PaulRB

For a long time our intensity in the first 10 minute of the game will indicate whether we are “ON” and are in for a good day at the footy. So the data supports the experience of a mediocre season.

Hey Action, I’m very underwhelmed by Trac as a forward and think he’s a better ruck over than forward, as he’s built for contest, bullocking and basketballesque manouvering. I wince when Trac has set shots, and he often sprays when on the run. I’d have Trac 70/30 mid/forward. The questions of how to best balance our mids is challenging as a midfield of Trac, Clarry and Jack needs to be unwound to give Kozzie, Rivers, Langford and others (ie Lindsay) more time in the middle. But only Kozzie of that new group can demand time in the middle, and given Kozzies forward work that then robs our forward line. Unravelling and rebuilding these issues are underway, and I’m confident Goody is up to it.

For at least two years Goody has been working with the FD to evolve the team and game style to compete in the current game. This is a complex combination of recruiting better ball users, more speed and adjusting our game style to embrace a quicker and more offensive style. For all of these changes, i believe Goody is correct and while the implementation has had issues (i.e. the back off this evolution during the middle of last season dues to injuries and effect issues) we don't have a choice but to continue to evolve the team and style as the game has evolved. The challenge with Trac and Clarry (and JV) making up the core of our midfield is that all three are great in contest but not great ball user, nor quick of foot. Plus, they have been slow to evolve their games. Yet these three were instrumental to our 21 success, are on long term contracts and in peak form are match winners. The introduction (and re-signing for 9 year) of Kozzie into more midfield time is a big piece in changing our midfield set up as Kozzie is both quick and good by hand and foot. The recruitment of and quality of Langford is another midfield option, with others, such as Windsor, Lindsay, McVee, even Bowser as potential HBF and wing ball deliverers may also reduce the need for Trac and Clarry (and JV) to become what they're not... My point being that moving one of Trac and Clarry (and JV) out of the club is dependent on what we have to replace them in that role and position. They all keep getting games in the middle because none of the other players at the MFC are pushing them out. So perhaps the better question is who would replace Trac and Clarry (and JV) in the midfield and would it make us a better team thats more likely to win our next flag? Because to exit one of Trac and Clarry (and JV) prior to having several solid answers to that question would be a poor outcome.

I’d add a third critical element, the return of Picket, McVee and Windsor, all of which had delayed/interrupted starts to the season. Kozzie outright gun but our kids are all recruited for this new game style. Langford and Lindsay have slotted in seamlessly.

AJ’s physicality, size and role reminds my of the value I saw in Van Den Berg a couple of years back. In pressure games these players create space, fumbles in the opposition and second guessing that provides opportunities for our silk players. I’m loving AJ’s impact. Would love him thundering toward Maynard under a high ball. Plus, I think it allows us to rest and play Max in a way that gets the best from Max for the team. Ie floating a kick behind play to lock it forward, etc… Plus, AJ while 25 has only played 4 games and has shown an impressive improvement trajectory over last 2-3 years and he is likely to improve further.

Wanted to bump this to remind those banging on so long and loud about getting rid of Goodwin, that you were misguided and clearly proved wrong. 😊 Maybe its time to trust Goody is the one to take us back to the holy grail.

Saints playing an impressive version of the gamestyle Goody is trying to instill in us. We play the Saints twice on way home, huge games to come.

Who’d want to go to Freo? Hahahahaha

Looking at our forward line as picked I like Fullerton surrounded by clever agile and aggressive small forwards. Makes his job simple, mark or bring to ground, then throw your weight around to help the smalls do the rest. Real chance we can find some traction vs a Freo team that’s not exactly flying themselves. Go Demons.

Lots of angry blaming going on of Goodwin, then lines like “play Fullerton”, “drop Fritta”, “drop Spargo”, “drop Viney”, etc… I see it that for two years now we have been trying to transform our game, recruiting quick skilled players to attack from the half back through the corridor, a recognition that forward entries from contested play often turns it over and hurts us… the transition was abandoned last season due to injuries, and this season we are only now getting back the key players critical to making this transition click, Pickett last week, XL this week and hopefully McVee and Kolt next week. In part I suspect it’s easier to teach a new game style to new talented kids than have our older crew change the way they’ve played for years. But, and a point Goody has made repeatedly, these things take time. So buckle up, quit bitching and buy in to what our club, coach and players are trying to do. If it clicks, we beat the Dons and the moaners can chew their gristle in silence for a week. If it doesn’t, well it’s another week of angry whining on D’land, and I’ll just tune out and hope the club continues with it’s transformation the following week. Spoils to the brave. Go Demons.

We need the team to continue to work to implement the new game style that they’ve been working on for the past year, and recruiting for. We need to resist the pressure on Goody, trust that this evolution depends in part on our best 22 playing, especially those players, the quick and agile with good skills. Pickett, Windsor and McVee are big outs, so Picket and Windsor back in are big ins. Hold tough! Have faith in the team, the coach and their plan. This can turn quickly.

I’m a Goodwin believer. Was at the G earlier and we will improve a lot as Pickett, Windsor and McVee come back into the team over the next couple of weeks. The game plan that Goody’s been building relies on those three creating and connecting. Where’s the love? Have faith in Goodwin, he led us to the promised land before, he could again. 😜❤️💙

Gallows humour back at Demonland... who'd have thought...

Are we trying to trade him to Hawthorn? If not, no.👎

Hahaha! Footy’s back!!!

Can we have Captain Clarry!?! please. 🙏

What [censored] tool… hawks at no#2… 🥸🥸🥸

He’s done well to stay on the list so long.

AFL version of shrinkflation. Leave it alone.

Minor premiers with 19 wins. punch through finals to beat Lions in GF Clarry for Brownlow Langford for Rising Star Pickett for Norm Smith

Talk about flogging a dead horse..