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I hope Goody congratulated and thanked the doctor in a jovial manner when he found out!

"Flag-winning Demon" .... I stopped reading after that to go have a cognac and a cigar.

He's actually one of favourites players and is pretty underrated so it's disappointing to lose him. Great opportunity for Tomlinson to step straight back into that role.

Surgery to release bleeding? Surely leeches would be effective 😉

Pre 2021 i would have thought, well at least that helps us to claim a spot in the 8. Post 2021, that sucks seeing a young champ get seriously injured. The premiership has made me into a much nicer person

Tomlinson somewhere right now: "So voodoo works!"

Interesting to see what they do. If Tomlinson isn’t quite ready J Smith is the other option to play early. They might also stick with just May and Lever with Hunt coming back in. Hopefully Petty only misses the first couple of rounds, feels a little weird not to panic with news like this on the eve of the season.

Going on players named in other teams, if Fritsch, May, Gawn, Salem and Langdon are not elite, Champion Data is measuring the wrong things.

Nic nat? In all the time I've watched footy, he is the most over rated player i have ever seen. Super talented, crazy athleticism for such a big fella and does some freakish things, but that package distracts from his low numbers and the fact he has never been elite level fit. Watched the wc game the other night and gawn destroyed him - in large part because nic nst was totally gassed after 10 minutes each quarter.

@Its Time for Back to Back has contacted the Membership department again.... Total now 41,970

No Petty no worries just bring in the Tomlinator.

Surgery to release bleeding from a corkie. Tommo straight back in. We will barely miss a beat.

I think they do a good job of counting numbers... Then it's up to the professionals (coaches) to interpret them. Champion data are out of their league when they try to do the interpreting. They need to stick with the counting.

I reckon many (like me) would have got a bit shirty and indignant when they first read that, but it's nothing more than a glowing endorsement of the team first ethic instilled in the group by our "under siege/gambler/alco" 🙄 coach and his team. Max played the best 2 games of his life to help us finish number 1, and to humiliate the Cats on the second biggest stage of all. Angus would be a midfield star at 17 other clubs - yeah Bulldogs, I'm even looking at you- but we see him getting 15 possies a game while running his guts out to remain OUTSIDE the play, because that is where the team can get the biggest benefit from his work. Champion data. yeah ok.

No hate... It's just some of the players listed are hardly elite for their positions. Their algorithm is still way out of whack when Carlton who have been one of the worst teams defensively in the competition have 3 elite defenders and we who were far and away the best defence in the competition only have 1 elite defender according to them. I know that team defence plays a role in this but seriously... ...Carlton were struggling for a place to hide Zac Williams.

That pretty much says it all...

I feel much genuine sorrow for T.Petty, but Tomlinson was a major part of the Demon winning streak before he was injured. He is busting to play in a Premiership side.

Hope it doesn't turn into 426 from a decade ago

Just win one at the G fellas.

Sacrilege. No one is like Tulip ...

All Australian Committee: Max Gawn for ruck, and captain Champion Data: Computer says no.

"Hmmm .... let's think ... we're too old? .... no, we are too old. Melbourne got lucky? Nah ... umpires are terrible ... nah, that never flies ... Corona virus? But we've all been tested. .... hmm .... virus ... we got hit with a virus ... Got it. We were affected by a mysterious virus. Measles? Malaria? How about good old gastro? We got hit by gastro. Several of our players were affected pre-game by gastro. Okay, I think I can make this work."

Can't believe Bowey isn't elite. 7 games, 7 wins, rising star nomination and a premiership. That's elite.

Heard a whisper that he going to sign in the near future for a further 2 years. Heard it via a friend who usually has good mail. We shall see........

Wow

Yep and Dogs will still be without Bruce. Bad news for Petty. Hopefully 4-6 weeks means he won’t miss a heap of footy.

if not we will find out on the front page of the HS in 2 years time

The Dogs don't have an overly tall forward line and GC without King in round 2 so we may be able to go with May, Lever, Salem, Rivers, Hunt, Bowey & Hibberd if Tomlinson isn't ready yet.

