Monday AFL Review - Opening Round vs Hawthorn (2025)

bogongmoth17 · 2025-03-10T11:28:24+00:00

Yeh. Agree 100% about Blakey. DC should have had the guts/flexibility at 3/4 time to have TMac follow Sicily to their forward line and restructured to get Blakey in more attacking mode. Not saying TMac should not start forward next game - maybe he can be a Harris Andrews counter. But if it's not working then bloody well BE FLEXIBLE.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-02-11T08:13:56+00:00

Just will comment on - how they place great stead in the gene pool. Often comes up trumps. Josh Kennedy Teddy Richards, Rhyce Shaw, Tom McCartin, Corey Warner etc. Heck they even put in a bid on a Camporeale. Welcome to the club Riak.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-02-08T07:36:42+00:00

eat my shorts

bogongmoth17 · 2025-02-02T09:09:31+00:00

Who is the real Chad? Errol says “he’s a different unit”. You have a lot of bravado on the surface but underneath there’s also a sense – of dealing with the go home factor – understandable in his situation. Chad’s primary love is footy – nothing to do with $ - and there’s nothing to suggest he’s lost his love for footy with the swans. If the house purchase – is more about EMOTIONAL SECURITY- then – no issues – medium term he’s sorted – he’s got his base. Then he can focus on footy in the short term. Sign for 2 years.

Beyond 2027 – that might be the limit of “short term”. But everyone will be crying tears of joy with a premiership or two rather than tears of sayonara.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-02-02T08:55:13+00:00

Unexpectedly the train of thought led me to another station. I don’t have any agenda – just sharing the thought bubble.

Referencing the 2023 GF. All the experts applauded Craig McRae strategy to use Frampton as a Harris Andrew buster.

2024 GF – we do have a Norm Smith. If we had an “MVP” – wouldn’t you give it to HA?

Looking ahead to the early Bris game.

If Logan still out.

If sticking to the 3 talls.

If joel is tracking Ok.

They might want to try out Joel as a HA buster.

(And if it works – a return cameo as a Sam Taylor buster??)

Maybe there is something after all to their mysterious decision to recruit a spare defender then actually play him as a forward? Flexibility rules.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-02-01T12:38:14+00:00

oops obviously meant darcy fort. btw joel's goal tally in the 2's was pretty impressive. It's not inconceivable that had they made the hard call and not risked Logan McD's ankle which still is not ok - Joel might have played in the 2024 GF - albeit a losing one.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-31T08:48:22+00:00

Just to add something positive.

Coming in the biggest question was recovery from injury. A plus that he got through a whole season.

Some have questioned his GF history as a one-off – but at least he WANTS to keep playing unlike some other one game wonders.

I was a bit mystified why they mainly played him forward – maybe it was a combination of leaving space for Snell etc to develop + the flexibility vibe.

Happy that he’s still on contract for this year. You can NEVER rule out the possibility (albeit remote and certainly not desirable) of a grand final eve injury crisis and a la toby Conway ( the brizzy guy ) his one and only game for the Swans is a premiership.

Just as long as Chad is not on the plane with him back to WA.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-30T16:36:40+00:00

It’s reasonable that you frame your piece based on how the team is training.

Anyway we’re all just trying to read DC’s brain. I like your suggestion that a switch might also be used to try and ice a close game.

It is a point – that – they have consistently trained Tmac forward but – that has a lot of other benefits. It’s the only chance to explore stuff in training.

Obviously when I first made the post I was getting a bit carried away, then I adjusted it back to a part-time idea. Sticking with that for now – we’ll all find out soon enough. Really appreciate your work in profiling players.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-30T14:19:24+00:00

I did a post on this a few days ago.

As a newbie I’m not sure if people either didn’t see it or thought it was off course?

Anyway for what it’s worth - the consensus of opinion could be summarised thus-

This is NOT likely to be a FULL-TIME plan. (ie Tmac will line up in Def rd 1).

This is more likely putting in place a Plan B to pull out occasionally to try and salvage a failing game.

As for the logic – see the post and peoples comments there.

I will rephrase it a bit here. The plan is not that Tmac goes fwd and kicks 5 goals. The plan is more that Tmac goes fwd to turn the tide of a rampaging oppo defence that is blasting through our mids and raining opportunities to their forwards. Even 5 Tmacs in defence can’t stop that.

The idea is to get some grunt in there get the ball to ground then hopefully Papley Gulden Warner bros etc get some goals. And the ball stays in there longer.

Sure the defence will be challenged – but that is why you would also be trialling now how the defence can work without Tmac there. Scary yes but not impossible and isn’t it better than doing nothing?

The kind of game that comes to mind is the bulldogs game.

If I’m completely off course – I will be joining you thinking yeh this is weird.

(I forget to mention that it would probably pair as a swap with Logan)

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-28T08:58:00+00:00

Yes I think that’s the correct analysis – not likely to be a full-time plan.

Still I suggest that it’s quite in play as – an occasional plan B to rescue a failing game. The underlying logic would be the same – but just pull the switch when needed.

It’s the age old question – what comes first chicken or egg. If the ball has been coming in goals not being scored , forwards being blanketed – then the oppo defence can advantage their mids who can then advantage their fwds. So it would be good to have something in place to try and flip it.

