Lucifers Hero

LOL. So Freo hasn't been loading when all along it has been claimed that the top 4-5 teams this year had the time for loading? And people found a correlation of their loading program and their mid year loses. So what happened to Freo's loading program? It isn't just loading...

In his interview yesterday Richardson said if we make the GF the team will be different to last year. I guess that means changes before then to settle the team and to gain cohesion. I listened to some of the post game interviews: Petracca said they were prepared for the Oliver tag and Oliver sacrificed his game by positioning himself in a way that gave Viney more space. We saw the result!. Viney made the most of his attacking role while Oliver was effectively the defensive mid. Usually, if Oliver is tagged we unleash Petracca. A clever change of roles to unleash Viney instead. Unlikely teams would have prepare for that. Gus said they had planned for him to go into the midfield a while back but needed to wait until a spot was available (paraphrasing). He added it was coincidence it was this week post contract, against his brother. While I don't believe everything that is said by players and other club staff I have no reason to doubt Gus. I guess Harmes being out and expecting Oliver to be tagged, opened up the space for Gus in the midfield. Freo looked lost in the midfield. Aish's tagging role worked well but he didn't have much impact. The others looked confused with our ability (Viney and Gus) to find so much space to attack. We 'surprised' them with Oliver going defensive and they didn't know what to do. At this time of year the teams that have been top 4-5 all year will be level pegging on fitness and readied to finish the season strongly so not a lot to differentiate them. It is contest and ruthlessness that set us apart last night and will continue to do so. And it is the 'surprises' and tactics that coaches bring to the game that will help make a difference. I reckon we have a few more surprises up our sleeve.

Hunt to do a surprise shut down role on Andy Brayshaw? Andy has struggled with a tag not that it happens that often. A shock tactic!

Presumably all emergencies do the captain's run? I didn't mean for him to have a holiday, more to see his family while still doing training, attend games etc.

An alternative view of JVR as an emergency is as a way to get home and see his family.

Clubs and Managers need to stop leaking this stuff to the media. All trade moves should be banned in the media by the AFL until that club's season is over. Two months to go and our team needs to put up with speculation about losing much loved teammates. We have enough distractions right now we, Kozzie and the players don't need another.

If Logue goes to May, May will be ready. If they tag Oliver, Petracca will have a field day. And vice versa. They will need new tactics in this game. They might pinch a few things from the Sydney and Geelong games but I will be surprised if they come up with anything new that our coaches haven't seen this year. They are very tall for a boggy ground which might help us. Jackson for BOG, in our win!

In the last game Petracca was parked forward because he was very ill, May played for 15 minutes and Petty injured early and restricted for the rest of the game. Our backline was all over the shop trying to plug gaps. TMc also out of the side. Despite that we had them at half time with the scores 6.8 to 2.7. Longmuir saw our team was weakened at both ends of the ground and exploited it: He tagged Oliver. When an opp coaches tags him or Petracca the other has a field day. But they were both restricted. Freo started dominating the middle. Our defence was also weakened all over the ground, we semi panicked and kicked straight to their tall defenders giving our small fwds no chance. It will be a very different game tonight. Dees to win by 3-4 goals.

But they wait until after Freo trains on it to replace the turf. So replaced at Freo's request, maybe?

I hope they asked both teams first. But I doubt it. This smacks of helping Freo overcome a weakness in their game ie they don't handle wet conditions. And increases the risk of injuries!

Thank you. I'm glad someone else recognises and articulates the 'biggest problems' affecting our performance. I have been harping on about those issues since the Freo loss. By 'the talk coming out of the club' I assume you mean things like the gist of this post? To that I can add Richardson's comments yesterday about learning form and being ready for Freo. And he clearly stated that while we owned part of the losses to Freo, Syd and Coll they were also due to those clubs trying new tactics against us which were successful. We can add Geelong to that list. Opp coaches have barely rated a mention in loading discussions let alone given due credit.

We may see a new re energised Jackson this week! 🙃

At the 2.30min mark Richardson talks about our mid season slump. He mentions 'owning part of it' but is also open that part of it was Freo, Sydney and Coll succeed with a bunch of different things.

I like that Richardson said that, effectively putting a protective ring around him. The comment that there won't be an answer until the season is over, suggests to the media: stop asking. Hopefully, everyone at the club follows that cue. The circus is not Jackson's doing. Hopefully, others (his manager, freo people etc) now also 'go to ground' so to speak. He added that in chats with Jackson the club has said to him don't worry about the contract just play the best you can for the rest of the season, giving him some breathing space. I'm sue all on here would be happy for this to die down until our season is done and for now just let the kid play (and help us win another premiership).

If there is any doubt that Gus is not a gold digger with an inflated ego: "...But industry sources said Brayshaw, who has been more satisfied playing at half-back than wing, could have earned easily above $800,000 over the same six-year term had he chosen to play for the Bombers, Fremantle or another club and had accepted much less than was on offer..." "Brayshaw said he had taken a careful and considered look at the options before him, before deciding on staying with the Dees, with a number of factors at play, including the culture being built at the club, the list, and the long-term re-signing of key teammates". "Melbourne has everything that I really needed to tick this one off. I love my teammates, I love the coaches, I think we’ve got a great list where we can compete for finals and premierships and this is the place where I believe I can become the best player I can be,” brayshaw-staying-with-demons

No need to read the whole thread as the latest table is always duplicated at the top of page 1 of the thread to save people wading through. The quick answer to your question is look for the against the names.

Let me introduce you to this thread:

There is a report this morning that we have offered a 2 - 3 year contract so the ball in his Toby's court. He had been a rookie and last year signed only a one year contract as a senior player so the latest offer reflects his work this year and the clubs faith in him.

My guess is longer terms is what other clubs are offering to lure them away so we need to meet it. Also, a longer term gives us a chance to spread their contract cost while they get security. However, I would be quite surprised if there aren't caveats in the contracts for both parties.

There is nothing more to acknowledge. I've said plenty of times that I agree about loading programs. I've outlined already this morning the other factors the club has worked on this week. We will win tomorrow night and it will be a function of fitness (loading if you insist on me saying it) and those other factors. Not one, not the other.

Good to hear. Humble pie for all the posters that stuck the boots into Gus. Way OOT.

With great delight this is the update for Gus' six year extension.💗

Well done! Right on in every respect. Now with great delight I will update the 'Contracts' thread.

Haha. Now it is @binmanin the red corner and @Lucifers Heroin the blue corner🙃? Good colours. We will win Friday night but it won't mean either position is more correct as the result will be an interplay of both as all games are.. His reputation is safe.

Good points; Re the last sentence: I think there have been deeper issues in recent times. Interviews this week have been telling: Brayshaw (SEN) said it really isn't a sort of arrogance but more not doing team things. Goodwin (press conf) several times said we need to get back to everyone buying-in. Big reference to the need to be more ruthless. Petracca (AFL360) several times referred to complacency creeping in and players leaving (pressure) work to a team mate. Petracca said coaches have been telling them to not look at this time last year and expect the wins to the finals to be repeated. Something like: Forget last year, they need to make it happen this year. However, I think the 'deeper issues' they mention have been addressed particularly in the last week. Some soul searching has been happening. On the positive side, each talked with conviction that we know the issues and we can fix them. Looking forward to a good win on Friday night. Will the reasons be the end of loading or players changing the things in the interviews? We will never know really know. Probably both.