On 17/08/2024 at 10:23, Redleg said:

I would give Hunter his 200th and farewell game next week, on the strict proviso he makes Maynard and Moore know he was out there and if possible legally of course, fixes up Maynard.

Absolutely not.  Why should the club reward the efforts he has contributed this season?  Sends a terrible message.  The club is bigger than the player.  Let him play his 300th for Tassie.

  On 21/08/2024 at 01:38, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I can see the rationale in not playing ANB this week given we're one year short of the wild card round, meaning this game would be match of the round as opposed to a dead rubber under the wild card format.

He's not going to be with us next year, so why accrue another 120 minutes of game time with a player that isn't part of our future. They could give Laurie the minutes that ANB would have received. Laurie should be eying off 20 senior games next year.

It's exactly the same dilemma as playing BBB at the expense of Turner or Petty missing out on forward line cohesion minutes this weekend. 

But I expect ANB will be playing a farewell game in front of the fans.

I'd be a bit [censored] if they didn't play him. A farewell game for a great servant of the club yes, but he's an integral part of the team until the season is done and we'll need him to beat the Pies.

Although I can understand the logic of not playing ANB considering he'll be playing elsewhere next year, this is from Viney's contract announcement message yesterday.

It will also be Alex Neal-Bullen’s final game in the red and blue and a chance to say thank you for his contribution to our club.

It would be a backflip of epic proportions if they've elected not to play ANB. Although recent evidence has shown that communication is not the club's strong suit...

Edited August 21, 2024Aug 21 by Demon Jack

I am never confident, but I have a feeling we will knock the Pies off this week. Recon this will be the best thing to kick off a successful preseason, successful trade/draft period and a successful 2025! 

  On 20/08/2024 at 22:10, Dannyz said:

ANB trained in match sim with Casey players yesterday so may be rested. 
No other changes on the horizon except for a new sub to replace Melk. It may be Laurie or Woey who both trained well in the white team. 

I suspect Nibbler in one final act of leadership was happy to play in the B team to give both Laurie and Woey a chance to push their case.

I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play. In fact he might even tag Daicos again and beat him just because he can.

Ideally we play both Laurie and Woey, keep Melk as sub and don’t play Billings but that seems unlikely. 

Hill, Schultz, Elliott, Hoskin Elliot and the future Hall of Famer McCreery.  The Pies forward line is FAST.   Good luck to our 30 somethings back there. 

  On 21/08/2024 at 03:25, Jjrogan said:

Hill, Schultz, Elliott, Hoskin Elliot and the future Hall of Famer McCreery.  The Pies forward line is FAST.   Good luck to our 30 somethings back there. 

HIll 24, schultz 26, elliot 32 (happy birthday), hoskin elliot 30, mccreery 23.

McStay's out for the Pies which is a win for us.

We owe 'em for 2017.

Edited August 21, 2024Aug 21 by layzie

  On 21/08/2024 at 03:53, Bring-Back-Powell said:

McStay's out for the Pies which is a win for us.

They’re resting him for the Petracca trade 🤣

Nibs will play. His folks aren’t coming to the ‘G to see him NOT play. 

Grab some fries, smoke the Pies

  On 20/08/2024 at 23:51, Roger Mellie said:

He spoke very well and I felt reassured about the Petracca situation specifically and the club generally.

No coincidence Lever was put up to sen for this interview. Excellent media performer who delivered the key messages about Trac beautifully.

No yeh nah stuff that poor old Jack V would have rolled with. 

Smart one Perty

  On 21/08/2024 at 04:11, WalkingCivilWar said:

Nibs will play. His folks aren’t coming to the ‘G to see him NOT play. 

Did you see my post on KFW?

  On 21/08/2024 at 04:57, Redleg said:

Did you see my post on KFW?

Didn’t on the day but did just now. He actually talked about his body size as well as his height. He said Lisa (the nutritionist) has him on a plan that along with conditioning should see him “fill out.” 

  On 21/08/2024 at 04:08, layzie said:

We owe 'em for 2017.

I was really hoping their season would still be on the line this week. Getting one up over them and killing their hopes of finals would be excellent. I'll take a win regardless though!

Goody was pretty clear in the presser. We'll do everything we can to beat the Pies on Friday.

Resting ANB, playing Hunter etc, doesn't improve our chances of winning. 

Personally I win or lose I really hope the boys play with agression and positivity. We were manhandled and bullied on KB, IMV. Hard but fair.

  On 20/08/2024 at 00:36, Deeko2 said:

I posted this in the draft capital thread about the impact of the result against the Pies.  We could slip all the way down to receiving P5 if we lost.  All it takes is:

1. St Kilda defeats Carlton by say 20 points
2. We lose to Collingwood by say 25 points
3. Gold Coast defeats Richmond by 50 points

None of these results are really unlikely and if it happens, we could end up 14th.  St Kilda are probably next on the AFLs list of helping out and may get band 1 compo for Battle.  So winning and ending up 10th would push our pick out to 10 at best.

P5 vs P10 is obviously a huge difference against a dead rubber result.  If it was any other team, I'd accept an honourable loss.

I just can't deal with that against the Filth.  This win really could finish the year with some great energy and good vibes into next season.

 

this is actually really disturbing.

  On 21/08/2024 at 05:09, WalkingCivilWar said:

Didn’t on the day but did just now. He actually talked about his body size as well as his height. He said Lisa (the nutritionist) has him on a plan that along with conditioning should see him “fill out.” 

That’s great. Tell him he has a fan on here who believes in him.

  On 21/08/2024 at 04:32, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Grab some fries, smoke the Pies

If you think I’m gonna suggest this for Friday’s banner… you’d be dead right! 😅

Unfortunately the club would never allow it, but it’s fun imagining it.

Anyways the banner has enough going on already. Goodbye to Nibs and congrats for Riv’s 100th and whatever else the club sees fit (hopefully no advert just for this week).

  On 21/08/2024 at 07:22, Redleg said:

That’s great. Tell him he has a fan on here who believes in him.

Will happily do so. He’s an awesome kid and I can’t imagine he gets the love the others do. 

  On 21/08/2024 at 03:53, Bring-Back-Powell said:

McStay's out for the Pies which is a win for us.

And potentially Pendles to also miss.

  On 21/08/2024 at 08:39, WalkingCivilWar said:

Will happily do so. He’s an awesome kid and I can’t imagine he gets the love the others do. 

Hi WCW is training on tomorrow at Gosch’s?  I thought I saw a post last week saying there would be but I can’t find the post or anything on the club site. 

  On 21/08/2024 at 09:57, Earl Hood said:

Hi WCW is training on tomorrow at Gosch’s?  I thought I saw a post last week saying there would be but I can’t find the post or anything on the club site. 

Captain’s run at Gosch’s tomorrow morning starting at 9:45am and finishing at about 10:30am.

As with every training session it’s subject to last-minute change but that seldom happens with the Captain’s run.

PS bring an umbrella! No shelter from the rain apart from a few trees which drip rain on you anyways so yeah, no shelter. 😁

Lever’s interview put my mind at ease about Trac. Our leaders signed contracts that will see them through to career close. We’ve got premiership players to farewell in ANB and BBB. 

Despite one of the most emotionally wild seasons in a long time and a lot of bitter disappointment, I’m feeling good right now. It feels like it has all come to a head. Get the job done against the Pies and I’ll end the season feeling content.