Wiseblood

That's a gross over-statement from you C&B, but we did happen to kick our largest score for almost 2 years without him.

Yep, and you can add Stevie J to that list as well. A number of their good players are all over 30. Plus their ruck division is a shambles as well. They might struggle a bit this year.

Obviously it's only Round 1 so I could well be wrong, but I've always looked forward to seeing how Chris Scott would go once he had to develop his own side and not rely so much on what was in place before him. No coach will ever come into a coaching gig like he did with a club still at the peak or their powers. This is just one game but they don't look all that flash.

Apparently he had 29 touches in the reserves yesterday, even though Geelong were thumped. He won't play a senior game for them.

Apart from Vince coming in for Toumpas those aren't good changes and they leave us very top heavy. One of the reasons we played so well on Saturday was because we got the mix of players just right - changing that up would be very detrimental to our chances. Plus making 3 changes from a winning side is wrong. There is no need for Gawn to come in anyway, and to drop Cross is ludicrous.

The habits that have deserted him for 3 or 4 seasons? Don't hold your breath. Fair play to you though C&B for admitting that you missed the mark on Brayshaw and his selection, but it's a positive it came out that way as he was a part of a terrific start to the season. Well played to the lad.

Spot on Colin. It was fantastic yesterday. Extra kudos to the club for hiring a guy with a brilliant mullet - he was helping out during the warm up by kicking the ball out to the players, and it was seriously a special mullet. Felt like a good omen heading into the game. He needs to be there every week.

Which begs the question - why isn't McCartin playing? If that was the reasoning then he should be out there with him. They aren't going to win many games and it would be more beneficial than giving someone like Josh Bruce a run instead. And I agree - their skills are shocking.

What were these skill errors Biff? I must admit I didn't see Crossy make too many yesterday. I agree that he is not the most reliable user of the ball, but using yesterday as an example is off the mark.

You are probably right that Kent may be the player that would make way for Dawes, but I hope that's not the case. I think the combo of Garlett, Kent and JKH roaming at the feet of the talls is dangerous and allows us to put pressure on the opposition defence. Taking one away might hurt that and leave us playing a little too tall.

I think it does too, but someone has to make way. We have plenty of kids getting, finally, the right exposure to senior footy with the leaders around them that they need. For the record I'd love to see the club back Toumpas and stick with him, but finally we have enough depth that he won't get that chance right now as there are too many ahead of him in the pecking order. His time will come.

I don't think it's a bad thing either, however Bernie was BOG at Casey today and is going to have more impact for us right now than Toumpas. Vince will get a run next week as his experience and skills are too important to us right now. Toumpas will get his chance, it just won't be right now.

Who goes out for Vince then? Bernie is a required player and an important part of our side and someone has to make way. Toumpas is the logical choice.

I dislike the Dogs, but Bontempelli is going to be some player. Absolute gun.

This thread just goes to show how silly you can look if you jump the gun, especially during the pre-season. It was a ridiculous thread to begin with and the game today proved that.

The Lions have a good midfield and NOTHING else. Their forward line is abysmal.

There is some truth in that, but if you look at the side they put out there then you can't deny it's a terrific win. Plus I think our pressure at the contest and willingness to spread and support allowed us to win more of those 50/50 contests and force turnovers out of them.

We need to be careful with our selections. We had the right mix up forward today, and dropping someone like JKH for Dawes would muck it up in my opinion. We had those small forwards buzzing around, kicking goals and putting on pressure and by bringing in a tall for a small we have the risk of mucking that up. Dawes may still find his way into the side, possibly for Frost or Garland if he is injured, but other than that it would be Vince for Toumpas.

Just fantastic. How good is this feeling? It almost feels surreal it's been that long. We haven't rolled a side like that in ages and it's just sensational to see us take the game on and win. So many other posters have mentioned the positives so there is no need to tread old ground, but the recruits were great and we can already see some genuine improvement in plenty of our players. I think, for the first time in a while, we can look forward to the season ahead.

I won't gloat C&B, but I hope you were suitably impressed by Gus' game today and you are happy to be proven wrong. The kid was terrific. I should have taken that deal though....

You say this as though the club don't have the 4 points on their mind but would rather blood a young fella like Brayshaw. You couldn't be more wrong about that and you know it, so stop using it to further your argument as it's silly. The club has put the best 22 players out there that are available based on their pre-season form and what they can contribute currently in their position.

And you have answered your own question. Clearly the club believe Brayshaw, on current form, has the potential to contribute more on the field in his position than the other players who missed out. No idea why that is so hard for you to understand.

Do you do this for every selection? Are we to expect this of you every week when someone is dropped for another player?

So practice matches are a rung down? So the NAB games, which are practice games, are also a rung down so it makes it even with VFL practice games going by your logic. He was named in the best for every game. He was clearly doing all the things asked of him by the coaching team. Otherwise he wouldn't have received the praise and the promotion for Round 1 if he didn't. And thanks for the childish 'deal'. You should be hoping like crazy he does do better in SC as it will mean good things for Gus and the team.

Casey form doesn't count now? That's news to me. Better call the club quickly mate, you'll need to let them know.