Lucifers Hero

I think we will win. Not because we are good but because Richmond are worse. This is the Richmond of 2016 not the Richmond of 2017-2019. Some key people who helped turn the ship around in 2017 are gone: Rutten defensive coach left end 2018 Rance left end 2018 Caracella who was credited with ball movement strategy left end 2019 Gale and more importantly Balme is not in their authorised 'bubble', so no face to face contact And captain and co-captain seem more distracted by the idea of an interstate hub than galvanising their team to deal with whatever happens. Perhaps they are so used to the comforts of home both domestic and playing 16-17 games a year on the MCG not having those has them nervous. So Hardwick is more or less the lone ranger in terms of leadership but he struggled before Balme arrived. They may rally tomorrow because they think we will be easy beats. But I think they are the easy beats right now. If we can't beat the Richmond of 2016 then I'll be very concerned

I'm not sure there is an optimum point in the context of the playing style Axis of Bob described ie to bring the ball to ground and take advantage of space behind CHF as I feel it is a low percentage play especially now that we have gramophoned it to the world. To me it pays to have a balanced fwd line that provides a variety of avenues to goal from which a shot on goal within the 50m arc can be taken.

Nice in theory. The problem with flagging is that ops know it and develop counter tactics and fill the space behind the contest. eg set up for small defenders to be goal side of our small forwards and plonk someone in the goal square. Our small fwds may win the contest but they will have nowhere to go (ie no space behind the contest) and will have to kick/hand ball blindly to get through/over the pack, with the most likely result being clearance by the opp, ball up, a point or fall into the arms of the guy in the goal square. Low percentage goal scoring style, imv. And as we seem unable to adjust tactics within games we are unlikely to find an alternative. Unless we start to bomb it long...

"Foxfooty.com.au understands the SA government is more likely to allow teams to fly in and fly out of the state, once they’ve quarantined in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia". updates-afl-fixture-afl

It would help if the club had a consistent narrative around Harley: When selected to play rnd 2 Goodwin was effusive with praise and believed he was ready to play. When not selected to play rnd 4 Goodwin said its about his form and building his game but Mahoney said he had to get his body right. When not selected to play rnd 5 Goodwin says he needs to work on his defensive game and only got the rnd 2 game because Hannan, AvB and Pickett weren't available. ie gifted No wonder people are sceptical.

DJ, it pains me to say it but that is all we deserve. We may even lose the 3.30 time slot which is FTA on Ch 7. I'm happy with Sydney. We can go and watch the games live without going into quarantine. Has to be a big positive for Dees fans.

This has signs of other talented fwds without defensive skills that Goodwin tried to convert and in the end they were forced out, one way or another. While there were other 'reasons', I'm thinking: Hogan, Watts, Garlett (may yet happen to Weideman). I hope that one day our coach will set up to maximise each player's strengths while neutralise their weakness rather than try and make them something they are not. Maybe, Goodwin should apply the same standards to our other mids that he applies to Harley!

Good news is most of us can get into NSW to see our games. So I look forward to the fixture. Yes, Coogee or Manly would be good ?

Possibly. But if only two teams (Hawks and Ess) go to Qld they both need to go up at the same time so that they play each other (after 7 days) and can then play the two Qld teams in the following two weeks - same deal as the WA model. On related note - the fixture is shaping up to be an enormous benefit to Brisb and GCS. They will get a lot of Home advantages; not just Home ground but also the opportunity to live at home with their families and train in familiar environments with very little interruption to their routines and lives. NSW teams will get similar benefit. They can all bank wins very early in the season. Going early but reckon the premiership will be won by the team that gets their emotions and head space together.

Latest: Possible i/state Vic Hubs Victorian clubs are still waiting to find out where they’ll be based next week, but likely new homes continue to emerge. The Western Bulldogs are expected to join Geelong and Collingwood in Western Australia, according to multiple reports, and it’s likely another Victorian side will come along with them to ensure they have someone to play next week. VEXIT HUBDATE: As we told you on @7NewsPerth last night, expect @westernbulldogs to join @GeelongCats and @CollingwoodFC in WA hub as early as next week. Likely more teams sooner than expected. League is heading for a condensed fixture that will see teams play 5 gm in 32 days. — Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) July 2, 2020 Hawthorn and Essendon have been tipped to head to the Gold Coast, though it’s unclear whether they will go to Sydney first - a 14-day quarantine period would be required if they head straight to Queensland. Melbourne, St Kilda and North Melbourne have all been linked to New South Wales, with several areas including Manly, Coogee and Wollongong named as potential hub locations, though Olympic Park is a strong option. That leaves just Carlton and Richmond with their new homes unclear. That means our catch-up game vs Ess won't happen for at least a month.

Crikey, Goodwin virtually said Harley was given his first game because Hannan, Kozzie and AvB weren't available. Vastly different from the praise and excitement when Harley was first selected. Not sure which set of comments to believe. Would imagine the latest comment would be rather deflating for Harley as it sounds like he hadn't earnt his selection in round 2.

That is true but Goodwin has trained the 'frantic'/chaos/ballistic to be instinctive rather than a 'decision'. If it were the latter, imv it would be a lot easier to unlearn/reprogram. I think he is trying to change that instinct but now players appear uncertain and hesitate. Very noticeable in our last two games.

