Ungarieboy

We are also getting regularly getting beaten at the clearances (and spilled marking contests). We actually don't have enough genuine midfielder. Spargo, Chandler, ANB, Picket, Rivers and even Jordan are not genuine (nor is Melksam, And at thos stage Woey).

Our forwards though need a change up. They may often find space, but then just wave their arm and wait for the ball to be kicked to them, rather than moving towards the balll. We have to many specialist small pressure forwards, that don't kick regular goals. Our talls allow to many intercept marks. The resting ruck forward becomes a predictable long kick where the opposition then floods the area with numbers, making crumbing goals considerably more difficult. Smith is veyter suited as the third tall, not full gorward - hes really a backup for Fritsch

The thing about dropping role players who are doing their role, is it encourages other players to chase stat's rather than stick to their role. ANB likely stays for that reason alone! Assuming he is doing his role.

Rivers Hunter Salem Grundy May Sparrow

Side note: should the Demons be considered (promoted) as a "big four" club? The demons, like the Magpies, feature in two blockbuster matches each year; the tigers do as well if you consider the opening game a blockbuster! That leaves the Blues and Bombers with one blockbuster (though they are trying to establish a match between each other, as another). We should also being looking to setup another blockbuster match with Geelong, where the two teams open Heritage round; and do a pre-match build up on tradition, heritage and legends!!!! Oh and the AFL should also look at a Sydney/Brisbane rivalry for during rugby league's state of origin; riding on their coattails!

Viney Rivers Salem Fritsch Hibberd Smith

Mcvee Fritsch Rivers Trac JVR Salem

Hoping for an ugly win, fear an ugly loss!

At least other results have gone our way

So had a go trying to pick a team to tweak the weaknesses while catering for fast movement modern footy. It was really hard. Obviously Oliver and Petty makes a difference. Backs: May, Lever, [someone tall and clean], Hibberd, Bradshaw, Rivers, Bowie Mids: Gawn, Trac, Viney, [someone not a contest mid] , Langdon, Hunter, Sparrow, [Picket/Spargo]. Grundy. Fwds: Fritsch, BBB, Smith, [a tall marking option], [a mobile marking mid/small], a [pressure fwd], spargo/Picket Oh and we are getting smashed I clearances because they are all in to come out the front of it; but not to defend or halve the contest!

McVee and Bowie are getting pushed around in the backline; we can only ay one of them against the stronger sides. Lever is not KPB, he's a third tall. Our midfield are getting smashed and are not getting front and centre. We have to many non-marking targets in the forwards; at least one has to go; when Gawn rests forward we have to many stationary talks. Importantly though the modern game requires speed of movement so any Ayers coming in need to also cater for this.

OK I see things differently, hard to give votes to a midfield that got beaten again! Then again the backs and forwards also got beaten. Still Grundy Sparrow Fritsch May Hibberd Brayshaw

May Fritsch Rivers Chandler Hunter Salem

Rivers Viney Lever Trac Spargo Petty

Gaiwn McVee Trac Sparrow Picket Oliver

Grundy Trac Chandlers Oliver Fritsch Rivers

Viney Gawn ANB Chandler Oliver May

Oliver Viney Petty McVee Two more to come, when I can find them

Oliver Lever Fritsch Grundy Viney Bowey

Oliver Trac Langdon Viney Rivers Chandler

Hard to judge forwards output considering, the limited opportunity compounded by poor delivery. Hard to judge the backs considering the avalanche of entry's and lack of pressure on their delivy. The midfield got smashed, embarrassingly so. Langdon is going through a poor patch (not advocating dropping him) but that's anothet unusual a dynamic that the team hasn't adjusted to. Sydney's smalls are more dangerous than their talks, which could expose us.

BBgun Then, Geez I don't know; chandler perhaps. No way I can find another 4

Gawn Lever Trac Tomlinson Picket Chandler

Please note that comparing stats with Geelong is pointless; as the opposition they played skewed statistics towards generating more opportunities, goals, disposals, etc, and conversely less defensive requirements.

I expect we'll play most of Geelong, Collingwood, Fremantle , Richmond and Port Adelaide twice. Geelong as premiers should get the toughest draw, and that would include us. Collingwood because of Queens birthday and now grundy grudge; and top 6 side Freo because they are another top 8 side, and Jackson grudge. Richmond because of ANZAC deal and top 8 - though Brisbane (rivalry developing) is a logical alternative. Port as it an extra SA game and our logical opponent for Alice - and they meet the middle 8 criteria. Then a bottom side, hopefully Hawthorn but probably GWS.