Little Richard

I'm bullish on 2025. If a few things go our way (Clarry's form, a couple of savvy trades, Trac back to full health), I can definitely see us contending for the top 6. Top 4 if next season is as close as this year.

After seeing Port last night, I have some concerns about this week.

Where do you have Petty if Turner is taking May's position? Personally I'd prefer to see Petty go back and see how a forward line of JVR, Turner and Jeffo works.

It definitely feels that way recently.

2021 was an incredible year - everything clicked for us, every single player was playing out of their skin. That continued on into 2022 and then our momentum and form started to peter out. Throw in some mental fragility and we were cooked. I don't however, believe we're doomed to bottom out as part of the 'rebuild'. We still have serious quality on our list, and if Oliver finds his feet again next year, we can bounce back quickly I believe. A midfield consisting of Petracca, Oliver, Rivers, McVee, Windsor, Langdon, Kozzy rolling through, and hopefully a B grade midfielder that we can trade in is going to cause problems for even the best teams. In terms of the forwards, I think we have the makings of our best attacking group in years. JVR, Kozzy, Fritsch, Chandler, ANB, and then add in Waterman if we can get it done - that's a really solid forward group. Our defence is going to suffer as May ages, but Lever has quite a few good years left, Petty is a very good key back, and Turner has serious ability at both ends of the ground. We can keep building around them, and I like the look of Howes. Anyway, I've got faith that it's not as bad as it looks right now and we can bounce back quickly. Can we challenge again in the next couple of years? Not so sure about that, but I believe we can definitely make the finals next year and if we keep developing the young crop who knows.

Really, we should never have traded Grundy in. It never made sense.

Thank God for Maximus.

Not a real fan unless you stay in your seat until they shut the lights off.

Harsh on Turner and Howes I think. Also incredibly early to be calling Kentfied a swing and miss, he's played what, 7 games at Casey?

Injuries and atrocious trading.

It's crazy how inept our trading has been, while our drafting has been mostly excellent.

I'm not in the 'sack Goody' camp but going out in straight sets two years in a row compounds the issue. I still believe he can turn it around next year, we just need some pizzaz, if you will.

I think Goody has to make some changes (from my very humble point of view). I'd love to see him get a little more creative with tactics and player positions, and change the way he uses the sub. But I'm not convinced we need a new coach right now. I can't see anyone on the open market offering more than he does at the moment. Plus, having to deal with all the [censored] that comes with finding and adjusting to a new coach is exhausting.

Gawny captain-coach ya reckon?

I believe we have the players there, but our forward coaching is a joke.

Max Gawn is a legend.

The dynasty should have come in the years we went out in straight sets, and we mostly have ourselves to thank for that. How bloody pathetic.

No cohesion, midfield non-existent, backline a mess. Bowey finally looking like his old self, one of the few shining lights.

We just don't know how to tackle anymore.

Jeffo in, Petty goes back (assuming May misses). McVee into the middle, Viney out.

No midfield, no Dees.

Viney and Oliver have been absolutely abysmal. Our midfield is literally Trent Rivers right now, insane.

We are Mike Tyson, they are Jake Paul.

You could be on the money!

I agree re his tenacity but he's getting on in age these days, him and the docs have to make sure he's looking after his body to make sure he's primed for next year. As I said though it's purely speculation on my part about him actually needing work done cc @monoccular