Toast Reasons for Optimism
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Clever forever...see what u did there!
- Sep 30, 2013
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Not sure about the format (would work better as a podcast than a vid IMO), but it was an interesting analysis. Did not know Dockers defence was so bad at ball movement! Wow!
Yes but not the low ranking.
Intercept disposals we were 16th and 17th intercept marks which normally be a red flag. Considering the majority we did have our best tall backs available. Chapman played 16 games, Pearce 15, Cox 9, and Mcdonald 1. Draper played 20 games and by the end was solid. If we have 3 out of 5 players playing every week that will allow Ryan to intercept more, and the numbers will increase.
Transition from D50 is an issue. My concern with JL is the lack of kick out set plays (too much kicking long to the skinny side). Like to see set plays for the flat side. He has a risk aversion which reflects in slow movement from D50. Improving intercept making will assist D50 transition. One training report said we are working on quick movement from kick outs.
Bolton is the x-factor with the D50 transition. If we can structure up to allow him to have space getting out the back, that will be awesome.
All fixable except the coach's risk aversion.
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Good post.
We also have the "running back" in Walker. He just needs to compose himself before disposing of the ball.
Apologies to those who dislike Americanisms
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But...easy to fix?
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I bloody hope so!!
Sherriff Incorporated
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Have to say start to the preseason has me even more optimistic than when we got Bolton. I know Jackson and Young have had interruptions to their programs since the end of last season but all our other key players look well and truly on track and Jackson is already in main training so plenty of time for him to get fit again. Sean Darcy is such a key so great to see him in shape obviously so is Bolton who seems to be looking amazing in match sims.
But the most exciting thing for mine is the number of players who have interrupted preseasons in recent years who could step up hugely in 2025 with good preseasons. All of Freddy, Sturt, Walker, Chapman, Wagner and NOD have had at least their last two preseason severely effected by injury and all could be massive improvers in 2025.
But the most exciting thing for mine is the number of players who have interrupted preseasons in recent years who could step up hugely in 2025 with good preseasons. All of Freddy, Sturt, Walker, Chapman, Wagner and NOD have had at least their last two preseason severely effected by injury and all could be massive improvers in 2025.
I have seen some video clips of Sean Darcy over the past few days that are nothing short of amazing. He has lost weight and toned up to such a degree that he looks more athlete than AFL ruckman.
Sean has always been regarded as one of the laggards in regard to fitness of all the players at the Dockers. No more.
If Darcy's attitude is an indication of how driven this group is then there is a lot to feel optimistic about.
Sean has always been regarded as one of the laggards in regard to fitness of all the players at the Dockers. No more.
If Darcy's attitude is an indication of how driven this group is then there is a lot to feel optimistic about.
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Bubba Darcy hurt by the fat jibes. Bubba angry. You will feel weirdly turned on by Bubba when he’s angry. The bloodlust you quell for the sake of societal expectation will be stirred by Bubba running through campaigners like they are poorly-constructed 50-game banners made by Aunt Sal over a few sherbets with sticky tape covered in cat fur. You will gnash your teeth and ****ing chuck things around the room. Bubba killing things will excite you and have you howling like a loon for more.
MOOAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH, I tells ya.
MOOAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH, I tells ya.
freo84
Norm Smith Medallist
Just listening to a series of interviews on “sacked”.
Couple of them (I think it was Tony Shaw or Brendan McCarthy) talked about a huge indicator of a young side on the rise is the amount of close games they LOSE…because it indicates a growing ability to say in games and physicality that’s matching the best teams.
Just listening to McCarthy talking about the Geelong loss in the Nick Davis game…and he talks about structures and Sydney leading the Geelong players away from the contest when the Geelong players needed to stay there and clog it up.
They allowed Davis to stroll through.
This is true.
But it strikes me that none of or happens without Nick Davis…and I don’t mean Nick himself, although that is obvious, but the Nick Davis TYPE.
