Lucifers Hero

That highlights the problem brilliantly! Our worst kicks are in the midfield or the forward line which is exactly why we can't keep the ball i50 and can't kick a winning score. And, to me it highlights a major flaw in our 'chaos', play on at all costs styled game plan. Simply, 'chaos' football does not allow time for players to lower the eyes or gain composure. So, kicking efficiency suffers. Our major problem is in the fwd half and it will not be overcome simply by getting injured players back.

Of course I would. Just saying his dad didn't look too excited.

His dad didn't look too happy...very slow and low key in congratulating his son. Maybe they were hoping he would slip thru to Sydney.

Geelong will save the $10,000 by not challenging; they were going to rest him anyway. Nonetheless, its good he was suspended, he was acting like Mr Teflon by throwing 'clumsy' punches every other week, then pouting to escape penalty.

To me we can't play two small forwards because there is at least one mismatch when the opp have only one small defender. I counted at least four times yesterday when a highish kick went to Garlett who was pushed under the ball or the ball was punched away by a taller opponent. Jeff had no chance to mark those. On Jeff, I think he has lost confidence after the sprays he received in his first game back when he took two low %age shots for goal instead of getting the ball off to a team mate. Now, whenever he gets the ball he hesitates and looks for an alternate play rather than play on instinct. As a result he has lost his x factor. Nonetheless, I would take Jeff before Charlie every day of the week.

A real worry for me is Tom Mc. He has improved in recent weeks with a couple of goals. Nonetheless, he doesn't get separation from his man to mark, nor is he able to bring the ball to ground and let the small forwards go to work. Has he lost the ability to jump? Also, did he fail to make the distance with a shot for goal from about 40m yesterday? I know the mid field is bombing it in but Tom should at least bring the ball to ground if he can't mark but he rarely is in a position to do so.

I have long argued on here for a 'Director of Football' ie someone who sits on the Board who has 'football' as their portfolio. He is the person the Board expect to be across football strategy and performance. At the moment the responsibility to the Board is shared between Pert and Mahoney. The last Director of Football we had was Greg Healy. GWS have Jimmy Bartel and Carlton have Chris Judd. Not sure what other clubs do. From my reading of the Scott situation, he wants another Senior Coaching gig. But am totally with you in the need for a Director of Football and/or a Neil Balme type in the Football Department.

Because he wants to be The senior coach. Doesn't make sense for him to take an assistant role for 2-4 years. Better off taking a 'gap' year and see what comes up.

Brayshaw has gone from a player who does his best work with head over the ball, at ground level and at the bottom of a pack. He did very little of that today or in recent weeks. He actually looks like he is unable to bend down. He missed most of the pre Xmas pre season for back reasons. If he has back problems again it would explain his inability to get over the ball, tackle or chase. It would also explain why he is not in the middle - it is less risky on the wing. I'll cut Gus some slack on this for a while as he doesn't seem to be the type to spit the dummy for a change of position, especially if the reasons have been explained.

Don't worry, Pert is watching closely. He said a month ago he goes to training and he is attending football meetings to get a feel for personalities and the dynamics of the group. Even allowing for injuries, the last month would confirm to him what needs to be done. Pert may or may not call for a review but I would be shocked if there wasn't 1) a restructure of the football department and 2) changes in assistant coaches. I have confidence in Pert, Mahoney and Goodwin but as I've often said our structure is flawed and this year has shown up the inexperience and weaknesses of Goodwin's team. Like Hardwick and Buckley, Goodwin will be better with a better group of assistants.

He must have got that from the eagles players who started their song last week, with that comment. Sadly, respect is lost quickly.

If that allegation is correct we have reverted to Neeld-esque level bad player management; tearing strips off players was a Neeld specialty. Scary to hear that.

Only if the midfield got the ball into fwd 50 but they were worse than abysmal: 16 inside 50's in the first half! Most of which bounced straight out again. Tough work for any fwd with that non-effort from the middle.

Max led virtually every statistic for us: 25 disposals, 13 contested poss, 8 marks, 6 clearances. He played a better around the ground game than any of our on-ballers. They should be embarrassed and that includes our two captains. I hope Max gives them all a good talking to. It is not acceptable to waste all that work around the ground by Max (and his 35 hitouts). Max is the lone ranger and there is a limit to how much he can do week in and week out with very little support. He deserves better. And before folks say it:Preuss would have made no difference; it was the ground level players that blew this.

Nice Freudian slip!?

He had several concussion episodes in the 18 months before the brick incident, which was in 2017 preseason. On a side note, just read that Paddy McCartin has been put on the LTI list and still can't train. Really sad for him. So while it is disappointing to lose Salem today I'm glad the club is being cautious, especially with his history. Concussion symptoms come and go. He may have been fine a few days ago but not today. Even if he hadn't fully recovered by selection time, I reckon the club hoped he would be good by game time. Either way we did the right thing to wait till the last minute and to pull him out when found to not be ok.

Yes? and am finally (trying) to learn the language.

Very clever!

They are different players so difficult to compare. My thoughts (based on this week's selected team) May and Lever will force two of Frost, Oscar or Petty out otherwise there are too many talls. Would like to see Petty have more games. Hibberd will force one of the Wagner's out. Hore will probably stay until we get Jetta back. Even then he may be in front of the other Wagner.

With North and probably Carlton and Saints looking for a new coach they may be looking in our direction, specifically Rawlings or Jennings. While I'm very keen to see changes amongst our [censored] Coaches, they aren't two guys I would like us to lose. North is also likely to be looking for a new Football manager so I guess they will have Mahoney on their list of possible candidates. This is the problems with North going early on their plans, it can easily be disruptive to other clubs , in particular Saints and Carlton. Don't like what Scott and North has done from any perspective. Edit: the {censored} word was [censored] for 'Assistant' - very finally tuned censor?

Hence my first line - 'we needed a backup for Max'. Another ruckman had to be at the top of our recruiting list last year and we did well with Preuss.

A bit selfish to leave the club in caretaker mode for half the year and leave players in limbo, particularly recent arrivals and those coming out of contract this year. Can't help but feel he has lined up or is lining up the next gig. Could be the Saints as according to this article Scott to leave Roos he has a strong relationship with Lethlean. Its bad enough when players break contracts but even worse when a coach does it 18 months ahead of it expiring because 'he can't commit long term'. Should have thought of that when he renewed, which if I recall correctly he did to give some hope of getting Kelly from GWS and/or Dusty from Richmond. I find it all a bit unsavoury. Nonethless, they would do well if they can get Ratten as coach.

We needed a backup for Max. And, after watching WCE win their way to a premiership with two ruckman and the expectation was that the rule changes would favour ruckmen, I reckon we decided to get another. Other clubs followed and found another ruckman in the rookie or post season sup draft. As the season progressed and the rule changes had a different impact than expected, playing two ruckmen isn't always viable. Even WCE have played with one in recent months (except last week). If we didn't get another ruckman DL would be screaming about it. Preuss may need to find a few more strings to his bow to get a regular gig.

No. He has never struck me as being very smart. More brawn than brains. His habitually whinging is grating and, wears a dour look far too often for my liking.

Lewis plays at Casey which will please a lot of people. My read is that the club is happy to put games into Petty and Hore. I like it, given our prospects for finals this year are near zero. Position ourselves for 2020.