binman

100% agree last year was a horror show. On field. And most now understand and acknowledge the reasons why. But to say we were a club in crisis is, in my view complete rubbish. My definition of a club in crisis is the crows. As evidence of being in crisis you say we moved on a 'whole brigade of assistant coaches'. A whole brigade? How many have we moved on? I might be missing someone but all I can think of is McCartney and Jennings (who technically wasn't an assistant coach). Am I missing someone? Let's say I am. That means we have moved 2 assistant coaches and one strategy person on. Hardly a 'whole brigade'. In fact I'd suggest 2-3 changes a year would be industry standard.

Is Herb somehow related to basil?

Annoys me so much. On AFL.com they have some videos posted abut data for each team. Pretty basic stuff. But i guess it is something. Here's ours (apologies if this has already been posted): https://www.afl.com.au/video/2019-11-01/the-data-game-the-one-remaining-query-on-new-demon

I am genuinely excited about the chance of benell playing for us. The last time I was this exited about a recruit from another club was clark. But harley is coming for free, so nothing to lose. And so.much to gain.

My kingdom for a comma,

No. My response was to paulrb's post about rolling the dice to try and win a flag and that not putting players out for surgery was understandable given the potential reward. Which I agreed wirh. And for what it's worth I also agree with deespencer's post on this topic. If you have a chance at a flag, which we did, you our off any surgeries that can be put off till season's end. Ill bet london to a brick tbst every team thst had won a flag in tbe last 50 years has done so with at least l one player.

Wotcha talkin abour willis? One, I meant that the doggies flag and the tigers 2017 flag was unexpected and they grabbed the chance when the stars aligned. I wasn't saying anything about any injuries they may or may not have been carrying. But secondly even if I was making a point about injury - which I wasn't- both clubs struggled the next year, particularly the doggies, who like us in 2018 were a very yoing team. And Ilike us the doggies struggled with fitness.

Terrific interview. Lyon and Watson obviously respect him. One take away is his comment about pre season surgery and rehab and the impact on fitness - you can never catch up in season. Also interesting he noted that of the 18 post season surgeries 16 were to players in our best 22. 16. As guru bob might say. Think about that.

I have wondered the same tging, but i think you are exactly right. They rolled the dice with the possible reward a flag. As the doggies and tigers showed you need to take your chance if it presents. The right move I reckon.

Important vote of confidence.

There does indeed. For once I am going to resist the temptation to be a smart [censored] and simply point out there are a number of posters who have had a clear agenda to paint the club as being in crisis. And provided zero evidence other than sculltebut and ghost like rumours to prosecute that case. The is goody the right coach was the favoured medium for this cabal. When I have pushed back on this front some have accused me of being a club lackey. Some of the less credible of this group have hilariously, seemingly seriously suggested I am an mfc employee reverse trolling. Well that group have gone very quiet of late as the evidence builds of a club that is the very opposite of the baskstcae some have tried so hard to paint us as.

We should make one of the dees emojis a symbol for sarcasm. Ths one works for me (note: I am not being sarcastic)

How about this video instead. It shows a fella who has something that is very hard to fake or learn - a natural instinct for kicking goals. He. knows. Where. The. Goals. Are. Love his left foot snap in the wet against Port. Perfect kicking technique too. And strong overhead. Play him at half forward flank and he will be a very tough match up. And his fitness won't be too exposed. https://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-10-14/get-excited-by-harley-bennell

Ridiculous pace in the cup. nothing was going to come from begins wit that pace. Where were the European pace makers? Crazy. They shot themselves in the foot. With a decent pace one of Surprise Baby, Mer de glace or Finche would have won that - and filled the trifecta. Top runs by all 3 given the tempo. In my various first fours had 6 of of the first 8 finishers, But no joy. With a truly run race i'm sure i would have snagged it. Got out with Akiri in the last to make small profit for the day.

Sorry, I'm confused. Do you think they made errors putting Smith, may and viney back on the park when injured? I wasn't sure where you stood in that. And am I right in saying you support the club's decision to trade Frost? I'm not sure I agree. I mean he us so fast. And we really need fast defenders.

My first four in the cup: Finche Mer de glace Cross Counter Prince of Arran

I suspect as many people trained today as had post season surgery last year. Of the latter group Oliver, tmac and omac were all training (and others no doubt). Add to that that this time last year dunkley and Lockhart were nor even at an AFL club. I like it.

Interesting comparison and some excellent points. Is add in addition to fitness technique is critical. In any sport good technique helps performance under fatigue and conversely fatigue exacerbates poor technique.

He is now.

Club is showing some balls.

The key take away from that article for me was Richmond's so called unique approach. Tbat they won a second grand final in three years, having dominated all season in 2018, shows the chip and hold possession style favoured by so many clubs is not the optimal model. Which is in direct opposition to many the on dl who maintained we had an outdated game style and tactically the game had hone past goody. I maintain, whilst there are some differences, goody's preferred game style is, with the doggies, the closest to the tigers. High pressure, move it, forward at all costs, forward half footy. Exciting to watch and often high scoring.

Without wanting to reignite a debate about the impact of surgery and rehab (though I think 99.9% of posters would agree it had a significant impact last season) does anyone know how many players had post (or end of) season surgery? Or the number of players we could conceivablyhave in rehab to start the pre season?

And so it begins.

Seems their no [censored] rule might have some flexibility

Look like it might favor horses on speed. Which is frustrating as for once i didn't put a weighting on on speed horses as i thought with the track chopping up it might suit horse coming wide and from behind. Which it still might but i don't think yuo want to be too far back, like Flit was. Was going to back Miami Bound but ended up going longer on Silent Sovereign (influenced by Mick Sharkie), who was too far back. Frustrating