deelusions from afar

don't think it's going to happen (because there's no one obvious to drop) but would kinda love to see Salem play a bit at half forward. I know our forward connection has improved significantly the last two years but with him kicking it in it would probably go up a notch or two! Maybe if Sparrow gets more midfield time when Harmes is out it could be looked at?

That's normally true. But I don't see the harm in saying something like "Well done X, you're making your debut this week. As you know there's best 22 players due back in the coming weeks so we're not expecting you to stay in the side in the short term. But you've earnt your place this week - you hit your KPIs and be the best team player you can and who knows where it can lead you. This is exactly what we told Bowey last year and he hasn't left the team". I just think its important to keep blooding young players and see how they go. It's not intended to judge them - we all remember how Petty went in his first game... I'm sure that experience helped him understand the level he had to get to. Similarly for Sparrow when playing his first games in 2020. We've got great depth - if not this week, then I don't know when these guys will get a go with a tougher run in the second half of the year.

I think Chandler will get a week. I hope they bring in Laurie or Van Rooyen - we're playing the bottom side and its important they get a taste. Both are playing well at VFL level.

Yeah I guess what I was proposing was less about this year... but doing away with the Grand Final Guarantee option (which admittedly is less $$). But it then offers an extra incentive (A) for members to sign up and (B) for them to attend as many games as possible. Not sure what the net $$ result would be. Agree with LH that this is only an issue for the grand final - unless playing someone like Richmond, most supporters that want to go to any other final will be able to get a ticket. Also agree with DC that this would be too hard to track for non-members. . But it is something they already track for members. Edit: And @roy11 - I'm a MFC/MCC member too... pretty sure they track how many games we go to regardless of whether we use MFC or MCC. Someone else could confirm.

It's interesting getting people's thoughts. I don't necessarily disagree. But I find it interesting that seemingly the system is so strong that it doesn't really matter who is playing as the 6th or 7th defender - they are moved around to get the best out of the 6-7 that are selected. Which is why if you have a player not playing that is suited to the opposition, isn't that an overall win? There are individual opposition players that are capable of causing big headaches for us (just like we have for them). So say Richmond get their act together and have no injuries in the second half of the year. Dusty is back in form and as a team they are looking like they were 2017-2020. Hibbo is back from injury and has played a couple of games to cover for best 22 players (just like last year before Smith got injured). Does he come into the side given his record on Dusty? Or do we trust whoever is playing in the side the week before (eg Hunt, Smith etc).

Bit of a left field idea (more for attendance than memberships) but wonder whether a ballot system could be in place for finals (particularly grand final if we make it) where the more matches someone attends, the more chance someone has in the ballot of getting GF tickets. I know there's the GF guarantee option in the membership, but I think it would be good to reward the supporters that go to most games and might be an extra incentive for supporters to show up.

Whenever I listen to Goody's press conferences it makes me wonder why they don't ask about this. We are currently blessed with depth - to the extent that even with injuries there's constant debate about the best mix especially at either end of the ground. Once Salem comes back and Gus can play on the wing again it will also be talked about for the midfield. In defence in particular, they seem to be able to mix it up in terms of the number of talls and smalls and still get the job done. And yet I've never heard of selection being based on the opposition's lineup or game style and/or ability to exploit any weaknesses. When it comes to finals, if they're all healthy and in form then choosing out of Hunt / Hibberd / Smith / Tomlinson etc should come down to who's best suited to the opposition. But we don't seem to approach it this way (as far as I can tell). Injuries aside at the moment, why not?

Feel sorry for Brayshaw here - don't think anything he has said gives any reason to imply he's thinking of leaving. But the deal hasn't been done so it's not in his interest to give away his hand before the negotiations are sorted. He seems to genuinely love the club and players - but in a talented team will get less than he could get elsewhere. It's fair enough for him to ensure he gets paid the maximum amount we can afford. His importance to the team has been amplified this year by the role he is doing in defence. While I still think his kicking lets him down more than he'd like... who else could play the role he is playing currently with Salem injured? Sparrow? Jordon? Bowey? Smith? Harmes? I can't think of anyone who stands out. Jordon is probably the only one that has the size and composure to do it.

