Autopsy Roast & Toast v Geelong & Changes For Essendon

[Grrr]

I'd like to see OHB get a game. Essendon do not have a dominant ruck so we could play Nank forward and OHB in the ruck

Nank is the worst forward in the AFL. Has never played a half decent game up front and get's rebounded off like he's not there.

 

[Grrr]

Prestia, what the flip game you been watching? His first two back for year were brilliant, last two rancid level

Prestia fumbled it every time he got it. Got to the good spots only to leave the ball behind. Ross had an okay game but his tackling was great, 9 tackles considering he was only probably 40% in the middle, that's better than we have seen for years bar Cotchin.

 

[Muddiemoose]

I'm not worried about the most recent draft (yet), I'm worried that we have 2 players from 2018-2024 who might make the top 10 B&F. We frankly have far worse youth (defined as under 25) than most non-rebuilding teams.

We had 5 top 30 picks in 2021 and we've got one player playing well out of it. Judging by how hamstrung Lalor and Smillie are we could easily see the same problems with the last draft. Realistically half your draft players are going to be duds on average, our batting percentage is even worse recently, and we need to find virtually a whole team.

My view is we're probably on a trajectory where we ask for a priority pick 6 years from now. Because we're going to enter the compromised drafts about where WC is now (another team which were reluctant to pull the bandaid off post-GF success).

All true but also worth acknowledging that if we include Higgins, Bolton and Baker it changes that equation

If you want to include 2017 Graham and Rioli as well

Of course the fact they aren’t at the club anymore doesn't help us but the upside is that 4 of those above contributed to last years draft haul

 

[Muddiemoose]

Prestia fumbled it every time he got it. Got to the good spots only to leave the ball behind. Ross had an okay game but his tackling was great, 9 tackles considering he was only probably 40% in the middle, that's better than we have seen for years bar Cotchin.

If you don’t count Taranto who has been leading the clubs tackle count every season since he arrived and has well and truely eclipsed Cotchin in that department

 

[docko911]

So probably can’t drop anyone this week given the forced outs…

Out: HRS, Alger, Lalor, Balta
In: Hotton, Trezise, Short, Kozi (lol)

Could also bring Green back in if we look at moving MRJ or Campbell to the wing. No problem dropping McIntosh either, it’s time to give the kids more games.

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

We wont be seeing these guys at AFL level again this season (based on their return timeline)

Lefau
Lalor
Alger
Dow
Bauer
Hugo
Fawcett
Ryan

 

[SA_Tiger11]

Young comes in Surely

 

[sabso]

So probably can’t drop anyone this week given the forced outs…

Out: HRS, Alger, Lalor, Balta
In: Hotton, Trezise, Short, Kozi (lol)

Could also bring Green back in if we look at moving MRJ or Campbell to the wing. No problem dropping McIntosh either, it’s time to give the kids more games.

Keep mrj where he is

 

[Grechy]

I'm not worried about the most recent draft (yet), I'm worried that we have 2 players from 2018-2024 who might make the top 10 B&F. We frankly have far worse youth (defined as under 25) than most non-rebuilding teams.

We had 5 top 30 picks in 2021 and we've got one player playing well out of it. Judging by how hamstrung Lalor and Smillie are we could easily see the same problems with the last draft. Realistically half your draft players are going to be duds on average, our batting percentage is even worse recently, and we need to find virtually a whole team.

My view is we're probably on a trajectory where we ask for a priority pick 6 years from now. Because we're going to enter the compromised drafts about where WC is now (another team which were reluctant to pull the bandaid off post-GF success).

Massive exaggeration post. We have drafted a plethora of young talented kids. It's about getting them on a park. We will also recruit ready made players.

 

[Karp3_dm]

Young comes in Surely

He’s been elite the last 2 VFL matches
Can’t believe how good his kicking is

 

[LTT]

Nank is the worst forward in the AFL. Has never played a half decent game up front and get's rebounded off like he's not there.

A bit like Lynch then?

 

[LTT]

I'm not worried about the most recent draft (yet), I'm worried that we have 2 players from 2018-2024 who might make the top 10 B&F. We frankly have far worse youth (defined as under 25) than most non-rebuilding teams.

We had 5 top 30 picks in 2021 and we've got one player playing well out of it. Judging by how hamstrung Lalor and Smillie are we could easily see the same problems with the last draft. Realistically half your draft players are going to be duds on average, our batting percentage is even worse recently, and we need to find virtually a whole team.

My view is we're probably on a trajectory where we ask for a priority pick 6 years from now. Because we're going to enter the compromised drafts about where WC is now (another team which were reluctant to pull the bandaid off post-GF success).

The kids can’t develop unless we play them. That’s why the lack of games these kids have played corresponds to their lack of development.

 

[Bird Man]

Facilities aside I respect cats and pies perennial list build , they're both well organised, very well coached , to be always up there without academy pics I dips my lid , we need to challenge ourselves to bolster resources in right areas so we're always getting the pivotal decisions right

It be interesting if there was a review of how things ended so wrong for us.

From the outside it looks like this
Gale and co declare that we will remain competetive like geelong (2021/22) then its all down hill from there. Draft picks didnt turn out good, tehn decided on the free agencey route (both Cats like methods) and then the coach gives up, we pay him out and then moves to the GC and takes key staff.

