Tolstoys Nudge

I can only imagine what’s being said — but to me it’s looking as simple as perceived pressure and general poor disposal and decisions that are killing us. I50 tackles were up 8-3, but we just have lost all ability to make the right decision — game-plan adaptation or implementation issues, or just poor run of disposals/decisions? Makes d50 looks really poor but I’m not convinced it is, whilst it’s not great it’s more about where we are turning it over and our inability to get chains together. Intercepting non-existent at present, but Freo look like a COMPLETELY diff side, very strange I’m not throwing baby out with bath water despite being obviously shattered at what I’m seeing.. Becomes all about confidence for next week now I guess — let’s hope for some spirit at least.

But maybe with Gus $$$ we could enter race for Smith… he’d add some solid midfield depth and is young enough to learn to play like a Dee!!! or English (unlikely as I rkn it’s WA or stay but still) to take us post Max era but we all know the next 2yrs if Max is still gonna mean no one comes that isn’t a kid as they all know they’ll be 2nd fiddle!

Lord I WISH!!!.. I think he’s the best key fed prospect I’ve seen since Franklin tbh — moves so well as is typical with late growth-spurt tally! But he’s a dogs man for life now we’d have muncher better shout for English or Jamarra neither of which would be even a modicum of excitement in comp to Darcy! But Kalani is exciting and could have plenty of growing left as well 🤔

I’m genuinely excited by this pick — Kid has a crack as shown by highlights, def more of a JVR type than Jeffo type as in seems to be able to impact the contest with physicality and can pinch-hit in ruck. Coaches have all said he’s a ripper and that he’ll make an impact fast which is always a good sign.. Welcome to Demonland ‘Kenter’ as I’m already calling him.. exciting prospect that I’m glad we called out.

Gents another excellent podcast as always appreciate your time and effort! Tommo — so happy for him, he’s far inferior to Lever in terms of reading play & first-step but he did a great job to show he can play May-type role but he’s not an interceptor as Binman adroitly pointed out! Likely gone at seasons end esp if Battle is target (battle would be an upgrade from an intercepting standpoint). Gameplan is as I said lw, clearly designed to not be as banged-up physically come finals and Binman has referenced this long-ago and is spot-on, players have confirmed it in the media so anyone not across this needs to be aware of it and factor it in! We’ve finally changed, it is the definition of insanity to repeat the same thing and expect a alternate result or outcome — I can’t wait to see us go hell-for-leather come August-September! Salem — Couldn't be more impressed with how we used him, on lvl2 view it was super clear that the strategy was to find him and his 13 marks reflected it, other teams might start to play him defensively but we have Bowser, Mcvee whom can play a similar role albeit not to same extent, but it adds another gear to use when needed & my only feedback was his lack of penetration on kicking inc the shot he didn’t take, he is def not able to flush the ball atm or perhaps ever based on recent evidence, but let’s see. Just on Hunter, I like both he and Billings similarly they play a role but that’s just the point, it’s a role.. but some things are intangible inc per player rating and first game back Hunter absolutely added enough per his role & Goody has been crying out for players to keep playing their role & both do that fairly well but Hunter can finish so I give him a slight edge. Very interrupted pre-season for Hunter so think it’s slightly unfair not to call that out as well but it’s a role that requires experience and Ed is the cream of the wing crop certainly, however his rating was far less than even Hunter’s yet again, he added intangibles, played a great neg role as a fwd as did Hunter filling space defensively. Neither got a tackle but both also stayed wide in their roles & didn’t get a heap of opportunities for tackles either. But this happens, player go weeks without tackles all the time outside of inside mids and rucks. McAdam is finding fitness and touch, seriously ppl are just so ridiculously critical of players it’s quite startling to be fair — 6 tackles and ran his guts out all day, he’ll show his wears just wait and see & watch the eeyores backtrack! Kick he didn’t make distance was a stab Andy, absolute stab! McAdam and Kos are TOLD to fly for marks, it’s part of our entry strategy for goodness sake haha! And McAdam has FAR more runs on board for high-marks than Kos, that’s for sure — he looked exhausted and I love that cus it means he gave everything & his tank will build as a result that’s how it grows exponentially and why GAME exp is needed to get that tank elongated. Petty one is a tough — I think Jeffo is far from ready although he couldn’t be any less perf wise based on many other thin slight fwds ie Jones, Amiss! JVR was held cus he had other options so think that comparison fails scrutiny somewhat — he’s close! Petts undoubtedly adds much needed presence, he brings ball to ground, takes best def and WILL start clunking them although yes, it’s wearing then to defend him but I suggest he’s going nowhere, as JVR is better for Petts being there it’s that simple. He’s such a bloody star I can’t wait to see him in a couple years he’s so sublime & that goal when being tackled was just beyond good, it was strength personified!!!

