Young Blood

I think we have decent pace across the field. Its in the middle where we have often had issues but with the inclusions of Rivers, Kozzy, Windser, and hopefully more this off season I'm hoping this wont be as much of an issue next year.

Had some good morning chats around the office this morning with Sydney, Geeling and Carlton supporters. All watched the game and all agreed that none of their teams would have beaten Freo the way they played yesterday. They were simply elite in every facet of the game. The way they covered the ground was just scary. Haven't seen any team this year execute the high press while covering the corridor like that as well as they did yesterday. The run and spread was just incredible. I do think we could have done a better job with our positioning in the middle, especially around ruck contests to make it more 50/50 balls to win. Far too often Darcy just palmed down to an uncontested mid who was able to get the ball out to runners far too easily and quickly. They executed a game plan perfectly with elite skill execution, running and pace. Hats off. Move on

So many assumptions. We recruited a younger up-and-coming ruckman who they believed would be a good backup for Max while developing at VFL level along with Verrell. Turns out neither is ready yet for AFL level. [censored] happens...

Butters just re-signed for 2 more years in December last year. The short contract suggests he's not set on Port but won't be going anywhere until contract is over. By that stage Viney might be on the decline so I would hope we might be in the mix. Can you imagine? Butters, Trac, Rivers, Clayton, Kozzy with Windsor and McVee spending more time in midfield. Makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

The media are always going to generate a story from something. In this instance its based on some sort of facts: - Clayton's clearly had a down year by his lofty standards due to a multiple of reasons we're all aware of - Clubs will certainly be enquiring to see if there is a 'buy low' opportunity where they can trade for him for less of his value pre 2023 - Kane (while being a total bobble head) is correct in that teams will be scared of his salary without the assurance he's going to get back to the player he was. But also that Melbourne might be enticed to get that salary (or at least a high fraction) off their books to open up more flexibility. That all being said as others have noted I don't think he's going anywhere. The main reason being that he's turning 27 this weekend and still has his prime in front of him if he wants it with a club that is right behind him, backing him in. The club simply won't gamble with him like that if they truly believe he can get back to his best. There's been enough this year to show even if not fully fit for a full season, that he's still important and effective. With a full preseason, I think he can get back to being a top 10 midfielder.

If Riv keeps progressing this way I could even see Trac 50/50 mid/fwd split which would be incredible. He's our most dangerous fwd and more time there with midfield depth added is huge.

Ths might have already been mentioned and I haven't gone back through the thread. Would it not have been tactically smart to have Max Gawn down as 'test' for this week and keeping the extent of the injury hush hush? Just to cause a bit of havoc with Essendon's game planning. They probably have to release injury info once official scans come in probably. But just a thought.

😂 So true! I do really care about the guys wellbeing

I worry about Petty's little foot if he's going to do ruck work. Precious boy

Dreading the Carlton carry on tonight. By far the whingiest supporters in the comp. No doubt every time we touch the ball will be holding, any time we lay a finger on them will be high or without the ball. I want to crush them!

After watching it back for the 38th time. My new favourite thing is how little carry on there was from Fritta. Probably had some right to go bananas like most of us but seemed cool and collected as did the rest of the team. They knew they still had work to do and they did exactly that.

The media will replay the goal all week. Internally at the team reviews this spoil will be the one replayed over and over. Match winning stuff from Petty. If that mark sticks they are out with another Geelong player running through the corridor. Petty wasn't in the best position but read the play and worked to get to that spot to spoil. HUGE

Hunter playing is interesting. I dare say it won't be a full game.

6. Oliver 5. May 4. Langdon 3. Gawn 2. Kozzy 1. Petty

Can't remember the last time we had another big key forward who can take huge contested marks to influence a game like Petty did tonight. I thought his work up the ground as a genuine CHF was outstanding in the last. We usually leave it to Max to get clobbered and take those marks down the stretch. But Petty just took ownership. His disposal wasn't great but boy did he present well and was a catalyst for many of our looks at goal with his body work and positioning. That hand he got on the cats kick across half back to spoil and eventuate into the Fritta goal to win the game was crucial. Loved his honest interview after the game too. Saying he owed the team a better performance. Also the way his team mates celebrated him expressing how impressed they were with his big marking as they all walked off together. We've been missing a player with this size and presence and he's starting to come back into form.

