Young Blood

I have to agree with @binman. I understand when people get frustrated with down-the-line kicks at different stages of the game but it really is by design. We have built our game and success on how well we perform at the contest. 9/10 we are looking to bring that long ball to ground to either work our way out and forward OR create a stoppage to aim to do the same. But as I'm sure its been mentioned the weekends game presented by far the best ball movement across four quarters I have seen since 2021 and dare I say better in many respects. As mentioned by several commentators we changing the angles as we move forward with our kicking which is opening up the ground and giving us far better, less predictable forward entries. If we can continue to execute this its going to drive opposition teams mad.

I like others re watched the game last night after attending on Sunday. Overall as others have mentioned the resilience and hunger shown by the whole team was definitely the best I've seen since 2021 across four quarters. Apart from a few brain fade/structural mistakes (e.g. buddy alone in the pocket marking) we did not let up all day and as the swans kept coming we maintained our intensity and put the heat back on them. The clearance game is an interesting one. I think Sydney wasted many of theirs on the weekend, especially in the first quarter. We often lose clearances but end up winning due to having an incredibly backline that can withstand pressure but also because of our contest work across the ground. There were so many players on the weekend who's workrate and ability to win contests were on show. Player observations Petty He certainly didn't set the world on fire but boy did I love just about every contest he was involved in. There are so many reasons he looks a more effective forward overall then TMac and Brown at the moment. He's more agile, competes better at ground level, reads the ball better, uses his body better, great decision make and much more physical and imposing. I'm not saying overall Petty in this small sample size is unequivocally a better forward then those other two. He lacks polish and forward craft. But to me he just gives you so much more at every contest then the other two. PLUS he has genuine mongrel and a nasty side. Not saying he's a dirty player but he knows how to use his body to get away with some things to really [censored] off the opposition. He plays on the edge with his physicality and I love it. Apart from Kozzy something we have been missing Chandler Has to stay in the side. The number of repeat efforts defensively to bring the pressure not only in the forward line but up the ground was outstanding. His fitness must be elite. Hope he can keep it up for the season. Bowey Just such a classy player at just 20. Plays like a veteran with his decision-making and another that I thought has really stepped up with his tackling and contest work. Sparrow Obviously the improvement has been talked about but he's now becoming a damaging player when he's involved in a contest or passage of play. He's bulked up to go along with increased fitness and I dare say could walk into many clubs as a walk up starting midfielder. What a luxury to have him as one of the most underrated in the comp. Also his marking!

Would love to have mic's set up for Lever and May. The amount of chatter, instruction and feedback they give is crazy. The leadership between those two and the standards they set are outstanding.

Understandably Tmac was going up against two very capable ruckman last week in trying circumstances with Max going down not to mention its his second AFL game in a long time. However he was next to useless. He couldn't stand his ground in any ruck contest let alone win a tap (infact Max had more taps 2-1). But he also couldn't get involved in the game at all, noticed he only played 58% game time which is interesting, I think fitness still an issue. Grundy will clearly need help as he is still getting his fitness back and not looking overly comfortable covering the ground, not to mention getting used to a whole new midfield to work with. Has anyone seen much of JVB in the ruck? At the very least he's the most mobile option to do more at ground level. I hope Brown does the rucking while in the forward line as he's a much better option and can share the load. Thank god they didn't give Harmes another chance. He looks terrific when the sides playing well but was such a liability last week. We need more consistency from the flanks/mid role which is where I trust JJ more. Will be interesting to see what they do with the sub. I can see them tempted to put Mcdonald as sub fit enough with him and JVR capable of swinging down back if needed. I think I'd still prefer Tomlinson in if May pulls out again but if not I wonder, if May does plat whether they might go tall with the sub as insurance with Petty/May possibly not 100%. With Fritsch back I see Melksham having less of a good fit/impact. Could be Dunstan for some fresh legs around the ball but they'll probably roll with Melk again.

