Review Round 14, 2025 vs Melbourne

[Burningleviathan]

I know we have written off Todd, but with Mitch showing his strength as a leading forward, Todd did play the hit up CHF role quite well when he had the chance. Might be a handy forward duo if we play more to that style of forward play next year. Major asterisk around Todd, of course.

 

[jac147]

Must admit I did too as a spectacle. I felt like there was once again zero crowd atmosphere, and I don't think I really cheered at all. However it was a good watch. That was some seriously high quality football and intense pressure against a massively in form team. That same team got within a point of the Pies on the MCG last week and played that same level, if not even a little more deadly against us, but we stood up. Our defence was again tremendous and the ball movement was perfect. Love seeing Rozee out of the middle, glad our preseason thoughts have been vindicated.

With the season clearly over, I can definitely feel a little change in the way I'm viewing the team now. Hinkley's gone, they aren't sacking him, so I've come to the acceptance that we should just sit back and hopefully watch some good development of the team. Esava, Liddy, Jackson, JHF, Georgie, Sinn, Burgoyne, those are the parts I enjoyed watching, and personally I probably even enjoyed watching the SANFL more the other day, just keeping an eye on the developing Whitlock, Moraes, Evans, etc.

The future is not looking great, but it probably isn't as bad as we sometimes think. If Whitlock can pair with Georgiades in 3-4 years, we can find another key back like Ramm to come through, and find another top line mid, then there's still potential that we can rise up again as Tassie enter. Really just need to find a way to keep Bergman & Butters for mine.

Agree about Melbourne’s pressure in the 3rd quarter, their only problem was finding the space between the two tall uprights. Their kicking for goal was horrendous..

 

[jac147]

Mead everytime gets a disposal ends up laying on the ground

His snap at goals in the dying moments of the game only just missed

 

[Coobk001]

I didn't think Mead was that bad either.

The criticism of Mead is over the top, but it is human nature that when a guy is constantly getting picked, but not really performing, that they get that sort of criticism.

Put him back in the SANFL, and if he averages 30 touches for 5 weeks in a row, people would start calling for him to come back in.

Ultimately he's a slightly better player right now than Liddy and clearly better than H.Jackson, but the big problem is that although he has been given ample opportunity, he hasn't yet risen to the level of AFL, and is still battling along. He's played over 50 games now, he should be adding more value than he does by now. His form is also down, he's fumbling and making poor mistakes when he gets his few opportunities, so really he needs to go back to the SANFL and give someone else a look at it.

 

[Windy Cindy]

Funny how on the 7 coverage any contest may “won” it was a wankfest. Outbodied Willie Rioli probably 15cm and 30kg lighter. THIS MAY BLOKE ABSOLUTE STAR BEST THING SINCE DUSTY FLETCHER. Ball gets chucked on Georgies head and May chucks a knee into him to mark. STEVEN MAY SHOULD BE AA RANCE HAS GOT NOTHING ON HIM. Totally ignoring the contest where he tackled Georgiades after losing a one handed marking contest

Liddy was good. His disposal was instinctive and sure besides a couple. Didnt see him much in the third quarter thought he got subbed

Dante has the knack of bumping blokes post disposal and that alone justfies his place in the team. Sweet on the otherhand played second ruck against Van Rooyen and still looked like McEntee at AFL level

No ones talking about Sinn. I thought he was pretty clean and brave. Watch Mani Liddys guernsey presentation back and see how much Sinn is mucking around and getting around the lads. He clearly loves the club

JHF has a shoulder niggle and Ken keeps him on the bench
Aliir hobbles as much as Sam Skinner and he leaves him out there

Agree re Sinn. Took a couple of really strong marks under pressure.

Just hjope he can get a decent run at it

 

[Windy Cindy]

That Rozee intercept mark to transition goal shows the difference in him as an intercepting defender compared to a Farrel or Burton. They would’ve killed that ball to the boundary for a stoppage and played it safe. He, Bergman and Rats are integral for that part of our game currently.

thought the same thing, was expecting a spoil but to mark was a sign of real class and then bounded away.

TV Didn't do it justice either, he ran a long way to make that ground was the play of the day (bar for kozzies 50m checkside)

He,like JHF and Bergman is a one grabber, just so clean

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

Can't win can he. All the discourse was about how he should debut and definitely not be sub.

Now is a stupid decision..

The stupid decision was demoting Jackson

 

[Peninsula Boy]

I like the balance that Richards and Liddy bring into the team.

For too long, we had so many below average players and also guys who didn't want to get their hair wet.

Both of these guys are hard and play hard. They work their tails off to provide for others, something we've sorely lacked.

 

[Willsy10]

The criticism of Mead is over the top, but it is human nature that when a guy is constantly getting picked, but not really performing, that they get that sort of criticism.

Put him back in the SANFL, and if he averages 30 touches for 5 weeks in a row, people would start calling for him to come back in.

Ultimately he's a slightly better player right now than Liddy and clearly better than H.Jackson, but the big problem is that although he has been given ample opportunity, he hasn't yet risen to the level of AFL, and is still battling along. He's played over 50 games now, he should be adding more value than he does by now. His form is also down, he's fumbling and making poor mistakes when he gets his few opportunities, so really he needs to go back to the SANFL and give someone else a look at it.

Fair call.

I guess he is taking the full brunt of criticism now that McEntee isn't getting picked and Burton is playing well.

 

[PowerBaz]

That game felt like something new was going on, if Josh was in charge 100% (i'd say. he is to a degree) then I would enjoy going to the footy once again.

 

[The Hobo]

The stupid decision was demoting Jackson

I don't think it was entirely stupid.

Mead is the obvious one (who ended up having a half decent game) - but Jackson did decline in the second half against Freo, and perhaps doesn't have the engine to run out the game.