Well there's 16 of them if you have the time. I read them while in lockdown.... there was something special about reading from people who didn't have a team in the match

How many players would be in this list if it was from a neutral supporter's perspective! Great times!

My favourite was having a look at the neutrals grand final game day threads. People lost their [censored] at the end of the third after writing us off 15min earlier!

I kinda love it - it gets Geelong thinking they're a chance again - but there's no way they will be able to knock off two of Dees, Freo and Bris in finals. It means they get worse picks which means a longer rebuild when the cliff finally arrives.

Do we really need another contract thread? Nothing is going to happen until Gil sorts out the TV rights going forward - why would you sign when you don't know what the size of the pie is?

But he would have if not for covid this year as well right? He's had an unlucky run but he has also been messed around with being put in different positions and in his injury management (pre Burgo).

I know we've compared notes with Melbourne Storm in the past re building culture. I'm hoping we've learnt what ever they know about staying at the top once you get there. They've had their generation of absolute top end players come and go and they're still a powerhouse. Hearing Petracca in a recent interview - it seems like that's what they're wanting to create.

I think part of this is that we look to have an extra behind the ball to intercept so outside of centre bounces, we are often outnumbered at the stoppage. We can get away with this as with Gawn, Oliver and Petracca we have 3 of the best 10 players in the league at the stoppage and when we lose it it's about not losing it badly so our interceptors can capitalise. What I'm also hoping is that like last year, these players go up a level - what we did to geelong (and the dogs and lions to a lesser extent) in the finals at clearance was unbelievable. You also saw a bit of this during the season when we played other contenders. It will be interesting this week as it's our first game in a while against a team that is considered to be a contender. I have a feeling our players will lift to get the psychological edge over the saints in case we meet them in September.

I agree with the sentiment overall, but surely you can see that part of this is just the media trying to find something interesting to talk about. It's bad for them and the AFL if people think we are untouchable - people will lose interest. I know I found the fawning over Tigers / Hawks / Cats pretty boring when they were in their hey day. It's got nothing to do with respect of us. We've definitely got that.

What I find interesting is that so often the players in defence when in trouble know they can flick it out to his wing without looking and he will be there - I think when he's previously got a bit of attention it requires a half forward eg Kozzie / Spargo / ANB to provide the one-two handball to get round the opponent. But given how often going to him when in trouble, I'm surprised the Hawks are the first to try this tactic in a dedicated way.

These stories are going to continue to circulate until the new paydeal is sorted. Why would you sign when you don't know the landscape? Would be surprised if Brayshaw or Jacko left on what we know.

I think Mitchell coached really well. I'm glad the tried a few things with some success (while we still got the win) because it gives our coaches and players some contingencies to work on. Much rather this than getting our first look in finals. The likes of Brisbane and Freo may hold things back when they play us in case they want to catch us unawares during the finals - so I we are going to see the challenging tactics from sides not expecting a finals berth like Hawthorn, Collingwood, Adelaide, etc The tag of Langdon was interesting - I'm not sure if most teams would have a player with Langdon's fitness and speed to go with him all day. But for the ones that do, we'll have to find other ways which I'm sure we will. Like when teams tag one of Oliver or Petracca, the other gets off the chain. As good as the Hawks were - esp early - May had two marks punched out of his hand early on (I think they goaled from both). Correct call on them and the game is a different story. And good luck taking on Max - esp when so many 1st choice ruckmen are down at the moment.

From memory Melksham played the Hawthorn game early last year and was looking very dangerous

I thought it was reported that all 22 players made the captains run today?? Was ANB there?

Hawks are actually missing a lot of good players as well so surely shouldn't pose much of a threat. They have started their last 2 games putting 5-6 goals on early so we will have to watch for that. Interestingly on SEN Mitchell was asked about tagging and he said they normally look for the players with the most score involvements. For us it's Petracca but he also mentioned ANB who isn't far behind.

Depending on how many miss, this is a great opportunity for players at VFL level to have a crack. A win or two with 5+ players out due to Covid will have the whole comp fearing us even more than they already do. Get it done dees!

We're one year off being the hardest team to play against!