Rodney (Balls) Grinter

What value could be put on his attitude and comradery with Track during their rehab? How inspirational would it be if he can make it back to being the champion player he was previously on his way to becoming?

That's a given with Trenners

Harmes was rested last week, but my view is that Salem or Grimes were much better options than Mitchie. Kennedy or even JKH/Newton would have been much better options for Garlett and Pedo should never have been omitted for Weid. They should have at least started Vince on Crisps to provide a physical contest and negating role there. Crisps dominantion was entirely predictable.

Yep, I know where you are coming from. I guess my statement somewhat reflected a personal emotional apathy towards this game after the disaster of last week and the horrible selection decisions which were made prior to that game. That said, I actually think that by in large, the 'youth' selected in the team this year have been up to it. Was very impressed about the way Wagner went about his game from his second game onwards (until he got tired), Oscar was holding his own somewhat even early on because at that time Dunn and Garland's form wasn't so great either. I thought Frost looked the goods from early in the year (it wasn't his fault he was being played out of position), Billy has been worthy of his position in the side for the most part, Harmes is harder than many of the players five years his senior and Hunt, Track, Clary, Gus all goes without saying. I would agree that Weid is probably still a bit too lean for my liking and would probably prefer to see Pedo in there as well, but per the Hawthorn game, Weid is not incapable of providing a valuable contribution. I don't quite know how the coaches should deal with ANB, I think he has potential, but just doesn't look quite ready/up to it when they have brought him in this year. I don't think we should be as quick as some suggest to dispose of Dunn, Garland, Pedo or even Dawes though. As you suggest, we are only a long term injury away to Tommy Mac, or Hogan from needing a sound, mature backup.

Within reason, I actually don't mind so much who gets picked this week, given that the prize which was potentially there, is no longer. I do hope that whoever is picked gives it a red hot crack. I could handle an honorable loss in the present circumstances, particularly with some promising signs and development from individual players and the team in general. However I really honestly do hope we don't put in an insipid performance and get thrashed. That would be a huge setback within the context of the good progress which has been made overall.

I share most of the sentiments in the entirety of this letter - don't quite understand why it has attracted so many knockers. Whilst I'm pretty shattered with the loss to Carlton and similarly lames ones to Essendon and St Kilda to an extent, if you look at the year on balance, to be actually fighting for a potential finals birth as late in the season as we were, is such a refreshing change from being the complete joke of the competition that we have been. It actually feels good to have some credibility as a footy team back. In addition to nearly making finals, the side has not really copped a belting all year and has been in most games until at least 3/4 time and almost all at half time, which is quite a turn around from just a few years ago. I personally just hope that Goodwin and the team continue on this trajectory and that we can be a serious finals contender and player next year and beyond, rather than being a one or two season flash in the pan like Port.

Who saw this years more open, free flowing game style coming? Grimes can play footy, gives effort and has balls - should stay.

I thought this was a garbage statement in the clubs summary and more so for it to be repeated again. So Pedo had had the yips for one or two games and didn't slot what he should have - so what. He's still a good option and a proven goal kicker/match winner. His performances early in the season before he got injured were excellent an showed what he can bring to the side and his game against Hawthorn and to some extent Port showed me he is back to that form. If missing a couple of goals is the difference between playing AFL and VFL, then why is Hogan playing this week? But otherwise don't mind getting some more experience into a kid with potential in Weid as you say. I also agreed at the time that Oscar was holding his own and worth playing in the scheme of things, although it's easier for a young player to find their way playing defense than it is in attack.

Agree with you on pretty much all counts Rusty. I'm sure it wouldn't be a popular call with many of the punters on this forum, but I actually think M Jones is on a par with Grimes by your assessment criteria. Jones is a bit of s different style of player from Jack, but in my view still has a bit of a dip, knows how to find the ball at AFL level and has an impact. Matty often gets slagged off for poor disposal and decision making, bit I actually don't think he is that bad in those areas. Totally bemuses me why Mitchie who hasn't ever produced anything near the performance of Grimes at AFL level, yet has been given first preference over Jack all year. How many players would put in a 30+ disposal game with good defensive and contested effort (which Roos supposedly highly values) and gets dropped one game afterwards.

