Young Blood

Having Hibberd, Jetta and May is going to be something special. There's compeditive backlines and then there's just mean, physical players who use their bodies incredibly well to beat their opposition. We now have 3x the latter. Give these guys a look at finals where one on ones are crucial and it just gives you chills.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see J.Smith train with the forwards through pre-season. With May our backline depth is looking solid. He's the next best option to step up and create some depth as a marking forward who competes well in the air. Has the ability to impact further up the ground like a Darling light. I think its a good option while he continues to try to find some continuity in his kicking where turnovers are less costly. Excited to see him have a full preseason and really challenge the likes of Hannan and AVB as the third tall/HF. I think his pace would also be beneficial if he can use it in the forward press putting opposition backlines under pressure.

He's added a lot of bulk which might have impacted his speed. I think its worked for him with him dominating a few games this year for Casey and in the seniors he seems to be sticking tackles a lot better which was always his key strength when he was drafted. I'm still not sure of what his position is in the seniors. Was hoping he could become more a small key defender in time with his good tackling and contested work. Just needs to spend a lot of time one on one with Nev and learn the ropes.

I think he's the type of player we need if he can get back to the consistent form he had back in 2015 where he was third runner up in GC best and fairest (not a huge feat at GC but he was only a 20). You only need to look at his stats that shows how much he marks the ball demonstrating how well he spreads to find space. He's not lightning quick but has solid speed and athleticism. Really builds up speed well. I like the idea of him on a wing or half back with his ability to really spread. Uses the ball well too.

Yes this is very true. I was going to post earlier in regards to why Pruess would even consider Melbourne I think you have answered a potential reason why both player and club would be interested. There is a greater need for two ruckman. Along with potential rule/interchange changes you only need to look as far as the last two teams left playing in the GF. Both teams play with two ruckman (I know Cox is predominantly forward). It definitely gives you more options.

Would Freo not just wait another year so they don't have to pay overs and pick him up in free agency? Gives them more time to sort out their key pieces before then.

Bayleaf*

It's a tough pill to swallow for Bayley. He does so much right. He uses the ball so well and competes in the air but he's not a natural defender and his one on one work (where finals are won and lost) has not developed yet. I have no doubt Goody would have told him he's got a long career ahead of him. Such a natural footballer who already has so many of the attributes for him to build on in the coming years. Smith is the perfect player to run with Darling. He can run with him further up the ground where Darling is so damaging and match his athleticism. It's a big task of someone with very little big game let along many afl game experience.

Thought ANB is one of many players who set the tone early on Friday night. Yes he wasn't particularly clean but he made up for it with intensity and ferocious tackling/pressure. Took some risks with passes that paid off. He is the sort of player I want in finals with his relentless pressure. He doesn't stop.

I agree. I watch Trac and definitely think if he dropped even a few kg's he could be so much more damaging. I think with Weid coming on and Tmac as main forward option the most obvious thing to do would be to train Hogan as a CHF/Wing who can be dynamic in the middle part of the ground and drift forward when needed. We know he has the tank and showed in the first few games he can perform around in and around the contest further up the ground. He will probably need to be a little bit lighter again and work more on the defensive side of his game. Would love to see Hoges work with Vanders in the off season to become more the two way running player that Vanders is.

I think this is such a great example of the way Max thinks. He will admit he's not the most articulate or the sharpest guy at the club. But he has such a good footy brain in the way he thinks broadly about the game. His awareness of his and other clubs strengths/weaknesses and game plans and style is so good.

- Slight role change to start the season - Injury set backs / couldn't put together solid string of games - Only 23 with plenty of time and potential He has a competitiveness that makes me confident if he can get his body right and carve out a role in this young team he will be best 22 for quite some time. Clean up his disposal and decision making and he's well on the way.

Or maybe even some shields? like the colours on this one.

The most pleasing thing looking at the bigger picture is there's guys that could potentially (but probably doubtful) play that could round out an even better bottom 6 and maybe be ahead of JKH Hunt, Joel Smith, Pederson, Bugg, Garlett, Wagner Not to mentioned the injured that won't be available: Lever, Vince, Kent, Stretch Thats some depth right there.

Are these lists based on current form? Or overall this season? Importance to the team? If it was based on form and importance right now Harmes would be top 5 and I don't think Jones would crack the top 10 to be honest. He's playing his role well but not influencing games as much as others.

He deserves a lot of credit for this clubs recent success. He came across because Roos was going to be coach and saw some hope and opportunity for growth. There aren't many players who are playing close to their peak that would do that. I think he's had a huge impact on the young playing group. The way he attacks every contest (bar a few high ones) is exactly the type of player you want influencing everyone. I've always enjoyed Bern's honesty and professionalism in front of the media. He will be missed. I don't think he will take up a role at the club as he has a real estate career/business waiting for him.

Well you've reached the key talking point for the next two weeks after this Sundays game. Is Viney's return an obvious selection given the teams chemistry at the moment? Main pro and con in my opinion: Pro: He is a competitive beast made for finals intensity and physicality. As noted by others the team would generally get more confidence/insperation on the day with Jack putting his 100% into every contest. Con: From what we've seen so far he only really plays inside mid or as a close tag. The worry is that Brayshaw and Clayton are our key ball winners at the moment around the contest and doing it brilliantly. When Viney came back in earlier in the year he and Oliver were literally bumping heads at contests trying to win the ball. They did eventually build some chemistry and system but then Viney got injured again. I think he will come back in regardless of what we discuss on here. I hope they can build a rotation where he rests on the wings when Oliver is in the middle or rotates a tag with Harmes.

He can only really play mid or wing...

So it's pretty much Geelong or GWS first game unless something silly happens to Collingwood or Hawks vs syd is a draw? Would not want to be playing Freo at over there after last week. Expect them to really take it to the filth.

You gotta have COLL higher surely. They're the most one and arrogant of them all. Richmond are extremely smug overall as well even when they were down.

That is what I was saying yes....

I'm sure other forums have similar threads about a lot of the carry on after we lose on here. Still nice to read highlights of other supporters struggling to swallow the reality. Umps were definitely letting a lot go in this game. We got away with a lot especially in the first half. Maybe a reason why they ended up winning the free kick count 18-14

There were definitely guys who had an average game by their standards. Thought Bailey wasn't in the game as much as he has been but still showed poise with ball in hand. Wasn't a huge fan of some of defensive efforts. If they gave him a spell and some rest Wagner would be a good replacement. Kent went OK but can see him getting another game. I saw him do some nice things off the ball using his body to block and open up passages of play. Might just need to work on his positioning after first game back in a while. Boy that goal at the end was brilliant under pressure in front of his home crowd. Charlie was great in patches and thought he played a great third quarter running with confidence with ball in hand. Still hasn't played a full four quarters but he's getting closer. I can't see them resting him now. He gives so much pace and intensity at every contest and uses it so well. Melksham was rusty but competed well all day. Got on the end of a few late so was good to see the persistence to get himself back into the game. People on here might call for Nibbler to be dropped as per usual but its not going to happen. He provides so much defensive pressure and runs both ways incredibly well. Wasn't his best game but besides hit the score board he played his role. So I think no change unless someones sore.