DEE fence

Looks like 2022 Saints is what everyone was expecting in 2021. Paddy Ryder is just such a game changer for the Saints. More than a little happy to see the Blues go down as well.

Faceplam re Spargo, he is going just fine, cannot remember anyone in 4 matches this year rebounding out of back half quickly, it is our small forwards that set up the zone so well. We have a huge spread of goal kickers so we are not relying on Spargo or Kozzie to score, but our zone is essential. They will get their goals in due course.

We still haven't beaten anyone, haha So anyway humble pie time Everytime I think Harmes is off the boil, and his position is suspect he turns in a belter of a game. Was really impressed yesterday and loved post game footage showing him power from back 1/3rd to front 3rd for a mark and goal, his running was stellar. I really wish the club would let us see some of their running times they are spectacular athletes and not just Langdon and ANB. On attack... I want Weid to have another chance because i thought our fwd 50 entries were poor, am not complaining about the win but i really don't understand our execution into forward 50 yesterday and haven't read an explanation that satisfies me. I totally get bank the wins, and you can understand from my handle I am into the defense, and Goodwins' presser was totally fair and insightful. But I still think the inside 50's were slack and neither Tmac or Weid got a fair shake. I did notice Weid back pedaling like crazy in one contest when he realized he had been sucked under the flight of the ball and in another he was ineffectually stuck on the side of the contest, but overall there was not enough contests to have a decent sample size to make a judgement on whether he stays or goes. That said i think BBB is in his best form. Also Cannot agree that Sparrow > Brayshaw, even on potential. Like Sparrow and will be servicable due to his strength but Brayshaw clearly has more vision and weapons.

I mentioned in Post Game thread but will say it here, I thought it was significant that he was leading pre game huddle. With much respect to the player he has become, Gus used to worry me as a bit FIGJAM, I think he has matured from a callow youth into a brilliant clubman. He has also found out how to tap into his bravery at will, immensely courageous player. He clearly said he'd eat a pile of his own merde before going to WCE. I guess Freo is a possibility he clearly rates his brother and I know I would love to play with mine, but overall I think he will stay. I also think he has made himself essential, he's utilitarian ability makes him a coaches dream, and apart from the concussion has been quite durable, wears almost as many hits as clarry.

Gawn May Harmes Langdon Viney JJ

Mega Frustrated- gift kills where we could have won by 20 goals are so rare this was a big missed opportunity. Still very happy for the win, and I loved tehe deefence.

Many good things but angry we haven't kicked another 6, been some smart Ar$e footy

Jackson is on, couple of key marks, backing him for votes by game's end. Viney having a great game. Anyone notice Brayshaw leading pre game speech/rev up? Discipline is outstanding for a lot of late hits. Nearest the pin this will be a 12 goal win Everyone having a go (a couple quiet but need to watch again to look for team actions)

I reckon Hinkley would give his left nut for a 2nd ruck right about now. Main thing I want to see is our mids setting up better on our Ruck advantage. Max should be smashing it 40 m like Fitzpatrick from now on. And can Viney and Picket keep smashing Lycett's shoulder. Port have been late with their hits repeatedly.

Breathe, we have had a few uncharacteristic turnover/clangers that otherwise we were out, our endeavor is there, we will come good.

In the nuts poor fella, Langdon's knee

Lycett injured, not sad

So I was worried about how Lever would come back, as he has not always been great 1st match back from a spell but I think he looks good so that is promising. Weid dropped a sitter am praying very hard for him. Our system down back look solid. Max is on fire with marking, best game this year. I have a feeling Viney is quite angry and is going to eat someone. FMD Umpire...

On 360 they mentioned a trend of players getting injured after the H&S protocols, through not enough training/preparation. Good to be careful just hope BBB doesn't lose form.

Totally agree, and very ready to see the team protect the Captain.

I would be interested in knowing how he learnt to kick, beautiful flat passes. And can anyone tell me does he kick with both?

I thought the umps were reasonable tonight, and in fact we were lucky a few times with htb. Anyone else the same? I normally expect a few more decisions to go against us.

The cheats came out swinging we rolled with it, but the cleanest passages of play were all ours, and the way we get out of jail in defensive half is a joy to watch. Gus Bowey and Langdon just did wonders for us in the back 50. Hunt actually started ok and I thought it was his best game of the 3 so far in 2022, still wouldn’t mind if he was dropped but he has improved. Harmes was stiff to not get in my votes but I was angry when he missed Jacks with the HB. So happy for Weid, have been a fan for awhile, and he really took a chance, am still worried about him getting sucked under the flight of the ball, but then he played to his strength of playing on lead and he was one grabbing not juggling which for me was a super positive sign. Smith had some boo boos but he saved a goal in the middle on Stringer in a marking contest, just as stringer was starting to run hot, Stringer didn’t feature after that, he is in the team before Hunt for mine. Stringer for all that he is a germ is a very strong SOB I thought this was a big game moment for Smith. Also, this game was close because we let them in it, it was our equal worst set shot conversion in two years. We would have killed them if we had been a bit straighter they would have been in their shells. They will think they are good because they pushed us a little when in reality they turn the ball over far too much to be a flag threat.