Gale bails and so dose half the first team in retirement or trade...

None of those things happen at Geelong... they get the most out their older players and no one leaves

 

[docko911]

Keep mrj where he is

Where did he play though? Was ****ing everywhere

 

[lizard man]

He’s been elite the last 2 VFL matches
Can’t believe how good his kicking is

His kicking will turn to shit as soon as he is promoted to afl

 

[Karp3_dm]

His kicking will turn to shit as soon as he is promoted to afl

Probably
But let’s back him in Gecko man

 

[NZ_Tiger]

You’re right, maybe we should remind people about how much game experience we’ve lost. Even then, they won’t be able to understand. Terrible

There’s a real lack of self moderation from
grown men at times on this board. Some of the most soft and mentally pathetic rants have come from some posters who want to call everything woke.

I remember a game under Hardwick where we got done by a 100 plus on this ground with a lot better side.

 

[NZ_Tiger]

Yeah I just think Richmond are the type of club (I hope I'm wrong) that suffer for years and years until they don't and then cash in on flags. We're not the Geelong/Sydney type where we're consistently good.

Look at our flag history. We fill up when your good but have some long periods in the wilderness.

 

[Bojangles17]

It be interesting if there was a review of how things ended so wrong for us.

From the outside it looks like this
Gale and co declare that we will remain competetive like geelong (2021/22) then its all down hill from there. Draft picks didnt turn out good, tehn decided on the free agencey route (both Cats like methods) and then the coach gives up, we pay him out and then moves to the GC and takes key staff.

Gale bails and so dose half the first team in retirement or trade...

None of those things happen at Geelong... they get the most out their older players and no one leaves

List mgmt from 19/20 was pretty poor , succession in key areas virtually non existent, it’s short sighted to focus on TT and hop decision , our problems are way broader , zero class in f50 , marking power leagues worst , these faults were emerging years ago , dimma didn’t help sadly , pity he didn’t wanna shoulder a new era instead he went out with scorched earth , anyways we’re going right way about it , crucial tho we get list decisions right or we add years to this rout

 

[tugga]

We wont be seeing these guys at AFL level again this season (based on their return timeline)

Lefau
Lalor
Alger
Dow
Bauer
Hugo
Fawcett
Ryan

Ryan has another two years of his contract to run after this.
Beggars belief.

 

[tugga]

There’s a real lack of self moderation from
grown men at times on this board. Some of the most soft and mentally pathetic rants have come from some posters who want to call everything woke.

I remember a game under Hardwick where we got done by a 100 plus on this ground with a lot better side.

‘Woke’. The word dumb ****s use because they don’t know anything else.

 

[ShereKhan]

I'm not worried about the most recent draft (yet), I'm worried that we have 2 players from 2018-2024 who might make the top 10 B&F. We frankly have far worse youth (defined as under 25) than most non-rebuilding teams.

We had 5 top 30 picks in 2021 and we've got one player playing well out of it. Judging by how hamstrung Lalor and Smillie are we could easily see the same problems with the last draft. Realistically half your draft players are going to be duds on average, our batting percentage is even worse recently, and we need to find virtually a whole team.

My view is we're probably on a trajectory where we ask for a priority pick 6 years from now. Because we're going to enter the compromised drafts about where WC is now (another team which were reluctant to pull the bandaid off post-GF success).

I expect Seth Campbell, Ben Miller, T Brown and Sam Banks to finish top-10 in B&F, don’t you? They’ve all improved markedly in 2025.

And I believe you’ve got to dig a little deeper into why some players from 2018-2024 may not be finishing top-10…

Gibcus : injury
Clarke : injury
McCauliffe : injury
Young: injury
Lefau: injury
MRJ : injury / fitness
Balta : jail

The 2021 draft could still end up elite, we just need some luck with injury for Gibcus and Clarke. It’s not the clubs fault two previously robust youngsters have had such bad luck.

 

[peternorth]

Armstrongs status is TEST from a hamstring injury.

Given the curse of the club, keep him on ice

 

[baazzaa]

I expect Seth Campbell, Ben Miller, T Brown and Sam Banks to finish top-10 in B&F, don’t you? They’ve all improved markedly in 2025.

I rate Miller but he's nearly 26. If you were 26 you were practically a veteran during the rebuilding years people speak of. The fact it's taken him this long to get this many games shows how bad our focus on development is.

T Brown really hasn't developed nearly as well as we'd hope.

It’s not the clubs fault two previously robust youngsters have had such bad luck

Lots of kids have their careers derailed by injury. My concern is that we don't seem to be accounting for it in list planning. This board seems to think we'll build a premiership midfield out of maybe 5 top draft picks over 2024-2026... that's not how it works. Once injuries and duds are accounted for we'll need a lot more than that. Which probably means we should be investing more in finding other sources, like moving Sonsie/MRJ/Campbell into the midfield, or freeing up list space so we can make more gambles with rookies.

Lefau: injury

The fact we even have a 27 year old on our list who's had a few meh games in the seniors at best shows hows how unserious we are about this rebuild (as does the fact KMac and Prestia are still playing IMO).

 

[wegetpumped]

The kids can’t develop unless we play them. That’s why the lack of games these kids have played corresponds to their lack of development.

How do you get them games when they're all injured, FFS We are DESTROYING THEM, NOT DEVELOPING THEM.