Demon17

Fantastic post Biman and great coomet on Freo developing,, and esp the second half Jackson observations. But....My thought on a Freo slide is less thought out and based mainly on the old story of the Aust cricket team. If a new player comes in - who do you drop? If Freo stays in, I can't envision any of Cats, Dees Lions, Pies, Swans, Tiges slipping out.

You're on to something DubDee for sure. History syas at least 2 teams will drop out of the 8 this season. Freo are also in the frame for mine to be one of them. The other, not so sure.

Today's Age has an article on the teams needing new skippers and discusses the likely options for the 11 teams in lay. I reflected on this given the Dees aren't in the article with the great Max Gawn in charge. But then thought if he wasn't then there are some real standouts who can take on the role, most/all of whom are the equal of better than those being nominetd at other clubs needing new captains. Another indication to me of this new strength of the club to be blessed with this list. Interestingly The Age calls time on Dayne Zorko which will be a real test for Fagan IMO.

I'm with you Monbon. I have never been more optimistic before a season than this year. Many reasons for that, but I ssupect even the players know they faded in finals for probably health reasons, and that a Flag is there to be won this year.

Birkenstocks will, in many cases, fix and/or prevent planta fasciatis. Thongs should be banned from any player use. Worst footwear possible.

Ignore this. Its historically wrong given at least 2 new teams join the 8 each year and sometimes 3. This had only 1 change. Who are the other 2 teams likely to miss the 8 from this season. ??

Correct. And the ground is rarely full. The ticket pricing is scandalous and many Geelong people can't afford them. Elitist organisation.

Great tread but isn't this bizarre afl thought bubbles title really " the virgin airline price gouging opportunity and excessive enrichment round". Anyone thinking of participating should have a good look at themselves.

Hopefully Trac won't be playing with a broken leg this year will be helpful. However, IMO the tough parts of our Draw give us an opportunity - if good enough - to shape the 8 and put a buffer between us and Lions, Tiges , Blues etc. Opposition teams won't be happy fronting this list in 2023. Glass half full I reckon.

Will love watching them implode in public this year.

Interestingly the Bombers play at GMHBA in 2023, the first of the 'big' clubs to go there in living memory. Lets hope thats the start of a change in how the AFL rig/tamper with the draw.

Not bad having doubles against only 3 other finalists and once only against the premier and another prlim finalist in Pies. And twice against absolute bottom 4 sides. Lions tiges and blues won't be happy meeting dees twice. Could be worse for sure. Love the late season run home at the G Never been more optimistic pre season and this draw helps.

At the scene of our 2021 heroics. Will always have a soft spot for boo stadium.

If true look at the upside which goes something like this. Each new season at least 2 new teams finish in the 8. Logic says one in 2023 will be the Blues. BUT, if they fail, it will be there to see in all its glory and the anti-Voss chatter commencing in the public glare. I'd like to see that!

So your hoping he AFL take fans requirments into account then? Their petty-mindedness, as evidenced by relasing Round 1 info around time of Aus V Argentina , doesn't fill me with confidence as to head office's mindset. Good luck though. I'll be checking too.

Spot on. Small sample size watching his highlights, but has Jason Taylor woken up this morning thinking he's won tattslotto? How did Adams get passed to Pick 39 will be a story of the future. The injury angle just reminds me of Joel Selwood being passed on by 6 clubs because of injury. Smart Geelong knew better. Well done to JT and team. Whilst we're in the 'window ' now, the next few years will be fascinating also from watching some real talent develop under the mentoring of a premiership cohort and AA experience.

First para nails it for me WCW. Blind-sided frees guesses by umps in first 1/4 had me worried about their standard. We got nothing. But.... we had Daisy ( apologies to others) 7 disposals, 6 contested. How lucky as a club to have a Gawn/Pearce leadership combo. Someone should Have told Lions skipper and the BoG player that the Dees won, not them and the skipper was clearly reading what was meant to be her victory speeeh. Weird and unclassy on their behalf. Thoroughly deserved by the Dees though.

Spot on Rodney. Silly public comment by Bell even if he thinks it's true. One thing I agree with Kane Cornes on is that Luke is not a key forward , more of a tall athletic mid-fielder, which is how he made his 15 minutes of fame in the GF. Will be very good , but he's no messiah. But as others on here bemoan, our overall forard structure is another matter and I expect a full re-build in Round 1 or will be worried.

Nothing new or insightful or original from Johnno. Dissappointing. But got them a few clicks. Analysis by and large is so superficial by alledged experts. We looked off even in the 10 game streak watching all homes games live. Winning on 20 minutes of brilliance. I have more confidence in the club for 2023 than I ever have had going into a new season since ......forever. No oppo team worries me that they can't be beaten by our list.

Exactly. You don't get jail time in Oz for corruption ( maybe 1 in 500 cases). Business or gaming. Crown ex- Directors - No charge , etc. But I can't see the Umpire remaining on the list at the AFL under any circumstances. Gil - " wer'e outraged about this, heads must roll, etc , etc..." What will be fascinating will be the deathly silence of all those in the betting trough - looking at you SEN , Nathan Brown, etc. Gerard will have something to ponitifcate about from on high, but will still be taking his weekly cheque form Sportsbetting sponsoors through SEN.

Personally I reckon Max just made this comment for something to say. There's no comparison to the 2 scenarios and the Stanley/Blicavs model wasn't why they won the flag anyway. Swans were next to useless and outcoached and played injured players. But Max got us on the back page so well done to him. Think of it this way: 2 players worth combined $2.0M a year have a coffee and decide how to play together. - coz that's what he was saying. Yeah, good one Max - don't you just love the guy.!

I take your point on the Suns. With at least two final 8 teams from this year falling out of the 8 (as occurs every year) , 2 spots will be up for grabs in 2023. The Blues MUST be one of them, and as you say why can't the Suns be the other. That would be a credit to them management -wise if they could do it.

Hibberd partially saved our bacon in the 2021 prelim when May went down, giving mature defensive support when most needed. Lucky to be there but he did a great job, the defence never looked unsteady, and although he was a bit player supporting Lever and Co I'm forever grateful for his efforts and pleased for him personally to make the Flag team. Sensible call to give both these players 1 final year which won't be a waste depth-wise.

We were pretty good from 2017 despite missing finals and very rough around the edges but the list was building. I just don't see the Suns list in that mould. Like to be proven wrong though as they have stuck fat with their coach unlike others 'traditional' clubs in Victoria in disarray.

Isn't it only a 2 year extension on an existing deal? Or am I mssing something.? But end of 25 is a great get and says the club is seen by JVR as a place he wants to be in. Thanks.