Collingwood's flag 'desperation' has been laid bare, but its pursuit of Lachie Neale has been approved. The Magpies' forward line and midfield firepower concerns have been exposed, and their clutch win rate is now just one from five games decided by six points or less. With key players like Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore out injured, and Brayden Maynard's surprise bid to play falling short, the Pies are in a delicate position. The club is now eyeing up a big offer for Neale, who could provide Nick Daicos with a star running partner. However, the move may not be enough to replenish the list with young talent, and the ability to do so could be compromised beyond 2026 with future drafts set to be dominated by Tasmania. In my opinion, the Magpies' 'desperation' is a result of their own making, and the pursuit of Neale is a gamble that may not pay off. The club needs to make big decisions for the good of the football club, and the short-term gains may not be worth the long-term costs. The Dees, on the other hand, are on the cusp of a defining fortnight that could dictate their final fate. They face Adelaide and Hawthorn in the next two weeks, and their defensive improvements over the last couple of months give them a reason to be bullish. The Suns, meanwhile, are perplexing, with their diminishing midfield returns despite the addition of Christian Petracca. Their current reality is a far cry from the premiership favourites they were considered at the start of the year. As for West Coast's Jake Waterman, his inaccuracy in front of goal is a psychological challenge that needs to be addressed. The player has shown that he is a very good kick at goal, but his mind gets involved, and he needs to work with one person in the club to get through this. The Blowtorch is here to expose the flaws and highlight the opportunities, but it's up to the clubs to make the right decisions and turn their 'desperation' into success.
