Review Match Simulation Pies v GWS Friday 20 Feb 11.00am Bundoora

[TradeDraft]

But without jumping the gun, it was a B performance. Nothing to get excited about. Nothing to be depressed about. We're a mid-table side. We are missing A-grade talent under 25.

Forgot about Nick?

Though True outside of Him we have no real A Grader coming Thru that age

I think West has that Potential but still fair away from that Level

 

[Gone Critical]

We should have zero expectations that West goes past Buller - unless you feel our recruiters made a huge mistake with Buller.

1st thing I would say to that its impossible to make a huge mistake when you pick up an unproven 24 yo 10 gamer who costs you the swap of a 3rd rounder for a 4th rounder. We essentially got him for nothing to fill a hole in our list. If he doesnt become a regular player it wont be a surprise.

Of course we hope both Buller and West go on to be regulars and important players. But at this point, after 24 goals in 10 games in the VFL, as a 19 yo, expectations are much higher for West in the long run. If he does become a very good KPF he should go past Buller pretty early.

I think Buller is more we hope he fills a hole like a Frampton did but a Kreuger couldnt. If he is better than that fantastic. Remember Buller left the Swans because he couldn't see senior footy there for himself after Curnow arrived.

 

[Scodog10]

What was he going to say? You don’t publicly can your young players, no matter how underwhelming they are.

I wonder if some people live in a bubble and assume that club representatives are talking directly to them when interviewed? Media training 101 would be don’t talk negatively about an individual when asked a direct question about them.

 

[greening22]

I do get it. I think we all want to see what he can bring and impact in some way. Don’t quite know his position either, but this is the year where he must give us something

It is quite simple. Both he - HDM - and Jakob Ryan will be delisted at the end of the 2026 season. They are at best very average VFL players. Goodnight & good luck.

 

[Apex36]

It is quite simple. Both he - HDM - and Jakob Ryan will be delisted at the end of the 2026 season. They are at best very average VFL players. Goodnight & good luck.

HDM is contracted until the end of 2027, so no (unfortunately)

 

[stormskye]

1st thing I would say to that its impossible to make a huge mistake when you pick up an unproven 24 yo 10 gamer who costs you the swap of a 3rd rounder for a 4th rounder. We essentially got him for nothing to fill a hole in our list. If he doesnt become a regular player it wont be a surprise.

Of course we hope both Buller and West go on to be regulars and important players. But at this point, after 24 goals in 10 games in the VFL, as a 19 yo, expectations are much higher for West in the long run. If he does become a very good KPF he should go past Buller pretty early.

I think Buller is more we hope he fills a hole like a Frampton did but a Kreuger couldnt. If he is better than that fantastic. Remember Buller left the Swans because he couldn't see senior footy there for himself after Curnow arrived.

Bullers best AFL game was against the eagles in the last game of the season. My expectations for him remain fairly low. West I was impressed with in the VFL for a first year KPF. I have more faith that west makes th grade than Buller kicking on.

A positive out of today was mcstay. Presented, marked and competed well. If he can stay on the park it will help.

But given we’d have one of the weakest KPF line ups in the comp my concern atm is our scoring ability. Outside of Elliot we don’t really have many you can pencil in for multiple goals. Maybe shoota if he can stay fit.

 

[legendstatus]

The biggest gap we clearly have is a lack of elite defenders, period!

 

[Scodog10]

1st thing I would say to that its impossible to make a huge mistake when you pick up an unproven 24 yo 10 gamer who costs you the swap of a 3rd rounder for a 4th rounder. We essentially got him for nothing to fill a hole in our list. If he doesnt become a regular player it wont be a surprise.

Of course we hope both Buller and West go on to be regulars and important players. But at this point, after 24 goals in 10 games in the VFL, as a 19 yo, expectations are much higher for West in the long run. If he does become a very good KPF he should go past Buller pretty early.

I think Buller is more we hope he fills a hole like a Frampton did but a Kreuger couldnt. If he is better than that fantastic. Remember Buller left the Swans because he couldn't see senior footy there for himself after Curnow arrived.

I suspect role flexibility will prove the biggest differentiator between Buller and West. With no Hill the secondary ruck role from a KPF is going to be crucial. Whilst we may be forced to bite the bullet at some point I don’t see the two in direct competition. For me the depth chart looks like:

• McStay/ Membrey/ West
• Buller/ Steene/ Howes

If we get Hill back I think Steene’s value rises, but until that plays itself out or one of HH or Hayes pop I think it’s two from the first group and one from the second. I’ve named them on how I think the depth chart currently stacks up.

A note from me, but perhaps we need to pin HDM’s contract status somewhere on the board? I’ve seen a half a dozen “delist” posts post a match sim when he has two years to run. I think there’s debate to be had about the list management, but it’s pretty cut and dried to me that 2026 will not be his final year in the system.

 

[BillyElliott]

 

[sr36]

It is quite simple. Both he - HDM - and Jakob Ryan will be delisted at the end of the 2026 season. They are at best very average VFL players. Goodnight & good luck.

Isn't Harry signed until end of 2027?

 

[No SPIN]

1st thing I would say to that its impossible to make a huge mistake when you pick up an unproven 24 yo 10 gamer who costs you the swap of a 3rd rounder for a 4th rounder. We essentially got him for nothing to fill a hole in our list. If he doesnt become a regular player it wont be a surprise.

Of course we hope both Buller and West go on to be regulars and important players. But at this point, after 24 goals in 10 games in the VFL, as a 19 yo, expectations are much higher for West in the long run. If he does become a very good KPF he should go past Buller pretty early.

I think Buller is more we hope he fills a hole like a Frampton did but a Kreuger couldnt. If he is better than that fantastic. Remember Buller left the Swans because he couldn't see senior footy there for himself after Curnow arrived.

