Gator

Do you think we beat Geelong and Richmond if we didn't lose our ruckmen (and subsequently Watts from the forward-line) in both games before half-time ?

If he keeps going he'll win this year's B&F. Would definitely be presently leading. Will be the club's best midfielder since Barassi.

In: Lewis, Oscar McDonald Out: Spencer, Smith Or if they really want a 200cm ruck to keep our structure would they punt on King off one VFL game In: Lewis, King Out: Spencer, Smith We need cohesion, so the less changes the better.

What did you think of his game ?

There will only be a light shower for about 20 minutes I reckon. Be great if it came at half time.

Thanks.

He's had the grand total of 3 concussions. One was when a teammate kicked a ball into the back of his head as he was running forward of the play, i.e. freak accident. That leaves two concussions. Did you see either of those ?

With less than 3.5 hours to go most of the first batch is going to miss the G with perhaps the fringe giving a light soak. Then there's a gap until the next downpour that will probably hit.

I have no nerves for this game. If we're good enough, we're good enough, if we're not, we're not. And if it means I have to wait a little longer to support a quality team so be it. In footy you usually get what you deserve.

But here's another weather predictor from last night that is far less positive:

As at 11am. The lower green band to the left of Melbourne is trending down and across and looks like it will miss the G. It's the bands above it that worry me as their trajectory is more in line with the city. It's hard to know how heavy or what time it will come through. My guess is there will be some rain, but probably not for the entire game. Elders Weather Radar

Petracca to announce himself on the big stage with 4 goals.

Mark Brayshaw "Lower end of the spectrum". "Not predisposed to this type of injury". "Had some bad luck, like a football kicked into the back of his head." I hope people can just accept that clubs are far more cautious with head knocks these days and that there's no issue with Brayshaw playing footy now or in the foreseeable future. Don't like my chances...

2012 Before he was eligible to play with the Dees.

That's below the belt.

It's a last resort. Let's hope we don't have to find out. Bottom line ? Goodwin >>>> Demonland posters.

The answer has been provided.

It wouldn't be great, but once again I'm not sure of the veracity of this statement.

He's never averaged a goal per game at Melbourne. As buck mentioned in another thread, Goodwin relies on who's best at implementing our systems. Clearly he sees others ahead of Pedersen and in this case it's Tim Smith.

I didn't like reading it. Unlike some, I really rate him as a talent and don't like seeing more potential setbacks. But I didn't start thinking the worst. More likely another hiccup. Then I started reading posters suggesting his career may be over, or he's not cut out for AFL footy, or he needs to take 4 weeks off, etc. etc. This is the type of ill-informed speculation that grates on me. I prefer to wait for the facts. I think the club is very cautious with head knocks and treats their players conservatively.

There are degrees of everything and unless you're his medic you don't know his condition, or the severity of this knock, or some of his others. I prefer to wait for the facts, rather than speculate on what I don't know. It's been reported not long ago that he's likely to play next week, which is further affirmation for me that I take no notice of the emotional bloviations from others not in the "know".

What was the outlook last night ? The hysterical career-ending posts on here ?

It's hard to critique selections when we're not privy to the exact role expected of each player. A player might kick 3 goals and have 30 touches, but still not perform key aspects of their role. In reality, we're pissing in the wind.

The old-fashioned journeyman footballer who doesn't impact games, has never kicked 20 goals in 6 completed seasons, never kicked 4 goals in a game, and doesn't consistently contest in the air. He doesn't provide enough opportunities for a key forward, either for himself, or his teammates, and isn't part of the future. He's insurance, but clearly (and rightly) not part of Goodwin's plans.

I read ill-informed opinion all of the time, especially on the training threads, but it's the amateur medical prognosis that annoys more than most, as it's nothing more than ill-informed guesswork. Btw, you said not too long ago you had me on ignore. Couldn't keep away, eh ? ; )