Maldonboy38

OUT: AJ suspended, Howes too many pressure errors IN: Turner, Langford. Henderson to sub Chandler holds his spot, goes to sub when Kozzie returns.

Yes, he was on Taylor, who is a gun. But on a lot of occasions JVR did all the work, got into position and got 2 free hands to the ball in a marking contest only to be too far beneath the ball, and his hands let the ball go behind him. He is a very good player and could be anything but this default mistake is too common.

Both disappointed and proud. Strange mix of emotions. So much to like about our debutantes. AJ and Henderson didn't really look AFL ready. Jeffo brilliant and poor. Sharp was very good. XL was great. Langford - I have no idea. GWS spreading wide and having runners from behind killed us all day, even more in the final quarter. Green and Green monstered our mids in the last quarter. JVR unfortunately back to the worst version of himself today (ball hitting hands and going behind him), and Fritsch also looks a mile away. Petty, Bowey and Salem - take a bow, wonderful. Our skills still need some polish - I feel we lost it rather than them winning it. I actually feel that there is a lot to like. We matched them or even beat them when contesting on the ground or in the air for most of the day.

How could we be split open like that in the last minute?

JVR running under the ball, and then flat hands. I suppose at least he is providing a contest.

Come on, win a stoppage and release the pressure.

We are not reading their sideways spread. Getting frustrating.

He does s good thigs at times, but looks like a deer in the headlights under pressure, especially in and around packs.

Not a great game for skills, but I am loving it. A group of young kids having a crack against one of the Premiership favourites. Clarry & Trac back. Viney casuing havoc. If we fix up simple skill errors, we can win it.

Howes - aarrgghh!! Stop those panicked in close handballs.

Doing so many things right, but disposal lacking polish.

Great quarter of footy. Loving our new forward philosophy of long bombs only when all other options are closed off. New kids looking good. Both teams squandering easy goal opportunities. Our backs as brilliant as ever. We have to stop their easy possessions when it comes off a pack, and their spread way from that. Our pressure, run and intensity on song.

Langdon, Windsor and Bowey doing really well - and Jeffo doing his thing. And Hendo!!

Energy at the fall of the ball is half step behind the Giants. Come on boys, off your heels and on your toes.

Bad fumble Howes.

Jeffo you beauty!!

Love Round 1, hate that it is Sunday 3.20pm and F1 weekend. I will have eyes on Jeffo who is surprisingly good in the wet (a few games at Casey last year). I am not expecting too much, but want to see his leading, effort and attitude. Max will be a huge factor in the game - win or lose. Can the 6 debutants quickly play our defence/stoppage game? Will our forward line look or feel different with new line coach and new faces? I definitely hope so. GWS are very well coached, disciplined except for their skipper, and transition as well as anyone. They go in likely favourites. Should be a cracker, hoping for a 20 point win.

Sloppy Lions so far.

Teams figured out Collingwood - let them have their handball chains but full pressure on their designated kickers. They couldn't maintain their gameplan under pressure. The Hawks looked very good last night, and their gameplan is wonderful to watch. But a lot of their effective kicking was unpressured. Cats, GWS, Freo, Dees who have a style of game based on defence and pressure will worry the Hawks. Today, really interested in the North v Dogs match. I see the Dogs sliding big time this year and North look set to finally mature and aim for the 8-10 ladder position. Beveridge is a cunning old bugger and could surprise, but it does not look likely.

Essendon have actually played better footy over the ground, but their disposal is atrocious. Hawthorn don't need much of the ball to execute with precision.

Spot on. They aren't creating things they are reacting to the Hawks.

Horrendous free kick to Will Day. Horrendous non free kick for Sicily pushing Hobbs in the face/neck. And surely McGrath has every right to handball it through. What is going on?

Essendon, stop falling over. And look for options better. Loose players not being spotted going into F50. Hawthorn running forward looking very well drilled. And stuff me they can kick.

I loathe everything Essendon - jumper, players, supporters, arrogant board members, Dodoro, Sheedy etc... - and revel in their finals losing streak. Even my loathing for Pies or Blues is dwarfed by it. But there is something brazen, arrogant and totally unlikable about the current Hawks team that makes me want to slap people. Strutting around, selfies on the ground after games, stupid pre-organised goal celebrations. Yuk!! I won't go as far to say that I will barrack for the Bummers (never, no) but I do want them to win. Unfortunately I think the Hawks will win by 4-6 goals.

Is it possible to be delighted, apprehensive AND excited at the same time? Yes. This squad looks like a deliberate break away from all the carp of 2024, and a risk/reward exploration of the new forward setup we so desperately need. Kozzie, Spargo and Tholstrup easily walk into this forward line, but unavailable. I have been a Jeffo fan for a while and hope he starts on the ground, but AJ looks more likely to worry the GWS backline. Centre line of Langdon, Clarry, Windsor please. Starting team might look like this: B: Petty May Bowey HB: Rivers Lever Salem C: Langdon Oliver Windsor HF: Henderson AJ Sparrow F: Fritsch JVR Chandler R: Gawn Viney Petracca I/C Langford Sharp Lindsey Jefferson Concerns - 1) defensive run over 4 quarters 2) can this forward setup click Anticipation - 1) Jeffo 2) Langford