Riv for Jiath will make a lot of sense.

A week off for that knee to have settled and come back as a defensive half player, rather than mid/ back mixing.

Could Turner be a sneaky chance back?

32 minutes ago, seventyfour said:

For those calling for Petty to be dropped, we have no-one to replace him with. Even if you'd like to see it, we simply don't have the key position depth to cover him. Further, if you liked Lever's game today, good luck seeing that without Petty there.

Petty was awful today absolutely awful, his sloppy efforts resulted in 4 Carlton goals, unfortunately you’re right until Turner comes back

In Rivers - Jaith

AMW - Pickett

Is JVR going to be in trouble for pushing his man into Dean in that last Quarter which saw Dean tunnelled and off with a neck or back issue?

AFL was strong on this last season

15 hours ago, buck_nekkid said:

CJ out /(inj).

Going to get flogged if we start like that next week!

Whilst we are all happy to win games of footy for our club we have to dig deep to rectify our opening quarters.

If we decide to rock up and play like that for a half v GC we will recieve a serious touch up like the one we've received from GC last year at the G

We've started the same way in all 3 of our games in 2026.

It's an alarming trend which needs to be rectified asap, our stoppage and clearance work in 1st halves is alarming.

We need to be a bit more accountable inside if things aren't going our way early.

Heath for latrelle

cj for rivers

Need another big man up forward. we could hold this off a week as gold coast are a fast moving team and L Pickett will be right in his zone

I'm an optimist, but also a realist.

...An optimistic realist ?

With that said, I think we CAN bring it to the Suns, BUT they have been very very good and a top 4 side this year.

I would be happy with anything better than a 4-5 goal loss. Obviously, I don't WANT to lose. I think we CAN win, but we definitely won't get the fade out/mental demons that the blues gave us in the second half. So we cannot afford a poor start against the Suns. Need to come out firing from the first bounce. If we come out strong, anything is possible.

I just want us to give 'em hell for FOUR quarters and make them earn whatever they get. We're building a brand here and the losses as just about as important as the wins.

3 hours ago, Billy said:

Petty was awful today absolutely awful, his sloppy efforts resulted in 4 Carlton goals, unfortunately you’re right until Turner comes back

In Rivers - Jaith

AMW - Pickett

Petty wasn't perfect but he also did some good things and was critical in giving us some height and strength in the back half (with some minutes relieving Max in ruck)

Of the goals you mention I'm not sure of each one but at least one of those could be blamed on Lever who let a ground ball go straight through his legs

7 hours ago, old demon fan said:

I still think Heath should be on the bench.

Rest Max in the forward pocket.

The defence needs shoring up.

petty needs to find some form.

It would be good if the passes hit JVR on the chest more frequently.

We can't give the Gold Coast a six or seven goal start.

Agree (re Heath playing and Max resting fwd). Mac Andrew too often plays off his man. Need to keep him accountable, as has been mentioned.

I don't think we can afford to drop Petty. We need that big body back there for now.

Unless Turner is ready I think he stays this week.