John Crow Batty

One thing I noticed is that he slowed down a bit with his lightening quick disposals in the packs which used negate instantaneous pressure on him. That’s where the loss of impact comes from IMO. And also a slight decline in his pace. I saw him give up on several chases on Saturday where he could have done better.

Many were hoping that Goodwin would give JVR some relief this season to concentrate exclusively on his forward craft. Does not appear to be the case.

Actually Treacy and JVR’s contested marks stats in their first 3 seasons are very similar. JVR 45 games for 40 contested marks. Treacy 36 games for 32 contested marks. Both have had long periods of regular stinkers whilst developing. Tracey now is not the player he was a couple of seasons ago. All we can hope is JVR to track the same path.

I take some heart in Josh Treacy coming of age at Freo and hope for JVR. Virtually a carbon copy for JVR in the way he plays. It took him until his 4th season to become a regular player. The difference is Freo had the luxury of playing him in the WAFL during his first three seasons when his form was inconsistent. JVR is getting regular games without performing because we have no other option.

I always believed it was a big mistake hiring Jones as midfield coach. If he has any coaching ability he should have learned his coaching chops elsewhere.

Oliver back in jogging mode.

Looked nice a nice young supremely talented kid when he first started. Now swaggers around like a gangsta rapper. Looking for a Hogan like redemption is a big gamble. We need some stability to balance out the unwise heads still at the club.

Our defence used to pride itself in keeping opposition scores under 60 points. Now we can’t even score near that low number.

Not sure but dark mode might be better for battery life.

Danger is that it might turn out a like for like.

A couple of decades ago the Italian football team were bagged for playing the ultra defensive physically aggressive “Catenaccio” game. It was not pretty fast flowing football the critics told us. It was boring and a blight on the game. That said it brought Italy two World Cup victories and they were one of the most dominant world teams for decades. Then they changed their game to be more attacking and attractive in the modern style and duly became just another average team which can’t even make the World Cup competition any more.

Jones was a one trick pony as a midfielder. See ball, grab ball, barge out of congestion or go to ground for a stoppage. He was no elite quick minded distributer with peripheral skills. I fail to see what he can offer new to revitalise the midfield. Then again as I have said before he has to deal with four huge entrenched ego’s in the midfield more or less shaped into a similar style of play may not want to listen to a newbie coach what ever his methods might be.

The cats just love playing weak dispirited and fractured sides down there. They will be merciless. 186 is in play.

This season reminds me of 2007 when we went into the doldrums for over a decade. I now dread our encounter against WC on May 3rd. Glad I pre booked two overseas trips over the course of the season. I won’t be buying into the WatchAFL app when away.