Young Blood

I like the idea of Windsor pushing both Hunter and Langdon in his first year. Both of our wingers I feel have got a little bit too comfortable with little to no challenge coming at them for their position.

Tend to agree the idea of Kozzie playing for long periods of a game in the midfield is a bit silly. I think people get confused between having a good tank and being able to cover the ground with some gut running. I go to every game in Melbourne and watched Koz closely this year. After repeat contests the guy is completely spent at times with hands on knees sucking it in. And this is fine because he's predominantly a forward and is coached and set up to perform in short bursts. Which is why he's good in the midfield to impact.... in short bursts. Myself others like the idea of either Salem or Bowey playing more forward half this year but more in the high HF role that ANB and Spargo play. We're just desperate for better ball use in that area of the ground and I think you need your most accurate damaging kicks in that area. Our backline have enough cover to keep decent disposal efficiency if one of those two were to move further up the ground.

I love the idea of a smaller forward line with Fritta, Petty, JVR, McAdam/Smith, Koz, Chandler, Spargo etc. So much of the AFL game is based off speed and the ability to move the ball quickly off turnover. We need guys who have athletisim and pace to transition quickly. McAdam certainly adds to our hopefully more dynamic forward line in 2024.

Nice to have a Western Australian who wants to come here! He's had an interesting career. I didn't realise he only started playing AFL in 2024. His SANFL form in limited games pushed him into AFL contention via mature aged pre draft by Carlton before Adelaide wanted him in the McGovern deal. He certainly consistently hits the scoreboard. Has some serious athleticism. https://australianfootball.com/players/player/shane%2Bmcadam/20522 I think he will be a great addition with his speed, ability to mark as a medium fwd (186cm) and seems to be clean with the ball.

For those still believing its solely on our forward line the issues. The glaringly obvious stats as evidence it was mostly our disposals inside were that we were no.1 for inside 50's (great!). However we ranked 17th for both disposal and kicking efficiency. That was for the season. As for the last five games of the season guess who was dead last in both categories..... 👿

Haha the old whipping boy eh. I remember those days. We need more Nibbla's!

Agree that we need more goals kicked from our midfielders. I think there is still some room to improve our balance and chemistry between inside/outside mids which will play a part. Unlike the other top teams we don't have any genuine class outside mids like the Daicos or McLuggage who are two of the most effective kicks inside 50 as well as hitting the scoreboard. Both are genuine outside mids. I suppose Gus and Trac would be our closest thing to outside mids but both are very inconsistent with their kicking. Our two wings are also very hit or miss with kicking efficiency as well. So if no trades eventuate I would like to see the club look at different wrinkles or changes internally. We have our best kicks in our backline in the likes of Bowey and Salem. Perhaps its time to try them during preseason in a more dangerous forward half position. Food for thought...

From the sounds of it we were interested in Hawkins if he was to become available. I'm sure we have sniffed around other clubs to enquire about better KPF's as well. I would say the asking price for anyone at the Lynch/King levels would have been far too much for us to risk giving up players/picks. So maybe not a priority but I'm sure its been explored quite a bit. More concerning and to your point Binman, I agree with you that the forwardline its self is not the main issue that ended our season early. It was indeed our kicking inside forward 50 mainly from our mids who are all below average kicks. I was and still are hoping the club look at bringing in better forward half kicks being our biggest weakness at the moment.

Urgh as much as this is most likely media smoke its so irritating. Petts so important to this teams success. He's looking like the best key forward we've had since Hogan. I don't think we lost a game with him at forward this year (still baffled as to why we sent him back). I watched him closely and even in games where he didn't score much he was so so effective in his positioning and using his body to create space for himself and others. His ability to read the ball, lead with pace, mark strongly, use his body and kick straight (12.1) is unmatched on this team AND he's only 23. Skies the limit. MUST KEEP.

Yep and like Grundy last night Tmac can basically only really run in straight lines. They can't turn. As soon either of them go past the ball or player there's pretty much no chance of winning it back or at least creating some sort of pressure. Let Smith, JVR, Melk, Trac, and the smalls create some chaos down there 😈

This. Any of the other options (Grundy, McDonald, Brown, Tomlinson) are too slow and unable to get any sort of seperation from their man. They can wrestle and bring the ball to ground but opposition sides simply play a spare or help defender to nullify this as we saw last night with Grundy and previously with Brown. Smith attacks every contest with genuine speed. His swing up forward resulted us in a more dynamic forward line and crucial mark+goal to keep us in it. He's not a world beater, he doesn't have the greatest footbal IQ and probably won't ever put together a four-quarter performance... But he gives you at least some of what Petty has with his aggression, speed and athletisicm to make a genuine contest in the air, at ground level and defensively pressure wise. He is the best option and they will pull the trigger on it this week. Out: Grundy, JJ In: Tomlinson, Spargo Sub: Tomlinson or Hibberd I like that we're slowly bringing Hibberd back into the main side. He was pulling up too sore too often and they've done well managing him via VFL and as a sub. He's too important to lose to another injury now hence why I think Tomlinson comes to provide suppor there with Smith moving forward. Hopefully if we stay healthy, Fritta comes back and Smith will go back to ultimate Super Sub.

