TickleMeTyson

Losses to a few bottom-eight sides is part of the journey (see premiers from past years). We have stepped up against the best every time this year, Dees by 29 points.

Honestly confused by the Weideman slander on the site. Weed put in a sub-par performance on the weekend but coming off an interrupted pre-season and needs continuity - has played 4 games. He is playing a selfless role and against one of the best backlines in the comp he competed and brought the ball to ground on a number of occasions for our smalls to capitalise. I think we should back Weed in for at least the next four. IN: Langdon OUT: Melksham

Rivers will be a star, saved the game on multiple occasions. Marty Hore is probably the ideal long-term replacement for Smith who just doesn’t look like defender. The fact that Goody didn’t trust a contested beast like Harmes in the middle all year but puts his lazy buddy Melksham in a run-with role on a whim is damning. Hopefully Jesse Hogan kicks 10.

Yep, still Melbourne

Feels like one of those games we might just pull out. Supporters down on selection, down on the coach, players challenged to respond during the week... It would be very 'Melbourne' to win this week and have our finals hopes dashed by Sydney next week. I do hope this isn't the case and still believe we can put together a good block of form pre-finals like in 2018.

Watching Mitch Wallis tear us apart on the weekend, I couldn't help but think Harmes was capable of something similar. He is far more suited to a forward role and should be rotated through the middle when opposition mids get on top of us (i.e. Bontempelli). Trent Rivers should be in the role Harmes is playing at the moment.

I'd like to see Jack spend more time forward, could be as damaging as someone like Zorko I reckon. He will bring the necessary forward pressure and Richo thinks he is the best set-shot in the team. Not sure why we haven't tried it.

I think it is utterly bizarre that we can't seem to find a way to rotate our midfielders in a way that gives Gus more time in there, resting Trac/Clarry/Viney forward.

Jackson looked good, however, he is currently way more valuable as forward that halves contests and plays second ruck to give Max a rest. I think you're massively underrating Gawn's value around the ground. His ability to drift and intercept in defence and provide a get-out kick down the line when we're exiting our 50 is crucial. North was young and fatigued and we moved the ball with relative ease from our backline. This is not the case most weeks, particularly against the top sides who are far more disciplined executing their press (i.e Richmond).

I must admit I did feel a little bit empty immediately after this performance given the opposition, but I am feeling more optimistic today. Adelaide were 0-9 and I think they brought their best effort, intensity and performance (for the first three quarters at least) of the season so far. Our skills were off but I think we need to give Adelaide some credit here, they brought the heat and made it hard for us to execute. Our experience and talent rose above in the last although I did expect more from the likes of Bennell/ANB. Also giving Gus extended minutes in the middle may have lifted his confidence, Goodwin is a genius. *Reilly O'Brien is a very underrated ruckman.

I understand people calling for AVB to be dropped (13 touches at 54% efficiency). For me, he brings a level of ferocity and intensity to the team that lifts his teammates. An early smother in the first term set a tone that there would be no easy exits from our forward line. His possession heat-map shows a player that runs hard defensively to help out the back-line. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes way for TMAC who might push further up the ground to the wing, but I'd like to give him more of a run for continuity, and I think improved ball-use will come.

Hasn't played a lot of footy so I think AVB deserves a few weeks to settle. He is also unafraid of contact and flying into a contest, something Tomlinson seems to avoid.

Make no mistake, the pass mark for the year was to make finals. We have blown expectation out of the water and riding this wave has been the best couple of weeks of football I can remember. West Coast is expected to win, the pressure is on them at home, if we bring the manic pressure and chaos at ground level and negate their uncontested marking game we are every chance.

Although it is nice to be heading to a game with finals secured, the ramifications of this game are massive for our group. I'm sure we'd want to have another crack at Geelong at the G week 1 instead of travelling to Spotless. Geelong is top-heavy with a vulnerable inexperienced underbelly. GWS will use the bye as an opportunity to bring in experienced top-end talent Greene, Deledio, and Zac Williams. Not to mention being bolstered in confidence after defeating us two weeks prior. Goodwin's mantra has always been the side in the best form at the end of the year gives themselves the best chance, I hope we hit an undermanned GWS hard and take winning form into the finals.

