i.e., Petracca doesn't have to justify himself.

The curse of winning a premiership, and the expectations that followed. 2024 was almost the year we had to have. Let it go, let it go, let it go.

All clubs keep the specifics of fitness programs close to their chests. If you can get 1% extra, why share it around?

Straight out of the Demonland playbook: Demonland: Goodwin's stubborn, he doesn't try different things. Goodwin tries different things. Demonland: Not like that.

Important to acknowledge all that, rather than start blaming the fitness team. Equally, there do seem to have been changes in that area this season - not that any of us would really know, and not to mention that it also comes down to the individual e.g. putting in the work when away from the club.

All-team fitness will be undone not just by a lack of fitness across the board, but by a lack of fitness in even a handful of players. If you're playing players without full pre-seasons (Petty and Oliver), younger players who don't have the fitness depth (as discussed already in this thread), and players who are kind of fit enough to be out there but are carrying injuries or coming back from injury (Lever, probably May, Bowie etc. etc.) ... it's enough to seriously compromise "all team" fitness.

Demonstrably untrue. He played quite a few VFL games across his first 2 seasons. Another good example is Josh Kennedy. Sure, he was playing a handful of games in the firsts each year, but it wasn't till his 5th year that he was able to hold down a regular spot in the firsts. Even in his 4th season he was still playing WAFL games. (and not kicking all that many goals either ...).

Bizarre. You're just confirming what many here are trying to point out - that key forwards take time. As 18 year-olds, the players you cited there weren't even good enough to be drafted, yet alone getting AFL matches.