Watching the last 6 odd games and the finals Petty grew in confidence each week. Tomlinson will have to play well to match him

I think it’ll be J smith to come I reckon they’ll wait on Tomlinson for abit Smith isn’t in our best 22 but isn’t a bad player to come in for injury. Seemed to do well when he played last season I reckon

that's a bummer; sounds like a pretty unusual injury? thank goodness we seem to have depth at this point in time

He is still only 22. He will bounce back. At least its not a knee

Cut the poor bloke some slack here. Ronny might have seen a picture of the black and blue Port Adelaide jumper and thought that University were still in the competition.

Scott often makes himself look silly in the coaches box on game day...he comes across as a total goose at times to be honest. Now he's carried this over to the off season when you can't even blame the heat of the moment for poor behaviour.

He looks too innocent

Hawthorn having more elite players than the premiers says it all.

No hate. No care either. But any metric that does not rate the game's best ruck (by the length of the Flemington straight) as elite is flawed.

It's not about hate it's about context. It's just raw stats (whatever they value). If you don't think Kozzie is elite because of their stats, please tell me who else in the league does what Kozzie does? I'm not talking about the flashy stuff, although that's pretty good. It also doesn't include finals when the real elite stuff happens. Really, what have you learned about the game through stats? I've learned they don't give a full picture and can be misleading about the/a game.

