Sydee

My vote is 5-8 but it’s such an even competition I’m finding it increasingly more difficult to predict where teams will finish as each season approaches I believe our futures depend heavily on JVR playing the majority of games and kicking an average of at least 2 goals per game In addition we need to get meaningful contributions from Petty , Fullarton, and McAdam or preferably all three I’m getting a little nervous about our highly rated backline which works well when teams move the ball slowly but seems to be becoming more and more vulnerable against opposition that have fast ball movement and apply pressure particularly on the ground

Max is clearly one of our most important players and if he was to miss games we lose a significant weapon However providing Oliver plays most of the season (a big if imo) then personally I feel we lose more if Petty can’t play most games Our midfield is capable of winning possession and at least breaking even if Max is out - our forward structure is now heavily dependent on Petty being the second tall to help take the heat off JVR (who simply can’t do it all without help) Our other tall forwards I have little or no confidence in TMac sadly looks as if his body will not allow him to perform to the level we used to see BBB - see above Schache - has had plenty of chances and just can’t seem to impose himself at AFL level I know there are some people that think he can miraculously turn that around with a string of games I just don’t see it Jefferson - still a very long way off Verrall - potential but has trained and played mostly as a ruck so no idea when/if he might add some value Fullerton - has shown potential in the VFL with Brisbane as a forward but we know the step up is significant and unfortunately has had an interrupted preseason Have I missed someone? I don’t think so Petty getting fit and staying fit will largely determine our fortunes this season - given his ability to stay on the park till now it’s a big concern imo

I admit I didn’t watch this game - but based on some of the comments here I really hope they weren’t focusing on the backline or midfield Perhaps the focus was getting the interchanges smooth? These games aren’t really much of a guide to how the season will play out but I must say I’m just a little bit concerned that there were 10 unanswered goals when they have stated previously that stopping the opposition getting multiple unanswered goals was a focus in the off season Learnings a plenty

My guess is Tommo

Agree we really need to see some of these young talls to show some improvement and consistency - I’d add Verrall to that list

Verrall is an important player on our list while we must have sensible expectations for him this year he showed enough last season (with injuries and a fitness base that wasn’t even VFL standard) to give me hope that he can evolve into a good tall whether that be a forward or forward/ruck Good luck to him let’s hope he competes well and stays healthy

Think Adam’s may have been used as a forward with some success in juniors Maybe he can be Petty mk2

Fritta is our best forward and most likely to impact the scoreboard with goals Losing Kozzy for the Sydney game hurts us much more than Melksham or MCAdam imo

I think two other clubs have invested in Josh and so far the ROI hasn’t been acceptable I’m not saying he can’t help us just that he hasn’t proven he can deliver - yet ! Personally I have more faith that Will Verrall will help fill a need

Hopefully he is ready and picked on merit He will get his chance in the next couple of weeks to show what he can do against real opposition and not some glorified circle work at training - we all know there is a very big difference I’m bullish on Caleb and have likened him to the great Robbie in the way he runs, side steps, handballs and even kicks - is he ready to contribute meaningfully early this season I have no idea yet - if he can it will be a big bonus

If Oliver plays against Sydney I’d prefer he spends time in F50 rather than Trac I know Trac has spent more time as a forward recently but seriously given where we are today I can’t see how Clayton can run out more than a half as a midfielder in early rounds Neither are sharpshooters when it comes to goal kicking but I do think Trac is better at delivering into the F 50 then Oliver who (imho) tends to bomb the ball in without much precision too often

Hopefully Will gets a decent run in our two pre season hit outs and shows enough promise to be considered for selection His biggest weakness last year was lack of fitness that meant he struggled to ruck for extended periods and a whole match at Casey Hopefully a better pre season has allowed him to build a bigger engine

Hah They have a treasure chest of tall forwards unlike us Hayden McLean Luke McDonald Sam Reid Joel Amartey We will need May in the backline and he will need help Pretty sure we won up here last year with no Melksham after half time and Fritta on one leg. Petty wasn’t there as he was injured - JVR was our main tall target

Hope Kolt taking notes on goal kicking from JVR not Trac

Someone should check his locker for voodoo dolls of BBB , TMac, Petty and McAdam With our forward stocks well down he gets yet another chance to show the football world he can make an impact- I’m not sure he has the ticker to do it but I hope he can surprise me

Will be keen to hear how he is progressing - can he play the role they had earmarked for Fullerton ?

Is it possible that he is training to play as a forward early in the season due to his limited preparation?

Wouldn’t that be grand

We normally park in Crown street Surry Hills and walk from there - there are lots of bars / restaurants around there if you want to dine ahead of the game - not a bad option as the food is ridiculously expensive and generally awful The light rail is a decent option from Central - takes around 20 minutes then short walk to SCG

He really moves well - reminds me so much of a young R Flower. No pressure on the young lad or unrealistic expectations this year but boy he looks to have great balance

Looks physically ready which is impressive for his age.

34 is K Chandler

what about Castle

In his highlights the two left-handed handballs in traffic are almost exactly the way Robbie handballed - we can dream

Is it just me or is there a hint of the great man himself R Flower. Obviously, a big call but the way he handballs and moves reminds me of a young Robbie. We can only dream.