Maldonboy38

Our entire midfield looks stronger and plays better when Jack is at his best. At the half way point of this season I really thought he was done. But his finals campaign was immense. And on GF day, the moment he mobbed McCrae at the first bounce, I decided to pay close attention to him - his switch was turned to "attack and demolish" and he did a power of work. So glad for him and his family. He is going to be a very focused and determined man next year, probably playing "too close to the line" like Jordan Lewis, and we will hear packs split from 100 metres away.

I hardly know what to type about this bloke. There is no category for him. The closest was Dean Cox, but Cox lumbered along compared to Jackson. In 2020 he ran under the ball or had concrete hands. By the 2021 GF, he is clunking pack marks, tackling, playing as a 4th mid-fielder, winning centre and in-play ruck contests, and kicking goals from 50 metres. He could tear the competition apart in the next 5 years.

I remember his first pre-season, and how unfit he was. His potential was on display but he had so much work to do to become an AFL player. Then he did his knee and had to go to the USA for rehab. I've been watching for a long time and clearly remember the days of Alves, Ditterich and Biffin. Trac is as good as our very best, and is the best contested ball, running forward from stoppage player I have seen. Mostly, I love that he is a humble club man. When he got emotional after that first final saying he wanted to restore pride in the jumper for all the supporters who were embarrassed to show the logo - wow, just wow. And then he didn't display the Norm Smith medal so he didn't stand out. Wow, just wow again. And when he spins out of trouble!! I too used to practice it (in the paddocks around the house), tripping over trying to baulk like Robbie. Trac does it with grace, power and ease and then hits players on the chest. If he ever fixes his inconsistent on-the-run goal kicking, he moves into very rare air.

After 164 years, almost every number would have some significance. 31, 2 and 11 stand out and should be given out with due recognition, but would hate them to become a "thing" bigger than the club or the team. Just give it to one of the young players or recruits who is yet to play a game or has played just a few - I would give to it to Laurie, Chandler or someone like that and see what becomes of it.

Mitchell is a cluey bloke, and has all the attributes of a very good coach, but something feels really bad at the Hawks. Remember how James MacDonald left the Dees, and how so many of the long term players of that era left the club uncomfortably or with dissatisfaction? That's the sense I get for the Hawks - Neeld era-ish problems. . Imagine holding your entire mature midfield up for the highest bidder.

Agree with BoBo above, Jackson looks like an Adam Goodes type player. He is not there yet, and he has a LONG way to go to get anywhere near Goodes, but his midfield attributes, aerial ability, burgeoning ruck work, and aggressive 2nd efforts hint at something rare. I am not a fan of huge contracts - either financially huge or duration huge - but we simply have to keep this bloke.

I know we all love the bloke: hard as steel, salt of the earth, etc... But I reckon he is a lot more skilful than people think. Due to his place in the team he is not required to get huge disposal numbers, but his in close work, his kicking away from congestion, his marking and goal kicking are all parts of his impressive arsenal. And who couldn't love a bloke with a huge gob, nicknamed "Chompers".

I actually think he is a very good coach. The players love him, his leaders play for him, and the young players are devoted to him in a way Clarry, Trac and Brayshaw are to Goodwin at the Dees. His record is very good, but their striving for success has a very hard outer limit, especially in 2 ways: Game style. The chip and charge, incremental "game of inches" requires a skill set that the Cats under Mark Thompson might have got away with (amazing skills those teams). But even those cats of 07 09 and 11 did not chip and charge, they flung it around with breathtakingly quick handballs and kicks. The chip and charge method comes unstuck under fierce pressure and clearly struggles in the finals campaigns. List management/recruiting. If bringing in elite older talent to support your list is not your main strategy, it can work. Hawks 2013 - 2015, Dees 2021. But if it dominates your strategy and costs you young draft picks, and even the young talent you do get are starved of opportunity, it is a dream killer. Higgins was a recent terrible decision, and even now they have decided to keep Gary Rohan. Bewildering.

I loved his footy at the GC, but thought he was a bit of a loose thug at times. Always seemed to be pointing and directing others. The way he arrived for his first preseason at the Dees had him on my "watch, wait and see" list. I wasn't too sure to buy in or not. Someone else mentioned above, that after a game a year or so ago he was interviewed and was brutally honest about the way we played - that's when I began to watch and listen and have since become a huge fan. Goodwin and Gawn seem to have built a culture of "smiling assassins", and by that I mean they are great, warm hearted, people inclusive, genuine good blookes who are focused, mildly angry, game focused beasts once they cross the white line. I reckon May leads this mindset. One of the best recruits in my memory.

Really hard to read for next year. A LOT of clubs had injuries to significant players, or in high numbers (gold Coast, GWS, St Kilda etc...). There are a lot of factors to come into play across the pre-season training period. Richmond could do anything from making the top 4, finishing 12th, or returning to their natural place in the pecking order - 9th. GWS, Fremantle, Carlton, Essendon and maybe even Gold Coast could rise. The only real mistake on the list is Geelong. The assistant coaches they have lost, the age of their list, the huge salaries for stars, their decision by Selwood to keep going - a difficult year coming up for them.

I have thought that some players here and there are not going to make it/struggle to maintain their place in the 22 etc... but haven't really bagged or let loose on anyone. However, coming into the 2021 finals I did say that both Sparrow and Jordon should be picked ahead of Viney. I have happily gorged myself on humble pie after that one! He was at his brutal, ball-hunting, body-thumping, angry, in-your-face best in the final series.

