Big Gun

Might be best to not watch or listen to these footy shows for a few weeks. Clearly there is a frenzy of media on our club right now all looking for any negative angle they can stir up whether true or not. Truth is they don’t know. They just speculate to suit their own agendas. All will be revealed in due course. Please don’t let the constant barbs by the usual media suspects get to you. Maybe hit Netflix for a while.

It’s easy to forget just how far back Trac started the preseason. He lost heaps of weight and strength after hospital and took a while to even get back to a jog when he wasn’t able to train for a couple of months. His time overseas and bulk of preseason was largely spent just getting strength and some level of endurance back. Probably find this meant much less time on skills, speed and agility compared to previous preseasons. A full preseason hopefully will see him return to the player he was. Yes, he has been below his best but perhaps this was always going to be the case this year. To just get back for round 1 was an incredible effort. He strike me as a proud man and I reckon he will leave no stone unturned to find that extra 10% that was missing this year.

Ryan Maric from WCE would be a great get I reckon. Drafted as a forward. From Drouin so not far from Cranbourne and been terrific mainly in defence this year. Good size too at 196cm. Contracted for 2026 but wouldn’t be surprised if he was on our radar.

Mmmm let me think……..

On the plus side for us, we now move down to the bottom 6 on the ladder so should benefit by getting a better weighted draw next season.

Timing makes perfect sense to me. Only time will tell if the decision is the correct one and I certainly do feel for Simon right now. But not sure what was to be gained by anyone to leaving this move until the end of the season. If the Board has made the decision already, not doing Goodie any favours by stringing him along. While a nice sentiment, a farewell game would be awkward for all concerned and never going to happen and doubt Simon would want this either. By announcing this now, we steel a march on any potential competition. We can openly approach preferred candidates. We can have a coach in place for one of the most crucial draft and trade periods for our club for years. Gives new coach time to recruit his coaching staff and set off season expectations to players before they go on leave. I also think that the Board would be mindful of the upcoming election and might have been concerned that those agitating for change last year might have resurfaced this year in an attempt to overhaul the current Board and the plans they have in place. Now, with change already in place of most senior positions, members probably more likely to be onboard.

Been sacked. Announcement soon.

NO. That says more about the supporter base than the club. Shocking post.

Yep forward line fixed alright.🥺

“Fixed” is a big word. Some positive signs, yes, and love your optimism and positivity. Jeffo just needs some more game time and hopefully is a lock for the remaining games playing alongside JVR. Then needs a big preseason in the gym. He showed a few good signs in the second half but just baby steps forward. Jury still well and truly out for mine. Still think we tended to bomb the ball in too many times and when we started lowering the eyes and looking for short options, no coincidence that we then started to kick clear. Also need to consider Nth has probably the worst backline going around. Let’s see how the “fixed” forward line goes the next few weeks.

Rewards mediocrity so I don’t like it. But agree, only a matter of time I think before it comes in. Broadcasters will love it and so will AFL, especially if the strong clubs continue to get stronger through trade. Keeps the season alive longer for the strugglers.

With Petty now out next week, I think it’s well and truly time to give Jeffo and JVR multiple matches together in the forward line to see if they can find some form, confidence and synergy. Must be so hard for them being constantly on rotation in and out of the team. When Petty returns, he can go back where I think he plays his best footy.

He is contracted for next year and won’t be shipped off to North. He might not be around for our next serious tilt but he gives us a look at what a forward line might look like with a larger, more imposing key forward working alongside our younger forwards. Also gives recruiters at least two off seasons to see if we can recruit or develop an imposing key forward with size and aggression for the longer term.

I am all for trying something different and May forward if well worth a try. Big bodied enforcer up forward to support our young forwards like JVR, Jeffo etc. Not only could it reinvigorate the team, it could be just the tonic May himself needs to get back to his best again. He will always contest and bring the ball to ground. Quick too over a 10 metre lead. We have coverage down back with Lever, Disco, TMac and Petty. What an opportunity to try things at the back end of the season. Don’t waste the chance Simon. We have nothing to lose now.

Disappointing we have to find out about the change in approach via the media. Understand the sensitive stage of the project but think members deserved to hear some kind of update by now direct from the club rather than via the HS.

