Wiseblood

Very true. Either way, you always back up your opinions with some facts and you actually make the effort to justify them. I respect that. I know the O Mac bias is there but rather than rubbish someone like Tomlinson, you at least do everything in a respectful manner. ?

He didn't do his stocks any harm on the weekend. If he asks to be traded, particularly if another club shows serious interest, then I'd consider it... for a decent price. Could we get our way back into the late first round? I'd say we are a 5% chance, but the bloke is a handy back up and I'd see no reason to let him go unless we were very well compensated.

I know T Mac isn't exactly a great athlete at the minute, but at least he has some forward craft. Big Preussy is really nothing more than a ruckman who will probably just get in Weideman's way. While Jackson is injured, I'd prefer to let Tom play and pinch hit in the ruck. I think our overall forward line will work better with him there until Jackson returns.

Yes and no to this one. While O Mac might be a better defender overall, I think Tomlinson is more flexible, if that makes sense. He can do more for the team as a whole, whereas Oscar is purely a defensive tall and can't really do much else. Although he probably does that role better than Tomlinson does, who over his career hasn't been asked to do that role on too many occasions. However, does the fact we have gone with Tomlinson as the second tall (I'll class Lever as the third), say more about where Oscar is at than Tomlinson? I'd love to know more in terms of where Oscar sits in the pecking order, why he got dropped etc. I do agree in that Oscar had been really good prior to the Port game, so that makes it all a little more perplexing. On the flip side, I don't think Tomlinson has done a whole lot worse than Oscar has, but as you say, this week will be interesting in terms of selection.

I don't think it's Tomlinson bashing, binman. I would class it as bashing him if you just potted the bloke and didn't bother to back it up. Of course you haven't potted him, but actually tried to also back up where you're coming from. However, do you think being a massive fan of Oscar might cloud your judgement just a little here? He has done no worse than what Oscar has over his past three games in my opinion. Tomlinson wasn't flash against North, but then Oscar wasn't flash against Port (which has been discussed in great depth so need to go over it). So they are really like for like right now. I think Nasher makes a good point that May and Lever have improved more so because they are very good footballers as opposed to Oscar or Tomlinson having a large impact on that.

Yep, really good point mate. I think it's also the reason why he has taken a little time to settle in to the side. He has been shifted around quite a bit and hasn't been given the opportunity to nail down a spot in the side. However, his move to defence, as you rightly point out, has so far been a good one. I saw a poster mention after the Pies game that they barely noticed him - to me, that's a good thing for a key position defender. He had his man covered, didn't stuff up etc. If you say that about a key position forward then you worry, but not for someone doing their job in defence.

I'd say May would go to Naughton. He is their number one forward and May is our number one backman. Tomlinson would then go to Bruce, and then Lever can zone off from there. Their forward line certainly looked more potent on the weekend, but that can be attributed to the massive turd the Crows dumped up there more than anything else. Naughton certainly helps but our defence has been sublime for quite some time now. I think we can more than handle them.

And that Leoncelli goal came about thanks to one of the all time great ruck 'punches' from The Ox!

The Dogs strength - their midfield - is a real problem for the Crows. They will cut them up all day.

I agree, OD. If Gawn isn't 100% then I'd give him another week for sure. Preuss more than held his own and will do so again against English you would think, although I fear that English might be a little too mobile for the big fella around the ground.

Adelaide.

Apart from Gawn coming in for Preuss, which is sounding likely, I find it hard to make any changes to that side. We don't play again until next Saturday so we have sufficient time to rest, so dropping guys like Pickett for a 'rest' doesn't really seem all that necessary. Our back six is working right now so I don't see the need for changes there, and while some might want to drop a Sparrow, I still think he has been doing a solid job in the side and he has been getting some time in the middle as well which has been important. So, unless a mystery injury bobs up, I'd be going with Gawn for Preuss IF Gawn is 100% and ready to go.

I agree with you mate. We did need to play two tall forwards, but having Weid focus on a few deficiencies before coming in to the side has made all the difference. One thing that stood out to me last night was his ability to either mark the ball or make a contest. We weren't doing that nearly enough earlier in the year and it is a key component of the style of football we want to play. He is either clunking them or smashing the back and making sure we limit their intercept marks. While I can understand the frustration of some for him not playing sooner, I think the club and player have worked hard together to get him to this point and we're reaping the rewards right now.

@praha - re: Tomlinson. He certainly hasn't set the world alight since coming here, but I feel for him a bit. Was recruited to play on the wing, which we did for a few rounds before we forced him into a back up ruck role. Got dropped, a bit unfairly if you ask me but to each their own, and has then been brought back into the side as a key defender. Poor bloke hasn't had the opportunity to settle into a role yet. I haven't seen him make any glaring errors and he was part of a back six that dominated last night, so I'm happy to give him more time. Joeboy - good summary this week!

I love you too, mate!

I told you guys at three quarter time we would win by 10 goals! Now, please, bask in every glorious moment of smashing the filth! Go Dees!

Fritta loves picking over a carcass.

Dees to win by 10 goals. Bugger you pessimistic bastards!

Must hold them here. Can't give up another one.

PETRACCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Langdon kicks this it is totally against the run of play.

[censored] farting around with it early. With the rain tumbling down we just need to get it forward.

Reckon Vanders has shown us in this first half why Goody loves having him in the side. He might make a few errors, but his toughness around the contest is invaluable. Smashed Mihocek and got up and walked away like it was nothing.

What a pick up Langdon has been. He is everything we hoped he would be.

What a fantastic first half of footy. Outstanding. Everything that has been wrong with our forward line has gone. We bring it to ground, we have the right mix of crumbers and we are taking our chances. It's a joy to watch.