Wiseblood

Posters said that last week, too. We generally play Marvel well and the Saints, apart from getting a 'dead coach bounce' last week, aren't all that flash. I can't see them smashing us or even getting close to doing that.

We have to delist a few players at the end of the year. JKH, who is out of contract, makes sense as being one of those. If that decision has been made then there is zero sense in playing him. That's why they'll go with the likes of Baker instead.

With Lever, Frost, Hibberd and Jetta in the side, you would like to think OMac will be a non-factor. He can play the second or third tall role for us which will keep him, generally, out of harms way. We know he is okay at most things so hopefully he can do that for us this weekend. The other two outs aren't surprising, and I'm excited to see Baker back in the side, and I think Tim Smith straightens us up a little going forward more than a Preuss would. I think Smith, Petty and Fritsch can work well down there together.

I love that goal. What a win that was as well. I was there and I gave it to every Pie fan within earshot.

Simon Godfrey?

This is taken from the Herald Sun article: The Demons beat several overseas clubs, at least two other AFL teams and one A-League club for his signature I'm probably going a bit far with the coup talk, but the bloke has a pretty good resume. The proof will be in the pudding of course, but it's a positive announcement.

Apparently we beat out a number of overseas clubs, two AFL clubs and an A-League club for his signature. This bloke clearly knows his stuff. Great coup for the club.

Let's be honest - there would still be angry supporters with an 18-0 record.

Jack Watts.

Hunt is a funny one. He had his best season in 2017 during Goodwin's first season at the helm, and then had his drop off in 2018 before returning to the Hunt of old, to an extent, this year. Some will see his 2017 season as a product of his growth from the Roos years, others might see it as further progression under Goodwin. I think there is a little bit of truth to both.

You must have magic powers to quote that, seeing as it was deleted. I'm impressed.

Good points rjay. I know for a fact that the internal review is already well and truly underway. We've seen evidence of this with the coaching changes (McCartney asked to go back into a development role), but they are using these final rounds to prepare for the pre-season and on to 2020, and that goes for the playing staff, coaching staff, fitness staff etc. They aren't sitting on their hands but being as proactive as they can to ensure that next year is nothing like this year.

He loves doing that. I flick past what he and 'bub have to say these days. It's not worth your time. It's the same thing over and over and over again. They think the club is scarred when it's them who are instead.

I was going to say the same thing. Averaging out our improvement takes away from the improvement itself. We've shown it since 2014, and the only 'aberration' so far has been this year.

So you're advocating putting arguably the best ruckman in the game as almost a permanent forward and letting Preuss do the ruckwork? Madness. I get what you're saying re: Smith not really being the future at 28, but gee, I'd much rather have his effort and output down there than leaving Gawn there for large chunks of the game. We need him in the guts.

He might not be the future, but right now, he brings more to the table than Preuss does. Smith or Weid in for Preuss is a must. Lockhart probably needs a spell as well and I'd like to see them give Baker another run. So: In: Baker, Weid/Smith Out: Lockhart, Preuss

Yep, although I think in the last month we've been a little better. The addition of Fritsch helps as he has good leading patterns and we've actually hit him up quite well on the lead. It's one thing we don't do nearly enough of.

He certainly gets to the right spots. We need a bit of X-factor and he certainly has it. Anyone know what he is like going the other way? Does he put on any tackling pressure, or does he need to work on his stamina?

I agree, and what annoyed me the most was that the commentators, at the time, tried to say he got him in the shoulder first and he just followed through and got him in the head. That clearly wasn't true. As you say, he deserves at least a week.

Proud of the boys yesterday. Tremendous effort and the best our forward line has functioned in some time, especially with some key players out. Back line is looking better and better each week. May smashed Kennedy and Lever is improving each week. Frosty had a bit of a shocker on Darling, who is in super form, but that's going to happen. Salem continues his good form and I thought Josh Wagner wasn't too bad across half back either. It was like watching a local footy game though - we are the side outside the five who is full of endeavour, effort and willingness to hunt the footy, but we lack the polish to put a superior team away at the minute. The Eagles kicked goals when it counted and we just couldn't do the same often enough. Kudos to Jordan Lewis, and Goody, for his role up forward, and let's hope Fritsch stays as a permanent forward from now on. Have him down there with Tom Mac and they could be a formidable force. But the loss sums up our season really. We've been in so many contests but we just can't finish the job. It's disappointing, but I'm still positive about our chances from 2020 and beyond.

You never lose your footy IQ. Lewis has it in spades, and it enables him to play roles like the one he did yesterday. Does he deserve another year? Possibly, but at his age, you would hope that a few of the kids would step up and take his place. If he gets another year then I'm fine with it, but I'd also be disappointed in a few others for not making the improvement to have his spot in the side.

Running out of gas.

She has given quite a few against us during this game, and I'm surprised they gave her another gig after being dropped during the season.

Bit hard to do that when they're giving them decisions like the one on Gawn just then.

And you're saying the reason we did that was because Viney was off? Also, Viney had 12 touches, 5 tackles and a goal to half time.