Rumour Bluemour Discussion XLI

[Aphrodite]

#BUMP from February


Re: 'Alleged' rumours resurfacing ...

Folks, this is the way things are here.

Posters are responsible for what they post. Moderators can not attest to the accuracy or otherwise of any rumour posted.

Moderators will intervene for a couple of reasons.

1. If a thread is threatening to be derailed because of a post.

2. If invested parties request the removal of material.

None of this draws a conclusion as to the accuracy or otherwise of the original post.

There is no need to further speculate. What will be will be.

Also, you need to remember that this thread like all parts of this forum is bound by the rules of poster conduct. If you want to express skepticism towards a rumour that's fine, but having a crack at posters who are contributors to this forum is simply not on and will be acted upon.

Simply put, don't be a dick.

Thanks all!

 

[TrueQldBlue]

Or maybe we’re 2-3 or 3-2 and things look so much better than last year.
It’s all hypothetical.
Don’t be so negative when it’s only November.

Exactly that ..
This is the positive and exciting time of the year full of hope and pride...
Wait until round 4 / 5 and then we can all melt down again like every year

Gee I really hope not.....but....

 

[Accidental genius]

Yeah I recall (like most years) the excitement coming into 2025 season…and then bang we lose to tiggies

 

[Tommy Alvin]

for some reason, I am genuinely excited about 2026.

I had a bad feeling about 2025. The club has made some smart decisions since Wright took the steering wheel. Starting with not sacking Voss.

I am not expecting anything crazy but I think we will be a competitive team that might shock a few.

TA

 

[Robertio]

for some reason, I am genuinely excited about 2026.

I had a bad feeling about 2025. The club has made some smart decisions since Wright took the steering wheel. Starting with not sacking Voss.

I am not expecting anything crazy but I think we will be a competitive team that might shock a few.

TA

Yep we say this every season but I'm hooked again with a new look forward line new assistant coaches and a beefed up development team and Adam Simpson on board, bring on 2026.

 

[Blue By Blood]

2026 will be about implementing a new game plan built on run and carry and taking more risk with the ball in transition as well about the mid/forward connection. I think in 2025 you could tell the players had lost that enjoyment in playing footy so next year should be about bringing back the fun for the players and the fans.

It will be about identifying which players can adapt to this and which can't so we can continue to tune the list to where it needs to be.

It's going to be an intriguing year as we will see if Voss can implement a better game plan, which players can make it work and those who struggle. I'm quite bullish.. I see us anywhere in that 6-12 range but I think we will play some fun football.

 

[ctwenty1]

2026 will be about implementing a new game plan built on run and carry and taking more risk with the ball in transition as well about the mid/forward connection. I think in 2025 you could tell the players had lost that enjoyment in playing footy so next year should be about bringing back the fun for the players and the fans.

It will be about identifying which players can adapt to this and which can't so we can continue to tune the list to where it needs to be.

It's going to be an intriguing year as we will see if Voss can implement a better game plan, which players can make it work and those who struggle. I'm quite bullish.. I see us anywhere in that 6-12 range but I think we will play some fun football.

I suspect we may have a slow start because of that change in style and relatively hard start to the season.

I think we will then finish strongly

I just don’t know if the slow start will put too much pressure on the club and voss to actually persist with him

Despite how bullish I am for next year, I can’t help but think 1H next year will be challenging

 

[Blue By Blood]

I suspect we may have a slow start because of that change in style and relatively hard start to the season.

I think we will then finish strongly

I just don’t know if the slow start will put too much pressure on the club and voss to actually persist with him

Despite how bullish I am for next year, I can’t help but think 1H next year will be challenging

Yeah it definitely could be a rough start. But remember back to 2023 after the camp.. we started playing more free flowing footy and we went on a run straight away. Literally could go either way which is what makes it super intriguing. Voss will be under the pump regardless as he's had a decent amount of time as head coach, there's new administration, and both some good experienced options available as well as some highly regarded up and coming coaches..
Strap in because it's going to be a wild ride either way.

