SaberFang

What the hell stops Essendon from just giving all these players millions in hush money, completely exclusive of their salary cap and instead "legal money"? Seems seriously suss that they are all suddenly signing on with a club that caused them to become convicted drug cheats. Maybe they truly are braindead.

I'd say the potential long-term gain outweighs any short-term pain as far as his performance goes. He could just as easily play a blinder, if he feels he owes the club for letting him visit his family.

I'm sick of all this media exposure already, and he's signed until next September. You wonder if it'll start affecting his performance if he remains under so much scrutiny, to the point where the media are starting to question if an interstate family visit could be a visit to Fremantle FC. Maybe if they keep bringing it up he'll just re-sign to get the camel off his back?

Even Hogan must realise Fremantle tying up that much of their salary cap on one player is a hideously short-sighted move. We're yet to see how the Buddy deal works out but Fremantle are hardly Sydney and they don't have the Academy protecting their success.

I really don't like threads like this... yes, I'm fairly confident about Sunday given these factors, but I don't think we should telegraph it. Just strikes me as bad luck if nothing else.

I believe Jack once called someone, and the mere appearance of his name on his friend's phone caused it to explode.

We made two first round draft selections last year, so technically we don't need to draft in the first round again until the EO2019 draft. Just depends what Taylor and Viney have planned long-term; either preferencing trades for developed, early 20's players like Dom Tyson, or continue to top-up via the draft and stockpile youth like GWS have (essentially building multiple tiers of talent, solidifying your depth and backing in your development team).

I think Michie was tagging for most of the Gold Coast game, wasn't he? McCartney had a word in his ear at quarter time (clearly visible while the other players are with Roosy in the huddle). Was probably under instructions to negate some opposition players. To echo the above, think Bugg goes to Stringer (who's been a bit of a sook lately) and Vince tags Bont (who is still too young to shake a tag). The Bulldogs are missing some key senior players so we have to focus on restricting their talented youth.

If Viney is out, I'd counter the Dogs run by bringing in whichever best-performing Casey mid is the fastest. Newton or ANB?

You can tell he's a basketballer with the agility in that kick. Amazing degree of difficulty made to look effortless, a bit like Garlett's freak goals every single week. Wonder if Truck will be the Monday hero on 360 tonight?

Is there any way to see a breakdown of which umpire gave free kicks? Apparently Pannell has umpired the last 3 Bulldogs games. Convenient.

Unfortunately the bottoming out of teams like Richmond, Fremantle and Collingwood has gone a long way to embedding the top 6 teams on the ladder. The reality is that teams who want to play finals must win games like that Essendon match.

Brisbane are an absolutely putrid football team. Just [censored] awful.

Working in the rules but geez it was a shocking, unsportsmanlike look. He will be target #1 next time Saints play North; if I were Richo I'd be playing that vision on loop in the lead-up to their next game.

Brisbane are [censored]. If Port keep going they'll get a huge percentage booster.

Nah, of all places the Swan on Church St.

Seeing Howey and Fasolo out on the p!ss tonight just sums up modern Collingwood. Surely breaking all kinds of curfews at this hour, if nothing else. Stand by my thoughts, Howe is an absolute lemon.

The Dogs fast approaching Selwood levels of ducking and dropping at the knees for free kicks in this game. Disgusting. Think they've won the last 4 free kicks from "high" tackles, convenient.

[censored] off the margin isn't 100 points. MFCSS.

Will Prestia come down the race with his arms around Viney?

I wanted the same, so I'm super happy that Harmes has responded. All I can imagine is the coaches prefer the grunt that Harmes brings as opposed to ANB. Much cleaner but strikes me as less of a down and dirty player (haven't seen much of him though, so I'm happy to be corrected).

This could be the best game ... ever.

THE TRUCK! In the good way, I hope.

Very much in the Hawthorn mould, that one.

Only if Richmond had gotten up last night. Even if we win next week, we could still be 9th.