It's a tough one. I think I'd have to choose Rivers for all the reasons I mentioned. Higher ceiling as a player and more damaging with his attack with the ball. JJ is super solid the perfect supporting role player, tackling, pressure, tidy with the ball, decision making, a decent all rounder. But the difference between the two is the pace, evasiveness to break free from contests, and penetration on kicks. I think Rivers already has these traits and has demonstrated it early on this year and its where JJ is lacking. JJ has been squeezed out by more suited wingers and even more so by Sparrow whose development has really gone up a notch his last two seasons. All that being said can I give up Harmes' salary to re-sign JJ? 😜

Not sure if you have to replace a predefined captain role on paper made at the start of the year. But if so my vote would be Lever, especially the way he's started the year. I like that others see Gus as a potential Captain too. He'd have to be one of the most popular and liked within the club. His on field actions every week no doubt give the team a lift the way he attacks every contest and never gives up.

I don't think he's got the tank. At least not yet. Could develop into an outside mid the way he plays but he's so so good under pressure down back in all facets. Would be cool to see him in there tagging at some point this year (instead of harmes... please) but I think he's too crucial down back. When Salem and maybe Hibberd return depending on matchups, Rivers with the rest make up the best backline in the comp hands down IMO. Such an important player, our most underrated, only 21, no real weaknesses, potential future 250+ gamer. Please sign

When its glaring in the highlights that have been replayed over and over on fox for these three occasions where there was a clear pass there's not excuse. Heading to the pointy end of the year you want to be seeing the team things done consistently. What I will point out that Kingy and others haven't is apart from these few moments he's been great at creating for others. He lead both Score Involvements (10) and Goal assists (3) on the weekend. I noted many times him giving the handball off to players in space that created shots on goal. In key big moments you want to see it. But this narrative thats being blown up is overboard IMO.

Hope you're a sports doc CFP... Or have some synchronicities occured for you today?

I quite like the look of it and what it represents especially in the NT in front of so many local indigenous supporters. I'm sure the boys will be keen to wear it up there. But in the end who cares what strip we're wearing just win the bloody game.

Love the idea but I think swinging May forward would only happen in game where injuries occur to our forwards. I don't fully understand your reasoning for sending him forward being that he kicks in to one side predominantly as a backman. I imagine thats by design based on coaching and structure rather then him deciding that or being a left-footer.... However, he's far too important down back. I understand the emergence of Petty has been great but May does so many things that go unseen, he drives/steers the ship back their while manning the opposition's best forward. Jackson though to me has to spend more time in the middle. Would love to see him as no.1 ruckman the next few weeks. Max won so many taps that eventuated in the Cats winning the ball. Jackson gives you a much better chance at winning that ball back if that happens. We saw the effect he had against Brisbane. He gives you so much more around every stoppage. To me its pretty simple. Play Max as a forward. It can be a lead up role or deeper but he's such a good target down there. Play him as the second ruck, just try it.

I agree with this. It won't be popular but its the best set up for us having two tall targets up forward with Gawn and Jackson spending periods of time rotating through there as well. Its how we set up when Tmac was healthy and I think we should keep this structure to see how it holds up the next few weeks. Petracca was great up forward on the weekend but we can't afford to have him spend more time in the forward line when we're up against the comps best midfields. Mitch Brown is great as a lead up forward but he's really more like a taller Fritsch with the way he plays. Weid's game (especially first half) was cringe-worthy last week with the way he dropped marks that were all his. But I think persist with him, just have him play aggressive and bring the ball to ground for our smalls, make their tall backs accountable.

Agreed, Petty looks set to take on more responsibility moving forward. Will need to see a full game or more from Turner before we count him in as covering the best / most dynamic full back in the comp.

I hear you. May and Max (pending Jackson situation) are both 30 and will need contingency plans for them also. It's inevitable we're going to drop off in one of these areas in 3-5 years. Most teams do, hence 'premiership window'. But you would think this midfield if we can keep them signed have a longer timeline so shoring up key positions where we're aging will be important for our longer term success.

