DEE fence

This drives me spare, May etc, we get burnt by this twice a game with our great tackling and the ball popping out.

So much to talk about... I knew we were on when a Gawn tap went to Oliver who had a clearance, it was clean and lethal. Gawn was huge today, his taps were some of the best I have seen this year, and he had a huge amount of work put into him by Hinkley to little effect. And one moment he takes the center bounce and the next he is in the goal square laying a shepherd, figgin awesome, his mobility was huge. Alir, what was Hinkley doing? He gifted us the first half (well our players did a little bit too). Alir had an immediate effect in 2nd half at the start of the 3rd when he went back. Hinkley lost a bit today in my eyes, he had the cattle but not enough of a plan. I disagree with Gerard on first crack Alir needs a spot, he is not a utility, moving him all game reduced his effectiveness. Viney had a great pressure game, and it is clear some posters here just don't value pressure and their idea of analysis is stats without understanding impact. Pressure in the midfield helps defence. Watch the Port interchange bench just before half time, they looked dead, that was a result of pressure. ANB (who I think has a great heart, and I can't stand the way he gets sniped on here) only had one effective kick (to Tmac for a goal), but this was his worst game this year and his last three have been average. I wouldn't mind if he had a spell to improve his disposal. I am also curious to see a bit more experimentation with the list as well. Harmes brings less to the table, he is the other option to give a spell, Viney brings more. (This is me arguing for Jake Bowey (-;) For mine we were kissed on the Richard by the umps early on, was actually pretty reasonable, a few bad calls but nothing near the normal level. Brown lets others off the leash, and since he kicked 10 last time he played Port, am sure the scars were still there. Playing him was always going to allow us to play our game and make Port a bit reactive. Overall Port looked off the pace, I used to be scared of them, not any more. Biggest take away, and the best thing though, was last week against GWS, the players were potting each other, their bad team mojo, and not as much work off the ball, very scary to see and it worried me more than the Pies/Crows losses. The way they came back today was huge tick to the coaching staff and the players owning everything. Yet another box ticked that we are the real deal.

Yes he is banged up, he is not the fastest or most skillful and he is not Mr. Conviviality, he needs to be managed, doesn't kick many, but he is fierce. And not only fierce, he is now very smart with his aggression, he's not getting rubbed out or throwing cheap shots, but putting the pressure on in a very legal way that harries ALL opposition midfields. This is quantifiable, this is not MFCSS or norm smith curse, or theoretical value. It is well documented what he does to the opposition, compare apples with apples, he is (excuse the hyperbole) a weapon and should be used carefully, sadly not a xbox cheat code that can be used all the time. Now think of the Finals we have lost over the recent years and certain 'big' games, we have always been a bit under weight and our best players have been sniped, for me JV value is that in the coming finals he will be the one to fly the flag, and protect the quick, the skillful and the goal kickers, so they get to do their thing and we don't look like school boys playing against men. Remember Gawn getting monstered against Port a few years ago, and no-one helped him, was a pretty bad look (no Viney), then think Viney ragdolling Rance, he and Watts weren't mates , didn't stop Viney getting in. The reason I criticize other who post that he should be traded etc, is I feel people forget too quickly, and don't understand the bravery it takes to play the way he does. Do you think he doesn't feel all the hits he takes for the club. Of all the people who play for the club I think only Jones bleeds more Red and Blue than this guy. You are kidding yourselves if you think we can win a prelim or a GF against a team like Geelong West Coast or Richmond without him. Maybe we don't need him against the Dogs, and on balance I would want him against the Lions. And AVB who is a warrior as well, I am sorry to say is a much worse decision maker.

I don’t want to be offensive, as everyone is allowed an opinion, but these pea hearted knockers of JV need to go and rewatch game 6, when he mutilated the tigers in the tackle. He is a beast who stands up and goes bang in big games. Our pressure which is what has been our one wood has been lead by players like JV. He has massive credits in the bank.

I enjoyed the rap on 360, but like a few others am a fan of Rivers and Jordan for their game long consistency over Dogga, in this season for the rising star. But long term Dogga is going to be massive. But like King said Dogga defies expectations, King called him Kouta, very high praise.