Things at Carlton just seem so different. I don't know if it is new board, new coach, SOS departing or a bundle of things all working together. I am not a fan of what GC has done with the priority pick, but good on them for using a loophole to their advantage. We would have been gloating if we achieved it (not that we have needed to over the last few years). Essendon still strutting through trade week like silent, smug gods, not realising that no-one wants to trade with them. As for the Dees, I still get the sense that some very quiet but brilliant game of Rummiking is being planned behind the scenes and we will end up with Mac Andrew (is this name right?) or some other specific target.

Alves and Wells - both such huge losses. Alves was a gun, absolute gun. I was only young but footy obsessed and Alves was part of what made me listen on the radio and check the scores of a Saturday. I reckon he would be rapt to see a red and blue flag.

Oliver's goal at the end of the 3rd quarter. The athletic team grunt, spread and skill of Jackson, Viney and Oliver I know many people despise the channel 7 commentary, but the "Bang: bang, bang, bang" call from James Brayshaw was breathtakingly perfect. I was up off the couch, roaring and fist pumping. Best moment of my footy watching life (apart from the raising of the cup by Goody and Max). The right arm pointing of Clarry with a look of "we are gods" written across his face. And the look of absolute astonishment and frozen shock on the faces of Treloar and Bont as they tried to understand what the **** was going on. Close 2nd - Brayshaw.

He was going to be picked up somewhere, he has so much to offer, and not only to indigenous players. But did it have to be THERE!?!? If, during a Dees v Pies game next year, the camera shows him wearing black and white, I will fair dinkum vomit.

Can't see him wanting to come to the Dees as a backup. Surely he wants to play. I really rate Ratten as a coach so there must be something with Dunstan which might not be well known outside the inner circle at the Saints. As far as the Dees needing/wanting him: there are so many ahead of him - Trac, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow, Harmes, Jordon. If injury hits, Brayshaw - and possibly others. I would prefer to draft a mature age (22-24) or intentionally develop a younger player already on our list who has yet to play at AFL level like Laurie, Rosman or even DeClase.

James Jordon elevates to Primary List ASAP. If we can get into the draft, all good but either way we aim for a tall forward and/or a lanky green ruckman who can build slowly over three years.

Sums it up for me. I went to an open training day at the MCG and got a heap of players signatures. Because of our lack of success, many people forget the great footballers on your list, Rusty. I loved Biffin - there was a bit of madness in his eye and thuggery in his fist that appealed to me as a kid. I was devastated when Wells and Alves left. But Gary Hardeman is the one. Playing CHB he came second to Keith Grieg in the Brownlow - from memory being overtaken in the last round. Yes, the days when backmen polled in the Brownlow. Sad to hear about Greg Parkes - strangely enough I only just remember him - but I hope he was well enough to see the cup lifted.

I used to live 15 minutes from the Casey ground so got to a few matches, and lots of Dees training. I don't normally watch too many Casey games on TV but I did happen to watch the game where he kicked 5 or 6 goals. I was supper impressed. I had never heard of him before but he impressed me as being strong and sure with ball in hand, in a similar way to Tom Sparrow in the finals series. But in shape and style he is more Jakovich than Neitz (but nowhere near their talent - just a comparison). I don't know what you can take from one game as a recruiter but he impressed me.

Too good a footballer not to be on a list somewhere. His lack of defence is a worry at times but Pies, North or Blues would surely have a look.

Key forward. Young, tall, skinny ruckman who will not be ready until 2024. Our wings are such a vital part of our gameplan. Rosman and Baker look possible, but another aerobic gut runner would be nice.

My sons and wife keep passing by each evening saying "are you watching it again?" Entire game x 3 Last half x 8 Last half of 3rd quarter... don't know, possibly 20. I get to the "Bang! Bang. Bang. Bang." part and I'm still pumping my fist, swearing (I'm actually not much of a swearer usually) and being totally obnoxious.

Mad as a cut snake and I love him. His appointment is right up there with the Jackson, Bartlett, Roos, and Goodwin appointments. And I reckon he is in the perfect role. No way could he be a senior coach again. The narrower the frame he works in the better he is. With all the coaches, development coaches, line coaches etc... in modern footy, he would go round the twist taking half the team with him. Please, please, please MFC pay him enough and keep him stimulated enough so he stays for a 5 year stint. Please! I reckon our premiership window could be 5 years long and I want this bloke involved.

Roos did his job, Goodwin moved it forward. Peter Jackson did his job, Pert moved it forward. Jones and Viney did their job, Max moved it forward. Bartlett did his job (with a few bumps late in his leadership) and then Roffey moved it forward. Foundations AND timing/momentum are required. For the first time in forever, the MFC absolutely 100% nailed both. When I look at Daisy Pearce and Kate Roffey I see 2 of the best football people I have ever seen. I don't know about anyone else but my praise for them has never been unsung. Right now, our club is full of great people from the top to the property steward. I am as grateful about this as I am for anything.

I'm not sure how the flag unfurling normally goes (having never been interested in one before), but I assume it will be first home game, possible versus the Doggies. If not, I so much want it to be versus the Cags or Bombers. Cats - how many remember their players pretending to snooze rather than sing their club song after smashing us one day? Bombers - because of 2000. To watch their surly faces descend into despair while we sing our song: swweeeet!! And I hope the arrogant cheat James Hird is there to watch it.