Rewatching the last quarter Dean Kent what an effort. Tackling and inferred pressure was incredible and well and truly earnt his spot.

Goodbye Dom Tyson. Goodbye JKH.

Wouldn’t rest Bernie the week we play the crows, he gets up and about for his old side. Spargo worked really hard applying pressure disrupting a lot of Carlton possession chains, probably deserved a goal or two for his efforts. Bull Smith exceeded expectations, settled into the game and gave us a lot around the ground. No change unless someone really needs the rest.

After reading through the thread I've been convinced that giving Bernie a week off (rested) might be the wisest decision. The game in Alice the following week is generally played in trying conditions, and a freshened up Bernie against his old side would be fantastic. That said he might be cherry ripe anyway, up to Misson and the gang. The same goes for Lewis. Giving Viney an opportunity to regain match fitness against the Blues will hopefully have him primed for a real test against the Crows.

No excuses for this game. Saints will come out fired up after all the negative press, good sides absorb the pressure early then grind over the top (see Richmond). On paper, the talent discrepancy is enormous, but if we let Saints jump us, or fall asleep for our trademark quarter, it's not going to be comfortable. Saints are missing some of their best players in Bruce, Roberton and Acres but play Etihad better than most. Won't be a pretty game, but our talent should rise. Dees by 26

Very happy with the win this week. Looks like we got the side balance right, and after a shaky start, our defense with Frost and O.Mac in the key posts was very solid. Say what you want about O.Mac he was very good today on one of the best key forwards in the comp. Lever looked more confident playing as the natural third tall. He can play to his strengths, an elite intercept player. Loved the mosquito fleet forward line, Kent finally healthy is an enormous talent to bring in. Max gave Goldy a bath absolutely no doubt the best ruckman in the comp once again. When we get rolling, we can demoralize sides with relentless inside 50's. Although our conversion wasn't great, we really exhausted North they looked out on their feet. Tremendous work rate from our mids and forwards. Bring on the Hawks

Heading to the G soon and something feels a bit different this year. The weight of expectation should be relished not shied away from. I want the players to feel the pressure, last year we dominated Geelong at Etihad for three quarters but a combination of key injuries and inaccuracy cost us. No Dangerfield, but an elite midfield trio of Ablett, Selwood, and Duncan is a strong test. Pity Viney isn't there to give Gaz PTSD but the midfield group should be up to the challenge. Dees by 18pts.

Love the fact this exercise gets more difficult year after year. FB: Jetta O.MacDonald Lever HB: Hunt Frost Hibberd C: Jones Oliver Lewis HF: Brayshaw T.MacDonald Neal-Bullen F: Garlett Hogan Petracca Foll: Gawn Viney Tyson Int: Salem Vince Melksham Hannan Emerg: Vandenberg Harmes Stretch Our depth is scary if we can stay healthy. Slight preference for Hannan over Harmes. Rate Vanders but he will have to prove he can get back to his best. Stretch also unlucky but so are a handful of players who miss this list. I'd also like the ability to hibernate and wake up for round 1.

I'll certainly be praying to Jesus that it is in fact, Dean Kent. The bloke has all physical tools to not only play a role but really impact games at AFL level, he has done it in the past, it just seems like the mental application isn't there consistently. He is coming off some good VFL form (minus the boozing) which suggests he has been working on consistency between games. I am certainly biased toward Kent over JKH and Kennedy because I think Kent has a higher ceiling, but he has been downright disappointing this year. If he can't have an impact when we most need him it makes it difficult to defend him from trade talks.

If Salem is confirmed out I'd love to see Wagner get back in. Was a bit rusty early in the season getting back to full fitness, but I rate him highly. Generally composed, plays small and tall, and is a ferocious competitor.

Last year, after watching us narrowly lose in the West, my Dad (supporter since 64') threw the remote across the room and it shattered against the wall. I understood the frustration. The expectation was building and he'd seen a glimpse of the team we could become. We dominated for large periods in the game but failed to capitalise on momentum. We lacked polish going forward, often failed to execute our skills, and McGovern and friends intercepted every promising thrust. The inside 50 count was in our favour, but our entries were continually swallowed up by a seasoned Eagles backline. It was a real blue balls performance. This year we have better skills, better structure and better flexibility. I'm still going to hide the remote, but I've got a feeling it might survive this week.