TeamPlayedFine39

So it’s impossible under any conditions or circumstance for us to be able to beat Sydney, Richmond, West Coast, Collingwood or Port?? Not even 1000/1? Of course we can. Will we? Probably not on current for, but it’s certainly possible.

That’s a strange comment though. I have seen nothing this year to suggest that beating Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Sydney, West Coast or Richmond is impossible if we play at our best.

True, but that's not to say that we can't.

There are no undefeated teams in the league this year. In fact the top three teams have each lost 3 matches, which suggests that the competition's 'best' are far from impervious. We ourselves are 2 wins off top of the ladder. Any team can beat any team with a bit of form and luck. We are currently down on both at the moment, but that is never permanent. We, along with every team in the league, can beat any team on our day.

The strangest thing is there is complete media silence on Bernie’s form. He’s a prominent figure in the media (by MFC standards), but no one seems to have noticed that he can’t get anywhere near it this year.

I’d like to see: IN: Weideman, Frost OUT: T.Smith, Vince I simply cannot see what Bernie is offering us on the field at the moment and would be happy to hear anyone’s theories on it. He is a long way off the pace in mind and body. Frost playing as a genuine second tall takes defensive pressure off J.Smith and Hibberd. For mine, J.Smith gets another game or two playing a a roaming third tall. If he’s not up to it, then someone like petty gets a look in. Would love to see Hunt fit and in form, we’re missing him.

He’s showing some encouraging signs with the move down back and it’s great to see/hear that Nev has taken him under his wing. Would have to be the best possible role model for any young small defender.

Blame shouldn’t fall entirely on Wallis. Inexplicably, the doggies played the last two minutes like they were the ones who were 4 points down. They ran, played on, scrambled, handballed and rushed the ball repetedly inside 50. No leadership or common sense to slow things down and maintain possession.

He's a goal kicker and has consistently hit the scoreboard in the four seasons he's played with us. In regards to 'big games': 4 goals vs Geelong when we beat them at the Cattery in 2015. 4 goals vs Richmond ANZAC eve in 2016. 2 goals vs Adelaide in the AdOval win in 2017. Even in the round 23 match against Collingwood last year he kicked 2.2 from 18 disposals. He's kicked goals in every Queen's Birthday match, every ANZAC eve game, every opening round match and even this year his 4 goals against Brisbane were match winning. I understand people's issues with him as a player, but the fact of the matter is, he kicks more goals than any small forward we've had since Farmer.

Form lines never work in football, but let’s bear in mind that we played a very close, finals-like match against a team that beat Richmond at home a couple of weeks back. We’re playing some good footy, just need to find consistency against in-form teams. FWIW- I did a ladder predictor Thursday afternoon and by Thursday night it was already wrong after Essendon beat WCE. Impossible to see how the 8 will pan out at this stage.

One day I'd love to hear what and how it all went down. I've seen some thumpings handed out to some truly terrible teams over the years, but still none of them came even close to a margin of 186 points. It's truly incredible and something of a statistical anomaly in our game.

I think he’s a gun and Freo wouldn’t part with him easily. If he’s wanting to come home though, I’d be very happy to see us pursue him.

The problem with free agency is older players are accepting less money to move to a ‘successful’ well resources club.

I worry about a 197cm 83kg KPD in the lineup. He’s got talent, but he’d be required to man up on players much bigger and stronger. Dixon 200/108 Westoff 200/93 Marshall 198/90 Ryder (resting) 197/96

Great work- well done! Whilst I don’t agree with a few of the rankings, the analysis and consideration makes for very good reading!

IN: Tyson, Frost, Garlett OUT: Vince, Spargo, Pedersen Have loved Spargo’s work, but the bigger bodied Collingwood brushed him aside. Want to see Frost as the second tall against a tall Port Adelaide forward line and Smith play his more suited third tall role. Tyson is a very good player and has found some form. Must play against a strong Port Midfield.

I can’t imagine a scenario in which he wouldn't be a band one... He’s young (turned 26 yesterday) he’s playing well (at least in AA squad at this stage) he’ll get a long contract, and he’ll be on good money. They’ll get band one, unfortunately for them, they look like finishing near the top of the ladder so they would only get a pick somewhere in the 15-18 range.

4 new pages to this thread today... anyone would have thought there was some Gaff news...

Fox Footy (FWIW) are a lot more optimistic about our run home and have us down to finish 4th. They rate our draw as the 13th most difficult. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/latest-afl-run-home-final-ladder-and-finals-series-projections-round-13-2018/news-story/86b0a6a1bf0d53ed16b21352b35f7f4f

I did forget about him! At 204cm and a lot of power in the genes from his mum and dad, he'll hopefully come along in 4-5 years.

The ruck situation is a worry, with both of our developing or 'project' ruckmen being on the 'could go either way' list. Hopefully there's some unsighted potential there and we can keep at least one of them on and look to trade in a mature ruck to help out. It's looking very thin below Gawn and we need King or Filipovic to show something in the second half of the season.

There was 'crazy' talk a month or son ago about Murphy possibly being offered big money that could earn the Blues and band 1 or 2 compensation pick. That would be insanity for any club to pay overs for Murphy. With that said, Murphy could opt for two years at a successful or 'verge of success' club on a small contract - essentially trading the cash for success. If he was willing to come to us on such a contract, then I'd be happy to have him. (But I very much doubt he'd leave)

Sorry.

Lee Harvey Oswald...