Pates

Given his limited abilities he had a good run with us and North. Considering we traded Gysberts for him (long gone now) he was a decent pick up and put in some very valuable and memorable performances. He failed under Neeld’s “moneyball” tactic (most players did), but came good under Roosy and Co. Any word on whether he’s going to stick around at Casey? Anyway, thanks Cam!

The interesting part to all this is the wording of “Open to a trade”, it doesn’t suggest a super strong go home factor but of a if a deal that benefits us can be done he’s happy to go. All year we’ve been hearing that he’s happy here and enjoying his footy with us, I would think him missing out on playing finals this year would make him want to stay even more. But then there could well be a lot more going on that we don’t know.

Much as I’d love the Eagles to join the table I don’t see them being desperate for a key forward. Though they can put a bid in just to force Freos hand! ?

Although most of us agree that we caved to Adelaide we still came to the party with 2 first round picks for Lever when it was a forgone conclusion he was gone. We’ve got this trade period and then if things done work he has another year with us to try for a premiership ?.

Whatever happens we are in the box seat as he’s contracted to us. I personally don’t want him to go, while he frustrates at times he’s got incredible upside and will be a star of the competition. The question of whether we can fit him in the team can be addressed by merely watching the Prelim again, we were murdered in the air (like most areas). IF we are to entertain a trade then Adelaide have set the starting bid, minimum two first round picks plus a sweetener (maybe we send back a 4th rounder or a player). But I want Jesse to stay.

Given his importance to our future you would hope they will observe every precaution, we've rushed players back in the past and it's almost always come back to bite us. Ablett Jnr also returned too early from his shoulder injuries and it bit the Suns in the ass.

I just realised the Gus didn't even get an invite to the ceremony! ? Well done AFL, your third place getter wasn't even there!

Congrats to Gus, he's had a great year after having to battle to get back into the side but once he did he was fantastic. It was almost like having a new recruit with him because I think quite a few (not me though) had written him off due to his concussion problems. I think he should have another great year next year and then be seriously considered for leadership group maybe even VC to Jack by that time. Max was never going to win it, he's had an awesome year as evidence by the coaches award but this medal isn't a ruckman's medal, they don't understand the subtle things that he does but 20 votes is still a fantastic effort. Clarry only getting 13 is a bit mystifying, hopefully it'll drive him to prove himself even more next year.

He was afraid to overturn the decision, simple as that. That was a reversal every day of the week but he was too scared to make the tough decision in front of the pro West Coast crowd. Weak as pi55.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-24/dees-gun-to-undergo-two-shoulder-reconstructions- We already knew how good he was but now we find out this! What a gun!

Nothing in there I’d disagree with. We are definitely one paced which is why when Frost came in and began to use his pace we looked a lot more dangerous. We definitely need some outside pace on the wings and you’ve correctly identified Hunt as one that could come in to fill that hole. Hunt can definitely be anything, he needs to step up in 2019 or he’ll just be known as another flash in the pan. The inability to play tempo footy is something I’ve been willing to forgive with us being a young team but we certainly need to improve that and it needs to be the leaders who drive it particularly when the situation calls for it. This was maybe a getable flag but our performance yesterday showed we weren’t ready. We were cooked and ended up being lambs to the eagles slaughter. Tweaks here and there, and improvements to the mentioned issues will go a long way to us being top 4 contenders next year and for me I feel like that’s the only launching pad to us making a real tilt for the flag.

Joint for Harmes & Viney for me, everyone lowered their colours in the West Coast game.

I feel like a lot of the slips were the result of the handballs being behind the players, I know the fast sharp hands have been a staple of our success this year but today those quick hands were horrendous. And from people who’s hands are usually very good. Oliver included. It was just a really dirty day.

I would like to see us try to draft an exciting “magical” crummer. We have Garlett but he had a poor year, who knows what he’s going to bring next year. We have Spargo and Hannan but truthfully I down know what Spargo is going to be long term and Hannan is more of a mid sized forward. We just don’t seem to have someone at the moment that gets the fans on the edge of their seat when they’re around the ball (maybe aside from Oliver, but he’s a midfielder). I also noticed there wasn’t anyone getting front and centre even when the ball went to ground.

It’s only a setback if we allow it to be. Last years missing the finals by percentage could’ve mentally scarred the team, instead it drove them to bigger highs, losing to the cats in two close games could’ve made us doubt us in the elimination final instead we took confidence from it. We can fly back to Melbourne with our tails between our legs and bemoaned that we were overawed and got stage fright or we can learn from the experience we’ve gained in three finals and think about how we can overcome these obstacles in the future. I’d love nothing more than for us to be in the Grand Final but we take what we’ve learned and apply it for 2019.

You make me laugh so much Picket Fence, thanks for cheering me up! ?

Lewis had a mare today, about as bad a first half as he could’ve played. He wasn’t alone. On the other hand Lewis was HUGE in the West Coast rnd 22 game, and the first and second final. Where does that leave him? I think he gets another year but gets told his place is far from certain, he will have to deserve it like everyone else. Leadership group shouldn’t be a certainty either.

A little side point, did Smith kick his first AFL goal today? If he did good on the young bloke, came in today and to be honest was thrown to the lions covered in BBQ sauce given the ease in which the Eagle sent the ball forward. Was thrown forward I think just because Goodwin wanted to change things up and he had a few really good leaps at it.

Couldn’t have said it better, this is a process towards a premiership. Of course the dream was for it to happen this year, the fairytale was there unfolding in front of us but this is the real world and it doesn’t just happen. I had us in the 8 this year between 5th-7th, never really thought we were good enough for top 4. I hoped we would win a final; we won two, against teams that have given us so much pain for so many years, in front of two 90,000+ crowds, where we had the better fan ratio. I’m disappointed that it ended on such a low note, but it’s up to the individual on whether it takes some gloss off the year and the improvements we’ve made. For me it doesn’t. Bring on 2019!

We’re all gutted by the loss today but get right behind Casey tomorrow. They’ve had a great year and deserve our support. Make it loud and sing it’s a grand old flag proud!

Well what can I say, we saved our worst performance for our last match of the year. Much like the last couple of years I guess. It is what it is. I’m still damn proud of the boys, they brought back hunger and belief to our club, they played some truly inspiring footy at times, and we’ve got a core crop of players who will be together for a while. I see no point in dissecting the match, it was played on the Eagles terms from the get go. Instead I’ll just say thanks to the playing group for giving us joy and belief that we are building towards something. Bring on 2019 and I hope the Eagles smash the Pies next week!

Much like the Pies last night all the bounces just seem to be going WC’s way. It’s the factor that you can never control.

Well that was a gift. That protected space rule is ridiculous. I’ll take it though.

What is with our [censored] handballs!!!!!!!

This is about next year now, sad as it sounds that’s the truth. Regardless of the result I’m proud of them but to lose by such an embarrassing margin will live with us. We need to fight and scrap for everything as if it’s a new game, Gawn needs to fight back as that’s as bad a half of footy he’s played. It actually looks like he’s given up on his midfield with taps to no one and instead slapping it forward. Spargo should’ve kicked his goal, Viney should’ve got a reversed free (umpire was scared of overturning it because of the crowd), and Jones shanked a simple kick to ANB which should’ve give a shot on goal. Aside from those times we’ve barely looked like scoring.