Spoiler Alert; Max isn't elite ... MELBOURNE Elite players: Three – Jake Lever (key defender), Clayton Oliver (midfielder), Christian Petracca (midfielder). The premiership Demons had five players earn selection in the All-Australian team last year, headlined by skipper Max Gawn. But Champion Data only gave three elite status based on its analysis – the same number as in 2020 despite the team’s premiership win. Star midfield duo Clayton Oliver and Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca retained their A-list status from 2020 while defensive marshall Jake Lever replaced Gawn. Gawn was one of seven Demons to earn an above average rating. Champion Data explained Gawn only marginally missed out on elite status with little separating the Demons’ star from Tom Hickey, Brodie Grundy and Sean Darcy. Bayley Fritsch, Alex Neal-Bullen, Kysaiah Pickett (all general forwards), Lever’s defensive partner in crime Steven May (key defender), Tom McDonald (key forward) and Ed Langdon (wing). Gawn, May, Lever, Oliver and Petracca all earned All-Australian selection last year. The others ... ADELAIDE Elite players: Three – Jordan Dawson (general defender), Taylor Walker (key forward), Paul Seedsman (wing). After a forgettable 2020 season, the Crows were the only team in the league without an elite player heading into 2021, according to Champion Data’s ratings. But this year they have three, bolstered by the arrival of off-season recruit Jordan Dawson from the Sydney Swans. After struggling with his form throughout parts of 2020, 31-year-old Walker earned his elite rating coming off a 48-goal season from his 17 games. He averaged 2.8 goals (elite), 5.3 marks (above average) and 13.4 disposals (elite) a game. Seedsman didn’t miss a match for the Crows last season and averaged 26.1 disposals a game (above average). The Crows also have six players with an above average rating – Brodie Smith (general defender), Tom Doedee (key defender), Ben Keays (midfielder), Rory Laird (midfielder), Rory Sloane (midfielder) and Reilly O’Brien (ruck). BRISBANE LIONS Elite players: Five – Daniel Rich (general defender), Lincoln McCarthy (general forward), Harris Andrews (key defender), Dayne Zorko (midfielder), Hugh McCluggage (wing). After their semi-final run last season, the Brisbane Lions retained the same number of elite players as they had in season 2020 – but with some changes. Veteran Rich retained his elite rating after a season in which he earned his first All-Australian selection, averaging 26 disposals and 640.4 metres gained (both elite). Vice-captain Andrews – rated elite for spoils (8.6) and intercepts marks (3.8) – and midfielder McCluggage, averaging 25 disposals a game, also held their rating. After an injury interrupted year, 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale’s rating slipped to above average along with fellow midfielder Jarryd Lyons. Captain Dayne Zorko joined the elite group after a season in which he claimed the club’s best and fairest for a fifth time, while forward Lincoln McCarthy’s rating also lifted after a 36-goal season. The Lions had eight players with an above average rating – Charlie Cameron (general forward), Joe Daniher (key forward), Daniel McStay (key forward), Neale (midfielder), Lyons (midfielder), Zac Bailey (mid-forward), Oscar McInerney (ruck) and Mitch Robinson (wing). CARLTON Elite players: Three – Adam Saad (general defender), Zac Williams (general defender), Jacob Weitering (key defender) Captain Patrick Cripps has missed out on an elite status for the second year in a row, falling from above average at the start of last year to “average” based on Champion Data’s ratings. But perhaps the biggest surprise was Blues young gun Sam Walsh’s above average rating, slipping from his elite ranking the previous year. Walsh averaged 29.8 disposals a game, won his first club best-and-fairest award and finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal count. Champion Data acknowledged Walsh’s fantastic season, rating above average in every area for a midfielder, which resulted in his overall rating being above average. Recruit Adam Saad was the only Blue to retain his elite rating from the previous year. Saad was joined by vice-captain and defensive