Young Blood

As much as I absolutely detest the man, I don't think Maynards action was premeditated before he left the air. He jumped to spoil/smother. Its once he was in the air he decided to turn his body and make full contact with his shoulder with the intention to hurt the player (Gus). I know its a lost cause but it still baffles me as to why old vision of the hundreds of times a similar situation occurred where the player in the air simply put their arms out to brace/push off the kicker was not enough to influence the decision. This is the duty of care we're talking about, not a thug taking advantage of a player in a vulnerable position. Unfortunately while the impact is so different, the act is somewhat similar with Kozz. Leaves his feet to intercept/spoil the handball then decides in that split second to clip the players head with elbow. It was a split second but unnecessary. This part was not a football act. Any other year he gets off. But not this year 😪

Kozzy hit player head = bad Pendles hit player stomach = good Me AFL make decision

Why are people so keen to drop Billings? Because he doesn't rack up possessions? Doesn't appear on our TV screens as much? Apart from not converting on the two easier shots (of his three) and lower pressure acts I thought he played his role well last night. He's certainly putting himself in positions to score and still good for score involvements. Do we just want to change for the sake of change? Maybe someone from Casey is knocking down the door to come back in. Some people suggesting Laurie. Did he have a big game?

And they're just the players we know of with niggles... Five day turnaround, intense crowd, hungry team who always plays better at home. If their forwards get going and they can get enough entry we'll be in trouble. But I'm backing our system to prevail still and win a tight one! Go mf'n Dees!

Fantastic win sounds like a stretch considering your assessment of the game. Definitely not the best start as they had momentum pure clearance dominance early on. We just couldn't get our hands on it and when we did we wrestled it back. The free kicks definitely kept us in it and we were very luck to still be in the games at times especially in the third when they really got on top of us in the midfield. Care the elaborate on the lack of speed on the spread? I thought our backs were back in position quite often and didn't seem to get caught out, out the back. They created genuine contests in the air and Lever was able to play his intercept game nicely once the game settled down. The easier goals they got were probably more to do with the mids and wings not filling the holes in the shallower parts of defensive 50... Take your point about shoddy kicks out of the backline, they too were very poor with execution which levelled it out. But this is what happens when you player better opposition and they bring the pressure and better structure. The handballs back into the corridor is something you'll have to get used to with the new game plan, its going to be hit and miss while they work it through the early part of the season. While the new game plan is around the sling shot of half back changing the angles by hand or foot through the corridor. You're still going to see SOME kicking down the line. It's what every team does when the corridor is manned up and you have numbers at the contest. We generated quite a few scores from this :) You might be right that were reverted back to it at times but this might have also been to take the heat out of the game and use the boundary to get stoppages in more neutral parts of the ground where we could set up better. Skill execution under pressure is what won us the game. Port were messy with the ball with so much hack kicking out of contest resulting in turnovers. I thought thats where they lost the game and we won, skill execution. They may have won the clearances but those clearances were not as quality as ours

There'll be some sore bodies after that one. Impossible to pick a team as I'm sure there could be some niggles that might force some changes. Does anyone know how big the squad is that went over? Is it just tonights team plus the emergencies?

The late body hit from behind on Butters or Rozee after they kicked it that turned into the down field kick was it in the second? If thats what they're referring to then nothing to worry about.

Disagree with you as did Max and Goody in their post match pressers. He certainly made a few mistakes but I loved his attack on the contest. Was asked the tough task of playing tall when Petty was sent up forward and I thought performed his role well.

Was singled out and given high praise in the fox footy post match. He was probably instrumental in the majority of the most critical moments tonight. When we were being challenged he stood up. So many big and small acts to half or win a contest and set up his team mates. Nice to see him get on the end of a few too.

6. Max 5. ANB 4. Trac 3. Lever 2. Rivers 1. Viney

T-Mac won't go in the best on field. But he was just brilliant I thought. Kept Dixon to 1 goal, made life difficult for Charlie all night. He had 7 intercept possessions and went at 100% disposal efficiency.

The majority of their inside 50's have been poor. Looks like us 2022-23. That and backline holding up well. Terrific structure and communication.

In terms of ball movement and just getting in there quick, yes. But the high press seems to have been adjusted with their ability to get numbers back and structure up So lucky with free kicks. Going to have to start getting our hands on the ball first the key

They're so gross

At one point in the Demonland podcast they mentioned a track watcher said he was training with the forwards earlier in the week. He then trained with the backs as the week went on. But with Tomlinson not selected yes you would think it will be Petty back for most of the match.

Someone did a Selwood on him...

I don't have the medical analysis for you. But they're not going to let him play or even be in contact drills if there is any chance of re fractering anything. I think there's likely some motive of hope and/or mind games with the one game timeline. Its likely going to be more. It also depends on the extent of the fractures. I had a friend who only had minor cracked ribs and was able to get up to play after two weeks off. One thing is for sure, he is going to be very sore and the pain management will be an issue for 6-8 weeks. Opposition are certainly going to target him when he does come back. Anzac eve is the current aim and likely return according to track watchers checking in with staff.

I went to the game and just watched the replay. Very enjoyable game to watch from both perspectives. This is the most connected I've seen this team since 2021. The genuine care and joy they had for one another. Clarry especially going to team mates at every opportunity for encouragement was extremely pleasing to see. To see the buy in from him to the club and his team mates from where he was last year is just brilliant. He was also the first player to get stuck in to the Hawks when they'd done something to one of his players. Loved seeing him get into two players after they flattened Max in a marking contest and actually drag both off the mark (deliberately) to give Max a play on opportunity. Its a long season but if they keep backing each other and celebrating the little things like this, the spoils, the pressure acts, bodying the ball, the second/third efforts, the setting up for each other. If they can do this regardless of being up or down its going to resonate through the whole group to galvanise for a big season ahead.

Definitely some poor kicks like the one to Kozz that should have hit him up easily with no one around, instead went out of bounds (Kozz slapping the ball in anger :) BUT apart from hitouts where it was pretty even he was influential across the ground 10 Contested possessions 7 inside 50's 390 Metres gained (fourth on ground) 6 tackles Some of the stats that show he did really impact the game. Some of the stuff he does for a ruckman his size is just crazy.

Was so pleased to see Trac shake off the fumbles he had at the start of the game (and to begin the season). I've been critical of him early on with his disposal and handballing to the feet of his team mates. Hopefully the perfect connection he had with the forwards several times in the second half on the weekend will boost that confidence.

I thought he was pretty down on us from well before the first game. I think the flip flopping would be a tactic. He's often quite irrational and bases he's opinion on teams based on 'feel'. Even the fact that we're talking about him is a win for Mr. King.

When create meme's sometimes the simple classics are required and apt

Petty to be the sub surely. - Nice way to ease him back in without a full match load - Puts a bit of pressure on JVR and Brown to perform - Flexibility if a key back goes down - Rests both Petty and whichever tall he subs off for a lighter game load ahead of a hectic Adelaide schedule in the coming weeks

I think its just the build/frame