deelete my account

My most obvious prediction: Daniel Rioli to get 3 holding the ball tackles and goals from turnovers on Frost/Omac Tmac and Melksham

Doesn't that mean we haven't beaten anyone of note too?

There are no excuses for the 22 players that went yesterday and last week in those key quarters where we couldn't shift momentum. But if there is a consensus that the suspensions really hurt us structurally, then why are we making judgements on whether we've improved from last year without having our integral structure back?

Indeed. Too attention seeking to put it in the post-match thread with the fear that it will be skipped over and missed.

I don't have many issues with Goodwin, but one thing he said in his press conference was a little concerning "There have been two quarters this year, that haven't been what we're about" I can see that he may be referring to applied attitude, but if he's talking about our game plan and ball movement, then you can't always have it your own way and have to adapt and shift the focus back onto the other club in trying to negate what they're doing, rather than waiting for a quarter break to drill the game-plan back into the players. Obviously the on-field leaders share some responsibility during the quarter for getting the team back to playing footy 'the way they're about', but we should also be switching to a far more defensive flood or another plan b at some point as others mentioned when the momentum was with Fremantle. But they're young and inexperienced so he has a point.

The good news is that we did not throw the kitchen sink at Hurley as he's yet to come back and find any form at all. Probably the rustiest of all 12 that were suspended. Throwing money and first round picks at a 27 year old on the decline would've been a massive mistake. †hough if Hibberd and Melksham don't come on then we've basically done it anyway with 2nd rounds and 2 x 400k a year players

What a shame. Would've loved to have been 4-0 or 3-1, and cheering for the strongest teams to lose so we could contest for the top 4. Now we have to barrack for them to keep middle-table teams firmly in the middle.

Ok my mistake. Though I thought it was an obvious hold from at the ground.

1. Apparently Weideman had a big corkie and ran around with a mild limp? Why wasn't he on the bench for the 2nd half? I thought resting Spencer in the goal square when he wasn't rucking would've been the most ideal thing to do in the second half, and sit Weideman on the bench for the rest of the match. Even Harmes would have made a far more formidable full forward with his leap in a contested mark. 2. There was a 5 minute patch in the last quarter when Hunt went off and the momentum shifted back to Freo with a Melksham error 3. Viney tried to cheat by holding Fyfe and disabling him in that last ruck contest and gave away a holding the man free kick, i thought the loss was deserved after that kind of effort. Try and beat Fyfe at the ball next time.

Say what you want about our D, but it's our mids letting it go in and our mids that have ZERO confidence in our forward structure, we are zero chance of marking it forward

Petracca or Hannan would make a more effective forward in the air in the 2nd half than Weid currently, bench him for majority of next half

I don't think I've seen Weideman break pace, one jogging gear all quarter. When he gets to a contest he's still jogging and every opponent clicks into gear and cruises past him.

Dawes tank was fine, Pedersons tank is fine. But i'm saying "the tank that fits into our future plans" - Both don't. So Wiedemann gets more on the job experience to learn and grow. If we're thinking "We can't afford to drop this game, better bring in Pederson" then i don't think that's having much foresight. Pederson isn't going to be the make or break reason for us going one step further this year and winning a premiership, so why would we need him to get us over the line in one game against Fremantle? What is so important about trying to salvage 4 points early in the year by not playing an inexperienced forward, when the Pederson isn't even in the future plans. If Weidemann doesn't develop against the best backmen now, then you'll have an inexperienced forward next year and a year older Pederson (31) , which is a bad situation.

It's quite refreshing to have this aerobic type of player in a team to learn and grow, if it results in a healthier forward line when the ball hits the ground or defensively being able to spread a forward zone and have the fitness to be able to run back toward goal. Rather than heaping unrealistic expectations on players like Pederson or Dawes in the past who may clunk a few contested marks, but won't necessarily be the kind of player that has the tank to fit into our future plans of an ideal forward line week by week.

I certainly hope Frosty has developed his spacial awareness more and won't go on a run out of defence without looking so often, it was his glaring weakness last year and one that we can ill afford to tolerate for too long.

I suspect Weideman is looked upon as someone that needs a strong forward next to him like Hogan or Watts, in order to grow and develop. So last week wasn't the best condition for making an assessment on his presence in the team.

"It's the challenges along the way, that make the team grow" Zen Robbo on 360

I thought this was mildly funny from Titus O'Reilly today. Jako would be handy with Hogan out.

Paparazi is a bit of a low life profession tbh

Geelong v Hawthorn is the "Easter Monday Blockbuster" - Rather go to church

Did she change her mind and ask for a merger?

Spencer hasn't even had 2 seasons of game time to become anything more than an honest battler. Gawn has become the best ruckman in the game precisely because his opportunity arose.

Parish would absolutely destroy an under 16's competition

Indeed. Better to have a competitor for the 8 knocked back a peg. Takes precedence over anything from the past.

Essendon need to watch out with any melee's this week, or they'll be missing another 12 players after Carltons medical doctor is through with them