general Jacob Weitering – who holds an elite ranking for spoils and disposals – and fellow recruit Zac Williams, despite an injury interrupted start to life at his new club and mid-season questions about his fitness. He met the minimum 10-game qualifier with his 14 senior games. The Blues had seven players rated above average – Sam Docherty (general defender), Nic Newman (general defender), recruit George Hewett (general defender), Fisher (general forward), Lachie Fogarty (general forward), Harry McKay (key forward) and Walsh (midfielder). Retired defender Liam Jones would have also been listed among the Blues above average players. ESSENDON Elite players: Three – Nick Hind (general defender), Darcy Parish (midfielder), Jake Stringer (mid-forward). The Bombers’ three elite-rated players is up from one in season 2020. Defender Jordan Ridley was the Bombers’ only elite-rated player entering season 2021 but his rating slipped to above average. Recruit Nick Hind earned an elite rating in his first season at the Bombers after comfortably filling the void at half-back left by the departure of Adam Saad. Young gun Darcy Parish, who averaged 30.5 disposals a game, and midfielder-forward Jake Stringer – coming off a 45-goal season – were also elevated to an elite ranking. The Bombers had seven players rated above average – captain Dyson Heppell (general defender), Mason Redman (general defender), Ridley (general defender), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (general forward), Will Snelling (general forward), Zach Merrett (midfielder) and Kyle Langford (wing). FREMANTLE Elite players: Two – Sam Switkowski (general forward), Sean Darcy (ruck). Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was the Dockers’ only elite-rated player from the 2020 season but his status has slipped after an injury-interrupted year. Restricted to 15 games in 2021, 30-year-old Fyfe’s season – which ended in Round 19 due to a recurring shoulder injury – was rated above average by Champion Data. Ruckman Sean Darcy earned an elite rating after a year in which he averaged 28.5 hit-outs a game (above average), 10 hit-outs to advantage (elite) and 4.7 total clearances (elite). Forward Sam Switkowski just met the minimum qualification with his 12 senior games, in which he had a return of nine goals. The Dockers had seven above average rated players – Travis Colyer (general forward), Michael Walters (general forward), Brennan Cox (key defender), Luke Ryan (key defender), Rory Lobb (key forward), Fyfe (midfielder) and veteran David Mundy (midfielder). GEELONG Elite players: Three – Tom Stewart (general defender), Tom Hawkins (key forward), Sam Menegola (wing). The number of elite rated players at the Cats is down from four in 2020 to three in 2021. Spearhead Tom Hawkins, who kicked 62 goals for the season, and wingman Sam Menegola retained their rating but defender Mark Blicavs and midfield star Patrick Dangerfield slipped. Blicavs and Dangerfield, who was restricted to 16 games due to suspension and injury, were rated as above average by Champion Data. Defender Tom Stewart earned an elite rating following a season when he received his third All-Australian nod and was crowned the Cats’ best and fairest before a syndesmosis injury in Round 21 ended his season, cruelling the Cats’ premiership hopes. Dangerfield and Blicavs were among 10 Cats rated above average, including Zach Tuohy (general defender), Brad Close (general forward, Gary Rohan (general forward), Jack Henry (key defender), Jeremy Cameron (key forward), Mitch Duncan (mid-forward), and Isaac Smith (wing). Ruck recruit Jonathon Ceglar also joins that list after his arrival from the Hawks. GOLD COAST Elite players: One – Touk Miller (midfielder). The Suns had two players with an elite rating in 2020 – Matt Rowell and Sam Collins – but Touk Miller was the only one to make the grade last year. The 25-year-old midfield ace earned a spot on the interchange bench in the All-Australian team following a career-best season in which he averaged 31.8 disposals and 7.1 tackles a game. Collins was one of five Gold Coast players rated above average while Champion Data rated young gun Rowell below average in his injury-hit 12-game season. Rowell missed most of the first