poita

12 months ago we lost Tamara Hyett to the Bulldogs, and I'm not convinced she was fully replaced. Ben Brown has since headed to Essendon. We have now lost Jessie Mulholland to the Saints. Hopefully the club is working hard to provide our AFLW program with the quality and quantity of personnel that they require to be successful this season. https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1286813/st-kilda-saints-appoint-new-gm-of-aflw-jessie-mulholland-retiree-steph-chiocci-to-return

Our small defender stocks (or lack thereof) are a major issue. It is one of the reasons I was so annoyed that we sent so many picks to Essendon in the Lindsay deal. Finding a quality small defender with a late pick this year is an absolute must, even if McVee signs a long term extension.

Wasn't Gawn involved in the Grundy discussions? Given how that one worked out, he is the last person that should be trying to recruit players.

Is Marty Hore made of paper? What a total waste of a list spot.

Doesn't kick nearly enough goals, doesn't win his own football, and doesn't demand his opponent be accountable for him because he doesn't play in dangerous positions. Has a career average of just over 2 inside 50s per game, so his much vaunted field kicking is probably only contributing a goal a game. Good on him for reaching game 100 this week, but we can do so much better.

I don't know if Chaplin is the problem, the solution or somewhere in between. What I do know is: 1. Having 2-3 key forwards all standing in the same positions and competing for the same contests doesn't work. 2. Playing midgets across the half forward line and expecting them to mark high balls doesn't work. 3. Having Spargo manning grass by himself on the wide HFF whilst his opponent intercepts balls inside F50 doesn't work. 4. Entering the F50 from the flanks so that we take most of our shots from 45 degree angles doesn't work. 5. Slow ball movement through the middle of the ground that results in high balls to packs or kicks under pressure into the F50 doesn't work. 6. Having your best goalkicker roaming the wings doesn't work. What does work is: 1. Unselfish forwards who block for each other and create pathways for teammates (Watch Brown & McDonald in 2021 as exhibit A). 2. Multiple forwards leading in different directions at different times. 3. Forwards who lead hard at the kicker and demand the football out in front. 4. Crumbing forwards at the feet of marking targets. 5. Quick, direct movement inside F50. I can't stand Hawthorn, but they have perfected all of these things.

Consider also the following long term contracts that Tim Lamb has agreed to: Oliver contracted to age 33 (2030) Petracca contracted to age 33 (2029) Lever contracted to age 32 (2028) Langdon contracted to age 32 (2028) Viney contracted to age 34 (2028) Gawn contracted to age 36 (2027) Salem contracted to age 31 (2026) McAdam contracted to age 31 (2026) Fritsch contracted to age 31 (2026) May (33), McDonald (33), Campbell (33) and Melksham (34) all out of contract this year. I'm pretty confident Petracca will be playing good football somewhere at that age. Fritsch's contract is fine, notwithstanding his recent form. McDonald and May both deserve to be on the list this year. However I cannot see the wisdom in the deals offered to Langdon, Lever and Viney - they are all terrible contracts for us, particularly given the money they would each be on. I love Gawn, but cannot see him making it to 2027 in decent shape. Salem has done nothing for 3 years. McAdam was a shocking trade in every respect. Melksham should have been delisted two years ago. If it is good enough for Geelong to have Selwood and Hawkins on 1 year contracts at the end of the career, then it should be good enough for us (2 years absolute max).

Not destroying the 33 year old, 226 gamer in the first month of the season is.the.key.

This right here is our problem. Tholstrup is just plain ordinary. Windsor is a quality player, but it is asking a lot of a second year player to fix all our issues, even if he gets his foot right. McVee is a quality player who is yet to commit beyond this season. Melksham is 34 this year and has played about 5 good games in the past four years. May is 33 and is declining fast. Pickett is a star who continually puts himself in bad situations, and who knows if he will be here next year. Beyond that we're down to the likes of Billings, Laurie, Campbell and Fullerton. The cupboard is almost completely bare. The coach will continue to pick his favourites regardless of exposed form, the senior players will pick and choose when they want to play, and the list manager will continue to reward mediocre players with long term contracts that they haven't earned.

Look at the way Mitchell has matched his game plan to the skill set his playing group. Goodwin wants to play a brand of football that his players either can't or won't execute. If he won't change, it is time to go.

A truly dire performance from start to finish. Our coach is clueless, our list is threadbare and our players are lacking in skills, game sense and heart. We've won 5 of our last 17 games and look every bit a bottom 3 side.

Who was the tool who gave Langdon a four year contract? The guy has been in self preservation mode for three years.

The lack of respect shown by Petracca and Oliver to LDU and Powell is disgusting.

Why does Lever never watch the ball in a 1v1 contest?

Looking forward to a crowd of 10K next week.

None of our forwards want to lead up and demand the football.

Nothing like a forward who won't have a shot at goal.

We only need 5 decent minutes of football to win this game, but there is zero chance of that happening.

You'd think Howes would get sick of being crapped on every time he goes near the football.

Anyone else remember when our defense was one of the best 17 in the comp?

I'm a Rivers fan, but he looks completely disinterested. Howes and Bowey are terrible. Gawn and Oliver are getting baths. Van Rooyen is a shadow of his best self, and yet is still easily our best forward.

If we ever needed proof that our depth is non-existent, this weeks potential inclusions (and the retention of Howes) are exhibit A1. Billings and Campbell should have been considered ahead of any of those five. I assume Turner & Woewodin for Johnson & Windsor, unless they are set on Rivers playing 100% in defence.

Our stocks of small-medium defenders are at critically low levels. It is absolutely essential that we lock McVee away as soon as possible, ideally on a long term deal. We are not going to be winning finals with any combination of Bowey, Howes and AMW in these roles, as was shown clearly on Sunday with Bowey and Howes being destroyed by Greene and Coniglio.

Luke Jackson seems to change his mind more often than he changes his underwear. He has a contract until 2029. Why sign on for so long if you want to change the terms five minutes later? What exactly has he achieved in the past three years that would justify a higher salary? The phrase "caveat emptor" springs immediately to mind every time Jackson's name comes up. Presumably any club seeking his services needs to sign him up beyond 2029 at a much higher salary. That's a clear pass for me.

I don't think the club does enough to recognise long term members full stop, but particularly those who are attending 9+ home games each year. It is way more effective to look after the supporters you already have, rather than trying to sign up 3 game members who will drop off a year or two later.