Big Col

It's a rebuild, but we're trying to avoid slipping into NM/WCE territory. I don't ever want to be there again. 2008-2014 were terrible for the most part, where a 'win' was to be still in the game at 3/4 time. We're too far away to be able to win a premiership with Petracca and Oliver. Max has maybe 2 years left at elite level? Much better to build a new team around the likes of Langford, Lindsay, Windsor and Pickett where we'll be up and challenging from 2027 and beyond.

The change to five interchange may mean we won't need to use JVR in the ruck so much and allow him to be a pure forward. I think that will help him.

Winning in 2021 was a Fairy Tale come true, but Later it became pure misery. We sacked Goodwin out of Desperation. But with the Elevation of King to senior coach I hope to see a new game plan. Whether I'm in The Stand at the MCG or Under the Dome at Marvel, I will be watching carefully. I hope we longer just Blaze away into The Dead Zone where we're outnumbered by opposition defenders. I will be full of Rage if that happens again. We have to make best use of the veterans like the McDonalds (the Tommyknockers can go to hell) and the Salem's. Lot's of work to do and I'm excited. Anyway. Carrie on.

Trac actually came second in the Demonland Player of the Year, so most DLers are on board. In fact DL picked the top 4 in the same order as the club. I was surprised by Salo and Chandler's high finishes like most DLrs I suspect. Max Gawn 298 2 Christian Petracca 141 3 Kysaiah Pickett 136 4 Jake Bowey 120 5 Clayton Oliver 109 6 Jack Viney 80 7 Steven May 63 8 Harvey Langford 59 9 Bayley Fritsch 58 10 Jake Melksham

and already played 75 games. His peak is yet to come.

https://www.afl.com.au/afl-tv/stream?player=arILJvH9PY&streamId=State%20League%20CH2

I was drunk from about quarter time cos it was obvious we were going to lose (I was at the game). 1987 prelim burns worse.

7 GOALS!

6 Petracca 5 Melksham 4 Fritsch 3 Langford 2 Oliver 1 Gawn

Let's not drop Jeffo. We have to give him a run of games together to see if he shows anything and it's only now when the season is shot that we have that chance. And if we get the chance to give Adams and Sestan a game or two before before season's end then we should. Fritta's best game this year was when he came on as a sub. That's where I'd put him. If Tommy Mac is not going to get another contract then keep him at Casey until the Magpies game so he can have a farewell. We need to get games into other defenders.

When will this madness end? Petracca - 2 misses from 35m and 45m directly in front Langdon - misses 35m out directly in front Melksham - misses 40m out directly in front Pickett - misses from 15m on a 45degree angle Jefferson - misses from 3m out on the line (don't forwards practice opposite kicking around the body? This would have an easy shot if on the other side).

How excited should we be about an 18yo holding his own in the ruck? KW's last quarter was everything we could have hoped for. shhhhh

He looks like a keeper.

Woewodin kicks it, White takes the mark and goals. Late 90's vibes overload

Excited about that.

6 May 5 Gawn 4 Oliver 3 Pickett 2 Langdon 1 Petracca

In the second quarter, Chin (I think it was him, it was the other side of the ground to me) was spun in a tackle and his release handball ended up goijg out of bounds. Decision: Insufficient Intent and free to Collingwood About 10 minutes later, N Daicos was spun in a tackle and handballed it directly out of bounds. Decision: Throw in. IMHO they should both be throw-ins, but the inconsistency was glaring.

It's such a pity (for him) that he lost form in 2021 and missed playing in a GF. Then he hit a real purple patch in 2023 only to be injured on the eve of the finals. He's been an important part of our revival over the last 6 weeks and I hope he can stay injury-free and in good form.

Cox knows that if Max grabs an AFLCA gong this year, then it's going to be hard not to call Max the greatest ruck of the 21st century and relegating Cox to #2.

Bench looks a bit tall, but this is my guess: Interchange: Lever, Turner, Rivers, Johnson Sub: Fritta EMER: Culley, Laurie, Sharp

This is very good!

As a qualified teacher whose unable to tutor my own son without it turning into a fight, I'd suggest that that may not be the best option!

They might be picking two rucks in the AA this year.

Bowser reads the play brilliantly and makes good clean disposals. 200 gamer IMHO.

6 Melksham - we'll excuse his brain fade 50m penalty because the rest of the game was elite. You are a champion. 5 Rivers - definitely a midfielder 4 Bowey - best season ever, can rely on him when he wins the ball 3 Picket - an absolute game winner that we have to keep at all costs. 2 Trac - leading possession getter for the game but appears so low in the votes? Maybe we expect too much of Trac, but he was great again. 1 Langdon - back to his best Special mention to Fritta whose time as a sub felt like the message had finally hit. His 1 and 1/2 quarters were what we'd like to see every week!