No10

If Spargo stays then I suspect he'll be sub, it's the punishment role with an opportunity to prove yourself before dropped. Agree about Brown, he'll get a chance but not this week. Maybe next week in Alice could suit.

I'm somewhat cheating with my confidence, as Lever is fronting the media to discuss the game and his likely return. The MFC wouldn't allow that, unless it's some strange bluff, but we've never done that previously. I personally also rate him as a player and leader highly enough to come straight back in. Sharp, I'm so disappointed by him. He's still young so maybe there's improvement to come.

Isn't there a conspiracy that their 50m rulers are a little questionable?

No way Lever isn't in. Expecting Viney in too. Two changes is maximum you'd think. Sharp is certainly out. No idea who the other will be... probably AJ

Yes, concussed for sure. Will miss

Oliver ! To be fair, the team isn’t performing so individually it’s more challenging. But Chandler is having career best. Kossie is a star, having him in the midfield is electric. Bowey!! He’s been magnificent. Turner is breaking out. Sparrow is performing well. Then Gawn is a master. TMac is massively underrated, great year. Salem has been solid. Who’s gone backwards?

I’m sure it’s been mentioned - but what a great moment when Oliver received the ball on the burst in the first. The crowd was awesome and the kick to Sparrow was perfect.

Haven’t seen enough to say. Wasn’t super excited when we drafted him, don’t really know what he’s meant to become? Just looking it up, 2022 wasn’t exactly a super draft.

Clearly I’m typing with eyes closed. We were the better team. JVR looks everything he should be, just can’t break out. I see it as just a matter of time and when he does, it will stick. Oliver has a journey back but I believe in him 1000%, just hope it’s with us. Trac, Gawn. Gods. The youth are incredible, Lindsay was excellent, Langford sublime. Windsor set himself a high standard. Kolt should’ve started. There’s a lot of improvement from McVee. Fritch was playing on Sicily which is no small task, thought he did ok. Honestly, it seems like a team that should be contending. That’s my frustration, the chemistry isn’t chemisting.

We were the better team. This kind of loss shouldn’t matter. JVR has a great many attributes, seems to be overthinking and over-trying. That’s the pressure of AFL. Give the kid time. And Jeffo, he’s young, I don’t know why people pile on @picket fence for supporting the kid. I hope he becomes a massive gun for us and Pickett never lets us forget that he was always a believer!

You had me with “sorry TMac”. Totally lost me with “Clarry playing in the 2’s”

What a garbage article. Geel get to pay Oliver 850k. Good for them. While we’d “save” 1m by not having him? What kind of stupidity would that trade be?

This. Absolutely agree. I feel Kolt especially cares, so I hope he plays and isn’t starting sub. The curious case of JVR … maybe part of his problem is that he’s trying too hard? He appears panicked / rushed

The playing group will step up as a collective and wear Geel down by the last. Season defining game, maybe career defining direction for some of our stars. Friday night, can’t wait!

1000% agree. Moore slid. Pickett should be free to play. Absolute rubbish.

I can imagine a lot of bluffing. Expecting Adelaide to trade above Carl for Draper. Nth might prefer moving to 6 but we’re pressing on Tauru at 5… I guess it hinges on who we actually want… I think Langford fits us best. Think he’s the most exciting player in the draft. FOS looks brilliant to me also, but some on here who’d know better don’t rate him so highly. Smith is probably an extremely effective player, he’s just the type of player that I’m personally less excited to watch.

Feel like this is massively likely. And it’s FOS instead. Minor possibility for Smith. Carl can’t go past Lalor if he’s there. If Rich go for Smith. We might be FOS. Personally, I like FOS and then Langford as the two best players in the draft.

I know this isn’t a phantom, but how is the widely expected No 1 draft player ranked 6? FOS is No 1 for me.

That handball and block is a nice section of play. The 2:40 mark has Lalor marking that I see every time he’s mentioned. Interesting that the kick came from Langford, nice entry, well placed into the space. At 4:20 Langford takes a better mark. I really don’t think Labor goes at #1. And I don’t think Langford lasts until #5

It seems likely P5 will be more equivalent to P1 than P10. I also think Rich will take Smith at P1. Then Nth won’t trade down, but take Tauru at P2, he’s exactly what they need. Carl might love FOS but I’d bet they go Cripps#2 Lalor P3. Adel go Draper P4. At P5 we take Langford or FOS ? Either player is worth holding onto P5 for, and neither will be there at P10

I actually think the Tigers have gone too far. Too many kids at once. Not enough senior talent to steer them to best results. We’ve been there.

It’s all gossip on the MFC. But the reality is that we kept our two guns. And another 12 months is a long time in football. In terms of results: ANB leaving was handled with respect and an adequate result. And Harry Sharp is a nice potential replacement. The real brilliance is the draft hand. Posters here were suggesting we could get multiple first round picks, I don’t think anyone thought 2 x top 10 was possible. For our list profile, 2 of the highest rated talents is the perfect outcome. I hope we don’t split p9 and I doubt we will. In this draft p5 is first tier and not a lot less valuable than p1. And p9 is somewhat a wildcard with so many talented kids in that range. I have very little love for Houston, overrated, glad we moved on. I have no idea what the MFC could’ve done better. A+

Amazing that getting thumped by Collingwood in the final round dropped us from this p9 to our current p5. I don't want to trade down the order as we're in the prime spot at p5 imv. However, an Essendon death ride would be epic fun for 2025

Houston situation is setting up to be embarrassing. Two first rounders is absurd. I actually think we’ll land him with our F1 and some swaps to look complicated. Saves face for Port pretending that it could be top 5 pick next year and sends Houston to Vic.

Gawn unable to watch hits hard. Beautifully said Gus