half of the season after injuring his knee in Round 1 last year. Jack Lukosius (general defender), Wil Powell (general defender), Nick Holman (general forward) and Lachie Weller (mid-forward) were the Suns also rated above average. GWS GIANTS Elite players: One – Toby Greene (general forward). Harry Perryman was the only GWS player to hold an elite rating in 2020 and now his place has been taken by match-winner and controversy magnet Toby Greene. The rating highlights the huge hole that will be needed to be filled by the Giants for the start of this season with Greene to miss the first five rounds through suspension. Greene copped a six-week ban for making contact with an umpire in the Giants’ elimination final win over the Sydney Swans in last year’s finals series. The All-Australian forward kicked 45 goals last year and averaged more than 17 disposals a game. Perryman (general defender) was one of seven Giants’ players to earn an above average rating alongside Isaac Cumming (general defender), Lachie Whitfield (general defender), Daniel Lloyd (general forward), Harry Himmelberg (key forward), Tim Taranto (mid-forward) and ruck Matt Flynn. HAWTHORN Elite players: Four – Jack Scrimshaw (general defender), Luke Breust (general defender), Dylan Moore (general forward), Chad Wingard (mid-forward). The Hawks were down from five players with an elite rating in 2020 to four in 2021 as the club moves into a new era under coach Sam Mitchell. Triple premiership player Luke Breust and Chad Wingard are the only two to retain their elite rating from the previous year They are joined by young defender Jack Scrimshaw and 22-year-old forward Dylan Moore, who kicked 27 goals for the Hawks last season. Captain Ben McEvoy and James Sicily – sidelined with a knee injury last year – and Jack Gunston, who played just one match as he battled a back complaint, were the Hawks other players with an elite status in 2020. The Hawks had seven other players with an above average rating – Blake Hardwick (general defender), Jarman Impey (general defender), Changkuoth Jiath (general defender), Sam Frost (key defender), Tom Mitchell (midfielder), Daniel Howe (wing) and Tom Phillips (wing). NORTH MELBOURNE Elite players: One – Aaron Hall (general defender). Ruckman Todd Goldstein was the only player to score an elite rating in 2020 but he has been replaced by defender Aaron Hall as the only Kangaroo to make the cut in 2021. Hall averaged 27.9 disposals a game, a whopping 650.5 metres gained and 7.5 marks a game – all elite rankings. Goldstein was one of six North players to be rated above average, including Jack Ziebell (general defender), Jaidyn Stephenson (general forward), Hugh Greenwood (midfielder), Ben Cunnington (midfielder) and Tarryn Thomas (midfielder). PORT ADELAIDE Elite players: Six – Zak Butters (general forward), Robbie Gray (general forward), Aliir Aliir (key defender), Jeremy Finlayson (key forward), Charlie Dixon (key forward), Karl Amon (wing). The Power boast the second-highest number of elite-rated players on their list in the league, but with one big omission – Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines. In 2020, Port Adelaide had four A-graders – Robbie Gray, Charlie Dixon, Zak Butters and Steven Motlop. That number has jumped to six, bolstered by the arrival of former Giant Jeremy Finlayson in the off-season. Butters, Gray and Dixon retain their elite status and have been joined by All-Australian key defender Aliir, who emerged as one of the recruits of the year after his move from Sydney. But midfield star Wines was only rated as above average by Champion Data in a season he won the Brownlow Medal, club best and fairest and All-Australian selection. Wines was the ninth-highest rated midfielder – just outside the eight elite. Champion Data explained the only reason he wasn’t rated elite was his ball use by foot, rating as a below average kick in 2021. Wines was one of seven players rated as above average for the Power, also including Travis Boak, Tom Jonas and Connor Rozee. Finlayson, who kicked 23 goals last year for the Giants, will provide another tall forward option for the Power, who were dealt a pre-season injury blow with Dixon undergoing ankle surgery last week. RICHMOND Elite