At the break of Gawn

Given the weather forecast is expecting rain, what do we need to do differently to ensure we can win this time? I worry about our ability to score in wet weather if our smalls have quiet games. If you take the Carlton game for example, our smalls struggled to fire. Collingwood has superior forwards in wet weather games. Miocek (pretty agile player), Elliot, Hill, McReery will all trouble us.

I’m glad we didn’t take him. He would have been just a prequel to Scully. Stay for 2 years then leave. We all know Watts never lived up to his potential, but I’ve often wondered if shipping him off due to his lack of professionalism sent a message to the group which led to mass buy-in from this group on professionalism. I also think with Watts’ lack of competitiveness, the recruiting staff made that a real focus for future picks. So all in all, I wouldn’t change a thing as we might not have had the 2021 flag.

Same. I hope the forecast changes because at the moment it’s 0-5mm of rain. If it rains, we’re doomed.

Good re-signing I think. We definitely need the depth. We can’t rely on Tmac/BB while Grundy’s mgmt will seek a trade it seems. With another pre-season under his belt at Melbourne, who knows, maybe he’ll surprise us and grab an opportunity in 2024.

Tom Stewart making the team is an absolute joke. Has had an average season and Geelong’s defence has been ****house this year. I genuinely hate Harris Andrews and I’m no Weitering fan, but to have Stewart before them is ridiculous and the AA selectors are just playing favourites.

100%. If he dominates, I can’t see us losing.

So Port get a 6 day break if they lose and we beat the Pies?

Ideally I want to see: A 100+ score on the board keeping them to under 60pts no injuries oh and Port to win.

Can someone please explain the rationale for this? Surely the Brisbane game is the obvious choice? Brisbane last year on the Thursday night worked well so I just don’t understand the reasoning here. You’ll see a smaller crowd on Thursday night at the MCG.

Yet there was a gap with Marchbank’s?

Did anyone see Big O’s goal soft called a behind by the umpire as touched, but despite inconclusive evidence, the ARC overturned it? Funny how things change…

Exactly. It’s why we belted them there last year and why their second half of the season record at the GABBA is worse.

That game was a dead rubber as Collingwood had already sewn up top spot and rested a couple. Still, it wasn’t an ideal lead in for them. I think us playing Sydney is a great lead in as they’re a high pressure side and will have a home final to play for.

Just a reminder that Geelong had a 100pt win in round 23 in 2018 and then went goalless in the first qtr against us and lost their elimination final. We also had a 10 goal victory in round 23 last year at the GABBA and then got rolled in the QF. So take the Collingwood win with a grain of salt.

I’m going to channel Binman here and give a positive spin. Perhaps Turner can be our Bowey of ‘23 and go on a winning streak to the flag? Goody and co must see something in him and I’ve never really been sold on Tomlinson this year. Tmac to be the sub. In better news, the Sydney weather has done a 180 and the weather looks perfect for Sunday!

Awesome news! This will [censored] off the former President even more 😁

It was really upsetting to read this. What a terrible tragedy, and I feel so sorry for his family. I’m proud that the Melbourne football club gave him a wonderful week and showed so much care for him and his family. His parents will remember that week forever. RIP Charlie and my condolences to his family.

I think there's also scenario 6 which is all 3 teams above us win but we lose to Sydney. One good thing about the time of our game on Sunday is that we'll know by the time the game starts who we'll play if we win or if we lose. However, with Goodwin's philosophy we'll absolutely be trying for the win.

The Schache sub was just weird. Gave him about 10 mins of game time so didn’t really allow him to show much. I’m still not sold on Tomlinson but he’s a better defender than Smith. Also, I’d prefer Hibbo over Bowey, just think we need that level of desperation in finals. In: Fritsch, Hibbo Out: Bowey, Laurie Sub: Tmac or Schache

Worst game since he had the flu game last year.

This is what I’m hoping for. For every 1-2 good wins, they put in a shocker.

Has junior footy finished as well? From memory it normally ends late August.

God I hope so.

Makes tomorrow’s game more important really. I don’t like our chances against the Swans at the SCG.

I hope the Hawks take a leaf out of Essendon’s book tomorrow.