Demon Dynasty

I have mentioned this before but i see one game looks, especially in Smith's case where he is likely on his last chance, as a horrible option. Players coming from the lessor standards and scrappy ovals with the 'generally' less manic / pressured style of VFL, should be given at least 3 weeks to find their feet if they haven't spent much time in the AFL in recent times prior to the call up IMO. The frenetic pace and increased pressure (less time/space) is supposedly a big step up for most who aren't used to it if you listen to some of the seasoned players talk about the differences. Obviously if they have two shockers in a row it's going to be a hard ask for the FD to extend their stay beyond 2 weeks but i think you get my drift.

I guess you had to be there rjay. I clearly remember turning to bro at the game (rnd 3 2007 MCG) when both teams ran out before the bounce and making a major point about how much beef/muscle they had added as a team compared to 2006. He was in full agreement. Obviously this was way before the Essendrug scandal or any notion of 'the weapon' connection.

Excellent assessment Macca

Im fine with 4 on the bench. Peg the rotations to about 40 as you say. 44 is the ideal in my view as each player can then be rotated off and on at least twice if needed. Coaches will adapt as they see the mostly mid type players starting to tire later into the game. They will look to recruit/draft a few more leaner endurance type players a la the Isaac Smith / Hunt types who can run the ball consistently and look to evade the tiring bulkier mid type players later into the game. An overweighting of the weighty if you like across to a more leaner balanced mix of the two! On top of this IF the AFL were to enforce literal interpretation of the prior opportunity rule and/or alter it. Alter it so the 2nd or subsequent hand ball receiver, from the same team, MUST dispose of the ball legally, immediately prior or as soon as the tackle commences or they will be penalised. In some ways no different to what happens now anyway to a ruckman if he takes the ball directly from a throw in or bounce! Personally think that's all that is needed to begin with. Just let it evolve afterwards for a number of years and review. No harm in trialing / testing these two changes. Can be done pre-season.

It was noticeable across one pre-season as most players went from being ordinary / stringy in size to very muscular and beefy. As for The first three mentioned I can't see a massive difference that would make me look twice from last season sorry. Gawn lost a fair bit of weight and put back a little in muscle which was noticeable but hardly a Bruce Banner change up. The comparisons you make are not even close to the noticeable difference in size overall of the Cats (Late) 06 vs early 07.

That is a very good point Ernest and a point that I should have also made as a balance to the Geelong focus. Probably many hidden skeletons scattered through football history that will remain buried.

Correct Tracc. The size difference between 06 / 07 was significant across the team and something I noticed when I first saw them run out in 2007.

Obviously very good news to hear he isn't far off. But i caution anyone who thinks he will return as the Viney we all know launching us even further ahead on ladder etc, at least in his first 3 to 5 matches. Most players usually have an average return to the game (vs their usual standards) when coming off a very interrupted pre-season (or none at all) and tend to have some up and down results during the remainder of their season. After such a long lay off i can't see this being any different for Jack (albeit his main game is a rung above most, so lessor results should still be pretty damn good). Will be a great day when he finally runs out! Then there's the effect on team moral. Now that might have a substantial impact even if Jack is having some ups and downs so you might get the outcome you are hoping for Petracc!

Some only see what they want to see no matter what the reality is Jnr. Looks like this is his break out year though and settling in to his role down back. Very much a keeper now (who else do we have for this one on one role!) but also has the odd moment here and there that leaves me scratching my head. Only 43 games also which means there's so much learning and football ahead. Can only get better. The least of our worries down back right now.

What does a 'çlean run' have to do with a 'broken thumb' What more could the club do Than let Petracca see it through! Is it true what the scribes and Misson say That Viney's still 3 weeks away? ....Ok i'll stop there before i embarrass myself further!

Lol Shorty.... a shade more than unpleasant!

Yet the club has been talking up the likelihood of Tracc's inclusion WW?

