binman

The magnificent goal Latrelle kicked was the perfect example of why King targeted CJ and his role in the team and King's sytem. Maxy won the ball inside the Saints 50 and handballed (look away over his head mind you) to CJ who was boundary side to Max. Instead of going down the line, which was the percentage play, CJ ran and carried laterally to the opposite side (towards the members) and kicked long to Kolt, who had run off Nas. That opened up the Saints, Latrelle gut run into the space created by the switch, Kolt didn't take the short option, instead kicking a perfect 50 metre kick that hit Latrelle, who didn't have to break stride. One of the best, most exciting goals I've seen by a dees player in years. And it doesn't happen without CJ's dare, run and carry and preparedness to take on a high risk, high reward switch kick.

You watch much football?

Thanks wheelo - that's really interesting. Funnily enough i just said on the pod (or after talking to Andy and George - i cant recall which) that for all the talk about us being a long bomb team under Goody, which was true from 2020 to the 2024, but decidedly not true last season, that I'd be willing to bet that under King we will actually kick long for territory more often and that will be reflected in higher average metres gained per kick. Obviously a small sample, but our metres gained per kick yesterday was 27.9 against a season average last season of 26.2 metres gained per kick (we were mid table for that stat last season - the Suns were on top of that table).

Yep, fair point.

Perhaps. Though i think the evidence was clear we were not running out games last year - i'd suggest a happy group of players are more likley to do the work required to get in tip top shape than a bunch of unhappy players. And i'd note that speaking to Lever and Kolt at a player's sponsor function, both, independantly, told me the amount of running they did in the preseason was off the charts and much more intense than in previous seasons. But leaving that aside, Trac was nowhere near as fit last season as he obvioulsly is this seaosn, Claz was miles off optimal AFL level fitness, ditto Steve May. That's three of our starting 18 not at optimal fitness. Those three have been replaced in the starting 18 by much fitter players - that's a big boost to the overall fitness of the side right there.

Yep, fair call

Fantastic stuff wheelo. You read my mind as knowing the CD pressure ratings are not readily available I was going to use AI to test my hypothesis that the pressure ratings were low accross all games (highlighting the weakness of AI LLMs it's likely no bots would be able to source that info as it's behind paywalls). But reports of the death of pressure as the key indicator are premature. Early days, and come the last third of the season - and in particular finals - it will once again be all about pressure.

OR is ridiculous, and I've found it interesting how many coaches have been prepared to say so. So emblamatic of the AFL's philosophy of putting profit and market share over ensuring the competition is as fair and equitable as possible. I mean it creates a potential inequity from the very beginning of the season. But if they ARE going to have an OR, surely the logical thing to do would for all 8 teams who play OR to play a team who also played in OR in round one.

Wholeheartedly agree. Sure Nas kicked 3 and he had a really good game, tgough not a match winning one (it’s a measure of how well he is playing that his player rating was 16.7 and was the Saints 3rd highest rated player, yet most would consider he had an average game). But in a game with 33 goals kicked 3 goals is not a match winning haul, and I think I'm right in saying all three were kicked when he was playing forward, presumably trying, and I guess succeeding, to exploit Kolt defending him. But I'd much rather Nas play forward than on ball, particularly in the last quarter when his elite run and carry and bal use would have much more a concern than being moored inside his 50. In that context comparative score involvements tell an interesting tale. Nas had 6 (which includes his 3 goals) and Kolt had 8.

Low all team pressure - however I think that is a function of both team's method and will be a trend for us and the competition (the same factor drving the increased importance of ball use equity compared to ball winning equity). Fewer stoppages, less emphasis on winning contested balls (except post clearance - i think that willl remain critical) and more outside run and carry combine to mean less opportunity to accumulate pressure points from physical contact (the highest scoring actions).

Brilliant, many thanks @WheeloRatings. Really like the new stats. Am I right to assume the equity points is an aggregate of player ratings to arrive at a whole of team score?

Absolutely Was just thinking about how fluid the midfield rotations were. Rather than the standard starting mid model there's core mids in Kozz, Steele, Rivers and Windsor and a bunch of others who roll thru the middle, like Langford (who otherwise plays on the wing), Sparrow, Kolt and Lindsay. Interesting mix of players, many of whom are big boys, and skill sets.

It felt wrong when I posted it - and it wasn't evwn an Ai error, I was repeating what they said on ABC post hame (but perhaps they meant key forwards or more likely first half).

18.12 - 120 15.17 - 107 4 points.

With his eyes I'm assuming

As the great sage Flavor Flav said, don't believe the hype. Scoring will drop soon enough as fatigue starts being more of a factor . Teams are in their optimal shape atm (which would terrify Blues and bombers fans as both teams look miles off fitness wise) and can manage the huge amount of running the current style demands. As their fitness tails off, and coaches baulk at giving up huge scores, teams will slow the game down more often, fie exampleby the chip mark, and then go fast, method the lions use, and the Hawks and Pies both seem to be copying.

Closing in on 100 AFL games (today is his 95th). Love players that get the best out of themselves. Love Omac

Or the Benny Hill music

I reckon they should play a song when the OPPOSITION kicks a point - perhaps Loser by Beck.

Baker was given every chance to cement a senior spot at the dees. As evidence of that i don't recall a single post criticising the decision to delist him.

And above all he is an aerobic beast with good wheels. Slow coaches need not apply under King methinks

Yep. No way you can have all three in the same side - partly because we'd be too tall down back but more significantly we'd aldo be too slow down back, which was a huge issue for us last season. I cant see Turner coming out of our side, so i reckon in reality Tmac's competing with Petty and Lever. I expected Howes to be selected. He's flexible in that he can play medium and tall. Makes good decsions, is a neat kick and has good wheels. If he maintains his preseason form he is a best 23 lock. And i'm not surpised Tmac is out - unfortunately he's not quick enough.

I'm not a fan either, though to be honest I dislike the volume ads and songs are played at the G way, way more than songs after a goal. Does my head in. The issue I have is not so much having songs after goals as I understand the logic of making the game a fun event for families, it's the rationale for the decision. Typical AFL making a decision supposedly to benefit fans without, one bothering to actually consult fans, and two not even bothering to tell fans on what basis they have concluded fans want this. I mean where's the evidence this will make for a better experience, let alone increase attendance. The AFL have been gloating about tecord breaking attendances for years. And songs are not played after goals at most games. Hard then to argue something needs fixing. And give me a break it's for the kids - I doubt many kids are singing along with bloody Country Roads at the GABBA. It's all the crusty retirees and the mums and dads(who bybthe are the ones who buy the tickets to games for their kids)

One of my favourite albums is a Toots album from 2004 of duets called True Love. At the time I was still collecting CDS, almost exuslusivey from discount bins. I bought that CD (for $5) not really expecting much as late career duets of his old stuff seemed a bit naff. But it's terrIfic, with some awesome duets, including with Bonnie Rait, Jeff Beck, Manu Chao and Terry Hall (went back to jb hi and bought a bunch more as gifts for friends). It's mostly versions of old songs of his and reggae standards. But my favourite track is an outlier, a duet with Willie Nelson of a Willie song - Still is still moving me. One of my all time favourite covers (I love good cover songs):

It's why i only wear red and blue