Deemania since 56

I'd reckon Smith is a rotator down back but I would prefer to see him playing in the forward line; however, with some handy swapping across Cameron and Rohan, he could really interrupt the Catty Putts avenues to goal. I reckon Cameron ain't right just yet, as well. Let's knock his socks off for some doctor time. As for Rohan, he can be demoralised quite often and then, he ain't half the player he could be. Petty will be useful against him when the incoming ball descendeth.

There is most likely some 'old fashioned player resting' going on and if they think that they can manage/arrange it and still be super productive onfield, then well and good. A confidence move if ever you saw one.

And so they should ... gutsy young bloke looking for action who could take the elevator to heaven as a fast learner.

Nahhhh, safe as houses - didn't really hit him and let go rather quickly in synch with the the play of the ball. It is also a duplicate of how Hawkins plays, week in - week out - so it must be OK.

It is tempting to put Majak in ... he'd be a good counter to several Cats who have pummeled us in the past (Blicavs and his sidekick). Majak may well give a few of out forwards some courage and some focus.

We need May. We don't really need Spargo at the forward flank or 'roving' the area. I'd opt to retain Smith at the HF Flank with a licence to go for it, bigtime, but not interrupt existing forwards in the pack marking, if possible. Smith has some real talents that the Catty Putts would struggle with - probably have to divert their ruck strength (2 players) to contain a rampant forward able to run to space, all game. Smith's handball skills also would be in useful application - coz he does see 'space' and he does see 'leads to space'.

Quick! Notify the umpires by Friday - so that this can be incorporated into the agenda to quell the Cats' cheating and dangerous ways. A few onfield decisions our way will be enough, surely?

I could see myself paying a little more attention to the endless advertising of the Demon Shop, perhaps to buy one or two items to utilise at a game when the crowds of spectators are permitted to enter the 'G again.

Sometimes earmarking the status of it all is part of the Cats'-psyche, regardless of fans, crowds, spectators and members. It is a wanton display of supreme importance that seems to appease the folks down the coastal highway and a final in Geelong would address these needs - hence, the rest of the Viccy clubs can go jump in the lake; the Cats become their own leading hierarchy of football prestige. It is akin to being the destination of choice for some. With the next pre-finals games and respective distribution of ladder positions, I firmly believe that this frontal arrogance of the Cats is about to implode - thanks to the mighty Dees. The bargaining powers of a losing team (Geelong) severely limits their kitty of credibility in the clamour of possible opportunity to 'host' a finals game. It is also grossly unconventional, in the first instance.

Scott may well allocate a watch or two on Dogga - problem for him is that no two (let alone one) player/s at his disposal will be able to compete and stay with him without massive gaps elsewhere on the ground.

Rivers plays well, down back. Rivers could play absolute opposition havoc if allocated a few minutes each game in the midfield.

He is valuable depth as a backman. He is far more than depth when playing forward - and a run in the fwd line for a few weeks is no longer opportune with the finals bearing down on us. Another example of the expense and nil returns from playing Weed for so long, so unnecessarily. I am sure that had Smith been given a recent, past month in the team, for example, he would have somewhere between 10 and 20 goals in his account by now. As a forward, he runs, finds space, leads to those spaces - and we have all seen how apt he is with marking - and he kicks straight, well.

Oscar must be champing at the bit to get into the wing position. I am tempted to think that is OK if Gus goes into the centre, his best pozzie.

Gawny moved well quite often snatching the ball and using it (most times) somewhat beneficially. His across-the-body hook kick goes a long way and he seems to direct it fairly well - although it gains metres and metres, it is next to impossible to interpret, predict and even for him to direct accurately. Maybe he will get this right in a cuppla weeks? He certainly looked the Captain against the Crows, with a stern and determined expression and very little happy chat with the opposition.

Obsessed Geelong supporters such as most of the umpires, the match review committee and Channel 7 commentators. That would be a good start.

Smith - nicely played game

I think he was being serious as hell, for a change although I did notice a black cloud hovering over his head on a few occasions.

ABC Radio on, for commentary and Ch7 sound off, vision on. Great Sunday afternoon.

Great memories! He was good at that in the redn'blue.

Against all precedents and justices, he'll get off - the recipient player shouldn't have been there to receive an injurious, late impact - Match Review guys will strongly declare it was his own fault. Case dismissed.

And so it continues from the AFL (umpires have become the fall-guy messengers at maximum carriage).

Critical lot are we! Part of footy, I guess. I'd give Joel a forward line role - even a run on a wing for his endurance qualities that include penetrating the forward line regularly. He has been injured, long-term, and this has been a great disadvantage. For me, he is a better forward than the Weed. The Coach is hesitant - he does not wish to raise the fact that he 'tolerated' the Weed for so long for very little apparent advantage; possibly, Joel Smith is one of those alleged 'depth' players to be contained/handicapped by that fact. It is late in the season and a very critical time for the MFC. Perhaps, signing JS into 2022 as a rung in a 'depth' ladders is all that is intended but it would be opportunistic - early next season - for a clearer judgment on his aptitudes as a forward by a series of placements in the forward line. Like Picket Fence, I too have strong interpretations (for some time, now) of JS' abilities in the forward line and have found his hiatus from the field due to injury and recovery completely frustrating in this regard. What do people expect? JS has not yet had the opportunities in the forward line to prepare, orientate nor experience some development of his capabilities outside of 'gap' filling for others who have enjoyed such priveledges. IMO he is going to be a surprise package. '

Balanced comments.

Hopefully, injury-free, he will add another dimension (and a valuable one) to the team. We just have to play him in the forward line to reap such benefits.

Used to work the bar at the 'Boundary, when I was at Monash studying - it paid the rent, so to speak.