Yeah nah, inadvertent poor taste, wouldn’t mind if GIF was changed. separate subject - lets petition to change the name of the Bombers, what sort of effed up name is that?, for a machine that kills people indiscriminately or a bunch or radical god botherers that like to self immolate. I hear the name and I think of Saudi princes being knobs over Yemen or the WTC.

OMG WTF was i thinking, colour me red…

Won't discuss the goal kicking we concur on that, am calm, I feel like it is coming soon.. After watching the replay again (and feeling infinitely calmer) I observed the following: Sparrow started really strongly, he stays 2 out of 3 games he added value, gets another go. His body size is a weapon (see bomberblitz comment below). Rivers... when was the last time a Rising Star nominee should have been in the All Australian squad? There was a transition under pressure in the 1st quarter (10m45s) where he turned around across the face of goal and nailed a flat 45m pass. This composure from a 1st year player is just unreal. J. Rivers Mk 1 was a perennial favorite, but this kid is a Rolls Royce, for his overall contribution to the team I would have him ahead of Kozzie and Dogga, (as much as I love them), truly a stella draft trifecta. Langdon is as brave as anything, we need to get around our fleet of wingers and what Goodwin has created with them. While the media is justifiably onto our DEE fence, what has been done with the wings is brilliant and I think will be the focus of a few 'Labs' soon. We are so much better with dedicated wingers, it gives us a nice alternative to driving off half back through corridor, we can literally get out through the left, the guts or right. I had thought the wing position was dead, but the way we play it is like the way Warney brought back off spin (I might be exaggerating slightly but not to much) totally reinvigorating the position and I suspect a very clever way of taking advantage of 6/6/6 etc. Gawn was great all game, the rest did him the world of good, biggest difference in one of our players pre bye to post bye. You could see he was on in the 1st qtr the way he was sticking his contested marks. I also think along with Footscray and Brisbane, Essendon is going to be top 4 next year, unlike the 1st two, I hate Essendon as much as @Jaded or anyone else, but you can see they have turned a corner, they did play some really good footy. I can see our two teams, becoming the next Hawthorn/Geelong rivalry. This was a really good win over a team that was on, although we are clearly better than them currently, and as per GK comment could have been over in a canter, we gave them a sniff and they ran and it could have gone sideways if we hadn't done grind really well. I did love on Bomberlitz, the poster Jeez who said " -Their defenders paid our forwards zero respect. They literally led up at our midfielders and we kept kicking to them! Unbelievable. -The dees have about 17 players I’ve never heard of who look like they played for Geelong a decade ago - they all look to be 190cm, 95kg bulls" ?

Did what he always does, kept his feet, the timing there was exquisite.

6-1 Lever Brayshaw May Langdon Gawn Rivers

@ KC love your work keeping tabs on all things VFL, any updates on how Bowey goes would be most appreciated, Am hoping he gets a debut in Seniors at some point, but know he is probably duelling with Spargo for a spot.

Drives me mental this agenda to change the length of the game. OTC etc all need to STFU, is as annoying as hell when they put the centre circle that crueled White's leap at the centre bounce.

BUMP Watching ‘To Hell and Back’ after 12 rounds, it all makes sense, you can see so many links between what was documented in the series and the way we have played this year. My biggest takeaway is that there are elements you cannot control, like COVID and luck will always be a factor. But after watching it again and comparing to what we have seen this year, it has improved with age. (-; Watching episode #2 with the recruiting and the post match Roos practice game definitely gave chills - have a watch again, you will definitely enjoy it more a second time. The only sad bit is that Bennell didn’t work out…

“Yeah he’s had a very unusual career Tom McDonald. For the first 6 or 7 years he was quite a serviceable, if not a little error prone, as a key defender. Then in 2018 he gets deployed as a permanent key forward and plays like The Terminator and boots 53 goals as they march to a preliminary final. They promptly sign him up to a multi year big dollar deal Then he follows it up with two years of absolute utter garbage in 2019 and 2020. Now after Melbourne viewing his contract as a noose around their neck and trying to offload him all of a sudden in 2021 he’s back to his 2018 self again haha. I think there would have been clubs (us included) that would have been open to the idea of giving him a go but you just couldn’t in all conscience have paid him 700k/year off the back of two horrible seasons. Even if the Dees were willing to kick in 100-200k.” I loved the bit about playing like the terminator

I agree, only rarely, but I see it as a role for him to be developed. VDB is sensational at countermeasures, but his disposal and lack of foot speed has him finished for mine with thanks and appreciation.