Basically - if it wasn't going to be Mead, it was going to be Jackson. Unfortunately Jackson didn't do much once he did come on, which won't help his case for next week. I like Jackson, and hope he does succeed though.

In any case, I don't think it's as stupid a decision as you make it out to be.

 

[The Hobo]

I like the balance that Richards and Liddy bring into the team.

For too long, we had so many below average players and also guys who didn't want to get their hair wet.

Both of these guys are hard and play hard. They work their tails off to provide for others, something we've sorely lacked.

Exactly - you're never going to have 22 elite players out there - but as long as they put their bodies on the line, work their butts off and don't make mistakes - there's probably a spot for them.

 

[The Hobo]

That game felt like something new was going on, if Josh was in charge 100% (i'd say. he is to a degree) then I would enjoy going to the footy once again.

People need to get over the obsession of trying to decipher who is in charge - inevitably it's always "Josh was in charge" when we win, and "Ken was in charge" when we lose. They aren't flipping and flopping who's in charge mid season (or even last season, as we had the same discussions when we were winning games).

Support the team regardless of who's in charge. Enjoy the wins, ride the rollercoaster - get frustrated, be happy. It's all part of being a supporter of any team. Ken will be gone by the end of the season, and we will find someone else to heap the blame on for our unhappiness at the team.

 

[Alberton Proud]

Not many here have mentioned Burgoyne
I though his game was excellent

 

[pstew2dstew]

Not many here have mentioned Burgoyne
I though his game was excellent

It was good when it was good, but really bad when it was bad.

His disposal costs us 2-3 goals

 

[NoddyHolder]

Reminded me of a game we played at Unley back in the day. Was so dark in the end at that game that the time clock with the time on period in red was glowing in the dark.

We were reminiscing about the Escort Cup game at Thebby in about 1983 when the cheer squad brought candles.

 

[Steve Dore]

Not many here have mentioned Burgoyne
I though his game was excellent

Couple of out on the fulls, one a complete howler, early but settled into the game and was very good after that.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

People need to get over the obsession of trying to decipher who is in charge - inevitably it's always "Josh was in charge" when we win, and "Ken was in charge" when we lose. They aren't flipping and flopping who's in charge mid season (or even last season, as we had the same discussions when we were winning games).

Support the team regardless of who's in charge. Enjoy the wins, ride the rollercoaster - get frustrated, be happy. It's all part of being a supporter of any team. Ken will be gone by the end of the season, and we will find someone else to heap the blame on for our unhappiness at the team.

I'll probably need a year or two of still blaming Hinkley for loses and then I should be good.

 

[Sewer de Lance]

The criticism of Mead is over the top, but it is human nature that when a guy is constantly getting picked, but not really performing, that they get that sort of criticism.

Put him back in the SANFL, and if he averages 30 touches for 5 weeks in a row, people would start calling for him to come back in.

Ultimately he's a slightly better player right now than Liddy and clearly better than H.Jackson, but the big problem is that although he has been given ample opportunity, he hasn't yet risen to the level of AFL, and is still battling along. He's played over 50 games now, he should be adding more value than he does by now. His form is also down, he's fumbling and making poor mistakes when he gets his few opportunities, so really he needs to go back to the SANFL and give someone else a look at it.

Mead looks like a player completely void of confidence. In tight spaces, he’s hesitating with ball in hand which often results in him coughing up the ball or giving it to a teammate under immense pressure. When he does find space, he has a bad habit of looking laterally first, for an easy safe option. If he can’t find some much needed self belief & drive, his AFL career will be over very quickly.

On a side note, I rate Hugh Jackson higher than Mead.

 

[Kenny_Powers]

I know we have written off Todd, but with Mitch showing his strength as a leading forward, Todd did play the hit up CHF role quite well when he had the chance. Might be a handy forward duo if we play more to that style of forward play next year. Major asterisk around Todd, of course.

Todd looks a smart footballer, if Josh can find a role that really utilises his strengths up forward think he still has something to offer

 

[Enviable Tradition]

That game felt like something new was going on, if Josh was in charge 100% (i'd say. he is to a degree) then I would enjoy going to the footy once again.

I was thinking the same thing.

Imagine our levels of excitement if we had won't these last 2 games under Josh.

 

[The Hobo]

Todd's looks a smart footballer, if Josh can find a role that really utilises his strengths up forward think he still has something to offer

Issue with Todd up the field is he inevitably finds a way to get injured.

 

[jackag24]

Did anyone else catch Jordon Sweet and Pickett just randomly start fighting in the middle of a live stoppage?

 

[Powerade 08]

We're almost 2 years into this extended run of games for Mead, and still don't know what hes doing out there.

I remember tribey trying to explain it as a Gryan Miers

32

Gryan Miers

Age

27

Ht

179cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

15.3

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.6

3star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.2

4star

type role at the end of last season (sorry DT)

I rekon Matt Crouch

5

Matt Crouch

Age

31

Ht

181cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

28.4

5star

K

12.0

4star

HB

16.4

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.9

5star

CL

4.8

5star

D

24.9

5star

K

9.7

4star

HB

15.1

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.4

3star

CL

4.4

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

10.8

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

3.4

5star

CL

2.0

4star

would do more damage on the wing

 

[tribey]

We're almost 2 years into this extended run of games for Mead, and still don't know what hes doing out there.

I remember tribey trying to explain it as a Gryan Miers type role at the end of last season (sorry DT)

I rekon Matt Crouch would do more damage on the wing

Yeah, he’s stagnated and lacks any sort of 1-wood. Donuts on Frontal Wow™ for the past 5 weeks.

Andrew McQualter vibes.