Don't think our recent record up there is very good (?) and while we should account for the Saints in our current form/momentum, as is the case with every single game really, we MUST play 4 quarters and treat them with respect. They've played some ordinary games, but also been quite good at times, and if we let our guard down, we could easily lose and miss out on a golden opportunity to approach the Pies at 6-6, having won 6 of the last 7 and arguably should've been 7/7 if not for a diabolical waste of opportunities against the Hawks. The Saints have some genuine guns. Be respectful...and

GIVE NO QUARTER.

10 hours ago, DeeBlood said:

I also commented previously that we had a very good list, that the season was long and by no means over, and that Fritta was dealing with a newborn and needed time , football not being everything, and even that JVR was not working and was against bringing him back for fear of clogging up the forward line. I think I was right with most of those observations. One thing not widely appreciated about Fritta is his aerial balance and thus his marking as third man up. He seems to have got that back and is running playing the team game. I thought he was great today!!

I also said Turner should play forward. I am now revising that. I think he is really going to be be the centrepiece in the backline as the May Lever unit gets passed it...not yet of course, but later. Backline with McVee coming good, Turner, May, Lever, Bowey, Salem Windsor and Rivers...depth TMac is a (censored) cracker! May has a year or two, Lever a bit more, but by then Turner will be well -blooded. He reads the game well, is mobile and is a really solid mark.

Agreed with a lot of your post but not sure about the strength of the list. I think to have a good list we need more depth. I think Sydney’s list is in a fairly similar position to ours. I count that they had about 6 best 22 players out injured over the weekend. We had one in Viney.

It’s no coincidence that our form has improved as we have had nearly a full list to pick from. If we had to bring in another 5/6 from Casey we would have struggled to perform nearly as well.

Pies ran over the top of north yesterday without 8/9 of their best 22. North smashed us when we had 5/6 out. Of course there are other reason to for our improved form as our new game plan beds in and some key players finding form.

I’m still very confident about JVR and the Kolt will be in our best 22 at some stage this year and clearly the same goes for an aging Tmac and Viney.

I just don’t think we have enough quality beyond that to cover our best 22, we need our good fortune with injuries to continue for the remainder of the season.

17 hours ago, wheaters31 said:

I think Lever's knee injury from the last quarter is worse than what we realise.

Hope it is not the worst news.

Whatever do you think it’s a knee injury? If at all it is his ankle. Unless you have any updated info!!!???

Despite the Club claiming no news here we have been mislead previously with injuries and concussions that bring about changes in Thursday or late withdrawals occasionally.

Only JV for Spargs needs a reality check despite his team ethos and courage. Also would dearly love either Pup or Sestan given a chance In the future or when deemed best available option or need.

1 hour ago, Garbo said:

Even if spargo is fit to play, Viney is too good to be left out.

I also don’t think you should be dropping any of the kids like Langford or Lindsey as they are progressing so fast and don’t look in need of a rest either.

I don't see what Spargo offers, yesterday is what you regularly get.

5 minutes ago, 58er said:

Whatever do you think it’s a knee injury? If at all it is his ankle. Unless you have any updated info!!!???

Despite the Club claiming no news here we have been mislead previously with injuries and concussions that bring about changes in Thursday or late withdrawals occasionally.

Only JV for Spargs needs a reality check despite his team ethos and courage. Also would dearly love either Pup or Sestan given a chance In the future or when deemed best available option or need.

I agree, the extent of the original Lever injury was keep under wraps until he had the surgery. All utterance on injury iI take with a grain of salt.

IN: Viney

Out: Spargo

28 minutes ago, binman said:

On selection, as a starting point i think it is reasonable to assume that assuming there is no fitness issues (eg returning after rehabbing) May, Lever and Viney will always be selected in the staring 22.

Yep goes without saying. I just hope Viney is over his concussion problems if that means another week/s so be it. We are all painfully aware of what happened to Brayshaw. His long term health far outweighs football.

3 hours ago, old dee said:

I thought the Fritz played his best game in the last twelve months.

Yep, his attitude without the ball is much much better. It also sets a standard for the team as well.

2 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

IN: Viney

Out: Spargo

When you win as easily as yesterday why upset the apple cart. Are you confident Viney is now ok? I am not. He has always been a put your body on the line player I wonder if he had concussions in the past that no one including him knew about.

3 minutes ago, old dee said:

I don't see what Spargo offers, yesterday is what you regularly get.

It's worth watching the analysis vid by Jeff White that has been referenced quite bit in the last week or so. A big part of it is highlighting the importance of structures and players carrying out their assigned role.

As i noted in another thread, Spargo is the new Nibbla - surely, we've all learned from the Nibbla experience the importance of looking past old school stats like disposals and goals to assess the performance of players with distinct roles.

The KPIs for his role would prioritize defensive running, pressure and tackles inside 50, assists and score involvements. Yes, he's a forward but goals are a bonus.

I'm not saying he's been brilliant (though he's been way better than many have suggested) but he has played his role, is presumably meeting his KPIs and is clearly an important part of our forward line structure and system. That's why he is selected each week.

2 hours ago, Superunknown said:

@Ghostwriter what has Fritsch done to his hair? He looks like he has dipped it into the famous northern rivers red soil!!

He doesn’t dye or even tint his hair. The sun brings out a ranga-type hue. Yesterday however, it looked as though he’d OD-ed on hair product. Nothing nor no one was messing up that bouffant 😆

22 minutes ago, binman said:

It's worth watching the analysis vid by Jeff White that has been referenced quite bit in the last week or so. A big part of it is highlighting the importance of structures and players carrying out their assigned role.

As i noted in another thread, Spargo is the new Nibbla - surely, we've all learned from the Nibbla experience the importance of looking past old school stats like disposals and goals to assess the performance of players with distinct roles.

