Young Blood

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.

James started off with some real strong foundations and had some key elements of his game which made me think he was definitely worth pursuing. He's always been good in the air with strong hands in a marking contests. I've always thought he uses his body really well in each contest and tackles with ferociousness. He also bleeds red and blue having barracked for the club since childhood and you can see it with his passion for the contest and when he smiles when he got selected and after wins. He's developed steadily and I think this preseason season he built his tank to allow him to run out games better and work on his finishing and polish with the ball. He'd be one of our most confident and consistent players this year. I think his ability to stand up in a tackle and get his hands free is what has really stands out to me. He adds to our other players who do this so well in Oliver, Brayshaw, Trac, Hibberd. You just know they're not going to give up. Would be in our top five most important players now I believe.

Would be interesting if he is playing ducks and drakes. Hibberd to negate McGovern. Or just make Westcoast worry about it.....

Does anyone know what jumper we will wear? I know that West coasts main home jumper is quite a similar blue to our away strip Might West coast go with their predominantly yellow away strip and we go with normal home darker jumper? Would be cool to play in our Indigenous jumper again. I remember hearing we'd play in it again but maybe that was the Darwin game.

I also think Brayshaw shows really positive signs of being a game influencer. Wins consecutive contests/clearances and has confidence in traffic to burst forward with momentum and penetration.

Agreed I think Trac needs a more defined position and role to give him some continuity from week to week. I watch him get lost on the wings often. It's going to be difficult doing that thought for the rest of this season. With no Viney and now Hogan he'll still be rotating through the middle to cover for some of Viney's time there and now more time up forward I would think sans Hogan. The idea of Trac one out in the forward line in a one on one is perfect. But that opportunity just doesn't happen much these days. Even if you push all your other forwards up the oppositions defense stay back with zoning tactics to fill the space. Is there any way to counter this again so we could have a one on one which teams like Richmond and others seem to still get?

Too hard really without knowing where rehab is up to for the ex bomber duo but my guess is something like. Out: Hunt, Peds, In: Hibbert/Wagner, Melksham/Hannan Has anyone watched Kent closely at VFL level? Apart from kicking three this week has he elevated his game since being back and built some form? If not then I fear rushing him back in with the idea of him playing at the standard we have seen from him in previous seasons rather then current. I feel like thats what happened with Hunt. Brought in less because of form but more because of what he could do based on performance in previous years. I have a feeling Bugg might play if Melksham doesn't get up. I also worry about AVB's fitness. He's tiring late in the last two games and looks off the pace when the opposition is transitioning.

You could add: - Nath Jones' leadership - ANB - Goodwin not being the right guy

He did make a good point about our players not coping with the pressure. That its not just around the ground with panicked decision making, its also in front of goal. Prime examples against Power, Geelong and now Sydney where we just did not convert and put the opposition under pressure while gaining momentum our way. I think we were beaten around the ball for most of the game yesterday but the good teams can get beaten at the contest and still find a way to win. Its plain to see that for us converting in front of goal early on would have changed the shape of the game. We wouldn't have gone into defensive mode so much.

Trade a 23 yr old key position forward while he's developing and before he's even close to reaching his prime? Laughable

Yeah I get the feeling that they'll be looking to solidify a team heading into finals and the FD would be keen to see if they can get game time into Hunt to be a part of that and this is the perfect opportunity. We need the desperate Jayden back who plays with intensity and provides pressure wherever he's positioned.

Vanders will hopefully take JKH's spot when Melk and Hibberd come back in. Can play patches in the middle and forward. Still a bit concerned with his fitness. He certainly faded after half time. But was effective early on with a team high 6 inside 50's.