Deemania since 56

Like that Frosty usage, the same for Hibbo and Smith. Got it wrong again, Simon.

That is seeking unfair advantages onfield. Such behaviour is more than incompetence, it is cheating. A deliberate act to legitimise an inate bias.

To those who say umpires don't cheat according to AFL dogma: Take a look at the differential last night in the free kicks tally between West Coast and the Essendrug teams. Embarrassing differential and when and where these frees were plucked out of nowhere, and paid. We are not in an even playing field folks.(On this count, it doesn't matter what that team actually is, it is just an overt indicator.)

Needed a mobile and recklessly aggressive biggie in the backline (Frosty), needed a small fwd in close such as Garlett but would love to see Kenty back, needed no interruption to Hibberd's game from the flanks so they put him against a mountain at CHB. Less confident but cannot say or think a Port win. Carna Dees. Weather will be clear at around 11 degC at start of game, not necessarily frosty or dewy. To all DL supporters attending the game: Have a blodyy gud noight.

Tyson is a good choice and let us hope that his form has returned, alongside improved kicking/delivery since we have spent so much time with him, dropping hints at this area of focus. Can Viney match Wines in the centre? Can JV bring back his old clout and disregard for opponents?

We are going to miss Frosty's height, run and improved kicking - and his strength to match and face off Westhoff who is now relatively immobile in comparison to previous years; that match-up may have ignited Frosty to drive from CHB. I have just seen that Hibberd is expected to occupy that role - he's far better from a flank and it might be like MtBulla vs. MtEverest! Anyway, good to see Tyson back in to accumulate - let's hope he can deliver.

Enjoy the potatoes with cabbage sauce! No wonder that vodka is popular!

Nah, Tyson has to play so we get a bit of ball ...

Just a few moments before the teams are announced, I agree that we must have confidence in beating Port. After the bye, we should come out fully refreshed, ready to maul any opposition and so do with aplomb! It might seem as if we have an indefensible, tall forward line and some really stoic defenders keen to elevate the criticism of the past fortnight. We seem to have been working heavily in training on our clearance routines, according to other posters who can get to training sessions, with fresh but manageable new roles and structures. If we play Vince and Lewis in the one team, we may struggle; if we bring in a newbie, well and good. We have the goods and the capability to cream Port - or even just fight like hell to win. It is going to be a great match.

Yep, by default ... has a common ring to it, doesn't it, when playing in Sth Australia? Place some bets on this Adelaide Oval free kick scenario for either Port or the Crows. Usually these frees are awarded within goal-kicking range for absolutely no legitimate reason. However, we cannot forget the clearance and midfield frees to 'get a Sth Australian team up and running and if there is an opposition challenge elsewhere on the ground, then that will be scotched by a series of 'equalisers' against the visiting opponents. Another recent innovation by the umpires representing the AFL is to delay 'play on' decisions or to hasten these for the benefit of the home side. Umpires will also delay a contested decision to 'ball-up' if the Port/Crows teams are not manned-up for the taps - or their downfield positioning is not quite set. Up to five or six minutes of any game can be lost to these delays, when really prevalent.

Would hate to admit that this is correct, given the equal playing field presented to all teams by the AFL and its umpiring preparation prior to an allocated game.

This really is a valid point; original tennant stuff so easily overlooked with the incursive co-tenancy offered to other clubs and interests, far from the interests of the MCC and the MFC combined. However, the lure of a new purpose-built facility for MFC only is attractive and would overcome the problems associated with maintaining or modernising the current facilities within the MCG itself.

Want a bidding war? Giggle...

Dees by 32 points.

Second efforts are pretty essential in football. Why not in recruiting?

Now that does make one think. Using Baker and Stretch as team clearers/just outside stoppages, etc. Some good chemistry will be needed but it does seem a move in the correct direction. It almost releases Jones and Viney from some of that responsibility to focus on subsequent ball carriage/disposal matters. It could relieve Jones of what are now more onerous recovery demands between bursts and perhaps, replacing Vince and/or Lewis as flankers - removing a 'slowing down' from the playmaking outset. There seems to be a chain of thought and our impressive movement linked to this idea that might well be exploited by the whole team.

Incredibly important and it will maximise Max's maxims to the max. These types of clearance opportunities will be icing on the cake for the best ruckman in the AFL. Rucking does involve roving crumbers, blocks and shepherds from the team - not just taps and hopes to get it right, next time for an effective clearance.

It really is going to be an example of an enormous haul against the odds for Vanders to make his body stand up to a team selection in the ones. G&D, persistence, focus and resolve. A bit like the way The Ox return from devastating injuries a decade or so, ago. We should all be very proud of Vanders for this effort and hope that his luck changes for the better. I'd love to see him play again and I think, this time, he will be solid as a rock as a benchmark of his endeavours.

He could but wouldn't it be better against a team from whom we have less difficulty forging a win for his initiation to this level, as he isn't quite equal, for example to an Oskar Baker (also untried) I am told?

Hey, that is great news, it will be a fantastic recovery if he can make it. Really liked his game style and contributions in the past.

Thanks, big oversight on my behalf, I had heard this days ago and the memory was not one well retained.

Good Tyson delivery will help with speed once his 'possession game' swings into play. Hunt and Frost will add a dimension, as will Hannan, dry weather only Garlett, Spargo coz he's a go-er and Jones, of course in bursts. ANB is not too slow, either. The elimination of Lewis, Vince will also provide run without overlong possession so maybe, the Ginger Ninja (Baker) - a noted speedster - could contribute in this regard in bursts from the bench.

It will be wet weather in the second half. Garlett may not be at his best as a result. For similar pace, ball handling and kicking skills including sudden snaps, Hannan could be a better choice in that crumbing role. He does find space and he does run on to assist with offensive scores and second efforts.

The only thing that Port can do generally is to 'long bomb' to such talls in the forward line and to counter that, we really need to concentrate on spoilers working in together. Omac on Dixon and Frost's good reach, height and strength up there too, with of course, Jetta and Hibberd and perhaps a younger player such as Petty with the groundwork. If we do not play Vince or Lewis, it is a chance for the likes of Baker with speed and ball-handling, and Joel the Smith, as well to pinch hit opportunities. Frosty may be rotated into the ruck, as might TMac merely as blocking ruckmen to counter the opposition ruckmen when Gawn is rested up forward. Just an idea. The dependence on rucking is important, but it is not all that clearances are made from - preventing effective opposition rucking is just as important to enable clearance players to activate. Tyson is good in this regard, and needs to dispose at an improved level.

Now I am worried about your football smarts.