The game changer…the one who can pull stuff out of his arse. Not all the time, but some of it…
We haven’t had that type…Ballas maybe…Bennell could’ve been. Walters sometimes…but no more…
Shia Bolton come on down…
Coupe that with the Amiss/Treacy combo and the midfield…and away we go
Couple of them (I think it was Tony Shaw or Brendan McCarthy) talked about a huge indicator of a young side on the rise is the amount of close games they LOSE…because it indicates a growing ability to say in games and physicality that’s matching the best teams.
Just listening to McCarthy talking about the Geelong loss in the Nick Davis game…and he talks about structures and Sydney leading the Geelong players away from the contest when the Geelong players needed to stay there and clog it up.
They allowed Davis to stroll through.
This is true.
But it strikes me that none of or happens without Nick Davis…and I don’t mean Nick himself, although that is obvious, but the Nick Davis TYPE.
The game changer…the one who can pull stuff out of his arse. Not all the time, but some of it…
We haven’t had that type…Ballas maybe…Bennell could’ve been. Walters sometimes…but no more…
Shia Bolton come on down…
Coupe that with the Amiss/Treacy combo and the midfield…and away we go
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You forgot CLIVE! He could change a game in the blink of an eye. Sometimes even in a positive way.
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We also have a potential game changing ruck combo. Ive watched a few replay games and geez Luke Jackson was fantastic early on with his movement around the ground in our first 5 games but he was playing around 80%+ of the game time in ruck and was clearly effected by persistent soreness in games after that. If we get Darcy back to his best Id love to see what would happen if we lowered his ruck time to 65- 70% while giving Luke 30-35% where most of the time he would be rucking against either second rucks or first rucks who would get tired from rucking more than Darcy.
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Im not sure if more of the blame for Sean playing at a heavier weight than now was due to coaches wanting him to be big and strong. Last year there were changes to ruck rules that allowed more contact at centre bounces. I think potentially some of the coaches saw his strength and size as a potential asset in ruck contests.
freo84
Norm Smith Medallist
It didn't help that Jackson had chronic tonsillitis and struggled.
It's why I think we can make an assault on that flag. We have a uniqueness in that our 2nd ruckman is nearly as good as most teams first. So when Darcy is having a rest our midfield will still be getting fed.
DocT
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The Purple soars high above the green ie the combination of blue and yellow. Our destinies are written in the stars.
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Bolton will be a massive change for us. Walters has been a legend but hasn't been near his lofty best for years at this point. We now have a genuine match winner in the position which should cause some panic for opposition defenders and defensive schemes.
On top of that all the players you mentioned should make a leap this year. Which should mean the ceiling for the group lifts substantially. Add to that Darcy and Jackson getting a solid fitness base leading into the season... Just keeping Jackson from the hulking first rucks will mean more from him in the middle and forward. It would be interesting to hear from him how the tonsillitis impacted his season. It was easy to forget in the back half of the year, but early in the season he had some special games.
NOD could be a winger who can impact in the middle. Would love to see him reach at least 20 games this year. If Sturt can play with the hunger for contest he displayed in the last third of the year consistently, I don't think there is a side in the league who can cover him. He has rapid pace and now strength to go with it. I hope he kicks 1.5 a game and gets twice as many goal assist to leads through the year.
Shaping for a huge year! Our biggest challenge could be how to manage players through the season. Hopefully JOM, Aish and a couple of others are used for those roles.
Happy New Year Indeed!
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Yep, more of Jackson dominating second rucks and running it out of the middle added to being an outlet around the ground this year will mean our ball movement will be slick this season. Less time in the ruck will mean more goals for him and Bolton will love roving to him in the forward line.
freo84
Norm Smith Medallist
The big calls we got right... and the ones that were very, very wrong: AFL predictions revisited
The big calls we got right... and the ones that were very, very wrong: AFL predictions revisited
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BoneBroth
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Even if Bolton doesn’t kick forty goals himself, he will definitely help to increase our scoring overall. He will get the best small defender every week and they will be right next to him not zoning off and helping the defence. That along with the other forwards getting better matchups, should mean overall we score more next year.
