KingDingAling

No. It will be up to the midfield to win the clearance battle, and continue to push the ball forward.

Dawes will make a difference against Collingwood. They are stretched for talls down back. We should be able to find a mismatch for one of our forwards. The rest is up to the midfield.

Kennedy has shown a bit.

A lot of those mids will filter out. I don't mind the idea of a lot of mids. It becomes a survival of the fittest (a results based system). To retain a position in the midfield, give us some good results. Those unable to achieve that get to work on their game at Casey. No doubt they'll get a few opportunities throughout the year. The midfield system we have is merit based. I wouldn't want to be at that bottom rung come the end of the year though.

Looks in easily the best shape of his career. Good luck Jack.

Grimes needs to get back to his best, and fulfill his potential. In the short term I think he is better off in the VFL - where he is getting midfield time. I am sure others will disagree, but he is in the VFL for a reason, and that is because he wasn't up to the senior level. So I think it is a matter of doing what he needs to do - to make that level. VFL is the place for him atm IMO, and he is improving. When that spot does come up (in the senior side) Grimes will be prepared.

Oliver is a gun, and already one of our most important players IMO.

Players can still develop on the sidelines. Viney can still do sprint, core, strength and plyometrics. Salem can still hit the gym (even with a thyroid issue), Brayshaw can still work on areas of weakness, and Oliver can still do upper body weights (if he is out for a quad). Also, players can analyze structures, team plays, etc. There is still a lot that can be done on the sidelines. Its not ideal, but so long as they aren't on the sidelines with a major injury, then it isn't the end of the world.

Dee-luded is a great guy, I have a lot of respect for him.

The ghost of Brent Moloney still haunts us.

Out: Tyson, Kennedy, Newton, O.Mc. In: Oliver, Grimes, Pederson, Trengove.

I think they made the wrong call. I reckon Brayshaw will be better than both of them.

Without Oliver it limits our clearance power. The beauty about having someone like Oliver is that it frees up our mids to be third in line (Gawn down to Oliver - dish off to?), providing them more time to spot a target forward. When we do this it takes the pressure off of our defensive structure. But when this doesn't happen - and Viney, Jones or Tyson just hack it forward out of the middle - the opposition catch us on the run and spread. It makes our players look like witches hats. I get that people want one on one accountable football, but even if we were one on one, the opposition would still find space.

I agree. The Pies especially haven't shown a lot of consistency this year. Sure, they might beat us, but I wouldn't confidently punt on that. In fact, If I were to punt on this game I would back us in (against Collingwood). If you were to factor in the NAB cup we would be the more consistent side. How anyone could confidently tip Collingwood is beyond me.

O'Meara's injury is a pretty serious one. Even if he does recover - which is no guarantee - he will have limited mobility. I don't think we are talking about the same player who taken the league by storm years back. O'Meara comes with risk attached, and certainly more risk than Prestia. Now I am no huge fan of Prestia, but I would take him ahead of O'Meara, and I do think we still lack inside mids. As far as Joshua Kelly goes, I would consider him by far the superior option to either O'Meara or Prestia. Kelly is the type of player you sell the farm for. People mightn't see it yet, but he is a potential superstar. Would compliment our midfield, and we should be able to afford him (due to a GWS cap squeeze).

Don't know about that. They will lose Sandilands, Pavlich, Johnson. Mundy having ongoing calf issues isn't a great sign for them. Barlow looks on the outer. Their rucks haven't progressed as expected. Fyfe is a long term injury concern - Hill likewise. Even if they land McCarthy, what is not to say he doesn't continue having issues. Neale mightn't re-sign (rumors of him wanting out). Fremantle are struggling at the moment, but things could get even worse for them. I don't think they will be a top 8 side for a long while yet.

Last time he had a week off he had to come back through Casey. I don't think it would be as simple as not risking him this time around, the kid is probably desperate to hold his spot. Playing through niggles is a part of football. If the corkie isn't that bad he should be given every opportunity to play.

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/player-profile/ben-kennedy

He is from SA.

I have him ahead of Petracca. I backed Petracca at $12's, and am in to Oliver at $15's (which he is at now). I have Oliver ahead of Petracca, but I think the market is factoring in Petracca's improvement, and the fact he is a second year player with a bigger body than first years (he is into $3.50 now). After last weeks performance it is hard to look beyond Petracca, but I still think Oliver will give it a shake. If TAC history is anything to go by, Oliver will come home very strong. I think he won the league medal after a slow start last year - when he had only polled a vote at the midway mark. I agree he is underrated in the rising star.

So happy to hear the club are holding firm (at least on face value). There is a deal on the table, take it or leave. We need to set this precedent early - as we will have bigger names try test our meddle in the future. Much of what PJ harped on about (creating an environment where players want to be), will also work in our favor during negotiations. The club has created an exciting environment, and one that appears to be on the verge of something special. McDonald either wants to be a part of that, or he doesn't. That will apply to all players weighing up their options.

Why stop at 10?

The good thing is he isn't actually injured. Fair enough will be rested, but he will still be able to maintain/build his fitness. It is a shame to see him copping head knocks in the VFL, because he is a level above the VFL. If Brayshaw can smash himself on the track for a few weeks, I would like to see him brought straight into the main side - without playing VFL.

Out: Michie. In: Jetta.

Yeah I agree. I am a massive Bugg fan. I probably overlook him because he is performing as expected for me. I really like this kid. I think he has a pretty high ceiling. If he can clean up his disposal, and minimize the turnovers - he could be a potential A grader.