Gator

McDonald is an enigma. He's always had this ability for the ball to follow him. I used to tear my hair out when he constantly found a way to get the ball in defence, because the last thing you wanted was to see the ball in his hands coming out of the backline, but it's a great trait in the forward-line. The best gumby in the league.

I'm now getting posters tell me some of the things he does, as though this is some sort of revelation to me. It's not. Jones is a great and loyal servant. He was a godsend when everything about him was crumbling. We've been lucky to have him lead us from the abyss. But I don't think he's ever been a great on-field captain. I've never ever seen him directly influence the result of a game in a particularly tangible way. Viney will be a far better on-field captain. Chalk and cheese. Another year as co-captains would be fine. And most definitely the last.

I'm happy to provide an unpopular voice when it comes to Jones and his ability to drag his team across the line. I do think Jones has grown into a good leader, but I don't think he's a patch on Viney. Players walk taller when Viney is alongside them. I have never, repeat never, seen Jones drag his club over the line in an important game. I've seen Selwood and Dangerfield do it countless times. I've seen Hodge and others. I've seen Jack Viney with 26 contested possessions will his team over the line against West Coast with some help from McDonald. Who'll forget Viney ironing out Shannon Hurn late in the game ? I don't think Jones is inspirational at all. It's just not his go. For me, the sooner Viney is the stand alone captain the better.

He said on an interview on Saturday that he's "still a few weeks away".

Why Lie ? He started on fire against Freo and ended up with 19 disposals, 7 marks and 2 goals. He had 5 scoring shots and should have kicked more. The next week against Footscray he had 18 disposals, 9 marks, and 4 goals. He was very good. He's been poor the last 2 weeks. But he's structurally important for the team. If he's injured or sore he should be rested. He has not been "very poor for at least a month" as you assert.

Only in a bad way. Carlton have already passed our QW in 2013 with 4 games to go. What an odd thing for you to say.

First I've heard. Thanks.

Thanks Ethan. For the life of me I couldn't see it on the coverage. I'll edit my post. They're still a soulless cheeseburger club though.

Adelaide are a soulless cheeseburger corporation.

You're a far better man than me.

This isn't quite right. He was asked "who has been the best team you've played" ? He nominated Richmond first and then Melbourne. As you say, he then included Collingwood. He finished by saying that in his opinion those three sides best footy are probably the best in the competition. But they're not always playing their best, are they ?

Not true. I've watched Goodwin's conferences all year and when he's said he expects a player to play I can't think of a time they haven't.

Yep. No Viney or Oliver doesn't bode well. I just try not to worry over things I have zero control over. What's the point ?

^^^ Why people bother posting this childish sort of rubbish I'll never know.

Wallis is the last player we need. Just more of the same.

Injuries happen. If he plays he plays if he doesn't he doesn't.

I gave up suffering from the past about 10 years ago. I made a choice.

Will retire a premiership player.

Look, it's hard for me to argue with you if you don't take up a contrarian position.

Our structures are very different to round one. Tom McDonald didn't play (nor did Viney - again), Brayshaw didn't play, Salem wasn't being played in defence, etc. Both teams are now very different. Round 1 is irrelevant for both teams.

I don't agree that we're overly slow. I know it's a popular assessment. We lack outside class and perhaps one express runner, but we're not as slow as is made out. Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca are above average in the pace department for big bodied mids. Frost and Smith are above average, while Salem and Jetta are fine. Melksham and Harmes are above average, as are Garlett and Spargo. Fritsch is also fine, as is Jones. We know the small handfull who lack pace. If you're winning the contest and spreading it's amazing how quick you can look. Who's Geelong's outside star that regularly cuts up the opposition ? Like us, they don't have one. As for balance ? We've got the best ruck of the two teams. We have two dangerous key forwards to their one. We're playing two tall defenders, plus the 191cm Smith, which looks fine to me. It's not our best personnel, but we're talking 'balance' here. We have two small quick crumbers up forward. We've got 'one on one' midsize strength with Melksham and perhaps Petracca or Fritsch. Where is their superior 'balance' you speak of ? Btw, they have 8 players under 50 games to our 4. As for their "precise footskills' ? This is a furphy. The reason Adelaide beat them last week is because they butchered the ball by foot out of their defence. We may lose this game (I think we'll win), but it won't be because we're slow or they have better balance.

There's no doubt our defence needs to have a really good day.

You must find it extraordinary that this terrific and well-balanced side has won one game less than us and count losses against Footscray, Essendon, and North, who are all out of the eight. Boy oh boy wowee !! How could it be !?

How do Geelong look ?

What some people are able to extrapolate from an injury or two is extraordinary.