 

[azlou]

The pragmatist in me says your right that part is sidelined for preseason.This my time to dream of the infectious spirit talented impetuous that youth exude unshackled by the past forging a new identity.
I hold on to the Melbourne final where we played the youth to see what they can deliver.
It’s like a ticket in Tatts
There is an alternate reality where the veterans get swept along by a new game plan that other teams used to double teaming Charlie get caught out by our numerous forward options spread the defence.
That our midfield gets back to being a clearance dominate unit and Walsh Jagga Chesser add zip and polish.
Dean stars on debut finally we provide sold support for Weiters.
The football world take notice the journos start complementing our recruiting of youth and mature age players.
If the youth and veterans gel anything is possible I love preseason for it’s optamism.
I love the clich Jagga is tearing it up Cripps looks back to his best Harry is looking fast unstoppable in the air.
It’s a relaxed feeling of hope and anticipation

 

[Stig O'Hara]

The pragmatist in me says your right that part is sidelined for preseason.This my time to dream of the infectious spirit talented impetuous that youth exude unshackled by the past forging a new identity.
I hold on to the Melbourne final where we played the youth to see what they can deliver.
It’s like a ticket in Tatts
There is an alternate reality where the veterans get swept along by a new game plan that other teams used to double teaming Charlie get caught out by our numerous forward options spread the defence.
That our midfield gets back to being a clearance dominate unit and Walsh Jagga Chesser add zip and polish.
Dean stars on debut finally we provide sold support for Weiters.
The football world take notice the journos start complementing our recruiting of youth and mature age players.
If the youth and veterans gel anything is possible I love preseason for it’s optamism.
I love the clich Jagga is tearing it up Cripps looks back to his best Harry is looking fast unstoppable in the air.
It’s a relaxed feeling of hope and anticipation

Stream of consciousness.

Mucho respect.

 

[azlou]

Stream of consciousness.

Mucho respect.

I started to get excited as wrote the story unfurling in my mind I could have gone on for ever but thought it might be a tad indulgent

 

[teddy-hopkins]

I'm definitely positive about 2026.

We have a strong contested game and good depth but now we look to have added players who can choose smarter options going forward and hit those targets. Losing Charlie doesn't phase me too much because Voss's game plan was to blast the ball 50m towards the boundary line as a default F50 entry and hope Charlie could create a contest. Without him there we lose that option.

Newman, Ainsworth, Hayward, Florent, Chesser, Jagga, Cotrell, Boyd, Byrne, Dean, etc. these guys are effectively new recruits and all good ball users. It should be an enormous leap forward. Guys like Carroll, Wilson, Moir, etc. should all be better for the run last year.

With Charlie there we're relying on him doing something amazing from a garbage kick to him. Now the receiver will not be as talented as Charlie but hopefully he doesn't need to be. We missed Owies last year for this reason. No huge talent but didn't need to be because he just got to smart spots and made the F50 entries simpler. Now we should have 2 or 3 upgraded Owies added to forward line team.

The last piece of the puzzle for me: we need the match committee to get their head in the game. They left Cerra, Acres, OH, and others in the team last season when they couldn't hit the side of a barn with their kicking. That was the reason we had the worst disposal and transition game in the comp.

Walsh I think is statistically the worst in the league at kicking the ball inside 50 absolutely must look for a more defensive lateral option or a handball to a better user a lot more. Swallow his ego a bit and admit he's not an elite user inside F50.

 

[Accidental genius]

Yeah this year is different imo too.

There is an obvious plan around footy department matters which has been on show since around trade period.

Wright has turned what appeared to be the sky falling to moving us into a strong position with trades/drafting and…..

Finally we have some extra grunt/experience around coaching…

 

[Sector 7G]

Yeah I recall (like most years) the excitement coming into 2025 season…and then bang we lose to tiggies

Any excitement for the start of the season lin 2025 was sapped by Eji's issues, Newman and Jaggas season ending injuries and CC and SW preseason setback. Not to mention the Sayers distraction.

Way too much went wrong to stand a chance of good year even before that Tigers game.

