TOPIC:

Pre season is done and dusted and from our 2 x scratchies we look like we can have a crack at a premiership again. Our fitness levels seem to have improved again given we we gave up the first 4 goals ve EF and 5 v Peel and over run them both. We will need to fix the slow starts but I suggest some trial positional changes (like all clubs) may have taken time to adjust. We should have 98% of our squad available for round 1, only players we are waiting on are Hutchings, Thompson, Hamilton and Kernutt, only Thompson being reasonably long term from all reports.

Go Falcons !

Lil weeed going on scratchies you are probably right but I recon by going on them we will go better than I thought and will be one of the teams right up your rrse 🤞

Dags, I agree, it seems you have added a bit of youth which injects a bit of excitement and unknown, I have $ubi in my top 5. As per every season the 2 x AFL teams are a unknown but Peel will definitely make the 5 providing Freo stay healthy.

Whinnen I agree Peel should finish in the 5.In fact I had them 3 or 4(depending on Freo fitness as you say).Also agree Subi are likely top 5 now that SF season has become a lot harder.From what you've seen in the preseason do you think there might be some early debuts(thinking Bevan,Scaife) or sticking with tried and true?

TheFeds wrote:

Whinnen I agree Peel should finish in the 5.In fact I had them 3 or 4(depending on Freo fitness as you say).Also agree Subi are likely top 5 now that SF season has become a lot harder.From what you've seen in the preseason do you think there might be some early debuts(thinking Bevan,Scaife) or sticking with tried and true?

Fed,

I dont think there will be any debutantsearly other than young Scurria if Gaud isn't initially available. Bevan looks smooth and has copious amounts of time when he's got the footy so only a matter of time, he reminds me a lot of Jay Van Berlo !

Whinnen now that the WAFC in their wisdom(am I nuts putting those two words in the same sentence?) have decided that the centre bounce is gone do you think that will impact on Yukich being No.1 ruckman?His mobility and leaping ability has always been an issue but you can't question his heart and desire.Unfortunately that doesn't equate to leaping at centre throwups now.It would be a shame to see him not played because of the rule change but circumstances might create this.What do you think.

I dont agree with the change but how will it affect Yukich or similar style ruckmen? If it's a good bounce or if it's thrown up, whats the difference? Bad bounces were recalled and thrown up, the rucks will still have to start each side of the centre line and around the ground and at throw ins they can still body up.

SS I agree about the throw ins and around the ground(where it's generally body on body) but the centre throw ups now should advantage leaping ruckmen IMO.With the ball now having a certain trajectory and the ruckmen knowing what to expect the leaper will have the advantage over the stationary ruckmen.My point is that Yukich does not get off the ground(often) and might be found out by someone with a spring.

Fed, Yukich although very lion hearted is on borrowed time, Mallard will start #1 ruck I reckon, Ykich has a back complaint.

I see that Vaughan Williams is the brother of Conrad Williams who is at the Dockers.