Demon Dynasty

If McKenna trained with a low grade positive, surely they have breached protocol and have to Forfeit this and any future rounds missed?

Yep.. or got it on the flight / airports coming in. Possibly incubation way beyond 14 days if he got it over there.

Gil will be forced to make a difficult call on them by Thurs. Surely Essendrug is culpable IF it allowed him to train with a low grade positive this week / today? You are probably not far wrong with this. They forfeit matches, including ours, or the season is put on ice. Im betting the former.

Gil fronting up now

Hear hear Rjay. Should be a 21 day quarantine for sporting teams. So much to lose if it gets loose. More importantly, this is really gonna stuff my whole weekend!

Yep a default it will be!

https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/conor-mckenna-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-covid-19-gillon-mclachlan-essendon-bombers/5e950ea6-7e96-48f1-a441-42500564d4ca

Yes that's why i have emphasised "IF true" on a number of occasions on this topic. Football clubs have been known to guild the Lilly a little on occasions

I've loved what Jones has brought to the club over many years of sweat and toil and will always be greatfull to him standing up when many others around him weren't giving a yelp. Especially during the dark years under Neild. But as big a fan as i am, that game was putrid and if it was a physical issue limiting his output that much that sees him out the week after, he needs to recognise his limitations and do the right thing by the club until he gets back to the level required. Even rule himself out if necessary which he may have had some say in this week.

Sue if it prevented him from "physically attacking training" then that restriction (if true) also applies to his capability to do the same on game day. Not telling you anything new here but its obviously a super physical game. Rule 101 at the selection table is dont go into matches with restricted players if you have as good or better (assuming they are at full fitness) waiting in the wings ready to bring the intensity, vigour and white line fever required to make a significant impact on the day (who can play a very similar role).

Amazing IF true. We could have easily played say Lockhart who may have had a bigger influence, putting the game away earlier instead of the outcome being a coin flip.

I think you've raised this before dazzle. These are the moves i would hope Goody would at least trial (on odd occasions) when all else isn't working.

From recollection, a T-Mac / Weid combo hasn't been all that convincing in terms of results on the scoreboard of late. 2nd half of 2018 probably better, mainly the finals? But aside from that little window. Might be time to play Brown & Lever (short term experiment / trial only) up there and put T-Mac back or just drop him altogether.

I am more inferring that this skill should be a strength before we recruit a likely KF but yes training it and honing the skill obviously would help SW. Havent been to training for some time so i dont know if they are or arent focussing on such things nor to what degree if they are.

We certainly lack physicality up forward atm JD. Aside from Tracc using his big frame and butt to shift opponents off a marking contest. Not much fear / footstep factor or mongrel inside 50 really. Yes there is more to footy than just that side but a smidgen wouldn't go astray.

The Toiges are really stinking it up so far. Unwatchable

Add to that one team is a blockbuster draw card with the largest membership in the league & an AFL Vic love child (protected)... the other....well urrmm

Or we could try a Port (Bennell last week on one occasion) and tumble punt / chaos kicks inside 50 and let the smalls mop up on the ground!??

Well Tarax you've covered much ground here. Ty for your feedback. Agreed it's encouraging to read some solid content on here along with so many mixed views, opinions and wit. Im in agreement about giving the coach & FD a fair go as is the aussie way. At the same time however, i am also of the view that the final score tells the tale. Unfortunately from that side we haven't exaxtly set the world on fire, other than a short stint at the end of 2018. 2020 results, especially early, probably shouldnt be judged too harshly given the SARS Cov2 nonsense. At the same time all clubs are "in this together" and the horror that was 2019 needs to be erased and fully buried by a fairly stellar season from the boys if Goody is to avoid a severe flogging....and possibly worse imv.

So what you are saying is we are recruiting key forwards who struggle at one of the very aspects you would consider they need to carry out the role as a key forward?

We will never know Mr Old. Such pertinent questions might get you in to trouble you know.

His capability and potential is not under question from me in any way Tarax. And i'm all for the younger guys getting the occasional look at the big league and see how it and they roll. But IMHO the body also needs to be built over a few pre-seasons before it will begin to stand up to the knocks and rigour against the big frames and fully developed athletes he'll be up against each week. That takes time and along with that development comes confidence in body and ability to play at the highest level. Too early and the reverse could happen if the FD isn't careful. The next level from there is to start holding down a position or role on a regular basis, which for most takes a little more work in progress and time. Bring him in by all means on occasions but not sure he needs to be in this early on a regular basis is all i'm saying when there are two alternatives with more experience and bigger frames also sitting in the McGoos. One of which i thought we picked for the very role that's being asked of LJ atm.

You have my vote on all counts BBP although happy to give chunk one more run given it was his first game back > age factor. There's a few big names who's spots are on the line this week (or should be). The shortened quarters means much less game time and more than likely favours the player who has a significant athletic burst edge. Not sure we have enough of those vs the Bombers with the team fielded but happy to be proven wrong. Playing Jackson this early ahead of Weid and Brown isnt the smartest of moves imv.