binman

Yes, really good point. Not sure if this is what you meant but left foot kicks often get a bit more space to release the ball a defenders instinctively cover the right side.

I prefer Fritter up forward i think. In large part because he has such beautiful hands, is a terrific mark (especially for his size) and his excellent kicking skills means he hits targets inside 50 and makes the most of his shots at goals. But i can see the logic for him continuing to play off the HB line and think that is where they play him (based on training reports om which group he is training with). One, they seem to have Smith ear marked for a forward role, which i think makes sense with his leap (as they want to create aerial contests an ensure long balls coming in, if not marked are brought to ground - also his athleticism helps negate zone defenses and floating spare defenders). And if Smith plays forward there is no spot for Fitter. Two, the skills noted above are also critical down back - kicking even more so. It is just so important to have players who don't turn it over from the HB line and with Salem there would be two players who not only are efficient are also able to hit aggressive, difficult kicks that create scoring chains. Third, if Lever does not come back until say round 9 Fritter can play the intercept marking role until then.

The idea of losing 47 goals with Hogan going is obviously a pretty abstract one. The key question is not the number of goals but the number of wins. I hope we avoid revising history, particularly in light of Hogan's partying presence on social media. The fact is Hogan was a terrific player for the demons and was a key element of our successful 2017 and 2018 seasons. We will miss way more than 47 goals - his gut running to provide an outlet pass from the back line for one thing. The fact that he took the best defender another. It is easy to forget Weid was dropped twice (i think, or at least once) and could not break into the side until near the end of the year. Also easy to forget he has only played 20 games. That said i am super confident Weid will take the next step and be a key player for us this year. He brings different things to the table, one of which is think he is better as bringing the ball to the ground than Hoges as he really launches at packs, whereas Hogan seems to prefer wrestling on on one. This suits our style of chaos balls inside 50 i reckon as it brings our small to medium size forwards into play. His height is also a worry for opposition coaches, hard to match up on. And he is better kick for goals than Hogan - and importantly a much longer kick which increases the danger zone for opposition defensive units.

I think his true worth, particularly come finals, is as an enforcer. Not in a dirty sense, but in the 'i can hear footsteps and am about to get pounded 'and 'ouch, i just got pounded, that really hurt, will slow me down today' sense

Agree. I said last year that he reminds me a bit of dipper, in terms of style, role, size, attack on the ball (and man) and importance to the team. Probably won't win a brownlow though.

You really think so? I mean I was joking but you know your footy so perhaps you're right and lever was recruited to support omac. And whilst personally I'd have may, hibberd, jets and lever ahead of him good on you for giving him the FMD (Fore Most Defender) title. Takes a strong character to admit when you got it wrong and change your tune.

Yes. But all that assumes he is, in effect, a power forward. Which personaIy I think is his best position. But if he plays as a 50 50 forward mid then he will need to lose bulk. I've read some comparisons to Gary Ablett and, which I reckon are valid but ga and never really played as a mid. De goey is the player I reckon trac most resembles in modern footy

Agree, on all points. I think it is really good point that a semi permanent mid size forward position is a really hard one to play. And i reckon that fact gets overlooked a bit when people assess trac's performance. Mids can pad their possession numbers but forwards have little chance to do so and most possessions are in the critical part of the ground His possession numbers are strong given his role. I think it was Prodee that noted half his possessions are are contested, which is remarkable as forward. terrific forward pressure. Jeffy can only dream of that sort of percentage. I said it a couple of times last year bit i would really like trac to be a bit more selfish and take some more shots. He so often looks to set other players up, which is admirable and i guess team rules but in some ways it feels as rather being the over confident player he is often portrayed as he works hard to contain the star quality. I don't want him to be like Stringer was at the dogs, but have some freedom to really attack a game. Release the beast - a bit more often. If he can average 2 goals a game we will have a lethal forward line, even without hogan

Lever will provide sold support for Omac. Nice to have a bit off cover. About time he got a chop out.

I'm not sure if it matters if it is the first bounce or latter bounces in the first half (first quarter?) there is little doubt Presuss has been brought in to give Gawn some relief. I doubt he will play every game but will play - about 75% i reckon. And definitely against those sides with two rucks. As you rightly say teams definitely physically tried to work Gawny over to limit his impact - understandable given how crucial is to our chances of winning. I thought the Hawks took it to another level in the semi. They were brutal. Smashed him at every opportunity. i was surprised he got up from one collision at the Punt road end when the hawks were pushing. Didn't help them much (though it wasn't his best game it has to be said) but it certainly helped the Eagles. At the ground you could see how stuffed gawny was from the first bounce. He was fully spent halfway through the first quarter. Preuss might repay some of those hits with interest. He has rugby background i think so should be well used to using his strength and size to hit hard. I pity the fools.

[censored] hippy

No. We can call him Sky.

Agree dazzler. i think salem has scope for improvement, particularly as unlike previous year, last year and so far this year he has had uninterrupted pre season. He is also now entering that key stage of a players career - 70+ AFL games - where all the parts start to come together. Plus i suspect the mid filed experiment is dead and buried and he will play out his career off the HB - which gives him some nice continuity. Its interesting what you said about his right foot kicking. Ii don't recall him kicking on his right much in games. If he starts to do so that can become a weapon off HB as it opens up space with opposition players covering his left side

God, i hope that's not true. if so, poor bugger

Good with binmum. Not so great with binman snr.

It is my birth name.

As in a cut from a blade?

You're not alone Chook. Never has your avatar been more appropriate for a thread.

Don't you mean Steven May?

Agree. Add to the above that we are a high scoring side and he takes his chances. Should be favorite but won't be. So will be good value.

If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Please. What about the dees can't afford for it to break in the first instance. Losing Gawn to injury (god forbid), even for short periods is the single biggest risk for us in term of our chances of going deep into the finals. I would say no single player in the league is more important to their team. I know he is referencing the idea of Preuss and Gawn playing in the same side but i have no doubt they will, not all season, but strategically through the season. Sometimes because of match ups but other times just to lessen the incredible load Max carries and give him some well earned chop outs - particularly mid season. I can even see the Dees resting Gawn mid season around the bye period (perhaps an interstate game?) to give him a chance to rest. And of course if Max does get injured we have some insurance. And on his choice to come to the dees, why wouldn't Preuss want to got to genuine premiership contender?

Good idea. Credit largely goes to 7 though it would seem.

Is that what he is doin? If so defenders get away with that all the time

Doesn't look like a free under the rule change (which is really a return to a previous rule) where player can use their hands to hold an opponent under the ball. As long as they dont push them forward. And even if, in that shot petty did push it would be sideways, which would likely be ok. Will be a very tricky free to call I would have thought. Great for tmac, who uses his hands a lot to grapple and push in marking contests.

Maybe. Stars like Danger do have some traction with kids under 12 i guess but i reckon lots of little kids would interested in the show than who plays. Particularly if the stars are only going through the motions and doing their best to avoid contact (not very super heroish).