I think you'll find the established players in that prime age group are the ones most sort after hence will be more expensive, more competition to sign/trade for. Of course if we can somehow get involved in recruiting these types and fit them salary wise we would. But established veterans can be what extends multiple shots at the flag for good teams. Brian Lake came across to Hawthorn at age 32(?) I think and solidified their backline, winning three flags. Now I know this is a poor example as Lake was an All Australian backman before coming across from the dogs but still, established veterans if picked up for the right price can play vital roles in teams with open premiership windows. Gunston will be 31 next season and for the right price, with proof his body has more left in him, I'd have no problem slotting him in this side. I think he'd be awesome leading up the ground creating space and opportunity for Bailey and Brown as deep scoring options.

OK...

EEEK Yeah its a worry. Last season Nibbler was 15.11 and Trac was 29.19 Oliver while finishing is clearly an area of his game he needs to work on (one of very few things), I'm less worried about because he's less often in positions to score and his creativity and ability to win the first contest is so crucial. He's more important in this area. But the other two need to sharpen up. It's been noted on here by many Trac's high ball drop doesn't help. I understand he uses it for momentum when kicking from 50 but he's been way off lately. ANB just needs confidence with set shots and maybe less rushing with his snaps/on the run.

I think Gunston would only really come in to sure up our forward depth. Didn't play last year and has looked average this year. I'm sure some of this has to do with taking more of a back seat and developing the other forward young fowards (Lewis etc.) at Hawthorn. Didn't play last year but his 2020 season was solid kicking 29 goals in 16 games. I would have no problems with him coming in to replace Mitch Brown as back up lead up tall forward. Brown is obviously having a wonderful VFL season but the it seems the responsibility of playing the role at AFL level is probably beyond him now. He was always great hitting the scoreboard in average teams at Essendon and early on at Melbourne but he just looks overwhelmed now when he gets called up to the AFL squad. JVR's development over the course of the season is one to keep track of. With our backline depth pretty well covered his best chance atm is developing as a forward. At 193cm if he can put on more size he could really develop to come in as Brown and Tmac start to slow down.

I'm in the camp that BBB had an average, disappointing game but not worth dropping. He's never been a great standing contested mark. Struggles to get his hands free or use his body/arms to wrestle the opposition out of position for the grab (Tmac is much better at this). Too many times he got caught in this predicament on Thursday where Andrews easily beat him, at times throwing him aside. You could tell Ben was really frustrated with himself in the contest. I think its the strength in this hips/lower body he's lacking. Ben needs space in front of him and at least some momentum to be effective. A lot of forwards do. I would like to see him be a little more defensive in these positions to simply aim to bring the ball to ground to our advantage. I thought too many times he was caught out and didn't half the contest where he could have. He's still our best deep forward option when he can get in space with outstretched arms. He also gives Bayley space and the lesser backman to create more scoring opportunities.

Me watching Sir Why you Little and Lord Nev across dif topics

Bowey is perfectly fine. Thought he was one of the few who played well against Collingwood. Are people basing his game on how much he had the ball? With Salem and May back he's not going to be as much a focal as a distributor across half-back. Just needs to keep doing what he does, carry out his role in our defensive structure, provide a contest and make the right decisions with his disposal. Unlike Rivers he rarely gets caught out of position. Rivers has struggled early on this season and needs to build on form in the two's. Last week was a step in the right direction. For what its worth I would say Rivers have most pressure on Hibberds spot/role. Coaching staff adore what Bowey does.

So wise

Oh yes please. I am so sick of Harmes butchering the ball when kicking inside 50. If Salem and Rivers can get back to their best then I would like to see Gus more forward of centre.

Isn't he out of contract at the end of the seasaon? I don't believe WC have to give us anything? Would be interesting the compensation pick for Jackson.

It's a big concern for me. Last year we were able to combat the quick corridor ball movement using our fitness and ability to get back to zone off and make teams kick down the line on the wings (ie filling up the space through the middle of the ground) If its off a quick turnover then there's less you can do about this. BUT I've been so concerned watching teams move the ball easily with numbers through the middle of the ground the last three weeks when we have had the opportunity to get back and set up properly. The work rate just isn't there defensively at the moment. I think a lot of that comes down to fitness. We're not running out of games anywhere near like we were last year.