Deemania since 56

So did McDonald - waste of space at this stage of his career. Sack him. Joel Smith would have been a better, more competitive choice.

Fritta may be the key. Accuracy is critical, otherwise his efforts can be wasteful. Hope he spent the week mastering set shots from 45 metres to inward; and, snaps from all sides 30 metres inwards. Fritta must lead well; Melk must, as well but his kicking - despite its style - is more reliable by far.

In general, Lever gets to the contest and spoils with determination - and does look for nearby feeds and / or support. That is an entirely different role play than OMac could ever produce with consistency. With May hitting his straps and a more agile Hibberd this year, I'd reckon the feed clearances and the smalls we now have will clear quite well against the Doggies; they have undoubted talent - but so do we. Further, progression of the ball to the midline and beyond is now vastly improved and scoring options and trends are now far more frequent than last year. Carna Dees! My backline concern is Salem. I'd reckon that his mobility and his tackling/presence at the ball could go up a notch if he is to be a longer-term backman. He needs to play more like Hibberd can but does not have the bulk to penetrate the contests.

TMac is a little lucky ... hope he hits the game hard and successfully.

I'd reckon that a Smith-like forward would blend well and make a good contribution to our forwards and options. I doubt if TMac could suddenly produce the goods that he used to exhibit.

The 'running' side we pick will be interesting - and that, more than anything will beat the Doggies at this stage of proceedings. I'd like to see just that little bit more mobility in our team to stretch the Bulldogs as far as possible, for as long as possible. Carna Dees!

Colossal error, trading Thompson ... in a weak team at the MFC, he would have continued to contribute significantly to our needs for success. He played for such a long time, once gone, absolutely fit almost forever.

Terrific analysis and also informative of things not recognised or known.

Sometimes we must evaluate who, in fact, has the '...low footy IQ...' not recognised in the eyes of the beholder. Preuss, for example, has worked hard as reported - and has made significant improvements, and that is not characteristic of such a condition, surely?

The consensual psyche for the Filth after a loss to the MIghty MFC is to frame, postulate, create excuses and broadly proclaim these so their latest abysmal loss is cloaked in a swathe of self-justifying misery and attracts the 'sympathy' vote near and far. Life is so unfair for the poor dears. It would never be appropriate for them to admit that they were outclassed, outwitted, conspicuously beaten and exposed. 'Carna Dees! Gee whizz, it feels so good to knock them off their self-proclaimed perch.

I'd reckon that these negatives are real but could be overcome with some strategic, rotated bursts onfield. Weed could stay where Weed plays best - and that is in the goalsquare - and a possy/come utility role for both Max and Preuss in-between rucking duties and second efforts would be rather unique to the League and certainly, extremely difficult for clubs without to man-up against, let alone nullify. Even, dare I suggest it, both could become specialist targets (ie: one for the shallow backline spots (kick-ins, clearance passes) and the other for the forwardline (Preuss - he can kick 'em at range, in close and is not terribly likely to be out-marked, out-bodied, and provides great screens and second efforts for the little fellas hungry for the ground ball). It would be a gutsy play but may very well work to enormous advantage such as the young height and mobility of the Whoreforms and the Catty Puts in recent years.

Instant replacement for TMac - whether Gawn rucks or not. The two of them onfield would be awesome, not just rucking wonderful. Imagine ruck swaps at deep forward, chf, chb etc etc.

Abs0=blud=E_lootlee~~!!!!!!!!

We need to cast an eye over Jordan - he should replace Harmes but replacing Salem on the HBF would be a better move. Rivers needs to come in, as does Smith at the HFF. Hannan on the bench to sit with Salem and Harmes, at least. Jones - out for a week. Keep the Beast to work with Max (coming in one hopes) and to roam across the forward line, drop the lumbering TMac until his limited pace improves, using Max to effect on the backline after centre rucking. Keep the smalls as best as possible to counteract the Doggies run. Ceremoniously award AVB the MIghty Demons Bravery Medal, for services rendered.

Expectations give him a key role on the backline, demanding a larger territory in which to intercept and dispose of the ball. He is not as strong in such roles; he needs to start off in the back pocket/half back flank area where the range of the roaming role is more constrained; thus, his interceptions and run-on to play (as a play maker) can be done without interim periods of exhaustion or late arrival, getting to the contest and/or reading the play as a more defenders concentrate at the location of the incoming ball. Ping! He's there, he's got the ball, he has disposed of the ball, he is reading ongoing play as he returns back to his 'nest'. Reduce the area of responsibility, increase the effectiveness of his disposal and his chipping-in to the turnover.

Time to get Jordan Lewis into the coaching role.

Might surprise a few Filth players, as well. There is every chance that some of them will fall over a few times with Preuss in our team, in the wet conditions.

So closely umpired, too ... absolutely acceptable, absolutely too difficult to adjudicate for umpires despite its frequency; we are left with absolute clarity on its approval, its relevance to the game and legitimacy in assisting the umpires to 'even up' a game.

It's OK that Pendles is playing ... first target for AVB, and then Preuss. Second target for Viney. Balanced attack.

'Release the beast...' is just so inspiring with Max unavailable. Release the Beast, release the Beast, release the Beast. I can imagine the potential scars on the Collingwood psyche, right now. No food for Preuss for 36 hours, he's got to be hungry at the first bounce. At 'em, Killer!

Pruess - Preuss - Preuss

No, please don't make that idea public! Goodwin will go for it - and we are assured of a huge, backline leakage.

It could be arranged after the first bounce during the game - creating one man missing on the Filth bench. Have a quiet word to AVB or even May or perhaps, Viney. ?

Agree, I'd expect Tomlinson to achieve this - with less dodging of opponents as he roams two-ways quite a distance - often by himself, and positioning for a 'receive' is rather good - the backs must look across that side too, to seize the advantages he offers. Should his disposal improve a little, we could have two feeding flanks for the forwards (and we know how well the forwards are currently progressing). Just takes a little time and some application. Reminds me of the ball movement that we had under Northey.

Given Grundy's current form - I'd expect Jackson to beat him on the ground by exploiting his welcome abilities to ground tap the ball and then run on to a clean pick-up. Jackson does this very well and it gives him three options: kick the ball to good effect or handball, or re-tap on to a teammate. He has done this a couple of times; it was interesting to see which one he chose in different circumstances; his success rate in this appeared to be about 60% against North.