titan_uranus

Exactly. I read early on in the year that Jake King was given the opportunity to change to a lower number (he's 46). He was going to until he found out a sick young kid had just bought a jumper and put 46 on the back, so he decided to keep it for life. Aussie should stay at 39 so that kids can put 39 on their back like they used to do with Aaron Davey.

Somehow they beat Hawthorn today, which puts them on 9.5 wins. If St. Kilda loses, they're only 2 points outside the eight with 2 rounds to go and Freo at the G next week. If they win that they'll go into Round 22 against us looking desperately for a win to play finals. Which means we could have the beautiful honour of sending Richmond out of the finals race and into 9th spot*. *Provided we lose next week...

Hutchy made a point in the paper today that it doesn't matter (so long as we don't win the last 2 games) because we're almost certain to take Watts and West Coast want Naitanui or Rich, so even if we get pick 2 it doesn't matter, Watts will be there.

Were you even at the game Chook? The umpiring was unquestionably bad, not just in terms of the lopsided free kick count, but the decisions that weren't paid to both teams. They were inconsistent in their decisions as well. And on that logic, West Coast is tanking: Hansen, Masten, Hunter, Staker, Kennedy, Rosa, Wirrpanda and Rosa all put in cotton wool.

The absolute worst one was when Braun had the ball in one hand, got tackled, and threw it in the air. The umpire was DIRECTLY in front of him and didn't so much as move his arms.

My vote's for Holland. At least we know what we'll get with big Dutchy

Nasher, I believe this thread is something to do with Mick Malthouse calling the recent media coverage of Collingwood 'disgusting' at a press conference during the week. But who knows.

Only if you include 1919, where we registered 0 wins for the year.

Exactly.

Dominating at VFL level doesn't translate to being a competent player at AFL level. Just ask Mark Jamar or Paul Johnson. There is a significant gap between the two, even more so at Geelong. Hawkins has yet to play in the AFL like he has at the VFL. And it is true that he can't crack into the Geelong team. He has been fit for most of this year, yet Lonergan and Gamble have taken his spot in the team.

Essendon - Courtney Johns (delisted)

First of all, Dean Cox is West Coast's best player, and Travis Cloke is Collingwood's best player. And I'd argue the point that Scott Thomson has gone past Andrew McLeod too. But that doesn't really matter. On what do you base this High Tower? His form this year has been nothing short of rubbish. He cannot deal with heavy tags; his best performances were those of 2005-2007 when 1) West Coast were winning games and 2) There were Chris Judd and Ben Cousins working with him. If Kerr wants out of West Coast, it's because he wants to go somewhere with a decent midfield where he can go back to doing what he does best: being the team's 2nd or 3rd midfielder. Not only will he not want to come to Melbourne, but we don't want him. He won't add anything to the team.

Hawkins may well be the most over-rated player in the competition. Wouldn't give Geelong pick 40 for him.

I'd agree, but I don't think we really need a player of his type in the forward line while we already have Wonna, and to a lesser extent, Robbo. But I reckon if he was to play anywhere it'd be forward.

Ha, yeah. And what with the crowd at our match being 15000-20000 and at the Dome it'll be 25000-30000 I guess it could be worse.

I think the best we can do is go out there and play a decent brand of football that hopefully gives the players some confidence. The worst thing would be if we didn't really show anything against a tanking opponent.

Aww, I just realised that our game is on at the same time as Essendon vs Adelaide at the Dome, so the trains on the way home will be pretty full. I hate it when the AFL does this.

And just for the record: West Coast Eagles B: Mark Nicoski, Darren Glass, Eric Mackenzie HB: Adam Selwood, Beau Wilkes, Andrew Embley C: Michael Bruan, Matt Priddis, Matt Spangher HF: Jamie McNamara, Quinten Lynch, Brad Ebert F: Mark LeCras, Ben McKinley, Mark Seaby Foll: Dean Cox, Chad Fletcher, Tyson Stenglein I/C: Steven Armstrong, Ryan Davis, Tony Notte, Scott Selwood EMG: Tim Houlihan, Will Schofield, James Thomson In: Ebert, Notte Out: Ashley Hansen (ankle), David Wirrpanda (hamstring) New: Tony Notte (Swan Districts) Hansen and Wirrpanda are the latest Eagles to go in for season ending surgery.

Hmm. I don't like the sound of Jamar rucking on his own. Maybe Holland to get a recall for the sole purpose of being the 2nd ruckman?

Yeah it's always good to see the underdog win, but when there's an absolute star of the sport most of the time I barrack for them.

So what happens next week if White's still injured and PJ goes in for surgery? Spencer? Meesen?

Not bad. Miller and Newton in at least provide us with forward targets.

Yeah I didn't realise the margin was as low as it was (15 points). And as I've just found, there were 35,653 people there that day.

Thanks BBP. I have absolutely no recollection of this one whatsoever. Now I know why...

I want Geelong to win. If it can't be Melbourne, I always find myself barracking for the best team. That's not just in footy, I always like seeing Federer, Woods and Phelps win.