Young Blood

I agree Melksham had an outstanding year and probably won us or at least kept us in quite a few games. But prior to this year he's only played 44 games in four seasons and hasn't played over 20 games since 2018. So at 34 years old and with a recent history of injuries I think we need to temper our expectations of Melk. The fact he got through 19 games this year is pleasing. But we definitely need to add to our forwardline depth and I think getting someone of Mihocek's experience to play alongside him or if Jake is injured/rested in that similar role is a smart move.

What makes you so sure King has mates?

I take your point that the teams left don't have multiple gun key forwards (besides Geelong maybe). But they do all have a forward whose kicked over 40+ Geelong - Cameron (85) Neale (42) Hawthorn - Gunston (70) Brisbane - Morris (51) Collingwood - Elliot (56) Not a KPF but plays like one So without a trade the questions become: Can Fritta get back to his best kicking 40+? Can JVR bounce back to get back on his post-2024 trajectory? Can Melksham stay healthy at 34? Does Kozzy go up another level and push 50+ goals? Does the Petty experiment continue until our aging backs can't play at the level? The answer to me lies in how we move the ball to these forwards and the how/where they kick their goals from. If we can transition the ball more efficiently and effectively the forwardline we have could work. Its more about the transition and how we set up/move through the middle of the ground for me. I am so sick of seeing our forwards lining up for set shots from severe angles or deep in pockets because we weren't able to get the ball to them quick enough meaning the only remaining space they had were the deep pockets or wide 50m arc where the defense is happy to concede if they have to.

I like the Hawkins idea but unfortunately, his interests post football lie elsewhere. Tom's now working for/with an agricultural company (started this year) and has his own hobby farm near Geelong. So I can't see him coming back to a full-time coaching role anytime soon. He's got his little foxtel commentary gig on Saturdays as well. Maybe we could get him in as a goal-kicking consultant at least perhaps.

Yeah thats how I'm reading this as well. Last year was things were obviously driven more by emotion and less considered. This year it sounds like Trac and his camp are much more considered and giving the club more options to explore a trade that would work for him but have better value for the club. If the trade value isn't good enough for the club then he simply stays on and tries out a new coach with hopefully a refreshed, invigorated playing group. I actually think we're in a pretty good spot. We're in a far better position than the poor Doggies last year. What a total disgrace that was.

I actually thought Clarry used the ball OK this year. I felt there was a slight improvement. He was used more on the outside and seemed to find the ball on the spread more. Often I thought he hit the safer 15-30m kicks well. Obviously he's of most value in the engine room as an inside mid. But if King is to bring in at least some of Geelong's run and spread game (post clearance) then I saw healthy signs that Clayton could adapt to this somewhat

I think the AFL and fans will push hard for it, but the coaches don't like the idea. Late in games that territory football relies so much on using the boundary for safety, killing time and resetting. I agree I don't think it will come in this year but possibly in 2027 after more success as AFLW. It just makes so much sense and will continue to speed up/open up the game. Less slogs.

Are you referencing his interview after winning the Syd Anderson? If so you're misquoting there. He said "its my job, but its not just my job, its my passion" in reference to the question about how he managed to get fit enough to return to football and play a full season after the horrific injuries last season. I am a culprit of sometimes over-reading things and with Trac its often easy to do so. Trying to take caution here.

On this note. Andrew Dillon is really keen to bring in the new out of bounds rule next season (free kick in between the arcs against player who touched it last). The same as what they have in AFLW that is working well to keep the game moving and will get rid of most of the deliberate out of bounds calls. I wonder how this will affect rucks and Max's impact on the game. I think I also heard someone (maybe Jeff White) saying something about them potentially bringing in new centre square ruck rules too. They want two rucks running and jumping at the ball and less standing still/holding ground. Anyway we have our new coach with his ruck experience and our chamption ruckman. These rule could potentially have a big impact on us moving forward.

This is the sort of reporting that really erks me. The 'going through the motions' part is fine. I'm sure a lot of players are weighing up their options at the moment. I'm sure after proper discussions with King that Trac will be clearer on whether he wants to stay or not. In the meantime he keeps options open and if that includes chatting to to other clubs, fine. But Ralph reporting that his teammates 'CERTAINLY suspect that he doesn't want to be there next year' is just rubbish. I reckon its completely fabricated and he hasn't spoken to any players at all. Even if he has spoken to a currently listed player I highly doubt they worded it this way. To imply that multiple teammates feel this way is total [censored]. I can't imagine players would do this as it doesn't help their team at all by leaking such opinions to the media. Whom/What would making such comments benefit?