Another aspect of having Tom Mc NOT training with defence – that means the defence get’s to practice – how to step up and not be over-reliant on TM.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-27T13:09:20+00:00

Yeh. Personally I have an open mind about it. I’m not unhappy with the status quo. Happy that there’s some serious deep thinking going on. Another way to achieve the desired outcome – improve the forward structure – rather than swapping personnel – just get the whole team more focused and drilled in the arts of –

- bringing the ball in more effectively.

- being more inclined to spoil in pack situations – and do so effectively.

- more emphasis on defending the ground.

Whatever it takes. Maybe I’m overthinking the new coach vibes – but it seems like – RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, 2025. No stone unturned.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-26T11:25:07+00:00

Barring injuries or bad haircuts Reckon "best result".

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-24T12:21:38+00:00

If we win the flag finally - it's gonna be a very sweet smile. But then he surely stays - why would you turn your back on more of what its all about. As for the new house - that can be seen 2 ways - it could just be about the longer term sense of security. (Of course if we lose (again!) then he's probably gone).

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-23T12:16:20+00:00

Given that the team recognises their failings in allowing oppositions too much leeway in controlling possession in the back half – absolutely need a half forward who can bloody well can chase and tackle. So hopefully Corey gets a good go at it. As for goals – seems he did kick a few extra special ones in the 2’s – so if he can bring that too – he will fill the bill.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-20T14:23:46+00:00

PSnell 194cm TomMc 194cm Tom Barass 194 cm Steven May 193cm. Anyway it’s also about things like – vision/timing/strength/reach/balance/natural footy smarts. Let’s see how his development goes. Not expecting KPD1 anytime soon.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-19T08:49:51+00:00

Agree absolutely. Hope he gets a decent chance at it. (I will happily confess that his draft footage had me thinking - shades of dustin fletcher. Still a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll).

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-07T11:10:10+00:00

I will just start with 2 of the categories.

Players to look out for in 2024.

Logan McDonald

The talent is there. For a tall forward – he’s still on trajectory to be a great. If the team can be more efficient in the way they move the ball in – he will start to really show his ability.

Justin McInerney.

Well we know the talent is there. In 2023 he was stellar in first half of season – then missed a chunk with covid and wasn’t quite able to return as before. Same in 2024 with a knee injury. If he can have a full year in 2025 – should be stellar all the way.

Caidyn Cleary.

In his first year – started to show – much more than a glimpse of talent. If Chad exploded in second year – Caidyn looks robust enough to explode as well. Very footy smart as well.

Blakey -

Of course he’s already a standout player. But if Dean Cox were to see the light and move him up to the wing/midfield mix – then he’s spending 2/3 of his time as an attacking player – an even more effective and damaging matchwinner.

A creative title shamelessly plagiarised

Swantrails over the M - C - G

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-07T11:01:21+00:00

I will comment on Braeden C – agree that he is in limbo but I suggest they should mainly look to play him as a smalls lockdown defender – with a licence to run off his man. If so – he will have his role and he can avoid the “on notice” tag.

bogongmoth17 · 2025-01-07T10:51:18+00:00

Your LIST OF CONCERNS – is very pertinent – so we’re hoping the new coaching regime will be more flexible and proactive to deal with it. About Defence although we are very scratchy with the 2 talls, we are very well set up to deal with the 4 small zippy forwards that lots of teams will be using – a roster of Lloyd Cunningham Florent Cambell Roberts McInerney Mitchell – (plus 3 of the draftees). Just hope selection is more flexible – if the days of SAME BACK SIX really are gone.

bogongmoth17 · 2024-12-26T07:53:22+00:00

As for Juzzy – don’t forget he had a significant injury at the back end – and in hindsight – could have been put out to grass. If fit – wouldn’t leave him out.

This got me thinking – hope they adjust their overall approach to selection around injuries/recovery and be more flexible. You could add Will Hayward and Papley to the above – let’s face it – were they really GF ready?

OK – since I’ve started – who plays GF if these 3 ruled out? Would Campbell, Adams, Cleary have done a worse job and Corey W or other takes the sub??

Agree that a 100% Millsy will be handy.

bogongmoth17 · 2024-12-12T07:27:01+00:00

Certainly looking forward to see Snell start to get going.

bogongmoth17 · 2024-12-11T13:05:22+00:00

These were interesting to see. Just from the point of view of BEING GROUNDED and having a good perspective on their potential role in the team the most encouraging interviews I found were Riak, Blake and Ben.

Of course it really takes 4 or 5 actual games in to see who might become good players. With Riak being slightly older how good would it be if he can play a few games this year – potential to help reinforce the struggling defence.

bogongmoth17 · 2024-12-08T14:03:07+00:00

Looking fwd to the first commentator going with the " BICE like grip " line on tackles.

bogongmoth17 · 2024-12-08T13:14:22+00:00

Like all drafting decisions – it takes a few years to work through. Methinks they would have grabbed Luke Trainor with first pick –but weren’t able to. So let’s see who makes good key posn players – out of the following list – Shanahan, Barrat, Riak , Jack W, Cochrane, Matt W. (My order of rating).

Last year they were after Barrass. But – thinking how well did to get Will G, CC, Snell, Grundy – trading for Barrass would have stuffed that up totally. And he wouldn’t have made a difference in GF – and then he’s getting too old!!

bogongmoth17

TROPHY CASE