AFLW 2022 Rd 6: Carlton vs Fremantle

[crashlander]

Downie may have been worthwhile as a deep target for a year or two whilst seeking a younger kpp

Having seen her play for Collingwood, I think we made the right decision on Downie. She has a big heart, but she doesn't get to the contests like she used to and she no longer does much in the ruck.

We probably made the right call on Loynes, as she has struggled to make a real impact with GWS, But she is a great trier and tackler, something that isn't happening at the moment.

Losing Dalton was like a knife in the heart. She may not be setting the world on fire at GWS, but she was brilliant for us and made our midfield just so much more potent.

Losing Harris was also a disaster, although there wasn't much we could do about that. Even though she was poor last year, she has so much talent. She is also the focal point we badly miss at the moment.

Gibbs is a much larger loss than expected because we lost Harris as well. We would be better with her as a target. Not as a ruck.

Trudgeon has been reasonable and has generally filled in Downie's role in defence. As Krudd noticed, she has probably exceeded expectations. That hasn't been the case with many of our players.

To be honest, I think the lack of pre-season has affected us both last year and this year. A couple of years back we finished all over the top of other sides. We don't do that now. In fact, we start well enough and then run out of gas. other teams, like Adelaide and Freo, really ran all over us late in the game. It was even obvious against Collingwood. We need to change out fitness regime. It would also help if we played fewer games when it is so hot, but that is another tale.