Wells 11

He's super impressive thus far as a fwd. I say keep him there! Loved how he calmy slotted from 55 Sat eve. I like the energy and toughness he exudes and I reckon it gives the feel of the side something new. Its early to say but he brings to mind someone like a Brody Mihocek from the pies. Someone who seemed sort of average for a while but became so critical to their set up. Plus given the hit and miss nature of our kicking for goal to have him, Fritter and JVR all up there is a big plus.

wow… I didn’t see that coming. go dees!

given that Trac returns Rivers is going to be a great addition to the midfield rotations.

Severe MFCSS...but short term only My fear is that this week will be the final nail in the coffin of a [censored] 2024. Im expecting a 10 goal loss and for it to seal the deal for the year and for the press to sharpen their knives...again. We're down Trac, Brayshaw and, as good as he is, an underdone Oliver....and now Max. 4 of our best 6? Its too much for mine. On the positive side though . I dont think this team is anywhere near finished in terms of 25 and 26 . IF we were to recruit a key forward and or another gun mid and IF trac and Clarry are back next year even close to their best then we will be right back in the top 4 imo.

me too.

"is it true" is a pretty poor way to start a rumour thread. Its even worse than "I've heard a whisper" . Who is Sam Faff for a start. I refuse to raise my hopes. But I cant help it...they've just been frikn raised. Curse you Sam Faff!

Lets not forget he coached the Eagles to a flag against the pies by under goal. Glorious day. We all should love him a bit

and is much better suited physically to that task than fritta. Will free fritsch up I think.

Please just mention that horrible holding the ball against rivers. I honestly think that call doesnt happen if its a Daicos or a Cameron or a Bolton. I almost threw my frikn glass at the screen.

As the raw disappointment fades...I just cant help but feel proud of the boys. Our pressure and energy was fantastic and the Lions away is no small task. I think with all the young guys and some unfit older guys we just didnt have the legs. Petty was great but his misses continue to hurt as did fritters and Langdons... but Brissy missed plenty of their own lets face it.

including a horrible one against rivers!

I’d forgotten how good the game day thread is so many hours before the game. I feel optimistic again! … but I won’t be revisiting this page during the game.

it’s pretty funny though that he defended the bombers all through the “ supplements” scandal isn’t it.

I think youre reading the tea leaves right WCW. But he's also still traumatised and in pain and shock. Lets wait til it settles. If he's speaking the same way in 4-6 weeks I'll be right with you. Its a huge thing to leave the game and opens up a massive hole in young mens lives when they do. So, he might change when things settle down and also when he gets back around the club again and feels the love everyone has for him. Hopefully he starts missing the game again. But if he retires for his health reasons then I will of course back him ...with a broken heart also...but will get behind our norm smith player whatever he does.

Hi Guys ...thanks as always for the pod. Demonland is fraying at the seams now but you three are still having balanced intelligent conversations! 2 questions. 1./ A lot of talk now about Oliver. What strikes me most about him is he's lost his break away pace. He was never a great kick but he had developed that burst speed and it's now almost nowhere to be seen. Could it be that his hamstring is so damaged that burst speed is impossible? or do you think is he still just too fatigued and its a fitness issue....he is being tagged after all. Im just struggling to see even 50% of the player we all loved. Do you think he can come back to be even close to the player he was in 24 or 25? 2./ Interesting to hear Gawn post game talk about how the new ruck rules have changed the craft. There's a lot more body use at centre bounces and its changed how the centre bounce clearances are playing out. Gawn said " he was late to the party" in understanding this. So do you think its possible then that our whole centre bounce set up hadn't yet adjusted? Ie we can look a whole lot better than we have been if we now adjust? But also who the F is the coach looking at such things!!!

Let’s hope the AFL stay consistent on this… i’m becoming convinced the blues players practice it.

It’s not our usual way is it. But Im sure he’ll get game time. There must be reasons.

After reading this “ informative” cough thread there’s also Trac wanting to be traded to the pies.

verral to get a game at the back end of the season if form maintains.

thats my wish for 2025. Wont happen this year.

This is the same Mick Malthouse that recommended Neeld to Lyon when we were looking for a coach. The same Mick Mathouse that destroyed Carltons list and culture when he coached there. I just dont think he's credible enough to take seriously these days.

We now have no Trac, no Brayshaw and an Oliver and Petty on half rat power . On top of this we have maybe 3 players or more hobbling through their final season ....and no Joel Smith. So I wonder what there is to realistically hope for in 2024. We aint winning a flag without Trac and the rest of the above...that much is clear. So on one hand I could say what would be theoretically best is a full capitulation, a clean out and some good draft picks a la 2019 and maybe a good FA or trades. But there's a looong way to go in 2024 and I don't like the feel of that enough to hope for it. On the other I think we could still push for a finals birth and, if we got there and won one, I reckon that would be impressive with the reality of our 24 list ... and we could at least get that "straight sets" monkey off our back. Barring that I'd like to at least see them refind their mojo, energy and connection and build for a decent 2025 shot. Maybe see a few younger players tried and assess with more clarity? Any thoughts?

true 👍 and also true that Neeld somehow got us jackson and Roos. We got lucky on the way up didn’t we.

He’s the best I’ve ever seen I think. You can make a cases for Whitten, Barassi or Mathew’s . But Dusty had that explosiveness and potency with his kicks. Still pains me he went in the draft at 3 when we had picks 1 and 2.

Imo it’s becoming clear that we need a refresh of assistant coaches. We just look soooo stale and fumbly and out of synch. We all love choco but tbh our kicking around the ground and for goal has never been worse. fwd coach ? midfield coach? Goody is a keeper for mine.