PaulRB

While there’s lots of hand wringing and moaning about Goodwin’s Ins and Outs this week, none on here have anything like Goodwin’s experience or access to data on the team and envisaged game plan, to do more than speculate. so rather than add to the noise, I’d suggest the best way to gauge how well Goody is selecting, is look at those players Goodwin’s Added to the team went last week... So Tyson and Bugg were added, both were handy, if a bit rusty (I.e. Bugg in front of goal), and we won the game... In the coming weeks if they continue to perform and improve, Goodwins selection decision is further vindicated. Same now with Froat and Kent, if they perform and we win, tick. Then maybe the weekly Henny-Penny session upon selection will ease into something more rational and trusting of our coach, players and FD. Frost will kick 3, and his presence,speed and pressure forward create a couple more. Kent kick 2 with a couple delivered long and lace out. Hunt will regain his fervour and attack with a stint in the twos...

When you miss finals by 0.000005% every loss is “Undoubtedly the game that cost us a finals spot”... i too lost my [censored],?hate north with a passion, a must win.

On the upside, we won and have plenty of room for improvement both within the current team, plus two key players to return. This year the goal has to be both making finals and peaking as a team when finals roll around. The fact we can bury teams in a quarter or two is what we’re working to extend for the full four quarters. If it takes the entire H&A season to achieve that, and we keep winning enough to make finals, we’ll be ready for a tilt. Its a long season. We’re doing ok.

Whoever pushed Jetta into that marking contest should be reported, ugly stuff.

Dangerfield wan't playing we played at the G we only lost by 3 points

Left me flat, frustrated and weary about the journey ahead. I honestly thought we'd turned some kind of corner post-round 23 2017, yet this performance was so similar to that one, that it was all very depressing. Tediously familiar and bound to hurt us again come seasons end.

Agree we have a wide range of possible outcomes. Having said that, I feel we should be hungry and knife sharp ready to hunt and hurt the handbaggers into submission... Go Dees

On reflection and acquiescing to the odd idea the Goody and the MC know more about footy and our team than I do, the selections hit me as aggressive and positioning us to match, hunt and hurt Geelong around the ball, rebound well and put the Cats to the sword when the opportunity arises. Maynard and Wagner are in because they complement our game plan/style more than those left out. Assuming Maynard brings the endeavour and skills that the above review of his last VFL game indicate, to AFL level, we may have another big bullocking agile midfielder. That would be a big win. Wagner has hit me as a player who’s nature is to “defend to create” and is building his game upon efforts to have us rebound, efforts which sometimes fail, but he doesn’t drop his head or deviate from his role, and thus will only improve. Reckon, the Cats are in for a tough day at the office on Sunday, and Goody’s selections seem less odd in the context of developing the players for the roles he sees us needing to build a great team for September. I trust his plan.

Had to google search the Cats CHF - http://www.geelongcats.com.au/player-profile/esava-ratugolea could be a good day for Omac..!

Wagner gives us another back, which is good for team balance as it could free up Jones or Hunt to move onto wing, Salem into middle, etc... Maybe Maynards in to do some bodywork on the tag the Cats will try to put on Oliver or Petracca..?

Brayshaw out, given he had wisdom teeth removed during week, does not surprise. Tyson dropped below Maynard, hmmm I guess we'll see. Good there's healthy competition for spots. All four interchange are capable of playing several spots...

Both huge, but Tmac for mine, as with Salem, Petracca, ANB, etc all capable in the middle in addition to Oliver, Jones Tyson, etc. we should be able to cover for Jack Viney. Covering for a capable key forward who can pitch hit in ruck is just Pedo, whose form can vary.

Geelong are the preliminary finalist from last year, Ablett in Danger out... reckon we’re (and the odds) getting way ahead of ourselves if we think we’re actualy more likely to win this game. Our last performance in a real AFL season game was kind of disappointing if I recall correctly... sorry to be the wet blanket.

Another step up like last year and Oliver will be a genuine star of the competition. Consolidating his improvements from last year and helping us move to become a feared midfield team would be a start. I reckon if he can add more damage to his outside game he could be anything. Developing synergies with Petracca, Gawn, Viney and other midfielders over coming couple of years only bodes well. Thanks for signing on young man!

Agree. But the door's open for Wiedeman to break in over coming weeks if Pedo drops off or another goes down.

On a positive note, with Trac and Salem moving to get more midfield time, we won't be as exposed there as in previous years. And perhaps TMacs absence will provide Wiedemann the opportunity and incentive to transition up to the big time..?

Makes Salem's positional change to inside midfielder seem an inspired move... it's like they anticipated JV's issues may extend.

Maybe Salem's role change into an in-side midfielder was done in anticipation of the possibility of JV's absence..?

Collingwood beat us last round because our midfielders were beaten and the Pies mids had time and space to deliver to their forwards. Talking about defence without covering the role of our midfield in our defence, is missing over half the picture. The best defence in the AFL will get beaten if the opposion mids are allowed to run riot.

They must be like a pack of restless dogs about to be walked, preseason is a looong boring gig when you just wanna play the game.

With GWS about to bloom into a full blown dynasty team, adding Sloan would improve our chances of matching them, with the addition of a top 3 midfielder in his prime. Having watched us lose two GFs in my life to superpower teams, we need to throw everything at improving this team to ensure we get the silverware this time. Do it!

Sydney GWS Richmond Melbourne Adelaide Geelong Port Adelaide Essendon Western Bulldogs West Coast Hawthorn Fremantle St Kilda Carlton Brisbane Collingwood Gold Coast North Melbourne

This is encouraging - Crystal ball - 2018 Season Predictions - 10 of the 16 writers had Melbourne as the team “moving up”! - all 16 writers have Melbourne in the 8..! with 3 predict 4th place 5 predict 5th place 4 predict 6th place 3 predict 7th place 1 predict 8th place