I think Grundy and Brown will be the last resort. There's a reason Smith was given time in the forward line, why Melk has been given a spot and why Petty was by far the best no.1 marking option.... MOBILITY. Goodwin values the above players over Brown and Grundy because they can actually move with pace without the ball. They're simply more dynamic with what they bring. While both of them have some strength, they are probably our two slowest players off the mark. So many times this season they have been unable to make it to a marking contest or lead because they can't get any sort of separation from opponents due to lack of leg speed and burst. I loved seeing Petty get rid his opponent using his strength and quickly out mark the next opponent in front. True forward craft and skill. Alas.... I was pleased to see a lot of posters hoping that it will be Smith to go up forward. Of course he's not the size nor player that Petty is but he can produce part of what he brings. He can break off his man to compete in the air and when the ball hits the ground he can put pressure on the opposition with his pace. He seems to be playing with more confidence this year and I've loved the way he attacks every contest. Smith also provides what Goodwin loves which is versatility. If Trac spends more time forward and/or Fritta returns then Smith can again be swung back where needed.

I wouldn't be believing anything about Oliver returning unless it comes from the club...... oh wait 😜

Come on lads lets leave the infighting to the Collingwoods and Carltons Max might rest or he might play. Both can be good outcomes. Lets just see how it plays out :)

Wanted to give a shoutout to the less mentioned: Nibbler was terrific. He has been consistent all season but some of the critical contests he's winning from and in between the flanks has been key in our success to either win the ball back or get us moving forward. I thought yesterday in the first half especially his efforts to win the contest and find teammates in space really kept us in the game when Richmond had most of the control. His growth in his ball use and especially decision-making has been terrific. Bowey was another one that was not beaten in contest yesterday and his class with ball in hand was evident again

Would have loved to have watched them sulking somewhere watching the last quarter. As others have said they certainly rival Collingwood in the d****head department.

I'm hoping the ins are Petty and Hibberd. Would like to see Rivers rotate through the middle more to backfill some of Sparrows time. Hibberd to cover more of Rivers role. Pleased to see Tomlinson not omitted. Means Petty will play forward and they will hopefully see how it looks over the next few weeks. I hope Smith stays sub as Mr. Versatile. Spargo to keep pressing to try to force Chin out but I liked the balance of smalls we had last week in the forward half, especially if Trac continues to spend more time there.

I agree with Roost it and others. Would really like to see Petty in the forward line the next few weeks to have a serious look at it again before finals. He looked our best-contested option, providing proper physicality and grunt which we've lacked at times in the forward half. Gives plenty back to the key backs which I love. The only real issue with Tomlinson is his lack of mobility and leg speed compared to Petty. May has a decent pace but has been hindered by his back this season and Lever doesn't cover ground quickly. Petty is one of the quicker players in the comp for a near 200cm player and has great closing speed. Will be interesting to see what Goodwin does. Hopefully, he continues experimenting.

Goodluck with that

Quite happy with flying below the radar. Quite happy with being a tad boring in the media's eyes (apart from the Grundy situation). We'll just keep banking up the wins and get ourselves right for finals. No issue with staying out of the headlines in a media world that is frothing for the next story, usually one that puts a club in a negative light, which always gets more views/reads.

I agree. I would say the main reason he is being played still is because of his size. At 200cm there aren't many other options for genuine size in marking contests. JVR is 193 and competes well but he's best at marking on the run/moving. Ben Brown is able to get those long wobbly arms up in stationary marking contests to bring it to ground which is only ever what is being coached. I would say when Grundy returns, Brown will come out. Is this the best option? Who knows but they can't keep playing Brown with his inability to move freely around the ground.

I don't usually get bothered by media narratives... But this 'Brodie is and never will be a forward... what are Melbourne thinking' really bugs me. a.) No s***t sherlock b.) All the FD have said is that he needs to go back to forward on his "forward craft". Who has said straight up that Brodie will only come back in as a forward? Its nonsense. The plan signing Brodie was to work in tandem with Max throughout the season in the ruck and rest forward at times. The combo hasn't been tearing game apart or anything but there's been positives: Its helped Max with in game fatigue/recovery post as he's not the only ruck getting beat up like he often does Brodie stood up as the sole ruckman when Max was out He was also a more effective ruck in many games which resulted in goals. He gives us a different look at stoppages as an extra mid with his follow up The only knock against Grundy is he hasn't performed well while resting as a forward. So the FD made a smart decision to get extra time up forward in the twos to build his form and confidence. I realise the media want to run with this. But starting talk of where he ends up next year because he's been asked to work on a few things at Casey is just so over the top.

I mean not everyone. We're the betting favourites I would say mainly because its being played at the MCG. But besides that factor they are more in form, healthier and coming off the easiest win of their season probably. So I would call it closer to even to me.

Our back line really is elite, isn't it? When we start talking about dropping the likes of Rivers after one average (not awful) it really shows the standard we have in our back half. There are no weaknesses. Bowey's decision making and ball use is just pure class. You forget he's only 20 and only going to get better. I would be keeping Hibberd on ice as much as we can leading up to finals. Another random note that I don't think has been talked about enough is that because of our incredible depth down back it's meant one less position Gus has had to fill or help out in. He's been able to be released into Midfield and forward half which really benefits us with winning the ball in the front half.

I do think a lot of the expectation on Kozzy is a bit much at times. Kid just turned 22, playing one of the hardest positions on the ground. I've felt like the rest of the team that defensively he has been good the last month or so. He's just not positioning himself as well at times during games without the ball. With the smaller lineup I really hope we can get out transition game moving off turnovers again to give him some actual space to work one on one. He's actually one player besides Fritsch who can get decent separation from his man-off of leads. I just think far too often the congestion in the forward half due to our ball movement makes it so difficult.