SaberFang

We have psychological problems. We go to water the moment our opposition puts on any pressure. Second half against Bulldogs, entire Essendon game, second half today.

H really should be standing up right now.

Lumbering tall forwards like Dawes were never going to work against the GWS midfield. Dropping the creative, small and fast JKH, who can zip through the midfield was probably a huge mistake.

Really have to question the decision to change a winning team at this point.

Need to come out after HT with the same flare we eased ourselves into during Q1. If we can start the next half with 2 quick goals I'll feel a bit more confident. Win the next quarter though and I'd say the game is ours to lose.

Momentum has swung but if we can stop them from scoring until half-time we're definitely learning how good teams control the game.

The Giants always get let off the hook for lineball indiscretions. If you missed their match last week against the Saints, there was an entire final quarter filled with GWS bias umpiring.

Because he's an attention seeker.

Universal agreement on 3AW that Mitch Clark had misheard and overreacted about the "incident" Monday. Supposedly he whinged to his manager after the match, who then went straight to the media and AFLPA to blow it up into an issue. Way to make your new club look like idiots (especially your captain, who smeared Hawthorn's name on the Footy Show because of incorrect claims), then drag innocent players from your club's arch rival through the mud. All in one fell swoop. And it's only round one!

Oh dear, seems pretty obvious the smear wasn't depression related, and Chip informed his new club of what really happened when Clark was at the MFC. Naturally Clark wants the whole situation dropped because he doesn't want an investigation where the truth comes to light and he loses what little integrity he has left.

Ahead of the Hawks' light training session on Saturday, Clarkson was clearly disappointed that Lake's name had been mentioned. "They are simply allegations. There have been no investigation by either the league or Geelong - so (we're) better off leaving it at that, I reckon," he said. Asked if he was disappointed about the allegations, he replied: "I am disappointed for Lakey. It's a bit difficult to clear your name when it has already been put out there. I know through speaking with him and other players that he said nothing of the sort. "So, to have his name smeared by people who just alleged he had said something, it makes it more difficult. "Anyway, there has been no investigation so we are just better off getting on to next week's game and focusing on Essendon rather than last week." Clarkson did not wish to elaborate when asked whether he was more frustrated that Lake's name had been mentioned despite his denials or that Cats skipper Joel Selwood had confirmed on The Footy Show that Clark had been sledged, although Selwood did not say by whom. "Let's leave it at that. We have addressed the issue," Clarkson said.

I'm sure it's dictated by Seven and Fox's current broadcast agreement. We've seen trials of Thursdays and Mondays over the last few years as a test ground for the next broadcast agreement. I reckon the ideal schedule would be: 1 x Thursday night (Seven) 2 x Friday night (Seven & Fox) 1 x Saturday day (Fox) 1 x Saturday afternoon (Fox) 2 x Saturday night (Seven & Fox) 1 x Sunday day (Fox) 1 x Sunday afternoon (Seven) Two day games each day of the weekend, and two night games on Fri/Sat when most people get the following day off. Gives nearly half the league's teams the opportunity for a primetime evening match every single round. Absolutely no excuse to only allow the same rich teams being gifted these matches every week if this were the case.

Well, I wholeheartedly take back my disappointment that we didn't land Liam Jones.

Step 1. Fabricate/incite a common on-field sledge into some kind of controversy, by craftily omitting the contents of said-sledge and wait for others to draw their own conclusions (to this hour Barrett has not once said the sledge was specifically about Clark's mental illness -- this is the conclusion everyone else has reached) Step 2. After media interest hits its peak following aforementioned media beat-up, arrange exclusive interview with aforementioned player, where both parties get a healthy six figure sum donated to their bank account. NB: Step 2 was likely arranged before Step 1.

We have the good fortune of being the opponent for one of Richmond's 7 Friday matches.

My understanding is 7 dictate the Friday night games, hence Carlton getting 7, Richmond 7, Collingwood 6, etc. Clueless broadcaster and they have 5 more Friday night duds with Carlton to look forward to as a result of their shortsighted stupidity. No wonder they're pushing the Stevens/Mick drama so much; they know any match with Carlton from here on will be a dud. And to think the Bulldogs get none despite their exciting young list and performance last week.

Somewhere sandwiched between our upcoming run of Hawks/Swans/Freo/Port would've been a nice gesture by the AFL.

"It’s very, very difficult to see where we’re going to lose a game." - Mick Malthouse

Maybe? Dermot mentioned the player by name but can't remember. He's been critical of what Clark did to us and didn't seem overly sympathetic again tonight.

Gee, free kick count is a shocker. Can't wait to see the gems gifted to the Giants tomorrow. Another protected species.

Great point made by Dermot on Fox tonight. Clark was more than happy a few years ago to dish it out to another player (forget their name, there's a famous GIF of it though), prancing around pretending to be fat. In short, you dish it out, you get it in return.

Very interesting that Lake has strenuously denied Clark's claims and is purportedly deeply offended and upset by the accusations. And, lo and behold, suddenly Geelong want the entire situation dropped and aren't pursuing it further. Have fun with Clark at the Cattery, you flogs. This is just the beginning of his contribution to your culture!

Who would everyone drop for Trenners at this point? It was hard enough fitting Vince in.

Methinks Clark expected to become the feel-good AFL story of the year, only to come crashing back to earth with a thud as 50,000 Hawks fans let him know what they thought of his little stunt last year. Depression is a mental illness and a serious issue in society. I won't speculate about whether or not it was a fabrication by Clark to escape his contract. What I will say is that having worked with countless sufferers of depression, it is never an excuse to [censored] on the people who help you. He showed his true colours last year, and maybe, just maybe, he was being booed because fans of the sport see him for what he is (and not the illness he may or may not suffer). It doesn't change my opinion of him: a little man who only looks out for himself, no matter the collateral. Worse, he's a type who uses his apparent illness to excuse his abysmal treatment of others. He does this because he knows people in the media wouldn't dare criticize him for fear of looking insensitive and/or ignorant about mental illness, and it's always his fallback answer for anyone who does criticize the selfish decisions he's made.

Barrett never stated it was about depression, he waited for the panel to draw this conclusion and sat back with a smug grin. He'd love the chance to victimise Clark and rub salt in the wound he cut through the MFC.