players: One – Dustin Martin (mid-forward) After slipping out of the finals mix last year, the number of Tigers with an elite rating also fell. After claiming a third flag in four years in 2020, the Tigers has three players hold an elite status – Nick Vlastuin, Shane Edwards and Dustin Marin. Superstar Martin was the only player to retain his elite rating in 2021 as his season came to an early end when he suffered a serious kidney injury in Round 18 against the Brisbane Lions. Until then, he had averaged 22.6 disposals, 3.6 clearances a match and kicked 19 goals. But the Tigers had 11 players rated above average, headlined by Shai Bolton, Dylan Grimes, Jack Graham, Jack Riewoldt and Nick Vlastuin. ST KILDA Elite players: One – Jack Sinclair (general defender) Dan Butler and Jack Steele earned an elite rating for the Saints in 2020 but Jack Sinclair was the only one to make the cut last season. Runner-up in the St Kilda’s best-and-fairest behind captain Steele, Sinclair found his niche at half-back to become one of the Saints’ most dependable players. Despite being named on the interchange bench in the All-Australian team and finishing equal-fifth in the Brownlow Medal count, Steele, who averaged 29.2 disposals and 8.5 tackles a match, was rated only above average by Champion Data. The Saints had six more players rated above average – Jack Higgins (general forward), Dougal Howard (key defender), Rowan Marshall (ruck), Paddy Ryder (ruck), Daniel McKenzie (wing) and Seb Ross (wing). SYDNEY Elite players: Three – Isaac Heeney (general forward), Lance Franklin (key forward), Tom Hickey (ruck). The Swans have retained the same number of elite players heading into the 2022 season but two of the names have changed. Heeney retains his elite status from season 2020 but superstar forward Lance Franklin – who booted 51 goals last season – and ruckman Tom Hickey replace co-captain Dane Rampe and defender Jake Lloyd. Lloyd’s grading slipped to above average – one of seven Swans with that rating, including co-captain Luke Parker and forward Tom Papley. Midfield warrior Josh Kennedy and new co-captain Callum Mills, who battled achilles issues for the second half of last season, were rated average by Champion Data. WEST COAST Elite players: Two – Liam Ryan (general forward), Nic Naitanui (ruck). The Eagles were among the five clubs to boast the equal-highest number of players with an elite rating in 2020 but that slipped to two in 2021. Electric forward Liam Ryan and star ruckman Nic Naitanui, who was named on the interchange bench in the All-Australian team, both retained their elite status. Ryan kicked 24 goals last season while Naitanui averaged 31.2 hit-outs, 12.3 hit-outs to advantage and 7.2 clearances a match. Champion Data said Naitanui was rated a long way clear of any other ruckman in the league last season. The Eagles had nine players rated above average by Champion Data, including defender Jeremy McGovern, key forwards Oscar Allen and Josh Kennedy and midfielder Elliot Yeo. Vaccine-hesitant forward Jack Darling, who is unable to train with his teammates until he gets vaccinated, was also among those rated above average. WESTERN BULLDOGS Elite players: Bailey Dale (general defender), Caleb Daniel (general defender), Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder), Tom Liberatore (midfielder), Jack Macrae (midfielder), Adam Treloar (mid-forward), Bailey Smith (wing). They might have been heavily defeated in the Grand Final against Melbourne but the Western Bulldogs emerged as the club with the highest number of elite rated players in the competition in season 2021. Up from their five the previous year, skipper and midfield star Marcus Bontempelli and defender Caleb Daniel were the only two to retain their elite status. Defender Bailey Dale, who prospered after a switch to defence last pre-season to be named in the All-Australian team, midfielders Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae and wingman Bailey Smith also made the A-grade. And Adam Treloar also a strong recruit, earning an elite rating as a mid-forward. The Bulldogs also had five players rated above average – Bailey Williams, Cody Weightman, Alex Keath, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter.

