binman

A case could be made the High-Performance Manager is now the most important nonplaying role in footy, including senior and assistant coaches.

Chandler's TOG was 84%. Woeful disposal numbers, with 3 kicks and no handballs. The AFL stats are a joke, for example, like hits outs, the clearance number is a rubbish indicator - it just measures quantity not quality, impact or outcome. The key clearance related stat is scores from clearances - which is not on the AFL website despite them owning a share in Champion data. There's no sugarcoating Chin's disposal numbers but playing as the small forward (playing Koz's old role) his key KPI is pressure. And the AFL site doesn't have that data (though i'd note he only laid 2 tackles, only one of which was inside 50 - by way of comparison Clarry and Fritter, yes fritter, had 2 inside 50 tackles). The other important stat for Chin (that the AFL actually does have, but not for this match) are the total distance he covers in a match and the distance he covers at speed. That data is available, though frustratingly only for the for the top 5 players at the Telstra tracker section of the AFL app. That data is really important as an indicator for our high half forwards, a role Chin played last year, given how important those players' defensive and offensive running is (ie to defend turnover and provide options ahead of the ball on transition). it is less relevant if Chin is playing a true small forward, but important, nonetheless.

We have def struggled against freo in the last few seasons, though the timing of the games hasn't helped as most have been just before or just after our mid season bye. I think our biggest challenge against freo is their leg speed. I'll be interested to see how we go on that front today. Improvement in leg speed won't really come from our new draftees or trades though Sharp is, well, pretty Sharp (but so was nibbla). It will come from their training regime - whether they have they had a focus on building leg speed, if yes has it been successful and how fit are they (critical because it's about ability to maintain speed over the whole match). That said, having koz as a mid helps as he we can utilise his speed all over the ground, and the same is probably true of langdon. Anf Windsor at half back means he will be in the game more and be better placed to use his speed to provide defensive cover on turnover (something we struggled with in the back half of last year).

I hadn't opened this thread, so started post from last September. Some interesting takes. This post will age a lot better than some of the other takes - you nailed DS. Great comment about the similarities to Kelly, I hadn't thought of that comparison - it's a good one I love this kid, and think he has huge upside. As you note can play mutiple roles, is tough, and is exactly the sort of player we have been crying our for. And seems like he is a natural leader.

Can I take a Mulligan?

Where's the thinking emoji when you need one!

Don't do it to me Goody.

Sure, but its padded out with players who are ready to go - Chandler played last week, ditto Koz, Trac could have and will play this week, ditto Viney. And it's kind of weird including suspended players. Key is how many best 22 are on the list i reckon. Leaving aside Chandler, Viney, Tracc (who are all good to go) and Koz by my reckoning there are only two best 22 locks - Windsor and Mcveee (Kolt is probably close to best 22 too i guess).

What are you reading atm? I've heard Lord of the replies is good.

Nibbla.

Yes I'm quoting this post but I didn't read it. Don't bother replying.

No it doesn't.

Curious, how do you read a reaction? And what happens if you accidentally see an emoji that has been added to one of your posts? Once seen, never unseen? Or do you try and convince yourself, Schulz stylee, that you saw 'nothink'?

Yeah, you're prob right about the benefit of Koz playing from a fitness perspective. But if Koz doesn't play, come round four it will be seven weeks since he has played in a competitive inter team match. If he plays, its six weeks between proper hit outs. One less week doesn't sound much, but in terms of match 'touch' it might be a factor in their thinking about selecting him this week.

Interesting point. As you say koz had had two sold hit outs already. And obviously he's not playing in the first 3 rounds. That could mean them running with the team they might go with round one. That said missing the first three rounds might mean they want to take the opportunity to get one more match load and fitness into koz.

We're on the same page there Rjay - in 30 years people will look back in horror at the wall-to-wall sports betting advertising and how embedded it's become in footy the way we look back at Big tobacco sponsoring Australian Cricket (not to mention touring cars, footy etc etc) and cigarettes being advertised all over the place (in my mind's eye i still see Benson's and Hedges gold livery when i think back to cricket in the 70s - no coincidence that until i gave up smoking when i was 30 my go to was Benson and Hedges Extra Mild)

No way of getting rid of betting on AFL - unless all sports betting is banned, which ain't gonna happen. And even if it did a million illegal off shore betting sites would fill the void (you can bet on Victoria Soccer League games on such sites such is their ubiquity). But i 1000% agree the promotion and advertising of betting should have severe limits placed on it - eg never during games, never embedded in footy shows, only after 9pm etc etc. And the AFL, clubs and all sporting clubs should be forced to stop taking any gambling related advertising revenue and/or sponsorships. All that said, whilst i fully acknowledge the deleterious impactbof sports betting I really enjoy punting on the footy. And a thread on demonland for like minded people is not a bad idea, particularly if people such as myself don't put punting related posts in other threads.

4-6?

Sockos go on Legos.

Love that we've added another leftie.

It's been stolen?

The way I see it, we only use on or two key tall defender in the old school sense of a key tall who locks down an oppo tall forward. May is the number one such player. Lever plays an intercepting role and tmac was more a tall roamimg flanker than a traditional tall defender. When we needed a second lock down defender last year we had to rely on Lever and/or Tmac, or sometimes Tomlinson. The problem with using Lever or Tmac in that role is both are very average one on one. Petty is a much better option as he is great one on one but can also zone off and intercept.

It's fascinating isn't it. Petty has been training with the backs all preseason, but has been talked about as a swing man. I reckon Jefferson is the wild card in terms of where Petty plays. If Jefferson becomes a best 23 lock that would mean three key talls - jeffo, jvr and Turner. And possibly 4 if AJ plays as a forward ruck. AJ is another fascinating piece of the puzzle. I don't have a strong sense of whether he is AFL ready, but I really hope he is because I'd love jvr to be able to just focus on marauding inside 50 for at least the first half off the season rather than having to run himself into the grounf giving maxy a chop out (though long term I see him playing that role - I really rate his ruck ability).

We're not adapting our game plan. As goody noted we were trying to implement a fast transition game for much of last year. And yet, despite that we went tall down back in the first third of last season. But you make a good point about Windsor going back changing the mix, though you could argue he is replacing Rivers, who didn't start playing midfield 'till the last third of the season. Leaving the mix of talls and mediums aside, I just can't see tmac not playing down back round one. One of best defenders last year, is having one of his best preseasons ever - and the first in years where he has no foot issues. Can run all day, and whilst I agree with DS that he has turning circle of a boat, he looks in ripping nick and is as thin and athletic as ive ever seen him. I'd add that he is one of our most reliable field kicks, which is absolutely critical to being able to implement a transition method. Turnovers from defence kill teams these days. May and Lever ate both very hit and miss with those short 20 to 30 kicks out of defence that are so important. Tmac on the other hand is rock solid.

Yes. Gator makes a good point about GWS' forward line having small pressure forwards, so perhaps not round one. But it's best to think of the defence as a back seven, not six. And it's worth noting that in OR last season we ran with Tomlinson, Howes, Lever and May. And round one, albeit against a tall dogs forward line, we ran with Hore, Lever, May, Howes and Tmac.