chookrat

Because we weren't offering up to $1 million per season for players like Brad Hill and Jack Martin when we desperately needed wingers. I reckon the club has made sure it has enough to retain players such as Oliver, Petracca and Salem on contracts which are fair, demonstrate the value we place on them and don't compromise our future list position.

There is definitely a change to how our players behave on field. Watch the start of the 4th quarter v GWS after Toby Greene kicks two quick goals early, and how composed our players are. They don't react or panic, they probably make some subtle changes on field but essentially trust on their system and each other and go about winning. At no stage during this season while watching a match did I think we're in trouble here and I think it is that our players look in control. Compare this to 2018 when we would smash teams for 4-5 weeks in a row but still be inconsistent outside of these patches, 2019 when it looked like we were trying but could do one thing well each match but lacked cohesion across the ground, 2020 when our performances yo-yo'd from game to game and quarter to quarter. Im feeling really good about where we sit this year and what is ahead. Dees!

On fairness re Geelong, this is hardly surprising given their coach defends poor acts from his team, e.g. Dangerfield's bump, Rohan's strike, and then engages with opposition players.

I haven't bothered listening to the podcast but will say this, in 2018 we didn't play brilliantly all season instead our consistency afforded the footy department the ability to tweak and work on parts of our game that led to dominant patches leading up to the bye and in the lead up to finals. This year we are not playing fantastic football yet, but have been consistent and reliable against middle of the table opposition which gives the footy department alot to work with in getting us on song. With Geelong and Richmond coming up, both sides that aren't at their best, provides a platform for us to keep winning and build our game against sides playing well including Doggies, Swans, West coast and Port.

Dr D, I reckon the ability to go forward and kick goals is the next part for Oliver to develop in his game, especially as he will continue to cop close attention from the opposition. It's probably the one thing that will take home from being an elite player to a superstar.

He is a great pickup along with Tomlinson in our backline. There is alot to be said about us picking up these two for probably around $500-600k per season, rather than a Brad Hill or Jack Martin for $800k+. This decision will mean we have salary cap space to retain Oliver and Petracca and who along with Gawn would be our highest paid players.

I'm confident we'll get the job done against GWS. While we're not playing perfectly after two rounds against middle of the road opposition we've been able to get the job done. In terms of form we are yet to capitalise on alot of the good fundamental stuff we are doing, while GWS just looks like a mess with no apparent workrate and system. The best I think they will bring will be effort and some improvement to their system which as long as we turn up and keep improving won't be enough against us. Dees by 30 points.

What's up with Don's, are they on the juice again or something?

If there is anything the last 4 weeks has shown it is that our girls should trust in themselves and each other to get it done this quarter and win the game. Dees!

North's percentage after 3 rounds is 37.3%. outside of Essendon I cannot think of a side they would be a chance to beat. It is quite likely they will go all season without a win and less than 50%.

I'd love to watch 186, it is a match that I missed and never bothered to watch on replay. I can imagine it being much like North v Doggies but without a scrap of resistance between the first and last bounce.

Yep and for North that road leads to Tassie. It always has, which is one of the reasons the AFL never set up an expansion team in Tassie. I think now the North supporters will embrace the move as a way to turn their club around.

I'd rather the club focus it's limited resources on footy this year and as long as we know when and where the AFL and AFLW matches are and how to buy tickets, and maybe some fan engagement for kids, that is enough for me. I'm happy that the club doesn't promote Casey home and away matches, and presume this is deliberate so they don't have to worry as much re Covid protocols for supporters attending Casey matches. For the adult supporters I'm sure we can all get by without knowing all of the ins and outs of what's happening within the club for 1 season. Alternatively the club could get Gary Pert to run Whiteboard Wednesday sessions to share insights into the inner workings of the footy department.

This doesn't surprise me. Pert alluded to Burgess having personal reasons to be in Adelaide and that he is grateful for us to have him. I think even if Burgess moves on at the end of the year the footy department and players will be humming along from a fitness and conditioning perspective.

No necessarily. One of the Texans 25 holding the ball frees was against the umpire during the round 1 St Kilda / GWS match when the umpire was collecting the ball for a throw in, so it's +1 to the Texan (who was barracking for Saints) and -1 to the umpire.

25 of those are due to The Texan laying forward 50 tackles ?

3 changes for mine, pre-empt poor performances (minority report style) to keep players on their toes. Drop Maxy to send a message that no-one is safe, it's time to be ruthless.

I'd prefer that when this happens we describe Darcy Moore as being a poorer version of Luke Jackson. Luke Jackson is his own man and doesn't live into the shadows of others lesser than he.

Listened to the whole interview and Jake didn't say anything about Goody being stubborn ..... weird.

I see that Spuds Game is as much about encouraging men to talk as it is to encourage us to look out for and listen to each other. Probably all of us will have either experienced or know people who have experienced mental health challenges and the more equipped we are to speak and/or listen it can only be a positive thing. Removing the stigma also makes it easier for people to seek professional help rather than suffer in silence.

Bulldogs will be excellent practice for when we meet them in the finals ?

In seriousness I think the AFL should look at charging Chris Scott/Geelong for bringing the game into disrepute for his comments re player reports. His interaction with Lachie Neale and Brisbane players is also highly questionable. I reckon his attitude is (and has for some time) rubbing off on the players.

News is in, Garry Rohan out for 2 weeks.

Absolute ripper! 3 weeks ago we were up against it to make finals and after three big wins against contenders we now have a home final. So proud of our girls ?.

Absolutely brilliant demonstone. Post of the year ?