FireInTheBennelly

Exactly. Is it a new, unrelated injury or an extension of the original that's hampered him long term?

No but he has a stockpile of thoughts and prayers ready to roll if things get real tough.

He's the best tagger in the comp, in fact he's probably the best there's been for a long time. Completely shuts out his man while hurting the other way. I was shocked that he wasn't used in this role for much of last year. Looks like he won't be again this year, although if he can do a similar job on the oppo's most dangerous small/medium forward it may be of benefit. I'd much prefer 'the nurry' didn't get down that way in the first place though.

It wasn't even written to suggest the issue was an over-payment, it only suggested something like a lodgement error. The lack of information and the misinformation really make it look like this is a complete cover up. Genuine fines, draft sanctions. These are the penalties for over-payment, not $5K a year.

I also think the key to ANB's selection is the ground he covers, however with Bedford now on the scene, and able to cover the distance - with the better skills - it really does put pressure on ANB to get his act together. Could ANB have kicked that goal against Norf? More likely to send it out on the full I reckon. I like ANB but he's had enough chances to get his disposal right, and if Bedford shows he can play that role tonight, he firms for round 1.

I was thinking along similar lines AW. I'd like to see Lockhart play a half, alternating with Nev, and Bedford a half, alternating with ANB. From what I can tell ANB is picked for his ability to get from contest to contest. Bedford's only just behind him in the time trials, and looks to have better skills. Is he an upgrade? I'd love to have a look.

The lack of detail in the announcement suggests it's far more sinister than a simple oops. This has been going on for 8 years? In that time they've signed Dangerfield, Ablett Jnr, who else? How does Carlton feel about the $40k 'penalty'?

Good news that Lockhart is good to go.

According to the nil reference in the OP, he's clearly in a different role to what he had with us.

He's the original Beau Wilkes

Agreed

As reported by @Baghdad Bob on the Tuesday training thread: The only concern today was the non appearance of Salem and the injury to Lockhart. He went to tackle Vanders and immediately went off holding his arm. It was his bicep which was hurting, not a shoulder or elbow so hopefully it's just a corky. He was in everything in match sims and did the injury late. It may well be nothing.

Good point. I have no idea and just assumed from the reports they'd play it safe this weekend. He may well be right to go.

After Jetta's run in the SOO, I'd give him a half only. I'd start with Rivers in the first half to see what he's got defensively. He earned a crack on his performance last week, and with Lockhart not right he gets a shot.

The AFL might request Vandenberg wear a warning sign on his jumper this year. 'Tackle at own peril'

Hey may well be one dimensional, but he's very bloody good at that dimension. The only thing he needs to learn is to sometimes not take possession of the ball. 9/10 he's being tackled before he gets the ball because the tackler is 100% sure he's going to take possession. He'll win 5 frees a game if he taps the ball to advantage occasionally, rather than take possession.

It is similar, but there is a major point of difference here. Schofield doesn't play for Melbourne.

That was Xerri wasn't it. He had a few cheap shots during the game. Must be a nice guy to play dirty in a 'friendly' match. He kneed someone in the head at one point and Gus had a crack at him.

Takes a special kind of [censored] to take a dive in a charity match

The most impressive thing about that was the fact he'd butchered one earlier in the game that resulted in an uncontested mark and goal to Norf. Didn't dent his confidence at all as he was more than happy to back himself in and go for his kicks. I don't recall seeing him in the last quarter either, did he sit it out also? If he did it suggests he's earned himself a spot in Marsh 2 I think. It wouldn't be a coincidence either that we half struggled to move the ball from defence in the last quarter.

Rivers is going close to earning a run next week

We haven't had Kossie's pressure in the forward line for a very long time. He's worth a couple of goals a game even without touching the pill.

He's done some nice things. The intercept mark was very good.

I was thinking the same thing. Won the first preseason match of the year. Job done, pack it up boys. I can't recall from previous years, are in season training days the same as preseason?

So now we're the Munson of the AFL?