bing181

So would I. Except that Josh Wagner is a back, and Stretch is a ... well, let's say wing. If Jetta and Hibberd are unavailable, who covers for them? We have been using Lewis down there, but he's gone as well, so?

Getting increasingly hard to tell.

Last time I checked, a forward line was made up of more than 2 players.

Frost doesn't have the tank - or anything like it - to play wing. Well documented.

So where does that leave us: so far, Keilty and Garlett gone, Smith and Lewis retired. I think I'm missing someone ... but is there a thread somewhere with the comings/goings?

Also, only played 56% of game time - injured?

Exhibit A: How Conspiracy Theories work.

He did in fact mention the coach - in glowing terms.

This wasn't the only factor that Rawlings mentioned, just one of. Though it makes sense. Also one of the reasons why teams with a serious batch of 200+ gamers tend to do better, especially in finals. You can't buy experience.

Pretty well spelling it out. Sad day. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/danny-frawley-football-world-mourns-a-fierce-competitor-and-vulnerable-soul-20190909-p52pms.html

Having lost a member of my own family the same way, tragic news for all concerned. On all fronts. "He was also popular as a speaker, where he would share stories of leadership, men's health and his battles with depression and anxiety." https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-identity-killed-in-ballarat-car-crash-20190909-p52plb.html

Would be odd to move Todd Viney (or for him to move) just as trade/draft/list management season peaks.

Richmond a class above. If they keep this up, hard to see anyone else having much of a sniff, all that experience really paying off at this level.

He has his own Tour podcast (with George Hincapie) which is popular and successful. He knows what's what.

Not sure, but it won't be for a lack of trying.

Yes. After 8 years with us across almost every role available, he was always going to be looking to step up. Failing a senior coach appointment, senior assistant is a good move for him.

https://pakenham.starcommunity.com.au/sport/football/2019-09-02/bulldogs-pedersen-and-kimber-shine-on-wgfncs-night-of-nights/

If we were engaging him as head coach, perhaps you'd have a point. But we aren't.

Tu Quoque

Yes, and they'd be a reliable, impartial source ...

Presumably O'Mac and Petty come back in for ... whoever. We need some height, and they're the only ones left standing. One goes forward, one goes back, take your pick. Preuss ... maybe, he's been so underwhelming. Depends on Max.

Re Preuss: I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic. On the basis of what we've seen I would have though he has a bit of work to do, but who knows. Re Hore: I agree, he's been a great asset this year. However, my point was simply that great VFL form does not automatically translate to great (or even reasonable) AFL form. Hope both of them turn out useful players for the Dees, fingers crossed.

Isn't it just a question of fitness, an ability to run/work all day at a high level?

Apart from the odd cameo, Preuss has been shown to not be able to bring this form to the AFL. At all. He has been mediocre at best. Reminds me of those clammering for Hore to be brought in after starring at VFL level. We did, and he was one of the worse performers yesterday. (12 disposals at 50%, 4 clangers, 4 marks from someone renowned for his marking, and zero tackles). AFL/VFL are completely different levels, played at a very different pace. Standout performances in one do not always translate to the other (and that goes both ways), and we've seen plenty of players who consistently dominate in the VFL but fail at AFL level. Here's hoping that's not the case with Preuss.

Age and experience play a bigger role than almost anything else. There will always be outliers (bell curve), but it's no accident that premiership clubs are generally not just more experienced, but have experience where it counts (key players, key positions). This also effectively lifts the level in younger players. Regardless of raw ability or even coaching, a 50-gamer in a forward line made up largely of other 50 gamers will not perform to the same level as a 50-gamer playing alongside a couple of 200-game AA'ers.