Gus - 20 Marks, high DE, has covered the Salem hole, Tmac to wing, Gus back, Weid and Brown up forward. Oliver - everyone gets a lick of the ice-cream. Langdon - huge running pressure. Weid - 4.3 is the reason for 3 votes, should have been 6. Viney - combining much better with Oliver, anyone noticed his 22 pace? He has found another gear, so happy for him. Bowey - only one boo boo all night super reliable.

He looks heavy, am very glad he's not playing us, he can be a total wrecking ball when he turns it on.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_VFL/AFL_premiers So in my opinion we actually sit clear 4th on all time AFL/VFL Premierships, we have the best winning ration out of Richmond and Hawthorn by far at 13/5, Only Brisbane has won 3 x as many as they have lost and that is off a small sample size. But the table clearly has forgotten to include AFLX, so our score should read 13.1 Oh and I have an average of watching GF highlights twice a week.

Yes I agree, I would see several of the tradeables packaged up and hoping the draftees step up to cover the salary of Jackson and Oliver. I also am happy for us to put in an order for paper bags from Visy.

There is a lack of respect in the word cull, Triage would be my choice, all of these players have demonstrated buy in and team 1st philosophy, it is with great regret that we cannot keep all that have invested great effort in the club. (also keep in mind that some players we will not save much coin on). The CHF spot confuses the hell out of me, will Tmac/M.Brown/Weid vs Van Rooyen FWIW my thinking on Age vs $ Value vs Esprit d'corps vs Talent metric, I would group players like this. Tradeable and might save some dollars - make no mistake, I love all of these guys. Hunt - his run would get some interest Tomlinson or Petty (Probably keep Petty) Petty gets the nod for mobility, God forbid May goes down Tomlinson to be the Gorilla minder. Harmes - not sure of his dollars. Weid - this is his last season despite 2 year contract to do something Jordan - His 2nd half 21 and this year not the same player, why? Pickett - I'd sell him to keep Jackson if it came down to a choice between the two, this is the only reason, love his pressure, I am also sure to change my tune when he has a day out with 6+. Not tradeable May - part of our defensive DNA Salem - part of our defensive DNA Petracca - will be a part of our all time best Jackson - honestly no ceiling on this guy. Viney - anyone who doesn't understand our need for his intensity and aggression doesn't understand football. Lever - part of our defensive DNA Gawn - Premiership Captain and driver of standards. Langdon - he scared an entire team onto the other side of the pitch with his hard running, fair compliment from GC Brayshaw - I see him as a very high on Esprit d' corps value. Oliver - will be a part of our all time best Bowey - part of our defensive DNA Rivers - part of our defensive DNA Neal-Bullen (key ingredient along with Langdon for our running defensive offensive pressure) Fritsch - 6 goal GF, such a threat, is the reason I could cope with Pickett leaving (just). Ben Brown - age nearly puts him in another category but he is not replaceable with out current cap pressure, and I think his form has been improving steadily, a real chance for Coleman and we are not paying overs, I'm tipping he has 4 years left at about the current standard. Free to good home (flippant I know, but we are kidding ourselves if we think they are on big dollars/have much time left, despite excellent service and having been great servants of the club), personally i think these guys keep playing for low dollars and they are not going to fix salary cap issues. Tmac ( I would keep him for his value as a spare defender) Hibberd - Has been great, looking for a sign that he has more time, i still think his nous is ace. Melksham - too inconsistent, and I think provides the least defensive pressure of any forward on our list Baker - skills not there. Can't make up my mind, would kill me to lose them though Sparrow - will he take the next step Spargo - not sure of his dollars, if it is not saving anything keep. Cheap might as well keep Smith - my opinion has changed more on this player than anyone else, kudos to those that could see it. Chandler Dunstan Daw M. Brown No opinion on those yet to debut

I get you are being I presume (slightly tongue in cheek) but wanted to say our enemies also help define us, as much as I hate Collingwood, (and Carlton/Essendon) I never want them gone, game would be poorer for it (same with Saints, Dogs and Cats). North, and Hawks are disposable, I actually agree with the long term AFL strategy of clubs in growth corridors, GWS and GCFC will eventually have a support base, Football is an existential threat to Australian Rules, we need it as the national game, we are a small country market/population base wise. I see the AFLW and the expansion teams as future proofing the game.

Getting to the point that is not a joke anymore, so critical with Salem and Lever out.