Farmer

Just watched replay. Until I did so, I hadn't realised how important was the Bugg goal in the second quarter. Until then we were getting smashed. A 10'goal or more loss was on the cards. Bugg's kick was not easy but he slotted it. At the next bounce our mids went in with a ferocity lacking the previous 15 minutes and almost immediately Jones goaled, and the game was turned on its head

Tyson was extremely convincing in the second half

How r u feeling this evening maaaaaate?

Viney Oliver, Hibberd, Jones, Tom McDonald salem

Was thinking there was no way we could win, until I started thinking of our midfield. It really is of the highest class.. not many teams can match the totality of Viney, Jones Oliver, Tyson and at times Petracca and tonight Vince. There is a fierceness about this group which plainly unsettles opponents. and as it turned out, they won it for us. We overcame a huge imbalance in the ruck. And I agree--it was masterly to keep either Tom MCD or Pedersen on the forward line. i can't resist saying it. Yes, Tyson makes mistakes, but how vital he was in the second half. He is bloody strong. Will always be better as others get slower in second halves

And another great mark by Dom--another goal. Bite your bum Tyson haters!

Lovely kick by Dom sets up another goal. Has had a great quarter

There is a lot in your comment. but, watching the replay I wonder whether he kicked worse than usual because he was often out of his comfort zone in the backline? Trying short passes around the centre. But u are dead right! If we could keep him in the new role he could play it like Blicavs who makes a huge difference for Geelong.

I was stunned he was dropped. Misses much of the preseason then actually dominated for two quarters v strong Geelong opposition. Missed a couple of shots but kicked one great goal. Was his defensive play v Freo bad? if he doesn't offer more than JKH I'm v surprised

That is simply rubbish who played better yesterday? Tyson, or JKH? 29 disposals, sure he buggered up a couple of times. Surely, play Kent for JKH. More change if Higan can play

Got top votes from Jon Ralph!

I'm certain the absence of a pre season is a very big deal for a midfielder. More so than, eg, for Hibberd as a defender. but in any event, how could one think of dropping him after yesterday. Watched the replay closely. He buggered up a couple of times but he got the ball a lot and in the second half was a real powerhouse.. He has has a good kicking action--he will regain his accuracy.

Which "ready made ruck"? Prepared to be number 3. Forget the possibility he would have supplanted Spencer. Gawn kept raving about Spencer, regarded him as a great knock ruckman

Well here is the acid test. Please name the ruckman we could gave recruited in late 2016 who would have become ruckman number 2, and thus making Spencer number 3. Likely to play no games in the ones I do agree that a forward pocket / ruck would gave been useful. Wasn't that Frost? Or Pedersen?

Yes, but who could the club have recruited? They would have been the third ruckman, most unlikely to get a game. Would, for example, Minson have accepted such an offer on pretty minimal rates? however I do agree that we went short in our overall recruitment. It would be great if we had some kpps with more aptitude in the rucks. Frost appeared a good choice. If one considers the situation at the beginning of 2016 we had Gawn, Spencer, King Frost and Pedersen. Looked adequate. Not certain that anyone recruited in 2017 could have assisted at present.

Oliver watts Hibberd Hunt, jetta Viney

More rubbish, after a defeat? Tyson had 23 disposals, ranking third in the team. Watch it again and you can see how valuable he was

For heavens' sake! Have a look at his stats, his tackles, his overall games, don't concentrate on a couple of errors

Come off it! He was outstanding in game 1 v St Kilda

To me, this post demonstrates why Frost should be played. He is not the greatest ruckman, but if anything happened to Jake he would be adequate. And we need an additional tall on the back line anyway

On what basis do you say that? We beat the Cats at KP 2 seasons ago, when two big blokes took the Cars apart. Then, Spencer didn't get a single game in 2016

One bad mistake! Look at his game overall. Look at his tackles. He played a great game , his best since Kardinia Park 2 seasons ago

Well that is dead right! I really think the failure to pick Pedersen was a mistake. Sometimes the ball HAS to be kicked long into the forward line--we didn't have anyone with experience to hold it in, especially when Watts was rucking. And we were also too short in defence

Jones, Hunt, Watts, ANB, Stretch, Kent

I agree. This is sheer cruelty. Just consider how he compares with Tmac at the same stage. We were one tall short on the backline which made Hawkins' day too easy