I understand the logic to a point. We're generally looking to make the opposition turn the ball over in the middle and on the wings where there is space to rebound and hopefully kick to a more open forward line, sure. But I don't think any forward whose in the vicinity of an opposition player disposing of the ball should just 'let them advance up the ground'. I'm sure you didn't mean this in that way. I'd just like to see better intensity when there's opportunity to force the opposition the hack the ball out of defence as apposed to clean chains of ball movement which is happening too often. No matter how good our team defence is further up the ground. More strings to our bow! We need to score in multiple ways and if we can cause opposition mistakes deep in forward 50 we should still be trying to turn them into scores. I think the new game plan is great with trying to create more spaces in forward 50 but its just not realistic that we will be able to do this consistently in every game. We will need to play the forward half pressure game still at times depending on matchups, weather, fatigue etc.

6. Gawn 5. Lever 4. Rivers 3. Langdon 2. Pickett 1. Turner

Yes but you would think some better forward pressure would help as well causing poorer opposition kicks/disposal out of the backline which results in the turnovers on the wings. I do think its coming out too easily and too cleanly far too often. But part of that is playing a taller forward line as well.

Did anyone else see Lever give Windsor an absolute spray? Was it in the third I think? Lever had marked the ball around half back and wasn't at all happy with Windsor's positioning on the southern side wing/HB but I couldn't understand why. He really let him know about too following up with him after the ball left the area. Mind you there was a lot of obvious frustration from players all night remonstrating after poor execution. I'm glad they were able to laugh it off at half time. I did notice some smiles in the huddle when they came back on the ground before the third.

Oh of course the coaches have best perspective and he was one of the best trainers over summer. Wasn't commenting on your summation. I just remember a time when we brought in a forward due to consistent form at that position at VFL level across several weeks, especially for someone unproven. This is whats occurring at other clubs like the doggies where they have deep KPF stocks. We're pretty thin in this area unfortunately. As I said very happy if Disco comes in with his size and ability. Trust the coaches with this one.

It shouldn't be though should it? Shows the current state we're in up forward where a guy possibly gets a game on the back of one good game (half up forward) at VFL level. Would love to have better forward depth where a player is consistently hitting the scoreboard for a few weeks before coming in with some proper form. I'm certainly all for bringing Turner in. Just would have liked to get some form and confidence into him first. But our lack of depth means he likely comes in sooner. I wouldn't be expecting much from him based on this, just would like to see him compete well in the air and at the contest.

There were whispers McAdam would be available for Anzac eve going back a month ago or so. Was spot on!

There's no way the crows are giving up a top 4 pick for him. Dreaming

I think we'll see Disco Turner in the side if not this week then very soon. Highly rated internally as one of the standout pre season performers before getting injured and had a nice game for Casey on the weekend. Was even tried up forward where he kicked a goal and presented well. Could be any one of Fullerton, Disco, N.Brown or Laurie to come in (besides Kozzy of course). Its going to depend on matchups and covering for roles. Salem going down last week really mucked us up down back as one less midfield rotation. Unfortunately its not an easy role to fill. For mine, Disco in for Salem with Kozzy and Rivers to cover his midfield rotations. Fullarton in for B.Brown. I feel uneasy about this one but if Fullarton can do enough playing the second ruck role it would be great to get him building some chemistry with the main squad to build upon for the season. IN: Turner, Fullarton OUT: Salem, B.Brown Sub: Tholstrup

Keen to hear why you're of this opinion OD. I think a lot of us see the promising signs you look for at such a young age for a key position player. We know they usually take longer to develop. What aspects of his game do you think he doesn't have to become a very good KPF?