DemonWA

Agree with Jaded here. It's not about the Win or Loss. It's about whether we are in the game for long periods and generally show up to play. Collingwood and Port are both a few games ahead of the rest on the ladder which is reflective of them being the most consistent teams this year. I'd love to tke them down today but If the result ended up similar to the port game I don't think anyone would really say our season or flag credentials are shot.

Yeah I don't dispute there is some strategic nous in his game plan. But my point was mainly around 'in game' tactics etc. I feel like we plan and then set and forget (for better or worse)

Do enlighten me. Defensive press was great, but I didn't see any ingame magic tricks?

I'm not usually a Goody basher but I don't think he has any major in game tactics to keep dry. He's from the school of 'footy is a pretty simple game - win contests and bring effort' way of thinking imo. Also, I don't think we can afford to leave anything on the park here. Could end up being a pivotal match in terms of top 4 positions.

I feel like contested posessions on the half forward and half back flanks will decide the game. Kind of self explanatory but when we're on, we win the 50-50 balls in these positions, both in the air and on the ground

Brilliant interview 👏 👌

I plan to. Spargos game on Friday was infuriating imo. I'm usually a fan but last couple of weeks have been sub-spargo.

He's an absolute gun. Was one of our most consistent in the 2021 finals series, and as you say, super tough - deceptivley so

Spargo goes for mine. Never gives the first, easy option anymore. Always trying the cute / tricky one atm

He's spot on. I typically hate 'Chad' Scott, but he's spot on here.

This is the issue with over saturated AFL media. The weekly shows are produced in a way that almost demands weekly hyperbole. Cats are cooked, Dees are miles off, can't trust the dogs, Freo are rubbish etc etc. Virtual click bait.

Interestingly David King was bullish on First Crack about us being 'back' because of how organised and effective our press was. Showed footage of Chandler and others pointing and calling the press. Joey Montagna also spoke glowingly about the shape of our game based on the defensive outcome.

Impressive and enjoyable analysis. Allowing myself to play Devils advocate, my only issue with it is that it seems a little reverse engineered when it comes to impact on form and the overall sensitivity of elite athletes to what are ultimately relatively minor fluctuations to training loads. To say it impacts us more than other contenders because of our questionable footskills seems like a shot in the dark. The flat spot that alot of clubs have at this time of the year could be as much to do with the cold and wet weather levelling up the playing field. I look at a 38 game premier league season, with the local cup tournaments and european cup leagues. Clubs must be managing alot of fatigue but it's never used as an excuse or discussion point. As an example of how big the loads are, Jordan Henderson played 57 matches in the 2021/2022 season. I think it's a factor, but not to the same extent as your hypothesis suggests.

Interesting to hear the loading/fatigue discussion again in various threds. Especially interested in the sub theory that has emerged regarding our preference to revert to the % tactics (moving the ball around the flanks etc) has come back since the guys have been more fatigued. Think there is some merit to this but keen to hear everyone's thoughts on what sort of game style and freshness we will see on Monday!

Our defensive and contest game is finding form. In the heat of finals this is the only part of the game that matters. We're still tinkering with the team and trying some new things too. despite the knockers were on of the highest scoring teams this year too. I think we're in an incredible position. I'm becoming a cracked record but I cannot believe how many of our fans are writing us off.

Hope you've got spare sheets mate. Still 9 sleeps to go 😉

All of the bed wetter 'supporters' that want to talk up Collingwood and take pot shots at our lads will hopefully learn a bit from the WCE match. No team is invincible and Pies aren't superheros.

Bump is dead ⚰️

Unless you need to write us off as a coping mechanism, I have no idea why you would choose to see it that way. The bombers game is literally the only match where your comment has validity, and the entire team were down that day. Extended break, huge crowd, underdog status, nothing to loose. I think we're upto our eyeballs in this one

Lets wait and see. We'll need to make the kost of our inside 50s, but i think our defensive structures will make it hard for them to waltz around and do as they please

Held the team with the so called 'twin towers' to 40 odd points. Fantastic defensive display.

Gutsy win. Love it People expecting champagne footy each w week are kidding themselves

That's where I learnt to call a white strip a surrender kit haha 😅

Good to see the Blues are wearing their white 'surrender' kit

Cannot believe all of the people writing us off because of our forward line. It's been like that all year tbh. When we've kicked big scores we get an even spread of goal kickers and I think the addition of Smith is going to give us a Petty like contest. Hoping for a return to form for Chandler and Pickett.