DEE fence

I have a bar of soap for you (Maximus-'are you not entertained' Gawn says Hi) to wash your mouth out, but seriously I have been wanting to post something similar. Turner has been a slow burn no doubt, but I really think he has something too. In the way Josh Kennedy 'seemed' to take a while to really hit his straps, the more Turner plays the more I think he is the proverbial ugly duckling, and will go onto great things.

If the media had any cred, they would have acknowledged just how many Melbourne fans travelled to what was billed as a 5:1 against contest, but it goes against their gormless tropes. Very happy for you, you guys did us proud I definitely took notice of the strong cheers squad presence. Enjoy cloud 9.

I think I prefer Fritsch as the sub if we see that sort of effort, was a different player.

Is just as much fun giving it to the Essendon ones! I have a list if you need.

I haven’t given up either, of course it’s unlikely, JVR being off is a massive disaster, this time last year I thought he had blue sky in front of him. But all that said, we have serious talent, all of our starting 18 would get a gig at any other team ( not sure I could say the same about the bench) This really makes me think it is a matter of confidence and we are all searching for that bottle shop. Ignore the footy shows and sen, they will just pump up your MFCSS. Personally I think Fritsch needs a bigger sabbatical and Trac needs to be told to stop shirking set shots.

I knew this would get a run

All or individually of Kozzie, Rivers & McVee > than LJ. No way do I want to lose any of them. We currently have a couple of blokes who all make great rebounding defenders, and Kozzie who is dynamite in the middle. I know we are bleeding for a forward. LJ on the other hand, mailed in the 2nd half of '22 with us, which I was quite dirty about. Look how Danger played his heart out for Crows before jumping to Cats. I get the jumping but not choosing to offer sub par performances when we were right in the window. Who would I offer up? Sparrow, JVR, Petty (although I would hate to lose him), Tholstrup(Personally I think this kid is going to be better than Bedford or Jordan), Salem, Laurie, Fullarton, Spargo Billings or Howes, even Fritsch. I know that seems mean, but we are not going to get something for nothing anyone else not mentioned I consider essential or would be laughed at. But the three I named i think still have great upside. LJ chooses when to go and I don't love it.

In the MFC article it said the symptoms were reported by Viney at training, not because of a training incident. Had the same worry, would think 10 days from WC match, but not a Dr and TBH if he needs it take a extra game, Have never ever seen him play up a knock, he looked like he felt it in game.

Serious question, I know a summary is given Pretty lucky to only cop a week, Concussion = high impact, Viney is a big loss, has been a major part of our high pressure ratings over the last month.

I looked up the NFL, there are a few guys who touch 37km/h (in game play, not on a track) and they were 88kg, 173cm. types, some of the 20m times for the 120-150kg guys are just scary. not saying we go to that extreme, but one of things we've liked about AFL is that all body types used to be able to play. Maybe as tactics evolve some other body shapes come in. whether a coach could survive the development cycle is a question, maybe try it out in the VFL first.

The obvious thing against my hope for a return to the hefty but accurate KPF, is that with zone defenses being so tight, not going to get many 1v1s, the Jake Levers (please god heal his ankle) will spoil the party. I would however have a caveat that I see my loveable fatty also trying his luck from 45-60m not trying to win a mark 20m out in a huge pack. Max never has a big crowd around him when he's at the 50, not the same closer to goal. A proper forward with this range would be a nightmare. Pity the ANB type who has to do his defensive running though for his fat mate.

I was thinking at least 5 kg, but also more 'explosive' sprint work than endurance running. It is a long time since I did PE theory at school (Bob Hawke was PM), but I seem to remember that you can convert fast twitch to endurance but not the other way around, and that someone like Ablett had a higher % of fast twitch muscle fibres than your average bloke. I am convinced there is still space for a stay at home FF if you had the right bloke, (that is not just magical thinking - Aaron Hamill, Cloke (still feel sad for the bloke that he got the yips) could just clear a path and this is not so long ago). I even think as much as Jeremy for the cats is a great field kick and has a tank etc, he is a very hot and cold goal kicker, I'd give a little bit and keep him closer to FF (I know we could argue what his true position is). I would love to see some experimentation, hell, the seppos have embraced Australian punters, if they can we can look for something, we can too. I remember going to the footy to watch David Neitz and if he bombed one from 55 early in the game you knew we were in for a good day. People love the booming set shot. I also think Chocco's approach while theoretically correct, is too 'cooky cutter' expecting everyone to perform the skill the same way. I'd like to see an approach on what works for the individual. I feel like Fritsch already gets a pass (on defensive efforts) because of his set shot ability but I would wonder if a KPF could also get the same hall pass. I also think Fritta needs to be super consistent on his returns or he is going to have to grind more.

I also think that this can be a flat spot (if you call 28 disposals a game flat) that he finds his way out of. I really feel all this media is about playing with his perceived worth, when everyone knows he's an AC Cobra with minor panel damage. I like how Brad Green is pressing on this.

I feel like an amateur fan compared to you, contacting the list manager to give an ear bashing is next level, respect!

I always thought Zak Butters and Ramsay Bolton had a certain affinity... would love Zak at Melbourne fwiw

I loved the steel in Goodwin's voice, would like to see more of this push back.

