Bay Riffin

I expect the cats to win comfortably unless Hogan kicks a bag, and I cant split the lions v dogs. I can see the dogs getting momentum but I can also see the lions bouncing back against a doggies defence which can be suspect, then get McStay back to play Port and take it to them. but as people have said lets hope they are grinding affairs and in the prelim we have the physical advantage.

not many small forwards have taken us to task this year. I believe a big part has been Hunt who has played more defensively. either directly taking his opponent or indirectly helping out with speed and athleticism.

Andrews was on Fritsch for a fair period.

agree. I watched the Fagan presser, he was surprisingly relaxed. maybe too relaxed. with Mcstay has just answered yeah we could have done with that extra tall with the down the line play. very humble in defeat.

protection. and why wouldn't you. they just couldnt fit Lever on.

Jury is still out for mine with two metre Peter. I think he's a natural lead up to the ball type player but in general play has the Natanui's about him i.e cant get the ball, doesn't read it well. some players have a purple patch, much like the Weid has had.

I honestly feel that was a factor and agree its something we don't do enough. Petty has a good read of the game for a young player to appeal.

good question. Ive watched every game and replays and here are my reasons in order: Less 'bees to a honeypot' wtih some additional outside run. Go look at our big game losses that year to pies in the queens birthday and the preliminary final. Our opponents spread and we got burnt badly. We are much better defensively, both in personnel with May and Lever and team defence (although team defence was above average back then) the folk group from 2019 - Jackson Rivers and Pickett. not only really good recruits but balance us out and added a strength to our greatest weakness in the small forward area. midfield improving their output and connection. a lot less standing under Gawn but mixing it up and sacrificing roles for the team. also spreading more. more recently Big Ben Brown who keeps hitting the scoreboard.

Well Bailey scored 4 goals. and Hunt helped keep their smalls quiet.

what i don't understand is during any game you will hear an umpire say he 'ducked' or use wording that says the player contributed to the tackle. Which is good umpiring then you see someone like Selwood drop his knees, then the tackler go for the waist and then Selwood slides his opponents arms up to his shoulders. all in one motion. Its obvious from the moon whats going on, but the umpire will call high tackle. its insane. Selwoods frees for/against ratio is off the charts, as was Cyril Rioli a consistent ducker, diver. how important is it? well both those players have plenty of premierships and awards. thing is I believe its easy to police. but how fair to our players have to play? not exaggerate an in the back ? Max Gawn gets bullocked 20 metres off the ball constantly to keep him away from marking contests. he's the opposite, no gesticulating, just soldiers on.

Fritsch kicked 47 goals, the most of any mid / small forward. why are people surprised?. I'd have him AA team on a flank, name me 3 or 4 smaller types who are ahead of him ?

its definitely psychological for Clayton. he cant kick them dead in front. If he pretends hes passing to a seat in the 10th row he would snag more goals.

rolled over ? It was decided by the AFL, a made up rule on the fly which so often happens.

Agreed, hes looking very reliable, marking has improved out of sight, great judgement and good kicking hitting targets. This has allowed us to release May moreso to use his kicking. another v good game.

I thought his defensive pressure first half was lamentable. Didn't predict this day out. He actually got a free directly in front as well which fell in Petraccas lap to advantage for a goal.

Wow. Very close for father/son.

Luke tappscott as well. Was almost BOG first game against the swans.

not wanting to pot him but he's been poor and fumbly recently. particularly poor in the Essendon game then again against the giants. but he has shown he can turn it around. He just needs his confidence back and to handle the pill more cleanly.

Take out the ladder position why did they deserve it ? Despite the hawks getting a golden run with the umpires (3rd quarter especially) we had more disposals, inside 50s, more scoring shots, more clearances, contested possessions.. But they did win the frees 22-15. Hawks were competitive but that doesn't mean they should have won. thats a stretch. we didn't take out chances. Thats why they were able to draw.

and what were you saying a week ago ?

wha ? Hawks topped up constantly and didn't 'celebrate' the draft like Clarko says. he has hung onto Burgoyne for instance when his stats this year are very underwhleming, keeping a youngster out. blokes like Smith wanted longer term deals.

Not sure why everyone is defending Hunt. He’s been good playing back this year but he simply had a very poor game. His awareness was awful. He’s been good but let’s call it correctly, it was a balls up when we had control in the last quarter.

Yep Petty was poor today, not clean too many mistakes. Reads it very well but caused dangerous turnovers too often. Hunt could not have played worse in the last quarter. Have no idea what he was thinking.

I'd like clarity on that. If you are coming from the same direction as the payer with the ball, how do you man the mark ? is he meant to just leave the area ? Im unsure what the rule is. If he can man the mark then I thought it was harsh.

disagree, forward running teams like Essendon play into our hands. They can play on at their own peril. Pies were extremely patient against us, which is not Essendons MO.