Pates

Completely agree, this isn't a new issue, in fact it's been an issue with us probably since we lost Hogan. Even the premiership year it was more of a case of certain players their best form at just the right time (TMac, BBB, Fritta). Goody and Co need to be shouldering the blame for this side of our game being so poor for so long.

Clarry himself. I think there needs to be a breath taken with him taking a tagging role this week. For one we were missing Viney who has been our resident tagger recently (and it's helped him get into the game), secondly giving him a role gives him focus and we can always let him off the chains if we want to. It's not permanent.

Can't believe Viney is going to miss another week, honestly makes me feel like the WC kid that clocked him should be retrospectively getting a longer suspension.

That is damning, it shows around the ground we compete well and win enough contests but then our efficiency to make it result in a score is deplorable. I unfortunately was only able to watch bits of the final quarter, is this game as simple as when we had the ascendancy we failed to take our chances and when they were on top they did? Also, those maggots that missed the Kozzie blatant free-kick should be dropped. If ever there was an opportunity at a "captains challenge" that would've been it. Blind Freddy saw it FFS.

I think it's less fitness and more about attitude, but whatever it is it's a major concern. The Hawks would've seen the 3 quarter time score and thought (we've got them), meanwhile we were probably thinking, "oh no our 4th quarters aren't great".

Each to their own, the DeeBrief lads crack me up at times (and then other times they go right off the rails).

This is where the AFL failed in it's ability to argue to the case. There is no way in hell that if that's a Pies player below him (at training or in a match) that that thug compresses his body to make maximum impact to the vulnerable player. It was 5 minutes into a final, he wanted to make a physical impact, and he did. Now a player has retired because of his actions and the AFL tribunal gave it the tick of approval. It sickens me every time I think of it and I honestly struggle to watch ANY pies game now, but particularly whenever Maynard is on screen.

I absolutely love that Green came out to say the way the media have treated this situation as another opportunity at easy chum and media speculation, rather than recognising this is simply a young man who has put his hand up and said, "i'm struggling" is disgraceful. And surprise surprise it seems the only people that are saying it's all ok is the media themselves. For them to be critical of Green in the same week it's Spuds Game is hypocritical at best, because every one of them will be getting behind it saying how important it is to men's mental health. I would love for the club to do a media protest of sorts, one word answers or just blanking certain reporters/outlets.

So with Melk cleared I think JVR comes back for Petty, Sharp out for Oliver if he's ready to return. Part of me would like Disco to start in defence, despite his strong 2nd half up forward. I like him as a swing man that can be moved to whichever end he is needed most.

He got one which I think was right. It was clumsy, and it looks bad because he takes his eyes off the ball but I do take it more as young player trying to impact a contest but lacking AFL speed awareness. The fact that Viney's scone is tougher than a brick probably saved him from more weeks, practically any other player is probably getting subbed for HIA.

I'm not against what they're trying to stamp out with that, there are players who have form with this sort of thing, and tunnelling is the other one that they have taken way too long to properly address. For me earlier in the season Fritta should've been rubbed out for a game for tunnelling (can't remember who it was), it's dangerous and like these pushes into a contest the victim is completely at the mercy of gravity and luck.

That is a very fair point, recent form suggests Tom's connections at Melbourne are starting to feed him grade A BS.

Maybe it's because I have so many fond memories of him (namely the goal in the GF) but I still have hope for him remaining at the Dees and getting back to close to his best. He's clearly struggling with his own demons right now and it's good the club is taking the approach to show him care and support, unfortunately because of all the speculation from before the media want to beat the drums as loud as they can to create a story. If he does come back this week please Dees fans if he has a mark, free kick, or anything where he's holding onto the ball give him a massive cheer. Or if he plays off the bench when he comes on give him a massive gee-up. I get the feeling that he's feeling really hard on himself right now, and when you get into a dark place the only thing that gets you out is knowing you have people supporting you.

