monoccular

“They simply have not improved their key forwards stock for five year whilst they’ve had the best list in the competition.” JVR may well become a very good (or better) key forward but in his second year at AFL level he cannot be expected to be a solo KPF. Yes blaming injuries may be seen as a cop out but every time last season we did seem to form a combination injury struck. I hope we can conjure up a support for JVR before any possible call of the west takes hold. And as for Dermie saying he doesn’t read the play well or know how to position as a KPF, can anyone answer why we have a ruckman as a forward coach? Maybe Dermie could put his hand up and become the messiah who converts our forward line into greatness.

Weideman also a lovely guy and has skills but Schache was IMO a like for like replacement. Not so much to protect directly but to divert opposition. A solo tall doesn’t work. “Tall” is another one. Could he bustle and contest marking against a mobile HF? Kicking low into the forward line worked well a week ago but Thursday they reverted to the bomb it long and high mantra. Why? Can’t they concentrate long enough?

JVR will be a very good KPF when he isn’t the only big body in the forward line. On Thursday he was double and triple teamed. Write him off at your peril. Yes, JUH would be great acquisition. Few would disagree. Can the deal get done?

… and before Hunter is back? Woewoden to HB perhaps. Snr started there as I recall.

JVR was in effect a solo tall in the forward line. A solo tall target for our upfield players and a more so a single tall target for the opposition to concentrate on. He desperately needs a tall helper, one with bit of passion and competitiveness so not the nice guy Schache. Trouble with that question is who can fill that role?

"..Should we be agitating with the AFL to protect Max..." Of course we should. Do we? But my MFCSS says that they won't do anything. Big questions re Spargo, Laurie, Chandler all being in the same team. Kozzie's return will obviously exclude one of them, but is there room for more than one other. Will the Kolt provide a better 'small forward' option, or even Sestan. The other obvious one is a second tall in the forward line - JVR is the only target, for both our team and the opposition. Will Fullerton provide that second option? Or Mac (though he played deep defence tonight at Casey I believe), or BBB? I really can't see Schache making the grade as he seems to have zero competitiveness. Interesting to read that Jefferson at least started deep in defence for Casey tonight - I wonder if he stayed there all night, and is this just a part of his apprenticeship and "learnings"? How far away is Verrall? Is he worth blooding early so that he will at least have had a taste should the worst case scenario of Max being injured occur? Others have suggested training with a sprinkler and / or a soaped ball: this doesn't seem all that far fetched. Has any team tried this? Sure there are many other questions and I will look forward as always to your insightful podcast, and a bit of optimism after the dark clouds of the match day and post game thread. Thanks guys.

A question that I am sure has been asked and answered before: what special skills as a forward does Greg Stafford bring to our club? Surely someone who has played and excelled as a forward would be worth calling on. Is Neita anywhere on the footy scene these days? Carey? To me it seems pretty obvious that either Brundy or Max spat the dummy - no glimpse of Brundy in the final 6 or so weeks of the season was unfathomable unless one said he couldn't work with the other. It is a sad fact that nobody could get this "dream combo" to work.

Bears' massive choke - Normanic proportions. Were the Bears cocky or the Blues inspired?

One would have to think it was a part of “learnings”. I also hope that this is only temporary To those who were there - did anyone put their hand up particularly in view of the “performances” of Spargo, Laurie and Schache.

Can’t see the 🐍, Mr Fence? Looks like Port have recruited our goal kicking coach? Did Jefferson stay deep back all game?

There was a guy wearing #7 - did you forget him? 6 Viney 5 McVee 4 May 3 Howes 2 Bowey 1 Windsor

Don't forget Bowser out. Maybe Pup Brown and send Salo back to defence.

Despite Ollie's lack of preparation he was a solid contributor. Who else would you have played? Should we really put the sprinklers on at Gosh and Casey for training? Serious question.

Schacke out for Fullerton (or Verrall even?) Laurie out for Kozzie Spargo out for Billings

Brundy is an AA ruckman, probably the second best in the league, and had a point to prove. He was sold out by his team mates who didn't talk at all. So would you prefer him not to play, and have another Spargo / Laurie / whomever in hi space. 26 disposals is modest by his standards but a decent contribution nevertheless.

Goal JVR - it was below knee. We actually had a review in our favour. Long time coming.

As have our midfield and forward line.

He knew it during our last final. How could that possibly not be a 50 to McVee. He was on the ground after being paid the free and the Swan went for him . Poor indecision.

Score review of course going Sydney's way Making it very difficult, Dees. Very difficult. Bad mis kick by Laver.

Certainly being the only tall forward is a huge ask. Pith Shack doesn't won't can't compete.

Can anyone explain the lining up of that kick after the siren - it was for OOB on the full but the man on the mark was brought in 10-15 meters.

Totally undisciplined. He needs to get, or set up, at least two for us to make amends. Kozzie back next week. And anyone else, for Spargo and Laurie.

As he walked off front on didn't appear to have any deformity. Maybe "just" a corky.

Is that Premiership coach Goodwin?

Jack Viney decapitated - HTB. And now a ridiculous 70 to give them a goal