With the AFL doing nothing serious about dirty tactics employed by those icons of the game, the reality is that the Prelim and Granny games are always a danger for our better players being targeted for thuggery. Personally I would have Jones for the Prelim in an old fashioned enforcer role, and the only one allowed to ‘use his hands’, to prevent others getting in tribunal trouble. This role would then pass to Viney for the GF. I never want to see another 2000. The 1st person that clatters into the back of Gawn’s head or snipes Oliver gets a Byron type run through from our champion. A’la Buckley on Camporeale (1m20s on his best 5 highlights YouTube, I cannot bring myself to post the video links itself), preferably before our player is ruined out (-;… Otherwise, I would like to see a game or two where we try a two tall fwd line up with Jones as alternate fwd pocket, I really think he is OK around goals. Every coach gets sucked in with a tall fwd line, hardly ever works long term. @Little Goffy I couldn’t agree more that seeing Jones wobble Greene would be awesome, TG is a clever little thug who I think would turn Jones inside out (reality of youth) anywhere other than a boxing ring.

Viney for Harmes, under the having a fair crack section, Sparrow had a good game and a merde un, 3rd lets the coaches see where he is at. From what I recall, if Harmes has a poor run, it doesn't break until after a reset. I was very confused by his average returns on QB. Weid for BBB like everyone else is saying. I loathe the Bombers, and would love to see Stringer monstered in a Viney tackle. I think the bombers are sort of like us a few years ago, and they do have some skill. But we are next level, I also think their defence will be opened up by Kozzie.

I'd be curious on what the relevant metrics are between stadiums. Never be published, imagine all the litigation, when it is revealed how bad Marvel used to be.

He was, I much prefer him when he is serious about footy, a much better alternative to Robbo. David Mackay was very well spoken, pretty articulate young man. Thoughts with Clark as well, not hopes and prayers, just genuine good wishes.

As a child of the 70's and 80's I am super happy that off (and on) the ball thuggery (such as you describe) is being rubbed out of the game and culture. As the father of girls and boys, I would literally (but as a last resort, 'in extremis') kill villages before I allowed harm to come to my children. That said I really think there is something to letting them play sport where there is some risk of injury, even a concussion (and I would only tolerate one or two, before change would be enforced). However I strongly feel learning about risk and consequence in a contested sport, makes better humans. I am super torn that one of my daughters has decided Muay Thai is the go, and has had a couple of bouts (carefully supervised), at the same time I have never seen her more confidant and more fit. Likewise my sons, with my heart in my mouth, I watch them do things that have the potential to hurt them. I think Hunter's jaw is super unlucky, these injuries are still pretty rare, so on balance think this is not where you set the precedent. I really think AFL is the best game on earth to learn about controlling aggression and testing yourself, I don't want that to be lost. De Goey on the other hand should have gone for two, deliberately targeted the head, and deliberate actions must be fully sanctioned. All that said, if it was my son holding his broken jaw, I'd probably make a complete hypocrite of myself.

I was of this view until i saw all the vision, and what was conclusive for me is he had his arms out reaching for the ball, not tucked into a Byron like cannon ball. Check all the vision and see if you stick to this POV?

I thought Dunstall was the most articulate on the matter, (god 360 is so much better with him, and especially when he is not on Bounce). Incidental contact has to remain a part of the game, If the vision wasn’t so clear that Mackay was playing the ball and not the man I could understand the fuss, but risk has to remain a part of the game.

Personally i would sign a petition for the prison bar jumper just to give Eddie the (further) sads. If the club launched an appeal to fund moving his family’s from SA, I would pay.

I posted this in trust the demons, but thought it relevant for post game. I know I am going to sound stupid, but I really thought the SCG was a poor choice for us, too small, didn't allow us to take advantage of our fitness and repeat entries came a little quicker. We are a better team on big decks I feel. I would be very comfortable with a change or two, Weid who I have supported has had his turn, not the end just a reset. I would like to see Sparrow given another game to find a true form line.

I do now days, (and never before) this was one game not the season. I know I am going to sound stupid, but I really thought the SCG was a poor choice for us, too small, didn't allow us to take advantage of our fitness and repeat entries came a little quicker. We are a better team on big decks I feel.