Wells 11

Hate to be depressing but I think reality is about to drive through our top of the ladder party. This is the 3rd time they’ve sat at the top since 2004 , the first 2 were fr just a single week and i’m afraid it may be the same in 21. we’re missing Fritsch, arguable our most important fwd, viney a midfield bull and gun and tommo. Tommo on his own isnt a gun like the other two but his abcense throws out of the dynamic of the strongest part of our game. So we will be unsettled both back, fwd and perhaps in the middle . This while we take on the side placed 4th , with 2 of their real guns returning, coming off a major win. I hope i’m wrong but i see a 5 goal loss coming. The coaching panel with the additions of Yze and Choco has rightly gotten many accolades this far. But they’re about to face their strongest tactical challenge in 2021. we’ll soon see how much or how little has changed in our culture when the winds are blowing hard against us.

It’s the truth of it. We know we’re a good side. But If we’re going to really challenge we can’t be worried about the opposition being at full strength. We’re on top and we are officially the hunted. Hopefully the boys will be up fr the big challenge of 1 v 4 on the ladder. The dees are back on the big stage and all these types of pressure games are great experiences for the younger players.

Petracca is having a great year. I don’t mean to downplay his importance but he’s also not beyond criticism. His set shot kicking for goal has gone back to where it was a few years ago and needs attention. looks like he can’t decide whether to run straight in his run up or take advantage of the stand rule of the mark and run around and the confusion to me is visible, He got called to play on at least twice today caught in that indecision. His misses haven’t hurt us yet but i’m hoping someone is talking to him.

so you're saying theres a chance :-)

FFS...should know better. Can understand he was upset but should know better. On the positive even a suspension wouldnt affect him.

Brilliant! 2 Friday night games in succession. Dees back in the limelight.

I’ve been thinking the same and would be terrible lose yze so soon. Time to start hoping the pies finish 9th not 15th.

how often do just casually just run into big max???

It’s a disappointing figure at 6-0.

ok i 100% know i’m dreaming now. 6-0 had me wondering... but a nibbler appreciation thread on DL surely gives the game up. i’ll play along for now, but don’t think i’m not fully aware of which reality is which.

I’m with you Nasher. I feel their pain. It won’t stop me enjoying a smashing win and laughing arrogantly at their ineptitude should that eventuate . But part of my heart knows far too well the territory they’re in.

I, for one, am both confused and disorientated by this... i want to know what the hell is going on

i’m not sure about the “ best list” when i think about the schwarz, lyon, jackovich era. But it’s def the most united, fittest, team orientated one. that undefinable team thing that’s SO hard to get we now have. We’re officially in the premiership hunt!

We’re going to find out if we’re a serious contender tonight . We can all see we’re at least a good side in 21. maybe even v good , and i’ve enjoyed that much. Whether we’re elite and genuinely in the hunt this year is a deeper question and the answer I reckon will be obvious by 3/4 time. Hoping fr a cracking game and for this question to be answered in the positive whether we win or not! so pumped! go dees

Think i’m correct in saying that the last time we started 6-0 ( if we win sat eve ) was also in 1965. edit: snap P2J

Thanks for keeping us in the loop SWYL. I shouldn’t compare the two, but getting an elite home base would feel almost as good as winning a flag! If BC were to come on board and help with that in someway, then brilliant.

Stoked. he’s SO important to the club and carlton u can just go [censored] off!! I wished he’d signed fr longer tbh but I appreciate coming into FA he’d be looking at a monster contract. gotta get the job done in the next 3 years or our window will be gone. now or never dees!

I reckon the hawks may play Frost on Fritsch ( try saying that quickly) and not cover Jackson so strongly. If that happens he’s going to need to stand up , hold those marks and kick straight to throw the tactical game back our way.

Feel the same about Daw. Just feel he’s going to have some important role to play at some stage. I know you can’t pick and choose full backs for different opposition, but against Lynch or McKay ie the monster forwards, he’d be my go to over Petty.

holy [censored]!

Re comparisons of Dean and Lyon . I used to think the same. He definitely did seem to look and move like Garry at the time ...which was and is still a massive compliment. Losing him was a real blow back then. He was a dominant force in the 87 finals series with only something like 20 games to his name. A cruel blow.

Agreed and you can probably add Brisbane into that mix too. My hope is in the sense I have that this team is still gelling. Kozzi just getting into full flight , Jackson emerging, Brown yet to play and clearance tactics that seem way more refined and flexible. So I agree, right now we’re not looking like a team that can play at the level of the top 4 or 5, but there’s at least a chance we might be by seasons end.

so what your saying is, its a simple process?

I’m all for a more evenly fixtured comp and the 20 team idea would give us just that. The current biased draw sets up all kinds of inequities that I hate! i grew up with 12 teams and 22 rounds , one home one away vs all teams. I still miss the sense of justice in that. Top 12 is daft. Just go for a top 10. Don’t think teams below half way on the ladder should be included in finals. Tassie deserve a gig. not sure where the other team come from. maybe a third from WA or SA? Anyway I seem to be one of the few that likes this whole idea in general.

agreed!