At the break of Gawn

I’ve got a bet on us to get within 42pts (choose your own line) at $1.30. Pretty good value with all the low scoring. I highly doubt we’ll get thrashed as some are suggesting. I’ve got some level of confidence that we can win, but worry that we won’t have enough class.

If we had a full-strength side, we'd be pumping up this Friday night as our revenge and a chance to embarrass the Eagles like they did to us. Instead, it feels like we're limping over there and an honourable loss will satisfy most. I hope I'm wrong and the boys play their best game of the season to really kick-start our season.

Would they have actually known it was a fracture during the game? Unless it was obviously broken, Melky and the medical staff may have thought it was just bruised and then came back on (although in pain) but x-rays have now confirmed it was a fracture.

All good. Your positivity is appreciated on this site (and on the podcast). Some of us can go overboard with the negativity so it’s a good to call it out.

I never stated that OMac is uncompetitive, all I stated was that on a level playing field, I don’t think Omac would have kept up with Holman in that chase. That’s why I said, to be fair on Holman, he didn’t just get away because Omac was injured. I don’t mind Omac and never call any of our players uncompetitive. I trust Goodwin (for the most part) so if he’s playing him then it’s for a good reason.

To be fair on Holman, I don't think OMac would have been able to go with him anyway even if he wasn't injured. OMac is usually slow to react and wouldn't have made up the gap, at the very most he may have put pressure on the kick. Having said all that, all is well that ends well, and who knows, if that event hadn't of transpired, we may have actually drew the game and only got the 2pts. Gold Coast scoring that goal invoked the 6-6-6 formation which cleared out our forward line. It was with an open forward line with two quick entries that allowed us to win the game.

There's a great insight on Access All Areas (on the afl app/site) where they break down that last 1 minute of play. Oscar McDonald is a very lucky man that we won that game. He jogged a long in the middle rather than man up on Holman who ended up kicking the goal that put them in front. They also highlighted the smarts of Marty Hore - he didn't play a great game but his second half and that goal was really something.

100% agree. I think a measure of success for a team is how long they can keep their season alive and allow their supporters to hold out hope. The best teams last until the last week of September, while the worst teams kill off their chances in May and leave their supporters despondent and asking themselves "why bother" for the rest of the season. Geelong is a good example; they limped into finals last year got bundled out first round, yet re-loaded again and now sitting 1st a game clear. Don't be fooled by the Adelaide example who are tricking the football world into thinking they are a good football side by having one of the easiest of draws to date. As a supporter, I'd much rather see us play finals than to put the cue in the rack, finish 15th and get a top pick with the illusion of hope that we'll relaunch even better next year. Nothing is guaranteed next year, and a simple awkward landing could see Gawn do a knee in round 1 and you'll have the same portion of supporters tell us the year is wasted and go again next year... We've been going again next year for the last 50 years...

Seems pretty clear now that he's just out of form and not actually carrying an injury. Hopefully the GC game has given him some more confidence.

Our ugliest win in 2016 (against the Suns at the G) led to our best win for the year (Hawks) the week after. Ugly wins can often lead to bigger and better things.

6. Oliver 5. Salem 4. Gawn 3. Jones 2. Harmes 1. Melksham

No Oliver? Wow.

Tmac said in the post match it was quite greasy out there which caused a lot of fumbles. I’d give him one more chance.

You should be wrapped with the result considering you tipped the Suns by 20pts.

Reviving this thread... Seems out of favour with playing in the guts, with even Jones preferred to him. Was really ineffective today... Poor game or something more?

Probably up there with his best game this season

I had head in hands at 47s and was jumping off my couch at the siren. Lots of negativity around here - but you name a team that has won a game down by 6pts with 47s left in the last few years. Gawn was huge in that last 47s, as was Oliver, Viney, Harmes and sort of Tmac. Shelve the 4pts, take the lessons learnt and re-launch for next week against an out-of-form West Coast.

Honestly thought Harmes was just going to kick through it and go for goal. But thank god Macca kicked it off the ground.

Just get the 4pts

Lewis looks ok now.

Not sure if there’s an issue with game plan. It’s just our ball skills trying to hit a target going inside 50. They’re terrible.

What was Rampe thinking climbing the goal post? Should have actually been a free kick in the goal square.

I've heard a few of the players refer to "winning critical one-on-ones" or more one-on-ones/contested possessions across the ground. This must be exactly what they are talking about. Although we're great at winning the contested possession at the stoppage, most of our other players aren't very good one-on-one/contested players. Thankfully we improved this over the weekend in the forward line and a bit in the back line.

Fiorini is a huge out for them. Young is also a handy player out I’m not overly worried considering they haven’t beaten us since 2014.

Wagner was petty good against the Hawks. He’s actually been very good I feel since coming back in. AnB is about right I feel. Jay Lockhart is probably keeping him out rather than Viney.