Farmer

I I know Mick Malthouse doesn't command universal admiration but I think some of commentary warrants attention. On Sunday, after the match he assessed our list. He believes a decent Finals aspirant needs at least 26 players of top quality. ( I think we have, or will have, that number) But he also said that it was critical that the very best players get a break. In this context I thought it interesting that in the Hawthorn/ Essendon match the two best players according to radio commentary, were Sicily and Bellchambers. In his post match interview Sicily referred to the fact that for reasons we all know, he had missed several games! And Bellchambers was rested for the precious match v Dees ( a gutsy decision considering the zgawn factor) Malthouse expressed concern about the lack of a replacement for Gawn and I must say I agree. If we win a decent number of matches, surely we could play a game with a combination of Pedersen, Weideman and TMac carrying out ruck duties. its easier to replace our other" stars". I would definitely give Oliver a break and perhaps Hogan who is doing so much more work than the average key forward . Whilst not a star, in my view ANB simply needs a rest, I wouldn't play him at Casey if we leave him out

Well I watched it, listened to him and was unaware of any bias

Sensational enough last year to finish 14th in their B and F. Really can't believe the nonsense written about this bloke. Starting to feel sorry for him. Totally unrealistic expectations. Still, at least he's well paid

I love you blokes! Your eyes are imbued with an optimism I wish I shared. He has been awful, a bit better the last two weeks. Had we not paid a fortune he would have been dropped i think he finished 14th in Adelaide B and F. That's about right for us isn't it?

Watched the replay with this post in mind. The problem, mate, is that it is simply wrong! Suggest you watch it again and apologise!

I'm surprised that one matter seems to have been overlooked these past two weeks before today. we are an " on top of the ground "team. We played awfully well the first 20 minutes v Hawks . Then it rained and we were horrible . Against Richmond we played on a slippery track. It was drizzling 45 minutes before the ganpme. Right from the start players including Oliver and Petracca fumbled. Confidence receded. Then we played the most negative Q2 I can recall. This occurred because we were too frightened to take a risk in the conditions. On another site it had been pointed out that Stretch repeatedly made position on the Outer side, but the ball was only kicked to him once, and of course, he buggered it up. We need to handle the ball securely to enable our play on style to work. I asked one of our players what the conditions were like. He replied " bloody slippery at the start and again just after half time". Did anyone notice that Cotchin changed his boots at quarter time? of course the conditions were the same for our opponents. Playing in wet or just slippery conditions involves different techniques and tactics, for some reason we haven't mastered them. As an example, Garlett has always been poor when he can't grab the ball and move quickly. Experience in the wet counts for a lot, these days teams play v little in non dry conditions.

Commentators thought he was terrific. Got it a lot

What did your two eyes, your brain, and your judgment tell you about his game todsy? Or his game against Riewoldt on Tuesday?

Gawn oMac jones hibberd brayshaw jetta

How did he go today mate?

What ridiculous nonsense. At present he's still the best player in the club. Yes there are others who may prove to be better in the future but week in, week out, this bloke is either our best or amongst the best. Others, who we rate highly, still lack consistency

Go on, be a sport! Tell us your great wisdom

If you are hoping Frost is gone for good you are mad. I'd prefer him to Lever for a start

Honestly mate, if you couldn't see the improvement in Oscar last year, you weren't looking. im in a competition involving the best 5 in our B and F. Tips are made pre season. I tipped him to finish 5th. One other guy predicted 4th. Let's be honest about it! Most of the morons on this site who were desparate for us to get Lever, envisaged Lever tipping Oscar out of the team. In doing so, they demonstrated that they'd never watched an Adelaide match. Lever was never obliged to man an opponent. Oscar does it every match he plays

Well he finished a splendid 13th in the Crows B and F. And we mortgaged the G for him. I had heard from Adelaide fans that he was not a real defender. I said so on this site before we drafted him and was rubbished! today in the second quarter Max had 10 minutes off the ground. Poor Harmes contested the ruck. We lost 9 out of 10 clearances--at a time we were still competitive. An obvious fill,in ruck was Frost, but you say , he was on the backline. But we had 7 backs at this time--Lever was a loose man in defence. Surely Lever could have picked up Frost's opponent for 10 minutes. Or even throw Lever into the ruck. It might have got him going we shouldn't have recruited him but I now feel v sorry for him. He is trying v hard, needs some coaching imagination. The club does!!!

Ok, we give him time.Just worried about an unbalanced backline

Wonderfully written, but in my view, rubbish! Hibberd is a great interceptor and he proved that last year. The MCG didn't seem to be much of an impediment! Further, although he is very left footed, he is capable on the right. contrast this with Jake who is not marking the ball, and invariably turns to the right and at least once or twice per game, gets caught. Very costly deep,in the backline. My view is that we have effectively recast the backline to accomodate him. A good player, Hunt, has lost his place and in my view a backline including all of Oscar, Frost, Hibberd and Lever is top heavy. I've mentioned before that Mick Malthouse on the ABC cast doubt in the recruitment of Jake, because " I've never seen him beat an opponent one on one" Anyway, we have him, at an absurd price, so must make the most of it.

Bluntly, if it were anyone else he would be dropped. There is no way he is worth a spoat present. If he does get it, he butchers it. Can't kick on the left foot at all

So you mean-- if he plays against no-one he will look pretty good? Not only did a first gamer outmark him but so did Menzel who is a good deal shorter

The name Tilbrook is resonating!

Well, goodonya John. You must be seeing things others cannot!

Exactly what I said before we did the deal. most of the posters on this site had never watched him play and thought he would supplant Oscar. He hasn't and he won't. In order to play him where he is accustomed to playing we will have to play Frost at one of the key defence positions and let Lever take the place of one of the smaller guys, probably Wagner, possibly Hunt.

On Sunday, on the ABC, Malthouse voiced the concern which worries me as to Lever. He said that he was yet to be convinced that Levef could beat a decent opponent one on one, that Adelaide had largely avoided that problem. I don't think he should be picked at CHB, he's a great interceptor. just one other point. I think Hibberd is as good an intercept mark as there is in the competition, it was for this reason I couldn't understand the acute interest in Lever

Surely his main competitor for a game will be Hannan?

You were then, and still are, dead right!