Yep agreed.

Great post — have hoped we’re keen on him for 18m & I truly blv Battle fits bill as far as needs go as well, we like swing players and his 1/1 has improved incredibly!

Windsor does need a rest — VFL is not even similar to AFL level in terms of laid BUT I think he needs an actual week-off rest.. run has dipped considerably & he’s very slight without the Stretch-Flower-sinew so unsure if bikkies are needed but the rest I think couldn’t hurt.. he’ll still need to run his legs X KM’s but could do without the body contact & physicality but of course we’re all guessing! Hunter in was absolutely perfect — as stated before game; his IQ, defensive running is INTEGRAL — Those inc on podcast saying he is cooked from VFL form is absolutely ridiculous & now proven such. I’d LOVE to see Jeffo come-in but can’t see it yet, not due to frame etc but wanna see him back-up with another 3-5 this week then he can be a serious consideration! Turner unlikely, so no change for mine unless you go AMW for Windsor!

I’d be a yes on this one based on current list composition— IF JT (who I was lucky to say gday to last weekend) thought it was right that is.

I truly wish more ppl would engage with this topic. Post-clearance ball is VITAL in today’s transition based game! It all stems from the Tigers glad years, albeit a diff version to today, but it is all about pressure and stand-rule was created due to tigers effective mgmt of not allowing teams easy kicks & basically “mucking-the-game” into creating turnover again albeit with diff method of fwd momentum and hacking fwd rather than smooth transition footy were seeing now. Pies and somewhat Blues (yes, contested/clearance based blues) post their losing streak really honed this turnover/trans craft and it’s also why this year they’re not as effective for other teams have taken it further and that is what WE/DEES are trying to do. It’ll take time, but I’m convinced it WILL click at some stage & like late 2020 when we started our fwd-half game, it’ll then start to click more and more effectively. The method is all about running patterns once turnover is created and getting separation from other teams zone so each week looks slightly diff but idea is to get ball from turnover, breaking up chains, explode out with handball and then gain control by hitting angled targets that can take advantage of stand-rule in fed half by then getting easier hit-ups i50 but not from ‘leads’ so much as from players running in Trans to certain hot-spots that allow better shots at goal. We’ve not perfected it yet but blv me Hunter and Lingers, Windsor ALL play crucial role alongside Nibs, Chinny Chandler, Kos, Trac etc as hopefully you’ll start to see this week against a defensive team like Saints who cough-up regularly due to poor kicking players outside of Wanganeen-Milera, 1-2 others — they have butchers disposing of the ball and it should give us a good-look at where we are at and how much we can punish will dictate the game. For all those peeps bemused by Hunter selection, it’s 💯 strategy execution based! It’s also why Billings was hoped to be as good but unfortunately he’s just not taken enough chances and is not getting there fast enough defensively so hence why Hunter now gets his shot as he always was going to. It’s also why Howes comes out, as without Lever/Hore we need balance & cannot have he and Woey in same defence & Salo they want midfield. This means Woey is marked to play full game — mark-it down, Howes out means he is a near certainty!

Hunter is a much stronger defensive runner, and has a very astute footy IQ. In modern game, turnover is crucial — Hunter is one the best exponents we have in terms of helping create turnover by being in the right places and putting pressure on in a more implied way, as well as being physical around the contest, he does lots of deft touches, ground-handballs etc that help us in transitioning the ball effectively which is crucial in punishing turnover. He also has a good i50 brain with angles and finishes better than Billings as well. Proven AFL level exponent where his impact can’t always be measured, as even pressure acts don’t quite showcase his importance in this area and in his defensive running patterns that are extremely effective.

Suggest that umpire will get a rest, whilst Nicholls controversy last night gets full AFL Support.. absolute free kick everyday of week and tbh I’m really tired of McRae passive-aggression & hope maybe someone will finally call it out in mass-hysteria-media as his pressers are getting more and more virulently poor.

