TeamPlayedFine39

Have been waiting for a post/thread like this. I agree with the premise. Most of Dland voted that we'd lose to stkilda round one, the whole planet tipped us to beat Carlton and in round 3 the Cats were warm favourites to win. Essentially we have been favourites to win two of our first four matches and that is what we have done; just not in the order that many had predicted. Despite this, having seen the position we've put ourselves in, I am not happy with a 2-2 start as we are already seeing how even this year could turn out to be. We've had a chance to put some distance between ourselves and the chasing back and it hasn't gone our way. Two losses can be the diffence between finishing second and finishing fifth, finishing seventh and finishing ninth. While before the season started 2-2 might have sounded appealing- its difficult to be pleased about it having seen these matches play out.

I think that's always going to be the issue. Captains have to perform, when they don't, questions are asked. That's why it is given to senior, experienced and consistent performers. Captaincy or not, he is out of form and because of his new position at the club, the spotlight burns brighter on him. Goodwin has put him in a difficult position.

Many having been predicting him being dropped ever week for a year...

I think Kreuzer is underrated on here; very good ruckman. Can't see him wanting to come to the MFC as he'd always be second fiddle to Gawn.

I say this a bit, but he is proof that appearances can be deceptive. Looks like Jane, plays like Tarzan on speed.

Is Bernie a quick mid??

That's a fascinating list with some of the best key defenders of the last ten years! It's interesting that not only are they developing later, they're also not being drafted til they're mature age. You could add Rutten and Fisher to your list- all mature age pick-ups.

1) The logical selection is Spencer for Gawn. Let's get creative if the logical selection fails. 2) I think Goodwin loves Weideman and wants him developing in the seniors rather than at Casey. I think he could use a week away from the pressure of being the no. 1 forward, but I have a feeling it won't happen. 3) Finally, I'm gonna go left of field and suggest Trengove for Bernie should he not be able to get up for the match. (a match in which his opponents are going to stomp on his toe at every opportunity)

Nick Riewoldt did it in 2010 - played off in two Grand Finals that year!

Spencer has earned the right to fill Max's boots for the next few weeks. If this doesn't go well, I would interested to see how an athlete like Frost might go in there. Let him take the ruck duties and Casey for the next couple of weeks to build his tank as a contingency. If Spencer goes well, Frost can return to the backline at senior level.

This is true, and there were repeated shots on goal as we were able to lock the ball in quite well. However, while not a precise science, the number of behinds gives an indication of who had control of the general play for two and a half quarters.

Don't really agree. We were in a position to win by a significant margin if our kicking for goal were better. It was our run and pressure that put us in that position and two ruckmen reduces our ability to do this. We didn't lose this match because we didn't have two ruckmen, we lost because we squandered two outstanding quarters without one.

I have a very high opinion of Lever and he would be a great addition to any team. Trading him in would be a luxury, not necessarily addressing an urgent need. With that said, I think that OMac and Frost are very promising long term KPD options for us going forward. We also tend to forget how young TMac is- hasn't even reached his peak yet.

Did they say what the injury is??

I hope not. The competition really has nothing to gain from Brisbane being pillaged every year. Schache is going to be a star and could anchor their forward line for a decade.

I don't think that they will cut off their hands, but I suppose the essence of what I'm saying is that yes, you take whatever punishment you are given when you put yourself in this situation. Both of these events were off the ball, they were intentional and they were punches to the head. In any other situation on earth, outside of a boxing ring, that is assault. How much more publicity, education and warnings do people in our society need? Neither player was squaring off against their opponents, they were unexpected punches to the face. That's a 'coward' punch out in the 'real world'. I'm furious at the players, but it seems there is more anger at the MRP than the grown men, role models and professionals that carried out the offence.

But this comes down to the utter stupidity of the actions. It is akin to someone king-hitting someone in the street, than claiming in court that they never meant to cause serious injury. If you punch someone in the face, off the ball, you take what you get. Some weeks you might get lucky, some weeks you won't. You lose any claim of being treated unfairly when punished for such dangerous and gutless action.

Can't believe this thread is still going. Everyone on earth has accepted the decision and the stupid, undisciplined actions that brought it about. If the players and club can see that what these two players did was unbelievably dumb and dangerous, DL should be able to accept that too.

Brayshaw is still young - no shame in being dropped back to the VFL to get some touch back. It's development, not punishment.

While Kent is a good player, his reputation vs actual output is a little off the mark. I'm not sure he's an automatic selection in a 2-0 team. When a team is playing well, anyone outside of that 22 needs to be banging down the door. Is Kent banging down the door???

You're being very generous to Plowman, but I take your meaning.

I think if this was suggested, they'd just cut us out of the deal. Lever for Gibbs.

I think that's the catch. Whoever gets Fyfe, Martin or even Kelly from GWS as reported today, will have to sell the farm and then some. I'm not informed on our salary cap position but there are some young players on our list who are going to be demanding some big coin in their own right in the next few years. Fyfe is amazing when fit, but I feel our needs lie elsewhere considering what it would cost to get him.

Would be a big get- every club would be into him.

Great to see the Salem love in this thread. I think he might have arrived this year.