Agree that was well answered. You did leave out the bit where he says "Me just coming in might be all the change thats required" and "If the opportunity came and there were a couple of openings I'd be happy to go to my network". Of course he was simply being polite and respectful with this answer to the coaches who have left, present and leaving. So I'm not sure of Kings new assistants being 'already in the door'. But I think as we see now with Basset leaving (and hopefully Jones as 'baby sitter mid coach' too) that King has clear ideas of who will be coming in to replace those assistants that have now left.

Yep. I think they keep Chappy to maintain some continuity. Makes complete sense for him to go back to backline coach where he's had most success.

Wha? We just appointed a head coach (quickly and efficiently, too). Did you expect us to hire new assistant coaches before we appointed a head coach?

Yep Guerra just confirmed in todays presser.

He seems a genuinely lovely guy from the youtube pressers and training vids I've seen of him mic'd up at GC training as coach. Definitely one that values close relationships with the players and hopefully shows that same love to our favourite track watchers/general legends #Ghosty.

I really hope so. I thought he would carry on and see out the season with Geelong, which doesn't make much sense for us who are wanting to get the ball rolling with player/FD changes. Anyone know of a similar situation where an active opposition coach got the job in the midst of a finals campaign?

Be curious as to how King will manage juggling his coaching duties at Geelong leading into a prelim while at the same time consulting his new club regarding player and assistant/FD movements at the same time? If Geelong make the GF King will be pretty busy in the week leading into trade period. Seems pretty conflicted and messy to me. Anyway hope it all works out and King brings in some good assistants with him. I feel this has moved quicker because they're wanting to get the Senior Head of Football role sorted ASAP. As others have mentioned I really hope its Bartel.

None of us really have any idea about who would make the best coach. It’s just that I and a few others think its probably Buckley. 😂

I doubt Freo would entertain trading pick 11 for Judd unless there were quite a few pick swaps involved or even players. We must keep this guy. For a team that is FINALLY building up some good ball users (slowly) its so important we don't let one go. Keeping Judd means we can continue trialling our best backline ball users further up the ground for better forward chains and inside 50's. I would really like to see Judd more forward of centre next year because out of the small-medium backs (Riv, Bowey, Salem, Windsor) I think he has the agility and ball use to be a really damaging player with another full preseason under his belt.

You don't pick the avatar bluey has if you want to be taken seriously for starters 😄 Silly post I agree

I don't know about a freed up mind, I don't think I have the level of insight you might have there. But what I will say is ANB has gone back to the role he played for us from his best years 2021-2023 as a high half forward. People may have forgotten that last year Goodwin moved Nibbler around and played him through the midfield a lot more as evident in his stats (5 CBA per game, highest disposals/contested in his career). I think he may have even spent time across half back at times. Now some of this was due to injuries but I remember early on in the season Goody playing him in the middle more and feeling a bit uneasy about it. So I think going back to his preferred clearer/defined role which he has carved out and excelled in could have a lot to do with the perception of him looking more free playing for the Crom.

God do we ever. Miss his intensity and pressure. Miss his hard running and spread. Miss his leadership. Went from whipping boy to one of our most consistent players.

I know its been noted on here but with gee GWS' depth for talls both forward and back so strong I can see why this guy hasn't had much opportunity. Key Backs : Taylor, Buckley and Himmelberg. Then the progression of Alir and Idun as versatile talls down back as firmed them up even more. Key Forwards: Jesse, Cadman, Riccardi, Brown and now Gruzewski added to that depth. GWS coaches are really set on the structure they have, especially down back. Up forward, even this Gruzewski kid has been banging down the door, kicking bags in VFL and could only get a few games this season. So there's definitely one big reason there why WD hasn't had a good look at AFL level yet. A low cost trade to boost our aging Key back stocks and hopefully push our Key Forwards for a more competitive selection pool.

Sorry Whatwhat you got that backwards we love decent players who are terrible kicks. He'll stay on.

This won't be popular here. But I absolutely hate this part of Kozzy's game. I think Koz would be up there in the AFL for the biggest culprits of getting into a player after they have given away a free kick. He does it almost every time. I love the guy and how he plays on the edge but its becoming a bad habit IMO and often messes with his concentration in continuing the game. Worse is when Koz kicks a goal after winning a free kick, instead of going to his team mates first to celebrate the goal, he'll often find the player who gave it away to push and shove and rub it in his face. It's so unnecessary. The umpires need to be stronger in this. Its happening far too often and becoming an ugly part of our game. For a start I think similarly to umpire dissent rules where often an umpire will call out a warning to a player thats crossing the line with how they're speaking to umpires. Perhaps the same could go for players going overboard with physical taunting. I'd like to hear the umpires call out to players something like "Koz if you do that again I'm going to reverse the free kick".