PaulRB

No negatives at Adelaide Oval: Roos

Tragically it's all to familiar, such that I'm even starting to enjoy the depressing roller coaster that comes with following the Dees... Lets me regularly post this... https://youtu.be/dsx2vdn7gpY and only Ripley ever gets out alive.

After Round 1 I had the delusionary thought that maybe this year I could look forward to games without fear of a 4 quarter humiliation. But by round 3... Go Dees

In retrospect it result should not have been a surprise. GWS are stocked up with talent in exactly the area of the field where we have least, the midfield. Unfortunately it's also the area where we are weakest, not just in terms of player talent, but in cohesion and games played together. Roo's mentioned it on 360, that the players themselves (many new to the club) aren't sure who their best and most experienced players in the middle are, who could stand up to GWS's midfield surge... Newton, Garlett, Lamumba, Brayshaw and VandenBerg were playing their SECOND competitive game together and with the other MFC midfielders. Up against a GWS midfield group that have literally lived together for the past 2 or 3 years and would be close to 50 games together. As always we want instant success (and we deserve it), but it aint going to arrive overnight, these boys need time to gel and learn to play as a midfield group under intense and constant pressure, they don't call it the "boiler room" for nothing.

In retrospect it result should not have been a surprise. GWS are stocked up with talent in exactly the area of the field where we have least, the midfield. Unfortunately it's also the area where we are weakest, not just in terms of player talent, but in cohesion and games played together. Roo's mentioned it on 360, that the players themselves (many new to the club) aren't sure who their best and most experienced players in the middle are, who could stand up to GWS's midfield surge... Newton, Garlett, Lamumba, Brayshaw and VandenBerg were playing their SECOND competitive game together and with the other MFC midfielders. Up against a GWS midfield group that have literally lived together for the past 2 or 3 years and would be close to 50 games together. As always we want instant success (and we deserve it), but it aint going to arrive overnight, these boys need time to gel and learn to play as a midfield group under intense and constant pressure, they don't call it the "boiler room" for nothing.

Geelong BELTED at Kardinia, with Mitch 5 disposal, 2 goals...

ditto ditto

The AFL's design guidelines appear to have ruined the possibility of clubs developing some very cool clash jumpers from their traditional colours and logo. So we are left with this bizarre parade jumpers that are a blancmange of spandex colours with no connection to the club, style, or basic aesthetics... Our away strip is benign, but closer to a Doggies strip than a Demons strip, with little visual appeal. Should be left to Clubs and common sense (re-visual clash with oppo team on the TV).

It all just leaves me wanting Freo to tear the Cats a new one on Sunday...

Love this - AFLPA raises prospect of all AFL officials to be tested for illicit drugs as league reviews policy Now watch this push dry up over night...

For some reason the Drug discussion has moved from performance enhancing drug use, to one suggesting greater intolerance of recreational drug use. What other profession tests their employees regularly for their private drug use? How many in the football media would submit (and test clean) for year round drug testing? If the media and AFL management want to show "Community leadership" on recreational drug use, how about they suggest mandatory testing of their industry and personnel? Hypocrisy abounds, so over it. PS excuse spelling error in title...

Who would be the most recent marquee signing who's new club has then won the flag? Franklin to Swans - not yet Ablett to Suns - seems less likely after this week. Judd to Blues - no (hahaha) ... to ... - ? R Barassi to Blues - Bingo!

Heard little Gaz was so impressed he put off negotiations with the Suns so he could play more often on the G...

Frost to front up against former side Vince ready to push for senior claims

Shake out the cobwebs plus WE WON!!!

Are there any example of a big second ruck type playing back when not in the ruck? I'd prefer not to have Hogan, Dawes, Watts/Vandenberg AND Frost in the forward line at the expense of a crummer (Garlett, Kent, JKH)... So can we slot Frost down back, where he trained all pre-season, with cameos in the ruck?

Watching Hogan it was apparent at times he got himself a bit lost, Dawes forward would add a lot of experience and leadership to a relatively young forward line.

Roos delighted with rare first week selection dilemma For the Dawes doubters... "If they were both available for round one we would have picked them. The concern is, as a footy club, who do you drop?" coach Paul Roos said on Tuesday morning.

A big forward is very reliant on the midfield that serves him, last year the service to Dawes from the midfield was lousy. This year, based on Saturday, the service seems to have improved markedly. Adding Dawes experience, bulk and leadership to the forward line, is too obvious. And not a slight on the player who goes out...

I like the team balance on Sat, thought Brayshaws 9 tackles made him as valued as Aaron (with his more possessions), so like for like on the ins-outs... I like Vandenberg, who played a solid game , but as a big physical forward, would replace him with Dawes.

I agree, if you watch the footage without Derm and co casting aspersions (with little evidence), you'd assume the copped an elbow to the back of his head, was stunned and lay there gathering himself.

Dawes is much maligned on this forum, was third for contested marks for us in 2014, averaging over 4 marks a game in a team with minimal inside 50s and slow entry to the forward line. He'll benefit massively from Lamumba bursts and kicks to a leading Dawes. He'll benefit from having Hogan, Watts and Frost also presenting plus the smalls and mids delivering ball rapidly. If he drops them as often as claimed (which he does), he does so to a predictable spot (generally in front) which is ideal for our smalls, Garlett will be salivating about the return of Chris, as we all should be. In: Vince and Dawes Out: Toumpas and Van den Berg

I too see potential and improvement in Toumpas, but believe he should go out before JKH, whose kick to Tyson, handball to Newton, etc... created goals. Brayshaw similarly, created goals with his hands to Jones, frees for (taken by Jones) and in close toughness... all aspects Toumpas is yet to demonstrate. Toumpas may benefit from a confidence boosting full 120 minutes game time at Casey and the challenge to press his way back into the team.

With Petracca to come in next year we seem to have sufficient midfielder/forwards. Set with Kent, JKH, Garlett... If we were recruiting for need what type of players are we likely to be looking for..?

Agree next week is vital. Oddly, last year we beat Adelaide and came close to Port, so, aside from the Hawks, we're a chance if this renaissance in our offence is the genuine thing. Next week will tell a lot.