Lil_red_fire_engine

Is he retiring with one year left on his contract or you think he will be traded in a straight swap to get Josh Kelly?

You are aware Garlett is on our list yeah? Lets see how Jetta, Rioli and Ryan go next week. They had 2 tackles between them yesterday.

Me and the demon sympathising wife (mad bomber member at heart) are doing the 7.30am up and 7pm back from Melbourne. I said no all weekend until first thing Monday morning that the tickets went on sale. Then jumped on one of the new release flights. Now sitting here Friday night I would have been seriously kicking myself if I hadn't changed my mind last minute. For those in the know what is the best transport option from airport to Optus? Any decent brunch spot close by worth it pregame?

Nearly a week on and I am still in the state of mind that Tyson must make way for Smith. We must bring more size and speed to our backline to combat their forward line. We must bring more run to the outside midfield. Smith in and Fritsch to the wing is the way. This is not to do with Tyson who whilst not bad had limited impact on last weeks game. Its about team balance to defeat a side that is different at a ground that is different in conditions that are different.

Fritsch had him early. Hibberd then had him late. My simple view is Smith is taller, faster and stronger than Fritsch. Fritsch is a better outside runner and link man than Tyson on a wing. Tyson was not poor but nor did he do enough to cement a place. Its a better set up against a better team.

Everyone calling for no change please put forward who is playing on Kennedy, Vardy and Darling. It is clear to me watching the VFL today that Joel Smith plays. Offers so much versatility against the Eagles front 6 and is hard and fast. Tyson the unlucky player to miss as this will shuffle Fritsch up to the wing.

I thought Fritsch was close to our worst player last night, seemed very fumbly and not his clean self, he also had the Gunston match up early on. I also don't see a natural match up for him against the Eagles forwards and think his run and skills forward of centre would be more valuable next week. If someone could advise how we are setting up for Kennedy, Darling and Vardy forward?

Anyone who says bring in Vince against a team who has Ryan, Rioli and Cripps in their forward half is unfortunately selecting with their heart not their head. That or they have poor memory of Vince recent form.

6.T-Mac 5. Viney 4. Petracca 3. Jetta 2. Spargo 1. Hibberd

I think we will go no change but I would subject to how he goes tomorrow I would bring in Joel Smith for Tyson. He wasn't poor but he had limited impact and he is not suited to the outside where he is being forced to play. Fritsch is also better up the ground.

I get it and he can play but I don't get why he would agree to be an alternate ruck. He could potentially go to GWS and be their first ruck. He would be better than anything the cats could have thrown at us last night including those that were not fit. He would be better biding his time North and taking over from Goldy.

We need more mobility if anything at all against Hawthorn. Bernie cant run any more.

I do wonder about anyone who thinks Garlett would be a good in in a final. If Kent happened to become available it might make things interesting though.

This makes perfect sense for us but no sense if I was Preuss. You would be better waiting Goldstein out and passing him next year probably vs second fiddle to the best ruckman in the AFL in his mid 20s. The only way would be if we plan on a different set up with 2 rucks with potential rule changes next year.

Oops Revise that to pick 4 or 5.

I would not trade Hogan unless he wanted out but I am not overly concerned if he chose to go compared to prior years. I believe we do play a better brand without him as focal point. I personally don't believe he has much more upside and I am not convinced on him in pressure situations. He is a good player but I don't think he will be the great we once hoped and even still we no longer need a messiah. If I was asked to order players who you would not trade ahead of him I would have Gawn, Oliver, T-Mac, Lever, Brayshaw and Viney ahead without hesitation and would have Harmes and Salem trending upward at a rate of knots. Weid's development in games 15-18 makes this even more interesting. This is not about is Hogan a good player, this is about what makes us a great team. Lets assume Neale gets to the Suns for their first pick. Pick 2 (Sam Walsh) and Ed Langdon would be a reasonable deal and give us the outside speed that we may be shown up to lack. Not my preferred option but if it happened now would be the year you would want him to ask. Now to turn my focus back to what matters and is happening on the field in September.

I suspect we will go no change but I would tempted to bring in more speed with Smith/Hunt or JKH/Kent if he recovers. Would give us more flex as to where we play Fritsch. Tyson and Spargo the most likely if one goes. The thought of Tyson or Jones on a wing against Isaac Smith makes my skin crawl.

We’re built for this September stuff. Who’d have thought that watching finals is better than watching the draft.

I plan on reading this thread from start to finish over breakfast tomorrow. A lot of amusing humble pie I suspect.

6 Weid 5 Harmes 4 Brayshaw 3 Salem 2 Viney 1 TMac

They clearly love him and want him in the side. He is either mended or not and would not have lost km's in the legs. I reckon defensive closing speed has more meaning in finals than general season and he has it in spades. This and the ability to get Fritsch back up the ground.

I suggest the form of Brayshaw and Harmes would have them rethinking any plans from April. In saying that I think we still need another half back runner but I would be keeping my powder dry for Whitfield the following year unless we think he can be extracted this one.

In: Viney, Hannan, Smith Out: Tyson, Kent, JKH Smith back in allows Fritsch to play his more natural wing half forward position however I am unsure the match up. Tyson was just starting to play quality football with a functioning body let alone a healing arm. No need to risk him and rush him back. Hannan will be a difficult finals match up and showed in WA the damage he can do in a finals type atmosphere. At least its fair to say we have options.

Good session. Boys were up and about. Lewis the only unexpected absence. Viney moved well. Tyson based on the ball handling he did separately will be a serious chance still. All seemed to get through unscathed. Great turn out.

For those that state we should drop Spargo because he looks tired. I think it’s because he’s playing footy and runs himself ragged. No chance he doesn’t play.