1 hour ago, JTR said:

If you are so inclined, you can view the umpire appointments for current or previous rounds here:  https://aflua.com.au/umpire-appointments/

#31 was the worst of the three in our game last week. Hopefully he has received a bit of 'feedback' re his performance

I'm pretty sure (but not certain) that Ross Stevenson gave one particular umpire a tune-up one morning over the last few weeks due to performance in a Hawthorn game.... I'm thinking #31 was familiar  

4 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

With Bennells history of calf injuries it doesn't surprise me he has been rested off a 4 day break

Why is he listed as 'omitted'?  Why not today's buzz word 'managed'

Would have preferred Bennell to stay in. I know he wasn't flash but consistency in selection might be just what he needs instead of all the chopping and changing. 

The leadership group was changed a few weeks ago with the addition of Jake Melksham and Jake Lever. One of them was interviewed in the media and explained that the club wanted an extra leader for the forward line and the backline. Hence, Melksham and Lever will be the two official on field leaders today. It goes without saying that a number of others will be called on to provide leadership to provide a winning outcome.

2 minutes ago, pinkshark said:

Why is he listed as 'omitted'?  Why not today's buzz word 'managed'

I think we need to go hard against Norf. They try to be a physical side. We need to go harder.

Harley and hardness..........yeah next

No late changes. 
From afl Twitter 

2 hours ago, DubDee said:

Milkshake being captain is an odd choice. Has been poor all year and lucky not to be dropped. He is slowly improving though. Perhaps some tone on the bell tonight

hopefully it will lead to less selfish play from him

The dees dont really handle captain appointments with any common sense.  Grimes and Trengrove. Then Jones/Viney (the viney one as stupid in every sense as the two 7 year old co-captains.

Its surely not that big an issue but its clear to most the May is the leader type.  He hurts, he rants, he cares.

16 minutes ago, layzie said:

Would have preferred Bennell to stay in. I know he wasn't flash but consistency in selection might be just what he needs instead of all the chopping and changing. 

Subject to where his bod is at i couldn't agree more Layzie.  His impact on those around once he performs also should not be underestimated.  Inspirational come back if / when he does as we saw with his team mates' reaction to his first goal.

One goal from Harley could be worth 2 goals from another player vying for the same spot in terms of its effect on the team as a whole.

Make no mistake, this is an enormous game for us.

If we win, and assuming West Coast hang onto their lead and beat Carlton, we'll move to 9th on the ladder. We'll be within either 2 or 6 points of Collingwood by the time we play them next weekend, and we'll be in front of the Dogs with a game in hand over them, and they're our following opponent.

If we lose then, depending on other results, we could be back in the bottom 4 again.

I have no confidence. I haven't been confident going into a game against North for 15 years. They're distinctly average this year, dragging their opponents down to their level where possible. The Dogs and Richmond were able to rise above it and showed North up for what they are: rubbish. But many other sides this year have found themselves scrapping around (Hawthorn, Essendon, Carlton). Let's hope we're capable of the former, not the latter.

I'm concerned about TMac being in the side at all: I hope we play him as the number 1 ruck so that we can keep as much of our structure from last week. Swapping him with Jackson will be disastrous IMO. 

Wonder if Norf will look to exploit our lack of height in the ruck tonight by pushing Goldy forward for a fair chunk of the match?

T-Mac unlikely to be able to go with him down there nor LJ.

I want for us to play aggressive footy today - North are slow movers and I think we're a quick ball moving side than they are

A touch concerned about the battle of the ruck and if Goldy starts to drift fwd and kick a few it will be alarm bells 

Their mids are a step below ours so I hope we can own them in that dept

Looking at Clarry for another big one  

Last 20 minutes before a game starts is the longest part of the day.  

Anyways massive game and need to just get the 4 points and move on

Would love a big win against this team that's had our number for so long 

Also really enjoying the work of our backline this year

I can't see any of their forwards really getting on top (May has been very good this year) and I'm trusting our backs more and more each week 

2 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Last 20 minutes before a game starts is the longest part of the day.  

It's a good time to get the snack layout set up correctly....

2 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Last 20 minutes before a game starts is the longest part of the day.  

having nervous five beers in 20 mins already got the cab sav breathing will lucky to see half time .I hate the wait for these stupid night games

8 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Make no mistake, this is an enormous game for us.

If we win, and assuming West Coast hang onto their lead and beat Carlton, we'll move to 9th on the ladder. We'll be within either 2 or 6 points of Collingwood by the time we play them next weekend, and we'll be in front of the Dogs with a game in hand over them, and they're our following opponent.

If we lose then, depending on other results, we could be back in the bottom 4 again.

I have no confidence. I haven't been confident going into a game against North for 15 years. They're distinctly average this year, dragging their opponents down to their level where possible. The Dogs and Richmond were able to rise above it and showed North up for what they are: rubbish. But many other sides this year have found themselves scrapping around (Hawthorn, Essendon, Carlton). Let's hope we're capable of the former, not the latter.

I'm concerned about TMac being in the side at all: I hope we play him as the number 1 ruck so that we can keep as much of our structure from last week. Swapping him with Jackson will be disastrous IMO. 

Titan I actually think having Tmac in the ruck all game might actually work in his favour and It might help him find some form. 
 

That’s of course if that’s what goody has put him in the side to do which I have no idea if it is. Goodies coaching is a mystery to me tbh. 

I still can't quite believe Melksham is skipper today. Doesn't sit comfortably with me at all.

6 minutes ago, Kumamoto_Ken said:

It's a good time to get the snack layout set up correctly....

 

Hopefully there will be no comfort eating at the end of the game.

Gerard Healy commentating again. [censored].

Uggghhhhh why is Healey always on our games

Oh, they're talking Oliver up before the game. Never a good sign.

Can't to see how are mids go without Max.

I hope Goodwin does what many have done to us this year, and target reading the tap from Goldstein to our advantage.

1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

Gerard Healy commentating again. [censored].

And mark riccuito happy times ?

Harmes in defence again.