Better than Nicholls that is for sure.

So I have a theory about the drop off in standards for goal kicking (from set shots) over the last 20 years. Players have become too skinny. When you look at a list of the great goal kickers the only real athletes were Buddy, the erratic Richardson and Riewoldt (who is on my merde list at the moment). Lockett, Dunstall, Ablett, Wade, Hudson and Coventry all had large backsides used to great effect. Even our own Neitz and Jackovich had some weight to throw around. Across a century of great goal kickers, by far and away the best are the heavy set blokes. I would be curious if we allowed a JVR to be 5-10 kg heavier as the main KPF, and reduce slightly his defensive obligations whether this could see a more composed set shot. Instead of looking like Marvel action heros with 3% body fat, I think there is some merit in heavier, more explosive, players good for bursts. The difference is I think, that they are doing too much defensive running to properly get the HR down for a good shot and they feel the rough and tumble more being thin. Again this is for set shots not in play shots on goal. I find it hard to see any other factor across the time period that could cause what is basically a regression in set shot ability when training has become so elite and so professional.

I rewatched the 2024 game (we kicked 5 goals to nil in the first term), a couple of things stood out. We were playing nearly the same style as this year, we were playing with a lot of confidence, our skills looked slick and we just pantsed them. Watson also missed his first 4 shots on goal. Also Lever was proppy from the start and May got clobbered - which means I don't give up hope that our defence can hold together for this week. Anyway what stood out - we are obviously a confidence team, in many ways I have been guilty of thinking we were past the need for 'confidence'. But if there was a single thread to pull on, it is not game style or our list but confidence. This is super frustrating, because I think our list is better than 2024, Lindsay and Langford are such upgrades on Billings and Hunter etc. But I really back our ability to bring pressure, we are a top 4 side at pressure when we are on.

Was initially underwhelmed by Garry, not that I missed Robbo, but felt he has found a tempo. But several of the segments have definitely added value. Razor's edge should have been done 20 years ago, as annoying as he is, he can explain a decision and I love the way Garry pushes yet is prepared to concede when a point is well made. Simmo and Horse are just gold and you can tell Gerald is wetting himself with the content. (and just quietly they show King up regularly, would much rather here what Simmo/Horse has to say), because they are not having a bet each way. They tell you what you gain for a move and what you lose. That said First Crack, which after Tom was given the flick improved out of sight is awful when Jay is on, click baiting lines straight out of the mid week tackle rubbish (I only watched once as it was a News.com circle [censored]), That The Front Bar is still more watchable than all the 'serious' 7&9 swill is an indictment of TV production today. And the FB frequently misses as well but at least no one is taking themselves too seriously. Sorry random thoughts as I trawl media for stuff on the Dees

Personally trusting Ghost Writer on this one!

I know the Hawks look like the Harlem Globe Trotters against the Tiges, but I think now that we have found our contest (we've been running the pressure factor ~200 for weeks now). We will be a very different proposition. Will Day is a massive loss for them and I can't help but feel sad for the young bloke remembering Trengove, and the drama Viney had getting back (We/He were so lucky), any way with Day out and Sicily finding his clown hat again we are a red hot chance. Our kryptonite is still confidence shooting for goal, I haven't seen anyone else talk about it but Trac looks like he is visibly panicking when he is taking a set shot, Gawn not far behind. This needs coaching damn quick and is unacceptable because I think Trac is avoiding shots he should be taking. And I think if the leaders are nervous it can be a cancer for other players. If we bag a few early I feel like we are likely, but a repeat of our 1st quarter shanks will see the game gone. I want Duke on the wing or midfield, I understand the desire to turn him into a rebounding weapon, but he's not there yet. McVee had a super solid win in a 3 v1 situation, he's coming good. Rivers had a much better game and almost convinced me that the midfield is his thing but I would keep him back against the hawks. Bowey/Salem, I think will get torched by Watson/Ginnivan so not sure how we play those guys. If windsor has the defensive ability I would sacrifice his offensive run (even though I'm contradicting myself about moving him forward, but I think defending Hawthorns smalls is the game, as I reckon we'll have enough entry to kick a winning score.

I honestly thought it was a young man who was a bit over excited playing at ‘home’ so to speak, the glimpse is that he tried his heart out and never stopped, will be better.

In agreement I think, I thought Chandler would be playing the ANB role, however in a ‘weight for age’ comparison I think Chandler is a better kick than ANB at this stage of his career. This is no knock on ANB who never ever stopped working to get better and had a Phar Lap sized heart.

@GS_1905 This was a drivel story from Jake and really undone by it's own use of stats, Oliver has clearly improved on his '24 season averages, and has been in a a 2-5 team this yer as against the salad days of 21/22/23. In answer to your question about journalist ethics. I really think some lobby for a trade that does their mates/clubs a favour in these type of articles, not just reporting the facts. The Geelong trade was awful - really I would rather Oliver sat on the pine than pay for him to play for Geelong or get a really average draft pick for a player that over the journey has been phenomenal. King and Co are saying he is done, pffft, we need a much larger sample size, Oliver has plenty left and I think this handball focused gameplan suits him to a tee. I would like to see his tackle numbers go up though. He copped a leg injury last week, I see no reason not to manage a player or two against WCE on what is a big hard ground.