Petal

I assume (hope) he's been working on these things too and deserves the call up but I cant help but feel he's come in out of necessity. No Salem, Bowey, Rivers, CJ and possibly XL now too. We're looking a bit bare for medium backs who can use the ball. Would love to see XT go out and really play to his strengths. Take the game on, generate that speed off the backline. I'm sure Kingy will be backing him in.

It is interesting. We were always at the mercy of who Essendon didn't pick. Obviously Robey was always going to Essendon as next best mid they desperately needed. But based off all the pre draft talk and I get the sense that Melbourne would have preferred Farrow over Taylor. I think Farrow has the physicality, agility and skills to develop into a really good midfielder (has been likened to Hayden Young). But as we saw on the weekend and in all his junior videos is also very solid as a rebounding backman as well where he's played most of his footy so far. I think he has a higher ceiling then Taylor perhaps. As always would love to be wrong in my estimations and I do think Taylor has the compeditiveness and X factor with his speed to be a damaging player one day at AFL level. I'd love to see him get some games in soon. Out backline could do with a boost.

Thats an odd call. Was this in response to something? I probably missed it. I would hope none of them will have to retire at 28 and have their careers cut short of 6-8 years. Gus would have been a 250-300 game premiership player and I believe our next captain. Not sure what you're defining as 'career'. I'm not as certain as you are but I do hope these kids can get to Gus' level and above. I also hope that some of these kids can play with the heart and guts Gus did every time he went out onto the field.

Agreed. I don't think Dons have the pace to keep up with him. Expecting him to dance around a few and hopefully set up and/or kick a few. He'll be dead keen to play well in front of his old Glenelg crew.

Bowey will be huge in when he comes back. Rivers is clearly best 22 as well.

Finally watched the replay and glad I did because walking away from the ground on Sunday I was baffled as to just how we managed to over run them like that in the fourth. Besides the obvious crew of Koz, Max, Sparrow and Steele getting ontop of them in the midfield I thought Windsor was excellent in the second half. The decision making is still a work in progress but boy his ability to cover ground and evade to get good disposal is terrific already. Culley also really impacted the contest physically in that last quarter and was clean with ball in hand. Howes was also terrific, I thought. He's really important as that medium/tall mid, another who has evasive skills and could be more damaging as he grows in confidence. He's only 22 and feel like he's got a really good chance to cement his spot over the next few weeks if he keeps this up. Also we kicked out 7 last quarter goals with 12ish minutes to go. Incredible!

Appreciate the clarifications as to why he hasn't been in the middle much at all yet. I can understand the frustration from Dees supporters knowing we have a future A grade midfielder waiting in the wings (literally). The last few posts give some justification for why he's being left out for now so when he does eventually go in he'll be ready and confident. As a side Lewis mentioned On the Couch that another reason he maybe hasn't played more midfield may be due to being very left foot dominant as in he he needs to develop his right side more. I can't imagine this would be a real reason as we have a few mids who are one side dominant (Windsor especially). But it might be more to do with the predictability he has at the moment sweeping to that left...

I don't think there is one currently. JVR in an interview I think on SEN the other week said its just been Chaplin who has been coaching him with goal kicking. He did mention Chocco being a big help too but yeah I don't think we have at the moment. Was talk about Hawkins coming down part time like Scarlo but haven't heard anything more about that. Maybe no kicking coach is the way.

This is the fittest he's been. Looks leaner and meaner. Clearly worked on his tank more over summer after requesting King for more midfield time. I think the shades of Ablett Jnr. is the best comp. I don't think he will ever be as consistently prolific with ball winning stats but he can do everything else Ablett can and then some. Skies the limit babyyy.

6 Koz 5 Gawn 4 Steele 3 Sparrow 2 Lever 1 Windsor

Its too smaller sample size so far to really gauge where he's at. His level of involvement and output is mostly out of necesity for GWS with Tom Green going down so he's had a larger load to do in the middle. Weekends stats were certainly a mixed bag. Against the Saints 13 score involvements is equal career high. He hasn't been around that number for quite a while, maybe since 2022/23. Not that its been much of a signifier for him in terms of game impact across his career especially with Goodwins territory game style. 4 scoring shots is unusual for him. Looks like he'll score more than the last few years. Meh.. Tackling has really dropped off the last few years and looks to continue. His abysmal 7 pressure acts probably tell the tale of why his Player Rating was low at 9.8 He already has as many coaches votes as last year. But over all I think the cracks are there. It will work well enough for GWS but it was never going to work for us moving forward.

That was my first thought too watching him live for the first time. He has the same dancing feet, like he's floating across the field. The confidence to take that last bounce before kicking his goal when saints players were closing is insane. Incredible to be doing that so early. He'll get caught a fair amount this season as he did a few times yesterday. But that doesn't seem to rattle him too much and he'll get used to AFL pace and timing as he goes on. As King said in his presser Koz and Trelly have the freedom to play their game as they're both so dangerous. Fun times ahead.

I'd say because it was pretty obvious to them that it was Carlton player refusing to stand the mark where he should have been. Maybe less so to the average watcher. There's an focus from umps on standing the mark early this season. Fox/360 had razor on this week going through quite a few scenarios from last weeks games where players weren't standing where the mark of ball or in line with player taking free kick. Its going to be cracked down on early.

This guy's sureness and the consistency he showed this year was probably the biggest positive for the year (alongside Langford showing us he'll be an A grader). About to turn 24 in Jan and hit his prime years. I wouldn't be surprised if he's wearing an AA jacket at the end of next season or the next few.

I personally like the juxtaposition. The brooding walk-out music that suddenly goes into our old twee theme song always makes me chuckle. I imagine the players feel this as well which is good to lighten the mood and relieve pressure that builds up in the rooms. Keep as is I say.