dazzledavey36

Yeah I am a but perplexed by Ralph's article. I get that Cerra wants Freo well compensated but at the end of the day he's gotta do what's best for his career. If going to Melbourne will provide him with the right environment to reach his potential then he simply picks Melbourne. The rest takes care of itself.

And playing in front of a big crowd has worked well for us as well. Take away the prelim of 2018, we stood up really well in the two finals that year in front of 90k.

Jon Ralph in the Hun. The Herald Sun understands Cerra is yet to officially choose Carlton as his home given his interest in the Demons. If he had his way he would be more likely to want to join best mate Ed Langdon at the Demons but they have no first-round pick so could not get a trade done. The Dockers would only have interest in off-limits stars like ruckman Luke Jackson, so Cerra will have to choose the Blues. Hawthorn had some preliminary interest in Cerra but it has cooled, with Cerra told early on the priority was to return home rather than pick a club of choice. Carlton’s No.6 draft pick will help and with Sydney free agent George Hewett a strong chance to join him at the Blues the midfield suddenly has a strong defensive focus.

I agree, I don't think there'll be any changes also.

The other key is that with Geelong going really tall, this this dilutes forward pressure from Geelong. If the ball hits the ground I'm backing the likes of Salem, Rivers and co to mop up and give us some good drive off half back.

I got crucified the other day for suggesting in dropping Bowey, so just watch yourself.. My reason was pretty much exactly yours. I simply don't see a match up for Bowey and with Geelongs much taller line up, it's not a risk I'm willing to take on a 5th gamer who looked overawed for 3 quarters against Brisbane. For me I think Hibberd has to come in. He's experienced, and adds further leadership down back but also plays a good negating role. I have every confidence Hibberd could take Rohan because Rohan has been in poor form and the guy crumbles against extreme pressure and finals heat. GWS barely applied any pressure on Geelong hence why Rohan was able to get a bit more of the ball this week. My match ups. May > Hawkins Petty > Ratugolea Smith > Cameron HIbberd/Lever > Rohan Salem > Miers Rivers > Close

Garry Lyon just said on the couch that he got a text message from Tim Gossage that Friday night's game is expected to be sold out 60k by midnight tonight! Big stage. Our time to shine boys.

How good is this! Well done WA Dee fans.

Interesting article by Isaac Smith. https://www.afl.com.au/news/674734/-they-made-us-look-like-fools-how-geelong-plans-to-avoid-history-repeating

Unfortunately for their sake I don't think there are many good quality ruckman at years end who are uncontracted and available at their door step.

Meant to say Clayton Oliver 😎

All this Cerra is such a good distraction but also very exciting. Imagine a midfield of Gawn/Jackson alongside Petracca, Oliver, Cerra, Viney, Langdon, Harmes, Brayshaw with Jordon and Sparrow amongst it all as well. Would surely be the best midfield combination in the league next year if it isn't already?

Having Ben King would shore up our key forward position for the next 10 years. It's a pipe dream but I think clubs like Essendon with a bit more cap maybe be able to offer better coin.

Yeah but I got the feeling Hunt still has a bit to do to prove his worth for this weekend. It's sounding like we may just go unchanged for this weekend.

He played a few games towards the end but mostly school footy I'm pretty sure. I'm not sure how he went to be honest. @Pennant St Dee is usually on top of the school footy side of things in WA.

Alan Richardson on SEN just confirmed that Alex Neal Bullen will be fine to play this weekend. Sounds like Jayden Hunt won't be as much.

Loves to kick a goal too.

This is Taj stats so far this year at Colts level.

After the Geelong win a few weeks back, I thought it was quiet telling that when they interviewed Christian Oliver after the game. Anyways, he said along the lines that to be able to perform at the level its guys like Tom Sparrow who comes in a plays a sacrificial role which allows him to get off the leash. Thought it was a huge compliment from one of the best midfielders in the game regarding Sparrow.

I'll add a bit to that @adonski I would be hugely surprised if the club thought it was best fit to trade Sparrow.. like Adam Treloar Lachie Neale type surprise. First of all Sparrow is contracted still. Club resigned him for a couple of years off the back of only playing 7 games in 2 years and most of it impacted by injury. The club rates him so HIGHLY. He's one of the most impressive up and coming individuals at our club due to his work ethic and professionalism. His leadership is first class for a young player and Jordan Lewis has been on record at his SEN breakfast slot as his pick for a future leadership role at the club. I do know Choco Williams is a huge wrap for this kid also. Sparrow is also happily settled in Melbourne. Has found himself a Melbourne girl and lives with Jimmy Jordon and Aaron Nietschke. We are now seeing the real potential Sparrow has off the back of consistency of games and also more midfield time. His impact against Geelong and then Brisbane in a final was enormous for the team. If Cerra nominates Melbourne it won't be at the expense of Sparrow. There'll be other alternative.

Facebook trade pages run by 15 year olds don't really count pal.

Sparrow to Adelaide rumours? Where's this come from?

I agree 100%. Whilst touch wood we've been lucky this year so far, it'll only take a Oliver or Petracca to go down and that's where we are still bit light.

Like Oliver he's clean inside the contest and his vision is also very similar. Just a typical midfield brute who plays similar to say Josh Kennedy from the Swans. Has a solid vertical leap on him which gives him a chance to take some good marks also. I would say if there was one thing he could work on it was his outside game? Quite one dimensional but so was Oliver in his under 18s year. He's worked incredibly hard and now has the perfect balance. He's definitely your Simon Goodwin/Jason Taylor type pick. Smith won the Bushies best and fairest in his last year back in 2018 so he definitely had the credits in the bank as well as his impressive Vic Country performance.