At the break of Gawn

Anyone one have any insight on when the May injury happened? Surely not at the Captain's run

The rain will level things out today. I think if it was a dry game we'd be incredibly rusty and they would punish us off turnover with the extra week prep they have. We'll make an in tight contest game and I think we'll smash them in clearance and contested possession. Pickett has never played well in the wet so he's probably not a huge loss today. I'm predicting a 25pt win.

You're joking right? Good teams don't get smashed like they did against an undermanned Giants side. Happy for you to bookmark this, but the Pies won't finish in the top 8. Last night was all about Port and nothing about Collingwood.

Didn't help Sydney much, but I admit, Essendon took a while to get things going as opposed to the Hawks. I think the rain will actually help us

Port are looking bottom 4 considering most would think the Pies are a bottom 10 side.

I still can't fathom how the AFL allow Geelong to train at their home ground but no other club in the league can. It's such a clear advantage for their home games, especially with goal kicking.

The Hawks haven't been us in about 7 or 8 years. McVee will be more then capable on "the wizard", while I think Rivers would be a great matchup for Moore and Salo on Ginnivan.

To be fair, I reckon only our 7 game run winning the flag was when we were playing truly exciting footy. It was built off our ability to score from stoppage and center bounce which was off the charts. In '22 and '23 I feel like we just strangled our opponents into submission with our incredible defence. I'm also haunted by the "what-if" of '22 and '23 because we were good enough to win both those flags if it weren't for terrible luck with injury and battered bodies going into the finals. You can still win premierships playing not the most exciting brand.

The Hawks got smashed in clearance and contested possessions last night. The only thing that got them over the line was their uncanny efficiency going inside 50 against a very disorganized defence. The Hawks midfield and their tall forwards are still major weaknesses. They'll get found out against the top teams. They still don't have a sustainable game plan. Having said that, their small forwards will run riot against Carlton next week even with Weitering keeping Chol statless.

Filthy that Tom Green is playing. Surely he'll be cooked early leaving Clarry and Trac to dominate clearances.

@binman looks like we've drifted a bit in the betting market since 6 debutants announced. No surprise given some would think it's a bit radical.

That explains things I think Disco has a really good competitive edge and a beautiful set shot so I was very surprised he was left out.

Doesn't make sense at all. JvR looked really good in the last match sim. I guess we'll wait and see at 5pm

With the way even the Giants saying "Green is a potential in" on their social media, I'm pretty confident he won't end up playing.

After watching Goody tonight on 360, I'm actually feeling less confident now. I reckon there's a fair chance we could see some of these teething issues with the new game plan he spoke about early on in the season. Perhaps we'll do the opposite of the last few years and come home with a wet sail and storm into the finals instead of starting hot and fading late.

I'm certainly no meteorologist but there's no signs at all that there's a cool change coming Saturday which means it's going to come some time on Sunday. Given it's 27 forecasted with a low of 22, I wouldn't be surprised if it comes quite late in the day. Maybe even in the evening which means there's a chance we might miss the rain altogether.

When did he start unfollowing the club on insta? I noticed he hasn't liked a post from the club since about August.

There's always a few teams that will completely surprise the "experts". It was us and the Dogs in 2021. The aging Cats and the Pies' ridiculous close win run in '22. The Giants resurgence in '23 and the Hawks in '24 are just to name a few. I know there has to be positivity from the club, but the messages I'm hearing sound eerily similar to 2021. I'm not saying we'll go all the way this year, but my gut feels is we will win a big final at the G this year.

The behavioral issues being talked about with him are a major concern. He'd be better off getting away from Vic and playing for Brisbane as a Daniher replacement.

Mind games I'm thinking from Kingsley. Doesn't want to give up selection news yet, but knows both Green and Hogan won't play.

I'm still doubtful he had strapping still on this weekend.

This is so grim for Collingwood, and I love it.

I think we need to make it a high stoppage game. Gawn, Oliver, Petracca and Viney did some of the best clearance work I've seen since 2021. If we win it at the source, they won't be able to get their run and carry game going. The Pies also play a very aggressive press, so once you get through the initial numbers, you have paddocks of space. I can't see us being opened up like that. I'm actually expecting us to win by 4-5 goals with the outs the Giants have.

With Hogan, Green and Riccardi out surely we have to absolutely go in for the kill on this. Other teams won't get this luxury.

We're on the same page regarding the forward line. I just find it hard to believe we are going to worry really good defensive sides without some more talent with our tall forwards. Turner has some potential in that he's a great competitor and usually a straight kick for goal, but his issue is his height and athleticism. I honestly think we need to throw Petracca forward more, he'll draw a really good defender which may make it easier for Fritsch or Turner.