The KPIs for his role would prioritize defensive running, pressure and tackles inside 50, assists and score involvements. Yes, he's a forward but goals are a bonus.

I'm not saying he's been brilliant (though he's been way better than many have suggested) but he has played his role, is presumably meeting his KPIs and is clearly an important part of our forward line structure and system. That's why he is selected each week.

Good way to put it - after Nibbler, you'd think some would have learnt that lesson - not everyone on the team will always generate easy to digest stats (29 disposals, 11 clearances, 8 score involvements, 7 tackles, 1 goal etc.). Sometimes it's pressure, positioning and being in the right place to make sure something else happens. You need those selfless types who give up a 'bigger' role to ensure success for the team. It's an important part of the bigger picture.

It's why it's a 'team' sport.

18 hours ago, bing181 said:

Hopefully Viney comes back in. If not, he's in trouble with the concussion.

Otherwise I wouldn't tinker too much. Windsor has been slightly off but was better today. McVee not back up to his old standards either, but not sure who could replace him, or whether anyone should.

AJ is perhaps the big question mark. OK, a couple of smart intercepts and taps in general play, but overall he just doesn't bring enough for me. A 1 kick/zero mark/zero score game doesn't exactly scream "pick me".

I think it's hard to judge the defenders too much on a game like that. Windsor has been off, but will be better for game time.

Viney for Spargo and (possibly) JVR for AJ.

Genuine question, are St Kilda any good?

18 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

AJ set up at least 2 or 3 goals with clever taps in play.

He's a big rough around the edges but I like what he brings.

Sharp in, for Spargo, yes. AJ in for his commitment to the team and value with 'mongrel' team intentions. Rest for Lever. TMac into CHB. JVR on the bench, or in Fritta's spot, with Fritta on the bench. Kolt - for goodness sake, train him as a forward utility.

1 hour ago, binman said:

On selection, as a starting point i think it is reasonable to assume that assuming there is no fitness issues (eg returning after rehabbing) May, Lever and Viney will always be selected in the staring 22.

I maintain this may not be the case by the end of 2025. May's pace is becoming an issue, as it is for TMac.

22 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Rest for Lever.

Why on earth would you rest him after one game? Continuity is the best way for him to return to his best.

Viney for Spargo (shoulder) is the only realistic change for mine, assuming JV has fully recovered from his concussion.

18 hours ago, godees said:

Drop AJ please.

Tmac back, Disco forward.

Viney for Spargo.

Bassett wants Turner in his backline. Said as much to 3AW before the game.

He has found his spot - can we get out of our own way here Melbourne?

1 hour ago, binman said:

It's worth watching the analysis vid by Jeff White that has been referenced quite bit in the last week or so. A big part of it is highlighting the importance of structures and players carrying out their assigned role.

As i noted in another thread, Spargo is the new Nibbla - surely, we've all learned from the Nibbla experience the importance of looking past old school stats like disposals and goals to assess the performance of players with distinct roles.

The KPIs for his role would prioritize defensive running, pressure and tackles inside 50, assists and score involvements. Yes, he's a forward but goals are a bonus.

I'm not saying he's been brilliant (though he's been way better than many have suggested) but he has played his role, is presumably meeting his KPIs and is clearly an important part of our forward line structure and system. That's why he is selected each week.

Sadly he is a long way from nibbler binman. I will admit he is courageous and gives 100% .

The old Alice has taken a battering in the media over recent years for reasons well known to us all.

Hopefully this game can showcase a positive image and return some benefit to the town.

The only time I enjoyed BT commentating was when he waxed lyrical about how you couldn't goal if you were further out than the tree.

Not sure why we're playing the Saints in the centre but we all know the AFL works in a mysterious way.

12 hours ago, picket fence said:

Why don't you go stuff up ur cistern with ur own garbage you old shheeit a brick!

🔨

22 minutes ago, old dee said:

Sadly he is a long way from nibbler binman. I will admit he is courageous and gives 100% .

Not as far as you imply and he’s missed a lot of football. Who playing at Casey would you say replaces him with an extended run of games? AMW may have been his competition but I simply don’t see a logical replacement for him.

17 hours ago, monoccular said:

Yes, but one game at a time. Still need to give the Saints a good old fashioned flogging.

AJ didn't hit the scoreboard but although stats say only 2 goal assists, he was heavily involved in several more, AND provides real contest in ruck duels, and the ground ball scramble that often follows.

Sharp provided spark when he replaced an underwhelming Spargo.

Lever seemed to be hobbling in the last minutes - same injury or not? TMcD would be a well justified replacement.

Selection will be interesting.

AND we just cannot afford to let so many chances go begging against better sides.

...viz, via Haymes All The Goals:

7th goal (Pickett), 10th (Salem), 13th (Sharp), 14th (Sparrow), 15th (Sharp).

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

I maintain this may not be the case by the end of 2025. May's pace is becoming an issue, as it is for TMac.

No t sure about the end of 2025, but agree May's pace is a worry.

That said every team needs a gorilla defender to take the oppo gorilla forward, which most teams have at least one of. And May is our gorilla down back, with no obvious replacement, which i think means his best 22 spot is safe this year.

48 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Not sure why we're playing the Saints in the centre but we all know the AFL works in a mysterious way.

i think we usually specifically request this game every year, most of them have been against port and crows which is one less game a year i can see :(

6 minutes ago, binman said:

No t sure about the end of 2025, but agree May's pace is a worry.

That said every team needs a gorilla defender to take the oppo gorilla forward, which most teams have at least one of. And May is our gorilla down back, with no obvious replacement, which i think means his best 22 spot is safe this year.

It depends if Adams is up to the level this year.