You might not be too far away on that Mono. The Blues haven't been in the wilderness as long and no doubt still have some friends and pull in powerful places, whereas much of our old influential business people and power brokers from our last successful era have long since moved on to greener pastures.

Couldn't agree more Chazz. Should have been trialed already vs Mitchell / Hawks. Jones was (and still is) the wrong option for a shut down role IMO.

I was speaking with a scientist friend recently who happened to mention the worst two bites you can receive in terms of possible infections are from a dog....and a human!

According to reports it's similar to Lewis's. Possibly just the one week off

There will always be bias for as long as we are in the premiership wilderness. This applies to the fixture, prime time / friday night exposure and issues like the one raised in this thread.

Head down. Bum up. Nose to the grindstone. Just focus on one kick, contest, tackle, 2nd effort, smother, shepherd, and goal at a time. I'm not going to repeat the cliche but it still holds true. And don't even think about celebrating as we have yet to achieve anything with this group! T-Mac returning is somewhat of a game changer moral / performance wise, as will the return of tracc and Viney. But if we rest on our laurels it will all be for nought. Focus and go go go. No looking back! The Hawks have been playing in the moment and giving it everything for decades and, with the exception of a few lulls over a short period, they have usually remained near the top of the tree. We have to aspire to greatness but make sure we never rest while trying to get there!

There is no way the FD is dropping Tyson for Viney based on the 6 matches played so far (Tyson having played 4 of the 6), even if Viney was due this week. Tyson just sitting outside our top 10 players IMO. One of Harmes, Brayshaw or Salem before Tyson. These three running neck and neck although not that far off Tyson either. He would need to keep his performances up and improve if possible to stay ahead of these three though. If he drops off in the next 2 to 3 matches who knows he might be looked at. I suspect all four would all be quietly aware of the pending Viney arrival, which is great for competition in the mid field area! Have to take into consideration also that the 'managed' option will come in to play at some point.

Probably Rjay. I agree the FD has apparently gone all in on Weids. I don't care who they pick from the 3 as long as they're in form and performing their role effectively. It might come down to the fact that none of them are up to it. If we want to play finals we can hardly afford to carry any players on the premise they are a likely prospect if we just get enough games into them. The Hawks haven't had the success they've had by folowing that line. One or two of their debutants against the Saints the other night have been waiting / developing in the McGoos since 2014

Super debut. Can't recall a decent 'consistent' crumbing small at the MFC since the Wiz. Fingers crossed he grows into something special for us.

You have my vote Juzz although i would play whoever is in best form out of Pedders & T Smith. With Smith having 31 possessions on the weekend he would get the nod there. Pedders bringing a stack more experience and size. Having said that Weids will go round again as it appears almost certain the FD have stamped both Smith's & Pedder's papers (unless Weids goes down with an injury or suspension). They could kick 5 goals in 3 successive matches and still not get a call up me thinks. Hunt probably gets another go at redemption rather than chopping / changing but would want to show some big improvement in form against the Saints. Had an ugly day along with Weids (his two clunkers about the only exception). Was Hunt injured early or something?

6. Big M 5. Jetta 4. Fritsch 3. Hannan 2. Spargo 1. Harmes Apologies Hibberd, Jones, O-Mac & Brayshaw

Was unsighted in the first half Mick with about zero kicks and 2 handballs. You need to impact somehow at this level. After 4 quarters he had 6 effective disposal, 2 turnovers and just the 2 marks. Pedders was dropped immediately after a similar output against Brissy. We can't risk experimenting with players who aren't performing / impacting at AFL level. If he gets another game then we have no standards whatsoever and may as well give a game to any tall athletic type who walks in off the street and can take a few marks. We are also bereft of tall forwards who worry the scoreboard. Zip goals in 2 games.

Cant argue with any of that. Not sure if Weids is up to it either. Maybe one more week but for me it has to be Pedders or T Smith if we are to be any chance against better rated opponents. As we have seen with Jeffy, you can't afford to have a player in the team who contributes very little overall on the day.