DEE fence

Is it off the Hawks or Clarkson? (I would mention Jeff but that might come across as political ;-)…)

The club video with Lever doing his recovery was informative, he made it clear he struggles for touch when he returns and was trying to remedy it. I actually thought with that in mind and thinking of other returns, he wasn't as 'rusty' as he normally was.

Chin's delivery inside 50 was superb: Hard Flat Passes

Waiting for Kingy to retract his Oliver is unlikely to be an A grader again.

Pickett Gawn Oliver Trac Salem Langdon Apologies to Turner, Lindsay, Rivers, McVee in fact most of the team. Pretty damn excited to be able to name Salem, as Coach Ted said… now we have two aces. Gun rebounding HBx2, exactly what you need as a finals team.

AJ has presence, and is a great 2nd ruck. I also like his positioning and he runs with the fall of the ball. I sincerely hope JVR comes good, but the way AJ is moving when the ball is on the deck applies pressure that JVR doesn’t bring. He still ball watches, after he feels the contest has past him, AJ keeps moving regardless, it’s valuable. And his nouse to tap rather than take possession should get more credit, kept ball alive. Oh by the could the previous Petty haters (apart from STFU) apologize, all that garbage about him not being invested.

Better, Kozzie is a disrupter of opposition composure. The way Max takes long down the line out of the equation, Kozzie puts the fear of God into rebounding defenders. Jurrah a better mark, but everything else Kozzie.

Am a bit stressed about Viney, I know we all think he is made of stone, but three weeks suggest his bell was well and truly rung. Thinking he could be a bit longer still than what the club is saying. Don't love that symptoms were delayed and while it was a decent hit, it wasn't the biggest we've seen him wear. Am worried he's getting to the stage where he is just more susceptible.

Fair point, I think Gawn is maxxed out (sorry) with MMM, I love Melk's no BS approach to questions in the media recently. Of the AFLW crew I'm not sure who is the slickest media performer, well Bannan is a fave player (her running is electric) Eliza and Kate seem media savvy. Of the other blokes, Lever or Rivers can hold a sentence together without using every cliche under the sun, some forward/back tension would be good too. I presume someone like GW would have more of a clue on who could keep their end of a microphone up.

I miss Gus and Gawn, I get that its time has passed, but I really would like to see another - I propose to nominate Chandler to lead it, I even have a working title: CHIN WAG Tell me that isn't a nice play on words, open to other suggestions though. Cheers

I love to have a bet with friends, my family has owned and trained horses and I only mention this to say I’m not a wowser. But seriously sports betting on phones has to stop, it cannot be that easy to get high. It’s like your phone is dispensing fentanyl. Felt strong enough to post about it, John Oliver can be a preachy git, but he’s not wrong here, is worth a watch, and the harm is real, let’s push to limit the damage. Oh and to be clear I don’t mind people talking about their bets, in the same way I favour legalization, but with limits and controls.

I actually think it is in the lap of the gods, we have the talent and the effort, the god part is the confidence, our small forwards nail a few on the run and we’ll skewer sides. Our leaders continue to shank goals from gimme positions the season will sink without a trace. My very knowledgeable Hawks mate was laughing at how the Hawks escaped with a win. Dogs and Collingwood are the only teams I’m really worried about. Dogs and Melbourne might just be the heavyweight clash of midfield clearance for the year. Collingwood I think we will beat once, (maybe) twice would be a miracle because they are annoyingly good. Dogs while more consistent I think we match up well on them and have good recent history.

Melksham - the forward we knew we needed Rivers - had the he ball on a string Gawn - great game, not much competition though Bowey - Ace defender Petty - superior in the air. Mc Vee - sneaky good, catching up to Charlie so he rushed his kick was ace.

With 3:52 left in the 3rd, the way X was handling the ball gave me a James Hird type of vibe, just so assured, without the FIGJAM though. A slightly hysterical call I know (4 hours sleep arriving in Mogadishu this morning) but the body type and smoothness under pressure had me thinking. I don't care what pick Essendon gets from us, those two 1st rounds were absolutely worth it. Saw good things from Sparrow, who continues to be the best version of himself, Rivers looked class today, McVee needs to have signed yesterday, Oliver embarrassed the commentators, May was much better (and I love how he got around Turner after the missed spoil instead of giving a bake), even Windsor who burnt a few disposals has heart, loved his diving spoil where he winded himself. Bowser's best season without doubt. And Kozzie - that article today was a really clear response to Freo speculation. His kicking missed but he was looking lethal he is in a good place, much else to rave about, am blissing out over the result.

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.