3183 Dee

It’s an interesting article and provides a more balanced look at things. A lot of the recent supporter frustration and feelings of “guttedness”(!) comes from the fact that we have not recaptured our 2018 form yet, especially after such a disastrous year in 2019 and the promise of the off season. The Hogan argument is pertinent - yes, he was not playing towards the end of 2018, but he had played for the majority of the campaign (to great effect) as a mobile forward, with stints going through the midfield and wing. This was actually a master stroke, as it gave him more touches of the ball (which we knew helped him, from previous campaigns). It also serves to throw the opposition defensive structures off, which helped us going forward. There’s no harm in trying Tomlinson as a half forward as he is a good mark, but he will need to step up the defensive side of his game, which has been sorely lacking in recent games.

To add: I think Neitz was at Hawthorn for a while, but certainly was around the club for the 2018 finals. He’d be perfect for mentoring, you’d think.

Probably because they wouldn’t have towed Goodwin’s party line and picked faults in his game plan!

Also, the main reasons that their quick, aggressive game works is: - they have great hand and foot skills. - they have players who will spread quickly from the contest, giving multiple options to the ball carrier. - their midfield runs incredibly hard both ways. This year, they have been off their game but when operating even close to their best, are devastating. We do have the cattle to match them, but until we can tick off the above points consistently, we will be playing a 2nd rate version of their game style.

What?! I’m sorry that you are so cynical.

Very tough mate - my parents in England live next door to my sister and her 4 kids - they haven’t been able to give the kids a hug for about 3 months now. Crazy times - I wish you and your family all the very best.

Ha! No - it was a Melbourne supporter, who was about to go into lockdown away from his grandkids - weird huh?!

Good luck OD - enjoy your evening with the family. By the way - did you call in to SEN today? Breakfast Show?

When can you start?!

I think Clarko is probably referring to list possibilities - truth is, with our list, we should be making finals.

I caught almost all of the interview - have to say, he sounded exhausted! I admire his chutzpah in maintaining the previous commitment to finals this year: he could’ve gone down the COVID excuse line. To add to Lord Nev’s question above, I’d also ask what the ramifications are to the coaching side of things, should we not hit our target? Would it depend upon how close or far away we end up?

Saty, the current group in charge are not doing a very good job. That is a fact. Supporters have every right to air their opinion and suggest changes or ideas. Especially when they are being asked to shell out hard-earned coin on top of their annual membership, to help bail the club out. A club that has given very little the other way, in terms of value for money, over recent years.

Maybe they are ‘yes’ men?

Yes - there is an excuse every year: change of coach; youngest team in the comp (a few times); injuries and now COVID. Other teams seem to rise above these problems or at least look like it. We can’t, as a club, keep looking for the next excuse to validate our mediocrity. We have a core of very good players just about to hit their prime. It really is now or never.

Chandler’s goal was a beauty - also some great pressure by Spargo leading to the last goal.

Goodwin said in his presser that Bennell got on the scoreboard.

Agreed - there’s no point to keep chopping and changing. Keep Lockhart and keep Rivers - both will be key components of our defence going forward. In fact most of the guys from Sunday are the right players, they just need (a) game time together (b) to be played in their best positions and (c) to be given a coherent system.

It must be something to do with keeping the turf in decent condition, otherwise you’d think we could do it. Every single other club has their own training ground, as we are aware! We wouldn’t be to train on it during the summer, tho’.

I’m gutted - I was looking forward to that. Has just made me hate Bombers even more.

That’s a very good way of putting it - both the supporters and players alike! That first quarter was so good - almost like a kid riding a bike on their own for the first time: it goes so well until they realise they’re by themselves, then crash!

We couldn’t have got Green - as a GWS Academy player, the Giants were always going to take him, even if their hand was forced by us bidding on him.

That’s unkind.

http://Last year we would’ve lost that game: Melksham Erm...except we played Carlton last year and exactly the same thing happened! And Gold Coast?!

Fantastic, balanced post. As an Englishman, though, I have to say that the managerial merry go round in the football league (often on the whim of an egocentric chairman) is probably too far the other way.

Take your point, but Clarkson and Simpson have both won GFs and Buckley has gone as close as possible.