Not even close — unless you can’t X Score which is severely flawed!

That’s just completely untrue! Hunter role totally different, and has been working back form several soft-tissue injuries — it’s apples and oranges! AMW atm doesn’t have AFL Level disposal or running patterns but is def closing in. Hunter has merely been used at VFL level as a tune-up for his AFL return. Some players just don’t play well at VFL level and vice-versa, Hunter a proven AFL level player, so this comment just isn’t quite right in my opinion and humble one at that.

I actually have same thought but then 50/50 between Hunter and Windsor as Sub as Windsor starts games well.. Hunter not running hard at Casey etc as reported by @georgeontheouter drastically overstated, he played his role & just didn’t get near it enough & I had a feeling he’d be close to selection and was told as such. He adds some much-needed cheek and mongrel for mine!

Shame cus he has something we just need to have him slot a few and I think his confidence will shoot up!

Club hopefully agree.. strange but I have a feeling Hunter is gonna play well, don’t ask me why!

Seems like McDonald will intercept/3rd-man from what I’ve heard

Reid tag wouldn’t have done a thing — maybe avoids that one GOTY but only MAYBE! I am actually glad Trac laughed it off, we prefer him Moping about it & letting it hurt his pride do we? We’ll get em back. Interestingly — seems it’s Tommo over Petty playing back which for me is the wrong call, just can’t see him intercepting whereas Petty would be perfect in that role! But we will see, hope for Tommo he nails-it & maybe even gives us enough for some compo if a club pays him enough. I’d actually prefer he stay for depth but we all know that ain’t happening. Turnover game will get a good test this weekend with sloppy-saints, need to generate better shots! Mcadam 2nd up I’m backing 💯 & with JVR I think he’ll be more dangerous.. can’t wait!

At end of day it all comes back to each week not being a darn indicator of a teams flag chances — factors can be small margins in a comp this tight.. we need some luck but we’ve not played anywhere NEAR best footy yet, and we will eventually so I can’t see how we miss top 4 but Lever hurts answer HAS to be Petty back for that long a period Tommo isn’t answer!

McAdam needs time — he’ll prove his worth! Petty goes back, it’s that simple. Seston (unlikely) or K Brown to get blooded, or Kolt in. Lingers & JVR return for Brown & Billings perhaps

Yep, wouldn’t be more than a 2-4% swing even with Ed, but 3 forced changes certainly isn’t ideal — esp when they’re structurally important players like Roo/Ed. Changes game for Petty/Max & Windsor/Billings and losing Lever like that early can’t be planned for & none are reason we lost in such a disgusting fashion but they culminate in a bit of the ‘why’ in terms of structure & mindset — but McAdam added something in my opinion & Ed will be back this week, I expect a stern response.. let’s hope! Flag ain’t won in May, but sure can be lost — I for one remain glad we aren’t playing best footy yet, as at SOME point history suggests we will at some point we’ve just gotta hope it ain’t too late. But if I’m betting, it won’t be.. losing by a margin can often force things to be looked at that might not be normally.

One slightly frustrating aspect of the critique this week is that no one ever seems to watch any of the player media — Salo made a big point of talking about the strategy this week of making a fast start this week, and pressure rating reflects. So first question by TDS was quite valid — Albeit one I don’t concur with — in asking if that specific strategy hurt us as opposed to us wearing teams down. WCE played with reckless abandon, cus they CAN! Risks came-off, Harley was making a statement, Waterman marked everything even when out of position! It was a bad night, and one we prob NEEDED to lose by a decent margin so we can truly address the current issues — As Hoyne’s data showed weeks ago, we’re not playing well (yet), so maybe an embarrassing loss is what the players needed to really reassess and know where we are at. It was horrible yes and seeing my 10yr old in tears due to fear of being teased all-week, it sucked — but there may be a silver-lining. We KNOW our strategy is to not okay so much of a contested game so come finals we’re not beaten-down, so something HAS to change, that’s for sure.

Seems like there’s a few ruck options and I think that’s where we’ll go if those options remain available — otherwise it’s gotta be midfield depth. Lots of inside mids but finding one with decent foot-skills will be the challenge.

Fantastic data mate