Pretty soft draw for a change so expect a big year.

Ryan Maric from WCE would be a great get I reckon. Drafted as a forward. From Drouin so not far from Cranbourne and been terrific in defence this year. Good size too at 196cm. Contracted for 2026 but would be disappointed if he was not on our radar, especially if we lose any WA boys. Maric for JVR perhaps????

Yep KB also for sure.

Think we need to seriously consider resting Max this week. Campbell had a full game for Casey this week and probably a game we will struggle to win. Have to manage the big man and with winnable games against Swans and Saints after that, seems the logical time for Max to stay in Melbourne next week. Also, we have some important list decisions to make at year’s end with some of our Casey regulars. Not wanting to gift players a game but should opportunity present itself, we need a look at a few at AFL level like Sestan, Adams possibly and perhaps Culley at some stage. Seen enough of Woewodin and Laurie to be able to make a call either way at seasons end. If Kentfield keeps improving maybe try later in the season. Another chance to AJ and Henderson too so we can see if there is enough there for a new contract. Howes probably the stiffest not to be getting an extended run at the moment and as has good attributes. Could improve quickly with opportunity. Thoughts?

I usually mute the commentary these days as I find it insufferable. Thought I’d listen to the Geelong Blues game today just for a change but seriously Dwayne Russell is just the worst. His stupid one line planned puns are so embarrassing. How does he still get a gig???? Back to my music I think.

Not sure she left on great terms with her teammates. Remember when Dees played her Roos last season and when Libby grabbed the ball, she was absolutely gang tackled and pile driven into the ground. Even the commentators were shocked at the force used and numbers of girls getting into her. No niceties after the game either with her old teammates. On a side note, had the “pleasure” of going to our Nth Melb game at Marvel a few weeks ago and Libby was on the ground with the microphone. Brought back bad memories. Talk about nails down a blackboard. We are very lucky to have Robbo.

It looks to me like many of our players may have had their natural instincts and flare coached out of them by being so process and defence driven. They currently play with no joy and appear weighed down by the burden of trying to implement a style of play they don’t yet know or may not have the skills to implement. Watching the Tigers now, they are having fun and playing with flare and an attacking mindset. Yes they make mistakes but with so many kids playing for them, they look like they are on the right path and much more connected than our team.

Curious as to what you guys think our forward line should look like next week as I think there are a few ways we could go. Fritsch and Melksham shown little thus far but when playing well are a real handful for any defence. JVR ideally needs to build some confidence at Casey. A step back to move forward might do the trick. Turner is struggling with the step up to AFL but I see something there. Fullerton appears to be in good form and deserves a chance. Jeffo likely to be available this week too and should be given a good crack at it. I also like AJ’s aggression and is another option. I really believe we have to start rewarding good form at Casey so even though I have my doubts, Fullerton deserves his shot. Can’t do any worse. Out of the box options could be May down forward or even Campbell. Know neither are really key forwards but we are quite undersized down there and a bigger body could really help and straighten us up. Campbell gives Max a chop out too. If he keeps rucking at the current rate, he will be cooked by mid year. I have left out TMac or Petty down forward as we have been there done that. Must move forward. Anyway would love your thoughts this week. Big decisions ahead for Goody and Co.

Crowd looks pitiful. May not crack 15k. Get ready for more media bashing this week.

Like many of you I was there yesterday and was certainly bitterly disappointed with what the guys put on show. North were terrific and are clearly on an upward spiral now. We won’t be the only team put to the sword by the Roos this year. In spite of this, I just want to emphasise to all the doomsdayers how important it is that we Demon faithful stick by the club and turn up in droves at the G this week and beyond. More than ever, supporters need to get behind the players and coaches, especially when things look grim. We will turn it around!! To what extent I’m not sure but I think most of us were expecting this year may be a bit of a rollercoaster ride with new players and updated game plan. Key players missing have not helped either. Understand the negative sentiment towards yesterday's performance but it’s footy and a really hard and even comp. We looked great week one against GWS. It can turn around really quickly but not if we implode. Vision of that clown giving to the team as they left the field made me sick. That isn’t support and prefer he take this rubbish elsewhere. Please! If you are able, get to the G. Get behind them and please let the Chicken Little vibes go. Enough.