The end is nigh

I like to remain hopeful and anything can happen on the day but I’ll be content if we put on a good contest and don’t get blown out the water. Good coast are right in the window and our boys are still building to it. Cross and CJ out, Heath in (<20 minutes ruck, just the chop out minutes, plus f50 throw ins) and rivers in (amw if riv ain’t ready) I think a pack splitting heath will give trelle chandler kos and fritta some better roving opportunities. Would love to see more scoreboard impact from that avenue. Heath at seniors level would also give Johnson and kentfield some Casey ruck minutes so if they can prove to be forward weapons and competent as ruck relief then that’s the spot for the taking.

6 K Pickett 5 M Gawn 4 T Sparrow 3 J Steele 2 T McDonald 1 J Lever

As a point for comparison, look at Tom McCarthy at west coast. Had a great role at half back, was a genuine weapon. But for want of a midfielder they’ve turned him into a sub 20 touch player who has to find his feet in a tougher role. If your role is already filled (much like Petty last couple of years) then it makes sense to try your hand at another position to get games. But AMWs got a spot available at the top level. It’s not glamorous to play on the games best smalls but it is appreciated by club/fans. With McVee gone we need AMW to slot in. Our mids need time to gel unfortunately. It’s fine to inject a new element into a group and have them learn how to fit in but we have effectively transplanted an entire midfield core. There’s going to be lots of settling in to take place amongst them and other than Steele who has done enough time to know, the rest are going to have a rough year figuring things out.

That’s a very deep bulldogs line up. Our injuries will make this a hard match. Still so much to look forward to, but I think we will see vast improvements in 3-5 weeks once jeffo and luker are options again.

I would respectfully ask that only the actual teams are posted or at least specified otherwise. Far too often I’ve spotted teams posted on here with speculation which had injured players listed as playing and raised my hopes soon to have them dashed with the truth. Really looking forward to seeing Tommy Matthews, as well as checking out the speed on the very large Riley onley (provided both are named). Go (all) demons!

So possibly washboard players?

Still want Humphrey but would happily pick the eyes out of gold coasts twos. Rogers and Walter high on the list for mine. Butters is great on field but very pricey and will shape the rest of the list options.

I miss the days of Gawn in 60 seconds. Would love max to whip it back out sporadically when he has a good case for it.

Really appreciate the heads up!

Fantastic news. Well done lad!

Likely will be written up as a culture issue and disharmony amongst the fritta household.

Expect he will play in a glove. Need to get him special dog fight breaker upper gloves too.

Happy for them to practice end of match scenarios, this ‘round’ were not even afl preseason matches. These are match simulations and I’m just happy they were made available for viewing. Glad we took in extra players and were easing in players. Other than mihocek seems we got through without any injuries.

Steele missing from the gws list.

So Callaghan is coming too? Our midfield is SET