Wiseblood

If Lockhart misses out then it's down to our depth, not because he would deserve to miss out. Let's say Salem is fit - our back line will have May, Lever, OMac (we will go with three talls), Jetta, Hibberd, Harmes and Salem. That's at least seven players who will be part of that rotation. Lockhart would probably be next in line but may have to wait for the opportunity.

He has played his best football as a midfielder who can stop an opponent while also being damaging the other way. So, in that instance, you can easily argue he is of more use to us in the midfield. However, his move to the half back line still makes some sense. I think he can give us a strong attacking option from there while also getting a job on their best mid to small sized forward. I'd love to see him get first crack at Liam Ryan in Round 1 as I think he has all the tools to stop him. Time will tell, but hopefully if things don't work out too well with his move to half back then they quickly move him back into the midfield rotation.

It's alright.

Yep. And it's glorious. Not to mention that two of their other better players in Murphy and Simpson are in twilight of their careers as well. Happy for them to be a bottom four team for the next decade.

So Oracle, is this a good thing or a bad thing? You haven't exactly made that clear.

You can't work it out just by watching us play? He shouldn't need to explain it. That's the point.

Also, I'd love to see us put Harmes on Liam Ryan from the first bounce. Has the pace, size and athleticism to go with him all day. And yes, you would expect us to play May, Lever and O Mac in Round 1. That might not be what we go with each week, but if the Eagles do go with the two key forwards and the resting ruck then we'll need that support.

Agree 100%, mate. I thought Jackson gave us a small glimpse of how quickly he could improve on Friday night. I thought he was way off the pace in the third term, which is no surprise at all, but then he really got better in the last and showed his great athleticism and appetite for the contest with his second and third efforts around the ball. I'm firmly in the Weideman camp for Round 1 as he has the bigger body and more experience, but he better not get too comfortable, as LJ could very quickly work his way into the side if Weid's form is sub-par.

That's convenient.

Agree totally with this comment. I remember their starting back six was very, very tall - McEvoy, Frost, Stratton, Frawley etc.

We do have a good conundrum, for the first time in ages, which is who we select to play as small forwards in two weeks time. Kossie is obviously the favoured choice, and he has done more than enough to be selected. However, we know that ANB is a Goody favourite and he was decent in patches last night. I thought Sparho, while not getting a huge amount of the pill, put on some terrific pressure and did some really clever things, while Bedford has showed some glimpses of impressive play. My choice, at the moment, would be Kossie and Spargo, but I'm interested to hear where others stand.

Saty is completely out of his depth when it's not a training thread.

3 from 3 (I refuse to count the Essendon game as we played next to no one in it, plus it doesn't suit my narrative...) Pretty much no injuries (fingers crossed for AVB and Weid) Some encouraging signs, especially with the defensive unit Gawny made a successful comeback Fritsch kicks 5, Milkshake 4 We'll roll the Eagles by 10 goals in Round 1. Bring it on!

Bayley Fritsch - the best #31 since Donald Cockatoo-Collins?

Kicked the last five goals. Our fitness rising to the top again.

Our pressure and defensive setup has been excellent tonight. It's been the highlight of a pretty dour contest.

I see what you did there...

Good transition from the back half then. Didn't let a Hawks player get a hand on it.

He has had a much better second half.

He does great!

Fritsch should have 6.

I've almost had enough of this game. Degenerated into something that is pretty boring. Not sure if that's our fault, Hawthorn's fault, or both.

Mooney just confirming the bruised foot, club saying it's precautionary. Make of that what you will.

Anyone think we rest Gawn and May for the second half? Or do we give them another quarter?

The AFL website does that all the time. Says they're injured, then two minutes later they're back on the field. It's annoying.