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Some good signs and progress from the young players today. It’ll be a slow burn, so not going to jump on the players and coaches backs just yet being only three games in. We’ve had probably 6 competitive qtrs out of 12 so far which is disappointing, but to be expected of a bottom four side. We’ll get a better look by round 9-10 when the players have got a stronger handle on the game plan, and plenty of evidence to see what to do, and what not to do.

I will say I found McQualter’s comment post game re team balance a little odd though. He’s mentioned a few times about “not knowing what his best team is” but I personally don’t understand the balance of the side out there today.

Based on what we know players are good at, we had:

7 mid size def - Baker, Ginbey, Hoff, Maric, Cole, Duggo, Hunt (Duggo and Hunt despite playing as mids aren’t mids, sorry)

2 KD - Gov, Ed

2 KF - Allen, Jilliams

2 Ruck/KF - Billiams, Reid

5 small forwards - Owies, Cripps, long, Ryan, Brockman

2 mid/fwd - Hewett, Graham

1 Wingman - Dewar

And only 2 pure inside/outside mids in Kelly and Harley out there. One who by your own admission isn’t capable of a full game load in the guts (completely understandable for a 19yr old, we love you Harls) and another who is currently in an up-and-down form slump.

Doesn’t feel like an even balance in the middle, which is our problem every week.

Of course, this is pretty hard on Mini as there is literally no one else he can call on, except kids unfortunately.

Mini said in the presser that some wafl performances “showed they are ready for afl level” It’ll be interesting to see what they do at match committee this week with the midfield mix after that statement. Given the feedback from those there it sounds like Gross is a lock with maybe Hall and Allan in?

Sorry for a long one.