I'm like the look of the team much better this week, with all the ins. Would have liked to have seen Pedo, but I guess it won't hurt to give Weid some more experience at the top level to understand where he needs to develop his game to play there next year.

I recall seeing a tweet from Trengove that was put up on the club website just prior to his return to playing. The tweet showed a stick of a leg that had withered and degenerated after it had just come out of a long stint of immobilisation from his foot operation. I don't recall exactly when that was, but I seem to think it was something like December 15/Jan 16. That he was even able to get to a point of running at anything like AFL fitness this year amazes me. I'd certainly think his fitness will improve 200% next year after actually completing a preseason as compared to simply getting to first base of a massive injury recovery. After all that he has been through and all that the MFC has invested in him I'd rather see if he can meet his potential in a red and blue guernsey that someone else picking up who could be next years version of Jayden Hunt.

Grimes has nearly twice the tackle count. I actually think that Grimes desperation, defensive pressure and ability to find the ball at AFL level set him streets above Mitchie who a few in this column have suggested we retain. Add in Grimes leadership and I actually think he is a keeper in our present circumstances.

Part of me is actually half hopping this happens as it would make the pain of some of our terrible losses to crap sides like Essendon and Carlton slightly more bearable.

Whilst I realise this thread is probably more about today's game than the season overall, my personal overall pick for player of the year would have to be Jack Watts I think. Whilst it is hard to go past big bearded Max, I'm just rapped that Jack has stood up and delivered what he has for the team this year. I think he has played every bit as important a part in our improvement as big Max, with the critical role he plays for the team. Whilst I also love Max and think he deserves all the accolades, I really respect the way Jack has finally started to answer the critics. I also feel there is yet more improvement in Jacks game, which is very exciting.

I wonder if we all just need to get over Jessie's body language a bit sometimes. No one would care if him and the team play well and that's the bigger issue for me.

He was cluncking it the best he has for a while I recon

6. Jetta (thought he played his best game for a while) 5. T Mac (saved a shallacking) 4. Hogan (mainly for providing a presence around the ground on a day when we didn't move it well into the forward line) 3. O Mac 2. Track 1. Gawn - (not his fault that our on ballers didn't finish off his good work and he still did some good things around the ground) Hunt might be a bit stiff, but although he kicked a good goal, I thought he went missing a bit at critical times in the game compared to his usual role.

I agree in so far as I'm not sure that Bernie is that suited to being a full time defender, though I think he pinch hits OK down there at times and is a good long kick out from full back. But I'm not sure that he still has it in him to play on ball all day. It would have been worth giving him a crack on ball in spurts today in a tagging role on Crisps, although Patrick could well have destroyed Bernie, the way they were both playing. I really love Bernie and what he has done for the club since his arrival, but I fear that his best footy may now be behind him (would love him to prove me wrong). Just my view, but I think he'd be best used in the forward line, as he has great goal sence and a great hoof on him. He could be used sparingly in the middle in bursts when we need a bit of impact there

Nineteen eighty six?

Are you just talking about today? (Although even then he didn't do too bad IMHO) Or haven't you actually seen him play in our other games?

Wow Tony, you really have made that first post count.

I'm absolutely of the view this game was well on the way to being lost at selection. There were half a dozen players who would have given us more drive today than the three inclusions, in a game in which we were admittedly poor around the ground, but still only lost by less than four goals. I can't quite understand the calls to trade/delist ANB - he is only a second year player and one who shows a bit of toughness and go at that. In my view is worth preserving with for at least another season. Not sure I would have picked him today though. Why Viv Mitchie played today absolutely bemuses me though. He has been on a AFL list for six seasons, played 22 games, of which I hardly recall one worthy of an AFL player. He is the absolute definition of a list clogger (is it OK to use that term, or am I offending people again?). And yes, I'm having a good [censored] and winge here, but only because I bloody hate loosing, think our team is much better than that and thought this was a very winnable game. Still encouraged by the gains throughout the year and looking forward to taking further steps forward next year.

A half fit Christian Salem would have been twice as good as either of the mid sized ins this week. To all those who have been saying we picked the team with an eye to next year, please tell me, what did Weid and ABN get out of playing that game?

I think I should have followed your advice and switched off at half time, because just about all I got from that second half was pure frustration.

An absolute joke that he was dropped