In Harmes Way

Despite the article suggesting that in game decision making isn't affected, I've been of the opinion that this actually has been the case for some time. I've seen multiple instances where the umpire has paid a very late free kick and I've said to my boy "that one he missed has come down from upstairs". That said, I haven't been unhappy with any of these perceived third party decisions (I think we've generally been on the receiving end).

Clarry to HFF playing under the tree?

Low percentage means the games are close. Theoretically.

I can't look at that photo without the Metallica song playing in my head.

Hunter. Freed up Langdon. Chandler. Solid linkup game. Kicks one OOF but outside that was very good.

I actually thought the sections of the game where we continued to try and move the ball forward in chaos/scramble mode resembled 2021 as well. I guess we were playing a team at $3.40 to win odds, and it ended up showing, but our retention of the ball in congestion esp. using handball was very good (and we didn't really overdo it for once). The game style we've been trying to perfect this year really shone out yesterday, I hope it gives confidence and holds up against the stronger defensive teams. Next week against Freo will be a good test.

I’m not a fan of swapping TMac and Petty fwd/back as I think this will be quite disruptive to the backline, but we’ve got to try something different to play Petty into form, and quickly.

No need for slapping, that’s healthy

The Essendon bloke should get a week for being at the wrong game. sorry, couldn’t help myself

A nod to our indigenous players whom we hold dear on Doug Nicholls round. delighted to see Salo and Smacca in the team - not expecting too much from either of them but a good first game to settle them both in. Hopefully BBB can clunk some marks up the ground and kick a snag or three. Happy to see him back also. I can’t see us belting them, because that’s not what we do: but WCE not that proficient against good defences so we should be right in this one.

I am a fan of the standing the mark rule for set shots at goal. It used to really [censored] me when the player standing the mark would run at our set shot kicker, run over the mark, smother the ball and not get pinged by an umpire looking the other way.

Mali's video should be tagged NSFW given I've got tears streaming down my face. Not the best look in the office.

Dannyz reported yesterday it looks like Tom Fullarton will debut - I'd say in place of JVR as backup ruck/forward.

Injuries to WCE in game vs pies: INJURIES West Coast: Petrucelle (ankle), Darling (nose), McGovern (internal injury)

Smashing it today @WalkingCivilWar . Thanks for the intel!

And I see Newman got off with a fine rather than getting a week for his hit on Nibbler. Rated low impact rather than medium for the potential to cause damage. The AFL have gone beyond a joke.

I found myself saying in the first quarter that the umpires don't need to find a free kick in every contest. But they did a good job in trying.

If Kossie got a week due to the potential for injury, then Newman should get the same.

I’ve written off the Adelaide game as a “non Melbourne” event. But 10 and 13 goals in the last two games tells a story (offence still a work in progress, which we all know). Given we play defensive, contested footy, I can’t see we’re suddenly going to have big goal returns early in the game against good opponents (although I hope this doesn’t age well) The upside from your stats is that our fitness levels are showing dividends in the last qtr when the game opens up.

17.9 instead of 9.17 this time please

First training report without @kev martin and look at the angst.

I think you'll find Webber that crook is a legitimate medical term. I'm surprised you don't know this, given your profession.

It's an interesting conundrum keeping out of form players in the side - too good for VFL, and likely won't hone their skills in a scrappier league, but how long do you persist for? Glad they did with Petts, because his pack mark clunking is super important for us, but I do wonder about Billings - who you know right at this point in time won't kick the goal when the opportunity arises for him. I do like that he's a good sub-out option all things going well, and that he continues to get a chance to work through his form/kicking issues.

What I liked best about that goal was that I went from "well, that's going out. Reset and lock it in" to jumping up and down absolutely ape**** with my son in about half a nano second.

It's fair to say that this website has been giving JT well deserved recognition and kudos for years. Because he's the best. And we're astute judges of character.