If someone has twitter can they please send this to that [censored] Schofield and the West Australian, it annoys me that after all of that there is actually no mention of the fact that Ginbey was the one that caused the carnage. His actions directly resulted in Petty and McGovern being subbed out with concussion and will both miss the following week. But nah let's focus on the player who has eyes for the ball and takes the mark.

Fair enough I see where you're coming from. I think it appears his role is nullify first, then try to hit them back when given the chance. I really liked the way the whole team bought into it though, it wasn't so much a team tag but more of a "don't give him any space".

Unfortunately it was on the Fox Footy coverage that came after the coverage ended in Victoria so only got shown in WA. https://www.afl.com.au/video/1313726/wrapping-our-arms-around-him-trac-praises-brave-oliver?videoId=1313726&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1746277676001

We were a top 4 team, but there were players (looking at Spargo and Nibbler) who were performing well below their best and easily could've been dropped to both put selection pressure on them and to reward Casey form for Bedford. Generating a list and keeping it fresh is an art form that we failed at when it comes to retaining depth.

Good on Trac for his post-match comments about Claz and the players sending their love and support to him. I feel like the commentary the McClure is putting out (without much substance or context) is completely unhelpful to him, it's yet another example of the media ignoring the fact they are happy throwing mud around about a guy who has openly said he is struggling with his mental health. I'd be on board with the club doing a media ban on McClure in the same way North did with Cornes. Hell I would love it if the entire playing groups across all teams did a media silence week in protest to the way the AFL Media conduct themselves. Or give one word answers when fulfilling media commitments.

Viney must remain as a tagger for the rest of the season, he goes to each teams gun player to nullify and harass. From the first bounce I knew that Ried was not going to have anything his way.

For me the whole Bedford thing is we shouldn't have been in a situation of it being one or the other. Bedford deserved games, at the time others weren't performing and should've been dropped. We would look better with Bedford in the squad right now. Just a thought that I've had for the last few weeks. Since Gus got taken out of the game with concussion I feel like that's a hole we have struggled to fill. The player that has great endurance and go to either end of the ground at any point in the game to be that extra option. Now Langdon has always been a sheepdog with crazy endurance and ability to get to both ends of the ground, but I just feel like what we're seeing from him resembles a bit more of a Gus-style game. He's taking more marks than he has in his career, more intercept marks, and seems to bob up for a goal or two every couple of games. I'm wondering whether Langford and others taking on the other wing role at times is just freeing him up to be a bit of a Mr Fix-it when we need that senior head.

6 - Gawn the GOAT 5 - Chandler 4 - Trac 3 - Viney 2 - Windsor 1 - Melksham

I think it's a bit of him being a victim of his own success and standards. The fans know he can (and should) be so much better, but that said the delivery to him was doing no favours in the first half. I thought he was ok without being good or bad.

Is there a link to some video of Petty's injury? I never saw it. I feel like this with the tunnelling rule that is relatively new there needs to be a level of intent. For example there was a tunnelling incident that Fitta did earlier this season, and his intent was to contact a guy that was completely at the mercy of gravity, to me that was a semi-intentional act (I say semi in that he didn't aim to tunnel, be he intentionally made dangerous contact). With Melk, they are contesting a marking contest and Melks eyes are firmly on the best way to win the ball.

This is a little side note to this thread but the clubs really need to come together to create a proper second tier competition where they match each week to the calendar. These weeks where Casey has a bye while we play is awful for player development and management. The league has enough money in the coffers, they should be making it a high priority. I think JVR will get the call up for Petty, if Fox Footy succeed in getting Melk suspended (and I just have this nagging feeling it'll happen) I say we bring in Howes to cover Disco who stays forward. If Oliver is available Sharp can play a full Casey game and give the sub vest to either Kolt or Spargo.

It would be so Michael Christian for him to give Melk a one weeks suspension, I have no faith in him making the right call.