I’d happily persist with Buller all season, and don’t see any reason why we should place any expectations at all on West as a second year player.

 

[Scodog10]

The biggest gap we clearly have is a lack of elite defenders, period!

We have 3 AA’s in our mix. I can’t readily name a club with 4. Individuals are also infinitely less important than the system around them. You quite literally need only look at 2025 when we were the best defense in the league.

 

[sr36]

1st thing I would say to that its impossible to make a huge mistake when you pick up an unproven 24 yo 10 gamer who costs you the swap of a 3rd rounder for a 4th rounder. We essentially got him for nothing to fill a hole in our list. If he doesnt become a regular player it wont be a surprise.

Of course we hope both Buller and West go on to be regulars and important players. But at this point, after 24 goals in 10 games in the VFL, as a 19 yo, expectations are much higher for West in the long run. If he does become a very good KPF he should go past Buller pretty early.

I think Buller is more we hope he fills a hole like a Frampton did but a Kreuger couldnt. If he is better than that fantastic. Remember Buller left the Swans because he couldn't see senior footy there for himself after Curnow arrived.

Different kettle of fish. Buller might be able to play back up ruck. He'll get a game for that. West is competing with McStay and Membrey for a spot. Won't play yet if they're all fit, but the likelihood of that being regular is pretty slim, so will get some chances.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I’m being simplistic but….

Buller is fighting for a ruck spot with McStay
West is fighting for a tallish forward spot with Membrey. If he pushes out mcstay and we don’t have Buller then there are magnets to move to cover second ruck

 

[sr36]

I’m being simplistic but….

Buller is fighting for a ruck spot with McStay
West is fighting for a tallish forward spot with Membrey. If he pushes out mcstay and we don’t have Buller then there are magnets to move to cover second ruck

I'm just hoping they're all fit and playing ok more often than not and we have a choice.

 

[Harry O]

The biggest gap we clearly have is a lack of elite defenders, period!

We have some elite defenders - Moore Quaynor Maynard Houston have all been AA or AA squad , J Daicos is handy if playing there

We lack depth in tall defenders yes

 

[Harry O]

I’m being simplistic but….

Buller is fighting for a ruck spot with McStay
West is fighting for a tallish forward spot with Membrey. If he pushes out mcstay and we don’t have Buller then there are magnets to move to cover second ruck

McStay was pleasantly very good today
Membrey has been good all pre season
One spot available - would expect Buller gets first crack

Was worried about Buller’s ruck work. We might need to play DC and Steene together

 

[sr36]

We have some elite defenders - Moore Quaynor Maynard Houston have all been AA or AA squad , J Daicos is handy if playing there

We lack depth in tall defenders yes

To me, it's a year where if we get our best team on the park we'll be good, but we'll be ordinary if we get injuries because we've intentionally gone with shallow depth to have more youngsters on the list. I think it was the way to go with where the list is.

 

[Harry O]

To me, it's a year where if we get our best team on the park we'll be good, but we'll be ordinary if we get injuries because we've intentionally gone with shallow depth to have more youngsters on the list. I think it was the way to go with where the list is.

Agree
Was definitely the right policy to phase out Titch Cox WHE Checkers etc
I also think the first layer of young depth like Steele Allan Hayes Cochran Steene etc are ok if surrounded by senior depth
If we cop bad injuries and they have to take on senior roles then yes we could struggle

 

[Finnishpie]

Forgot about Nick?

Though True outside of Him we have no real A Grader coming Thru that age

I think West has that Potential but still fair away from that Level

N Daicos goes without saying.

But on today’s showing, who else?

Need early draft picks badly this year.

 

[Harry O]

N Daicos goes without saying.

But on today’s showing, who else?

Need early draft picks badly this year.

McCreery looks primed
Steene Hayes Cochran Parker Steele Allan Anderson and Harrison all showed signs

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I'm just hoping they're all fit and playing ok more often than not and we have a choice.

Adding Steene to that equation, yes

 

[ksardog]

We really need McInnes to make it as a defender this year, our lack of a young key defender to be able to play consistent good football is so apparent
No pressure, only coming off an ACL

Stating the obvious here , but if we lose either of Moore or Howe for any extended time , we could be in a lot of trouble. Frampton is a shadow of the player he can be when he is not playing next to those guys. Have no faith in him leading our backline

I will never understand why we got in Shultz , then Houston. The glaring hole in our side was a young key back, especially after Murphy had to retire. Shultz I’m ok with, he works his guts out, can never question his efforts, Houston is just a receiving half back flanker, we had a plethora of them. Imagine how our backline would look if we had a Barrass there.

Would look to bring in DeBolfo if the opportunity arises

 

[Piesinmyeyes]

GWS seemingly have an abundance of small forward types.
We missed Perryman and IQ today to quell their influence.
Very impressed with Phoenix Gouthard, looks classy and the tall guy Madden looked good also.

 

[stormskye]

We really need McInnes to make it as a defender this year, our lack of a young key defender to be able to play consistent good football is so apparent
No pressure, only coming off an ACL

Stating the obvious here , but if we lose either of Moore or Howe for any extended time , we could be in a lot of trouble. Frampton is a shadow of the player he can be when he is not playing next to those guys. Have no faith in him leading our backline

I will never understand why we got in Shultz , then Houston. The glaring hole in our side was a young key back, especially after Murphy had to retire. Shultz I’m ok with, he works his guts out, can never question his efforts, Houston is just a receiving half back flanker, we had a plethora of them. Imagine how our backline would look if we had a Barrass there.

Would look to bring in DeBolfo if the opportunity arises

189cm Debolfo? Not sure he’d fix our KPD issues at AFL level