binman

I just asked chatgpt Do AFL clubs start 'loading' early in the season? This was the answer (note, they are my italics under point two): In the AFL, "loading" typically refers to a period of increased training intensity aimed at building fitness and endurance, with the goal of peaking later in the season — usually around finals time. Clubs can start loading early in the season, but whether they do depends on a few key factors: 1. Team's Season Strategy Top contenders might load early (e.g. Rounds 3–8) to allow a drop in form mid-season, followed by a freshen-up leading into finals. Developing teams may spread their loading more evenly, or focus on skill development rather than heavy physical loading. 2. Fixture Considerations If a team has a tough early fixture, they might delay loading to stay competitive. Conversely, if they expect easier opponents early, they might load then and accept a short-term performance dip. 3. Injury Management Clubs with injury-prone lists might avoid early loading to protect their players. Others with durable squads may hit them hard early to build a base. 4. Performance Trends Some clubs historically load in May–June (e.g., Richmond under Hardwick was often known for peaking late). Others, like Geelong in recent years, have manipulated form across the season through careful loading and tapering phases. So while not all clubs "load" early, many do incorporate it in the first third of the season, especially if their sports science teams think they can manage the dip in performance. Want an example of a team this year that looks like they might be loading early?

Adem yze has a daughter?

Absolute key. Come out of the box breathing fire and take the inevitable chances early. Take the tiger's crowd out of the equation, but perhaps more importantly the voices in player's head reminding them of the shellacking they'll get if they lose to the Tigers.

Indeed. The exception that proves the rule

I have to say cranky, your sense of humour is gold, in particular your command of irony, the bedrock of great comedy. To whit, this magic one two: 'I really don't know how humanity survived without their gratuitous advice' 'She should shut her cake hole'

Indeed - was arguably one of the best games of career. All while negating Serong, Jack had: A player rating of 19.9, behind on only Koz and Brayshaw (who had a phenomenal 26.2 points - Serong had 13.2) 25 disposals (Serong 27) 458 metres gained (Serong 345) 10 contested possessions (Serong 13) 5 clearances (Serong 5) 7 inside 50s (Serong 3) 7 score involvements (Serong 7) That's some game for a bloke supposedly 'tagging' (which he wasn't really)- amazing he didn't get any coaches' votes.

At the risk of being positive about a pies player, Nick Daicosis not predominately an outside player. He is as every bit as good an inside mid as Bont or Ablett. Kid is tough AND skilled. He's already one of the best players ive seen - and he's only just begun his career.

I assume you mean Bowser is #19 in the AFL for metres gained?

Ooh, so edgy.

In all honesty, I did too.

For the season I think that was. The article is referring to the first 6 rounds. Given of the 6 teams we've played only the roos and bombers won't make finals it's probably not far off the mark in terms of the difficulty of the draw.

C'mon OD, surely you know progress is not linear for young players, particularly for key forwards. Kids a jet.

Agree. He"s not fast, but he'll get bigger and stronger, and with a couple more preseasons quicker too - particularly from a standing start. Kid will be a beast. But he IS quick of mind. Really good decision maker, doesn't blaze away and lke the very best players has time with ball in hand. His goal was a good example Of what I mean. Was already set up for hooking the ball around his body when he received the ball. By the by that was an appalling defensive error to leave him by himself at a stoppage.

Tackles are just one element of pressure. JVR, who by the by is a jet, was probably dropped for form more than his lack of pressure, but nonetheless still has poor in that regard. Friiter's form was poor AND his pressure was hopeless Round one JVR: 30 Fritter: 29 Round two JVR: 20 Fritter: 11 Round three JVR: 19 Fritter: 23 Round four JVR: 19 Fritter: 20 Round five JVR: 17 Fritter: 28 Thus far this season, JVR is averaging 21 pressure points and Fritter 22.2 By way of comparison, our other forwards season averages are: Chandler 38.2 Koz 33.7 Sparrow 33.5 Spargo 23.5 (note: includes a game as sub, he had 33 pressure points against Freo) Melksham 18

100% agree ATG. IMO, half back is his best spot, in large part because it best uses his ability to get territory with run and carry and the good depth he gets with his kicking. The other factor is he doesn't have the kicking skills to be an outside mid so is fighting for a spot as inside mid with Clarry, Trac, Viney and the Bison - and their best position is inside mid (ie we'd be robbing peter to pay Paul to reduce their midfield minutes to accommodate a player who plays their best footy at HB).

If they are the metrics for assessing Spargo's performance, i'd respectfully suggest your assessment of his impact in the game is well and truly off base. All week Goody talked about our need to improve our intensity and pressure, particularly up forward. He subsequently dropped two forwards, i suspect in large part because they were not applying enough pressure. I went to the game, but have since watched the Fox replay, including the pre-game analysis, during which they banged on about Goody promising we would come out with more intensity and fire. My point is that the coaching staff's starting point for assessing a player's performance, particularly forwards, would be whether they brought the heat and applied pressure And on THAT metric, Charlie was outstanding - in addition to being part of a forward line that had season high inside 50 tackle count he had the: 5th most pressure acts (of the forwards only Sparrow had more 15-14) 6th most pressure points (of the forwards, again only Sparrow had more 37-33) Equal 4th most tackles (of the forwards, equal most with Sparrow and Kolt) (Note: pressure points are the weighed sum of pressure acts. Physical pressure acts are worth 3.75 points, closing acts are worth 2.25 points, chasing acts are 1.5 points and corralling are 1.2. ( https://www.championdata.com/glossary/afl/ ) Leaving aside his terrific pressure, given he is a forward it's reasonable to judge him on his contribution to the scoreline. On that front, whilst he only scored a point, he did have the equal fourth most score involvements (Max had 12, Koz 10, Trac 8 and Charlie had 7, as did Viney and Melksham). Of the forwards, only Koz had more score involvements. But seven of Koz's score involvements were the 5.2 he kicked, meaning outside that he only had three other score involvements, whereas as Spargs had six (he kicked a point).

Two players who have been applying very little pressure inside 50 being dropped also coincides season high tackles inside 50 numbers - a key element of our win discussed by both coaches in their pressers.

I think it's Steph currie's three point sign, which would be appropriate given he flushed it from outside the arc

And very much unlike the first 5 games our last quarter's pressure rating was our highest for the game. That's the first time that's been the case. Good signs Team pressure Quarter For Agn Diff 1 189 174 +15 2 185 159 +26 3 179 160 +19 4 195 163 +32 Match 187 164 +23

I wore dees socks as well.

This is something I just don't get. People want us to play aggressive transition footy with quick ball movement like the best teams currently do. But the problem, and key weakness, of that game plan is it impossible not to risk giving up goals on the counter. Can't have our cake and eat it too. And besides, our bacline was missing two All Australian defenders, the twin pillars of of our backline. It was a brilliant defensive effort today I thought, particularly in the last quarter when Freo were coming and mutiple defenders made potentially game saving spoils and tackles.

Controversial is not the word that comes to mind.

I heard there was a problem with the delivery of the eggs and none were found inside 50

'Yearn go be taken seriously by the football world'? That's one of the funniest things I've ever read on dl. Brilliant. By the by, I yearn to take the football world seriously.

Oh no, we've become a banana peel team! Next stop King's birthday is our GF.