poita

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.

I didn't expect a win yesterday given that the opposition had played opening round and finished about ten positions above us last year. I did expect to see signs of improved ball movement, more efficient entries into the forward line and signs of improved depth. Overall I was disappointed on all three of these markers, although the effort was very good to excellent all day. The reality is that we have now won 5 of our last 16 games. We are genuinely a mediocre side, and I don't think we have the personnel or the coaching nous to fix this in the short term. It is going to be a long and frustrating season, particularly if we lose Gawn or Petracca at any stage. The good: Petty & McDonald were excellent in defence. Petracca was almost back to his best form immediately. Oliver was much improved on last season. Lindsay looks to be a great find. Windsor did some excellent things, although played out of position. Salem looks fitter and more composed. Gawn seems to have dodged Father Time for another year, although our reliance on him remains a concern. The bad: Johnson's diabolical ruck work makes him a dubious selection, despite his aggression and competitiveness up forward. Langford looks way off the required fitness and awareness levels at this point. Henderson needs time to find the pace of the game, and needs to stop looking sideways and backwards. The way Langdon was brushed aside at the last centre bounce, convinces me he is wasted as an onballer. Fritsch has zero confidence and is playing out of position. The ugly: Howes, Bowey and Lever are all terrible defenders, and Howes is not an AFL level player. Chandler spent his afternoon running up and down the ground for zero impact. Sparrow remains a mediocre player. Jefferson lacks conviction and presence, and shouldn't have been played in those conditions. I would have played Billings, but there is precious little else at Casey to bring in.

I'm not sure what sort of crowd people expected. I said in the membership thread last week that most memberships sold by all clubs are rubbish, and that maybe 1/3 of the total members are legitimate supporters. For us, that means we have 15K - 20K who turn up each week, plus whatever the opposition brings (~ zero this week), plus however many fairweather fans decide to make the effort (slightly more than zero this week). We won't see a decent crowd for either Gold Coast or Fremantle, and will struggle to reach 60K on Anzac Eve if we don't start winning.

I say this every year - membership numbers are a complete w@nk. I'd be amazed if anything more than 50% of club memberships are legitimate 11 game plus memberships. The rest are pets, babies, freebies, gifts or for 3 games or less. My son is counted in St Kilda's membership number because the SMJFL gives out free 2 game memberships when you register each year. He has zero interest in St Kilda. We only take it up so we can get into the game for free if St Kilda host Melbourne. The membership numbers might give the clubs a brief sugar high, but it is the membership dollars and the match day attendances that truly matter.

I would have thought we had better uses for the soft cap than a specialist ruck coach for two incredibly experienced ruckmen, but fair enough.

There are two separate issues here: 1. There are clear cost of living and lifestyle benefits to living in Geelong and surrounds compared with living in inner Melbourne. I'm guessing the equivalent house in Geelong costs 20 - 25% less, and comes with the benefits of shorter commutes, less traffic and closer proximity to amenities. So, yes, it is very easy to attract players to the club, particularly those who have grown up in rural environments, when they know their money will go much further. 2. Where there is smoke, there is generally fire and there has been plenty of rumours of dodgy land deals and sponsorships at Geelong in recent decades. The Chris Scott sponsorship is just the latest example. Hopefully the AFL will be able to definitively determine whether something is going on here.

Melksham, Hore & McAdam - that's three list spots wasted on players who are constantly injured. Spargo entering that territory as well. We're just lucky the AFL allowed us to replace McAdam.

Reserves team plays before the senior team. Theme songs and pre/post match interviews are broadcast at a higher volume than the ads. Multiple balls on the ground during the last five minutes of each quarter. Membership scarf comes with years of membership printed.

Very, very disappointing that we couldn't find a suitable role to keep him at the club.