LAST WEEK AS YOU RECALL WE LEFT DR. SMITH, THE ROBOT AND WILL ROBINSON LOOKING FOR DR. SMITH'S LOST DENTURES, UNAWARE THAT THEY WOULD SOON BE WHISKED TO AN ENTIRELY ADVENTURE IN TIME AND SPACE. Dr Smith, ""I just knew I put them down over here by this Rock"". Robot, ""Dr. Smith your memory must be fading"". Dr Smith, Silence you Cackling Clod Will Robinson, Here they are Dr, Smith I have found them. Hey Doctor Smith, Robot come over here I have found something else!! Will Robinson '' I remember this this is the Taurons old matter transfer unit, they must have left it behind. Robot " You are correct Will Robinson" Dr. Smith "Matter Transfer unit? How interesting" Robot "DANGER DANGER" Dr. Smith "Silence you interfering incomprehensible bringer of doom" Will Robinson " We better do as he says Dr. Smith Dad said we should not touch any Alien machinery until he has checked it out." Dr. Smith " It all looks very simple, push a button here , turn a dial there" Adjusts levers Zoooom Tish, Zappppppp Weird sounds all of a sudden a mazer beam envelops the Robot and He Vanishes Will Robinson, ROBOT ROBOT Dr. Smith "What have I done" oh the pain, the pain! LATER ROBOT WHERE AM I WHAT IS THIS PLACE ?????? Casey Fields?? I must have overloaded my servo mechanism and are in some trance, Whoah who goes there??? Picket Fence " I know you your the Robot from Lost in Space, Yes but where am I and who are you" I'm known as Picket Fence I come down and watch The Mighty Melbourne Demons and file training reports ROBOT ''It does not compute" Picket Fence "" Look I've read the Script Your gonna be Ok Robot "You''ve read the Script??? Picket Fence "Yeah I've read the script and what happens is Don, Will and Professor Robinson will replicate the sequence from the Taurons matter Transfer unit and in about an hour or so you will be whisked back to Priplanus" So hang out with me and I'll talk you through what I do, Tell you what can you do dictation?? Robot "Affirmative" Ok start dictating:- Picket Fence ventures to Casey fields to file this report. Fresh Breeze sprung up today coming from the Sth. West some modifications when kicking into the cross breeze were evident but all in all not a bad day out in Casey. Solid 3 plus hour session again with quite a few highlights and observations. NO SHOWS MAJAK DAW, HARRISON PETTY, and I also didn't see JAKE MELKSHAM MODIFIED DUTIES T. MAC, ANB, CHARLIE SPARGO (although they all took part in Running drills) SKILLS, DRILLS AND MANOUVERS DRILL 1 Small ball work in close formation emphasizing correct option and skill drill under pressure in disposing of ball DRILL 2 Running through cones strategically placed and turning and disposing of ball under pressure DRILL 3 Goal kicking Drill from every concievable match dynamic and distance, included inside shots outside shots, trick shots running and pinging from variety of angles, coaches presenting ball from setups and all with clear intention of practicing and perfecting routines from almost any situation. DRILL 4 Methodical Diamond ball press using the old diamond configuration but whole ground, running in threes and fours handballing, overlapping, precision handballs and kicks to next group in the diamond formation, Like a very advanced and technologically hyped Circle work for want of a better understanding. This was clinical, precise with barely and funble and it was done at High Velocity. DRILL 5 3 QUARTERS OF WHOLE MATCH SIMS WITH AFL UMPIRES DRILLS 6 A, B, C Small group work on stoppages, Boundary work and kicking and handball practicals. PLAYER WATCH MAX, CLARRY, JV, JAKE LEVER, STEVEN MAY, BBB, BAILEY FRITSCH, TRACC All "Brilliant"" As usual really you only have to take a look at what the strong inner core do just relentlessly day in day out they just do no rest on laurels they keep driving the perfection bus so tight that it sits flawlessly on superb conditioning and just the expectation that hard work and dilligence are the cornerstones of success. ANDY MONIZ-WAKEFIELD Wow what a dynamo, absolutely provided the highlight of the day when he took possesion rover like on the wing, assessed options, delivered long, sprinted forward, recived the ball back again and crashed a classy goal. Will play in 2022 SAM WEIDEMAN Probably as involved in match sims as I have seen him, kicked a couple of goals marked around the ground and was non to shabby in the ruck vs Max when called on. Can see some tangible improvements ED LANGDON Played on Fraser Rosman and I though Fraser did some very nice things, Ed Langdon just runs all day and gathers possesions at will JAMES JORDON Was very good today linking up creating play and ran all day, I thought that for the last two weeks that TOM SPARROW has been more impressive, but today James was very telling. TAJ WOEWODIN Noticed him a bit more today, he fiited in well uses the ball well and seems to be finding his feet a lot more. Similarly DANIEL TURNER, and BLAKE HOWES trained impressively and clearly as their confidence builds there form will create excellent and robust jostling for spots in the senior team. LUKE DUNSTAN Copped a knock or two but continues to impress with his zeal and attack on the ball. Disposal has been questioned but for mine he uses it thoughfully and with good skill. JACOB VAN ROOYEN Not as prominent today but still looks likely to take a freak mark or snap a cool goal. Will keep a closer eye on him in coming months HARMSY Probably for me was highlight no 2 where he got the ball in heavy traffic, powered his was out and kicked an inspirational goal for the Red side when they really needed it OSKAR BAKER He also was influential in the play today got the ball mused his pace and disposed of it very well. FINAL THOUGHTS Gus trained without a helmet😁 and looked good, there was a player no 39 but have no idea who he was!?? Another full on session and it is clear that the levels of professionalism continue to rise and that that infectious will to win as derived from our player cohort, continues to drive up standards to another level. I can see tangible warmth, empathy, and collegiality among then player and coaching fraternity and this points to a period of sustained success. There will be no premiership hangovers at M.F.C You can bank on it. Did you get al that Robot?? Robot "Afirmative" And just like that. one minute he was here then ""Whoosh"" He was Gone, it was all after all in the Script! ""I WISH I KNEW WHERE I WANTED TO BE WHEN I WANTED TO BE WHERE I WAS TODAY"" P.F

Scott knew his ageing team was shot and was perhaps having thought bubbles on how to engineer an advantage if the game was postponed so that a refreshed Geelong and “ the opposition” had to face off on equal terms with “the opposition”having the possible disadvantage of not playing a game for 3 weeks. It would have been a radical precedent to postpone a game because a few players had a tummy bug. Never happened before.

Enjoy every bit of it my good man, doesn't come around often! Extremely good performance.

Basically said Ratten had marked his card. Stress of trying to change that perception wore him down.

I see the attraction of Joel Smith with his athleticism & flexibility but his weaknesses were on display against Brisbane with under-developed footy nous. Too often allowed his opponent to get goalside, and flew at the ball without impacting on a few occasions. Compare that to say Bowey who has lesser physical attributes but much better footy nous.