 

[Y Goat]

The last piece of the puzzle for me: we need the match committee to get their head in the game. They left Cerra, Acres, OH, and others in the team last season when they couldn't hit the side of a barn with their kicking

Yes this MC has gone under the radar and escaped much scrutiny - big part of the failed runs late 24 and much of 25. and the brain-fade selections in some finals (Doc in with no games under belt)

Who are these people? And will there be changes to the MC. (In personnel, and attitude re more accountability and playing on. form not supposed reputation)?

 

[josephone]

There's also less expectation. You won't have Jack Riewoldt tipping us for the flag on the Couch. That brings a certain sense of freedom which I hope we can use to our advantage.

 

[gab213]

Any excitement for the start of the season lin 2025 was sapped by Eji's issues, Newman and Jaggas season ending injuries and CC and SW preseason setback. Not to mention the Sayers distraction.

Way too much went wrong to stand a chance of good year even before that Tigers game.

I'm more excited going into this season than I was going into 2025. The end of season disaster in 2024 and preseason injuries dampened my enthusiasm; I never had great expectations from then.

This season, on the other hand, I'm much more excited for the season to come with the changes we have made on the field and off the field. Bring it on, I'm not expecting a high ladder position, but I don't see us right at the bottom either, we have a top 10 now effectively, so who knows?

 

[JuddgementDay]

On paper losing CC and TDK, and to a lesser extend JSOS, is a major blow for our team... and yet, I'm super excited about 2026.

I'm looking forward to a new game plan.
2025 was a horrid year, but through injuries we've got games into our young players.
I'm excited to see how the team mix with the new recruits, who each offer us something that we haven't had = better mobility.

Ainsworth, Hayward, Florent, Chesser, Jagga, Byrne, Dean and Reidy - that's not a bad collection of new players

Bring on 2026!

 

[Benaly28]

We’re a team that plays better with no pressure.

 

[agro]

We’re a team that plays better with no pressure.

Is this a rumour?

 

[Bluebag13]

We’re a team that plays better with no pressure.

Agree, but this better be part of the cultural shift to get rid of this mentality

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

I'm more excited going into this season than I was going into 2025. The end of season disaster in 2024 and preseason injuries dampened my enthusiasm; I never had great expectations from then.

This season, on the other hand, I'm much more excited for the season to come with the changes we have made on the field and off the field. Bring it on, I'm not expecting a high ladder position, but I don't see us right at the bottom either, we have a top 10 now effectively, so who knows?

Like you gab213, I am feeling upbeat about next year. So far G.W. has been super impressive and Austin seems to have pulled the right

strings. List now looks more dangerous, skill-full and dynamic. The additions of Ainsworth and Hayward are just what the doctor ordered for

our forward line. The inclusions of Florent and Chesser will improve our transitions no end. To have Harry Dean ready to go, very impressed

with his physique. He is looking set for an impact-full first season, to my eyes. Ison looks so promising, going to be very interesting to watch

his development. Burns looks a nice prospect, as well. He will be another great reason to watch the VFL games next season. All in all and

taking into account that we do have a tough draw. I expect us to be in the 7 to 10 range. Would love to see Voss blossom in his game day

coaching, hoping that Simpson will be helpful to him. Have a lot of respect for Michael, be great to see him coach out the year.

 

[bigblueboy]

I feel like we are on the right track ... but 2026 is going to be very tough.

 

[Michael Jezz]

I am optimistic with the list management direction but we need to land a few "A" grade free agents
However, realistically it is a 9 to 11 win list & whilst I will accept the outcome, it might be a intolerable for the majority of the supporter base

 

[KnaveyBlue]

I think most reasonable supporters could stomach a low-to-mid table finish if we show that we've evolved the gameplan and learned from 2025.

This year the combination of our big slow midfield, bomb it long gameplan, and a complete refusal to change either, meant you could often look at the opposition's team on paper and know straight away the game was almost unwinnable.

Hopefully with the new additions we can be a bit more dynamic/unpredictable through the middle and forwardline.

 

[Accidental genius]

Any excitement for the start of the season lin 2025 was sapped by Eji's issues, Newman and Jaggas season ending injuries and CC and SW preseason setback. Not to mention the Sayers distraction.

Way too much went wrong to stand a chance of good year even before that Tigers game.

Yeah I agree but I would say we still should have won. I’m still not sure where we went wrong…we had a good lead from memory