Anyone listen to May's interview? I don't know how to post the video but it is in this article. may-open-to-hub-move Several comments interested me (around the 4 minute mark): Not adjusting to changes other teams make during games We prepared for Geelong but they changed their tactics. That speaks to inflexibility, lack of anticipation and lack of tactical nouse by both players and coaches. He was asked an (inaudible) question but given May's response it must have been about his on-field behaviour towards team mates. He said he was working on it and was a lot better. There was a case during the Geelong game where players were arguing and he had to step in. Did anyone notice that during the game? I liked the interview. He was honest and didn't dodge questions. No platitudes and did not use the word 'learnings.

Fair go. @DeeSpencerput in a huge amount of work, was descriptive, constructive and not critical and all you can do is make pithy, cheap one liners. That post is a good reminder why I had you on 'ignore'. I don't know what possessed me to 'unlock' that post. Won't happen again.

kangaroos-move-12-players-four-staff-from-melbourne-lockdown-zones We are one of only 3 clubs that didn't have to move people from lock down zones last night. Roos had to move 12 players at a minutes notice. Imagine the distress and impact of that on players and families. Who knows when they will see each other again. Ditto the impact of hubbing for SA and WA clubs for the last 4-6 weeks. I reckon those factors equallise the impact of skipping the Ess game which will be played in due course, probably in a bye round. So imv, from now on we (fans) can no longer claim that postponement overly disadvantaged us and folks that do are wearing blinkers tothe hardships other clubs' players are experiencing. When we go into a hub so will all other Vic clubs. It is now back to a relatively level playing field. No more excuses.

You are a considered poster and that you think this worries me. We are 7 years into a re-build. Our top 10 players are 5+ years into their careers. It is the top 8 - 10 players that deliver premierships so we should be much further advanced than mid-table . Something has gone very wrong with our list management and player development if that is the best we can do. However, I fear you are correct which means we are a long way from the Holy Grail or even competing for it.

Max not handpassing to a fast running Kozzie who was just outside the 50m line, had an open paddock in front of him, dead in front had me screaming at the tv last night. Overall, I think it is a case of 'old habits die hard' sort of thing. Viney, Gawn, Jones etc have been bombing it long forever and fall back on old habits. Unfortunately, due to the chaos, play-on at all costs, ballistic style of the Goodwin years others (Hunt, Brayshaw, Oliver etc) have learnt same bad habits. It will take a long time to unlearn them.

Suspect that is most likely to affect bulldogs, north and ess players. Edit: Apparently about 50 people (players/staff) need to move out tonight. Only teams not affected at all are Cats, Dees, Hawks.

4 weeks down to 2 seems the most likely outcome according to media reports. Pies are playing the 'compassionate' card ie he went to visit his injured mate, Howe, in a 'caring capacity'. 'Compassionate/care' visits apparently are allowed for AFL players. Doubt that means they can spend hours drinking. But hey, it is Collingwood so anything goes that they and the AFL can put a 'plausible' spin on.

'Mitigating' factors!! Oh so predictable! My opening post: Wonder if we hear where he was between Sat night and 7.30 Sunday morning. I read on another forum that Wells is deeply religious, has a family and was teetotal at North so unlikely to be up for an all-night bender in his own home. Shades of the Jack Steven mystery with whatever 'mitigating' circumstances were found resulted in no penalty. Will Scott challenge Eddie to disclose all as he did over theSteven mystery. He who laughs last... ? Whatever Sidebottom did and wherever he went from what we already know, it was premeditated and deliberate disregard for the covid rules.

One of the cops barracks for Collingwood, perhaps

Yes, it seems they found him wandering around in a street in Williamstown at around 7.30am. Reportedly, he went to Wells' home (not sure where that is) sometime Saturday evening. Where had he been all night? What other covid protocols did he breach in those hours? Wells' home is an 'unauthorised' covid place. I suspect wandering around the streets is also an 'unauthorised' covid activity. He has breached multiple covid protocols. He is a vice-captain of an AFL club. He should be setting the example, at least for younger teammates. At some point the AFL needs to set punishments that send a message: doesn't matter who you are, break the rules and you don't play. Not negotiable. He has made it harder for the AFL to negotiate with state premiers to let Vic players in.

Apparently, the news was out earlier and Robbo certainly went OFF tonight altho I didn't see the show. He read Sidebottom the riot act!

Compare that to mfc rather meek reaction for Spargo "The AFL investigators agreed with the club that Spargo's punishment should be greater than Pickett's, given he was both the senior player and the one who asked Pickett to come with him. two-demons-set-to-be-suspended-for-breaking-afl-s-covid-19-protocols imv, that Spargo wasn't playing isn't relevant; it sets a precedent. Can't believe we asked for a higher penalty. Go figure. Manoney and co need to take a leaf from Eddie's negotiating book.

They may be tested this week vs the Cats. It will be an interesting game to watch. Scott has said they will tag Rowell. Fully expect Dew and teammates to give him a lot of protection. What I'm interested in is how Dew sets up his game plan for slow-as-treacle aging cats players. Would expect he won't let them go slow and chip the ball around like we did. Will likely tell his players to play on from the mark/free kick at every opportunity. And to play 'shoulder-to-shoulder' when Cats have the ball especially in GCS fwd half, then run and zone off as soon as GCS get the ball.