Macca

Well, we've appointed McQualter so expect some changes of some sort

We could look at 2-3 week windows with both players The issue is that the sport requires a stack of running for all the players and a player can't be just plonked in the forward line these days. So both Brown & T'Mac are going to be needed to do a fair bit of running in games But all clubs will be experiencing the same issue sooner or later ... related to the longer contracts being offered or handed out these days (far more than yesteryear) And that's related to the resticted FA's or unrestricted FA's. Clubs don't want to lose talent, especially KPF's And it's often the KPF's who start feeling the pinch once they hit their late 20's or 30+

In a practical sense, I can't see the club delisting both players with a close on a $1Million payout figure just to create 2 spots on the list What I can see is we bite the bullet and retain both but with a reduced pre-season (a case of have-to to keep their bodies able) And then nurse them through the season proper Somehow, find a way to keep them both fresh ... the alternative is a $1Million payout or risk them breaking down in the pre-season

Top 6

@dazzledavey36 So how would rate our forward line going into the SF? On available talent What was your practical alternative?

So @dazzledavey36 If you miss a shot at goal do you blame your coach? Or if you get injured, do you also blame your coach?

Grundy had checked out or wasn't under consideration (in my view) If he was under consideration he's the sub instead of Schache (surely) And with Brayshaw taken out, we needed Petracca on the ball. Perhaps we could have played Petracca forward more but that in effect, weakens our midfield (shifting the problem)

We have in the past paid the odd player out but not for the sort of money that Brown & T-Mac are probably on But I tend to agree that if a tortuous pre-season hinders rather than helps, it's counter-productive So do we bite the bullet and payout close enough to $1Million to create 2 spots? With the advent of longer contracts right across the board, paying players out at the end might become a normal occurance One way to alleviate large payouts is to front end contracts. Another is to transition into assistant coaching but that's tricky as the playing contracts are water-tight without any KPI's attached The other issue with paying players out is that the money is still included in the salary cap so it's not like cap space is created Another way to go about it is to set both players for 2-3 games at a time - in rotation (and then rest up and train in simulated form for a return in 2 or 3 weeks time, instead of grinding away at Casey)

Who would you have played up forward instead of T-Mac? As I see it all our key forwards were injured or suspended going into the SF Even on 1 leg we had no other alternatives ... as it was, we went into the SF with I key forward only and T-Mac was also the 2nd ruck So who were the alternates?

So we did remarkably well, all things considered. I challenge any coach to win 3 finals with a makeshift forward line Disappointment aside, the facts need to be addressed. To win big you need talent and without a functioning forward line, you can get close but ultimately, you'll get exposed Win 3 finals with a makeshift, C- forward line? That's a big ask and I doubt whether it's ever been done

Goodwin is not responsible for nearly our total forward line being injured and as for the kicking at goal, that's on the players

Kuldeep is some sort of bowler for India. More than a handful for Pakistan. Rarely bowls a bad ball and has a very good googly

Broncos @ Chiefs (Highlights) NFL Week 6 Preview

Sailing? Olympics maybe and when Bondy ruled (albeit with his own unique style) Melksham this year only and I've given the reasoning on the others. We might have banked on either Brown or T-Mac being ok at the pointy end Fact is that we went into the SF against Carlton with a C- forward line Harsh but we were threadbare Reminded me of the horror years of '07 - '15 (forward line) So what do we do from here? What if we're injury free as in 2021? Do we recruit a big forward? Another small forward? Another Melksham type?

Petty, Melksham, Fritsch, JVR, T-Mac & Brown were all unavailable when we needed them (injuries mainly) Even if only half of them were fit & firing in the finals it would have made a huge difference (Fritsch was proppy on his return) And we couldn't play Petracca forward as much as we would have liked because Brayshaw was taken out You can't lose that many forwards and expect to win the flag ... so we did extremely well to get as far as we did 2022 we had no such reasons. And in 2019 we fell away far too much

Didn't see any of our innings but the next 7 games for the team could be painful ... especially if we lose another one shortly As it stands, we might have to win all 7 of our group games just to make the SF's! An extremely tall order to say the least

It's not incredible at all as Schache was a standout junior. That's how drafting works because drafting is (somewhat) flawed Projecting greatness on unproven but standout teenagers is hit & miss ... more hit than miss, but nevertheless, busts are a part of drafting Mind you, Jason Taylor has the midas touch so we're in good hands

Pertaining to the SF If Grundy was available (?) then Gawn could have been played forward (Grundy rucks) A logical move considering our only key forward was on 1 leg (played the whole game??) and that was it Yeah sure, we abandoned the Grundy project towards the end of the season with Gawn as the main man but once we were down to 1 KF (on 1 leg) we had to re-evaluate But of course if Grundy wasn't actually available then you probably go with what we went with (the C- forward line)

Look elsewhere as the coach isn't the issue ... injuries to our forwards cruelled us plus we need to sharpen up our goal kicking. Practice under pressure a good remedy But how do you win a flag with a makeshift forward line? Rated no higher than C-? If all our forwards were fit & firing we're a B+ up forward And if it's any consolation the new clause in coach's contracts means that a coach can be let go with only 6 month severance money owed (regardless of the length of time of contract) Related to KPI's That clause came in during covid and has stayed Same as the slashing of the small cap (coaching dept. overall) has stayed on post covid

Nearly all our forwards were incapacitated but we very nearly won 2 finals ... not an excuse but sound reasoning We therefore went into the finals with forward line more attune to a bottom 4 team If our injuries had have been spread around the team instead, this conversation would probably not exist In a nutshell, 1 or 2 injuries to our backline, midfield & forward line and we could have covered those losses But losing Brown, T-Mac, Petty, Melksham, Fritsch & JVR at vital moments really hurt our chances. Along with Brayshaw being king hit And with all that happening, if we'd kicked straighter we win anyway It was indeed the one that got away. In 10-20 years time we may still be bemoaning 2023 Mind you, the Cats & Pies have had any number of 'nearly' moments. Swans as well ... it comes with the territory We just have to remain in contention year by year

The coach is doing alright. He can't kick the goals himself Our way of playing (brand) is based on defence and contested ball. Often not pretty but I'll take our team and the way we play over anthing we witnessed from '07 to '15. Ugly and we lost a lot '65 to '86 wasn't all that flash either, IRW

Schache doesn't get to enough contests so what are the options? So the break-glass-in-an-emergency bloke can't get a game when nearly all our forwards fall over? But he's only 26 so there's still time for him to stamp his mark on the game. And I hope he can do just that As for Brodie ... it could be that we didn't play Grundy because we didn't want him to get injured ... a $3Milion liability?

@Slartibartfast If Schache had any attributes as some sort of forward, surely the MC could have found a spot for him after Petty, Melksham, Fritsch, T-Mac, Brown & JVR were all injured or unavailable? In the end we went with 1 KPF who was on 1 leg ... an indictment on Schache don't you think? But we've extended his contract so go figure

They are about as good as each other in any position ... not very good But Grundy will put his body on the line more and can ruck I'm not sure why we've even got Schache on the list ... but if he turns things around I'll be the first to say well done But on what we've seen so far, there's not much there

I also heard Harmes say on radio that he and Brodie were on the outer and had thus formed some sort of bond Again, no biggie because that's what can happen at any sporting club But they're both gone now and I wish them well