BigFez

I'd almost put the Hawks game last year in there too. Should have won that one.

Sure was. I remember it well, it was such a Melbourne game to lose that I put money on Essendon plus Gold Coasst to beat Freo in Freo (that was when Freo lost the opening ten rounds or something like that). $32 to 1. Find it is the best was to guard against the gutted feeling of losing those ones we should most definitely win $$$$$

I love Gawny. Very rarely does he wheel out the cliches or return to his 'safe topics' as most players do. He has personality and isn't afraid to have a bit of a laugh. I find it very refreshing. In terms of leadership, I can't stress enough how much I think we are missing Viney. Imagine we get a bit in front, then the other team kicks a couple of goals. All of the opposition players would be very vocal, saying things like "we know they're soft boys, mentally weak". All opposition teams believe (and rightly so) they are never out of it when playing us. At the moment, which of our players would you think would take exception to that and really take things up a notch? Jones? Maybe Oliver? Now imagine Viney is in there. For starters, I'm not sure many people would say anything like that within earshot of him, plus, comments like that are likely to make him go into kill mode. We just need him back, soooo badly. If he can get his foot right and get a decent run at it I think he'll get to a whole new level.

Good point, and one easily forgotten among the debacle of the second half. At one point in the second quarter, we had 10 inside 50s for 3 behinds, while they had 5 inside 50s for 4 goals. Improved forward efficiency would have had us well up at half time and who knows what could have happened. As for the second half, I am at a loss to explain it.

What’s the wind doing over there?

I’ve just put on 3 separate bets with mates, so I’ll either be he proud owner of 2 cartons of little creatures pale ale and a bottle of Sailor Jerry or I’ll be explaining to the missus what the $200 credit card transaction at the bottle-o is. C’mon dees.

As much as I'd like to see us in the flesh I'm glad we aren't playing down here too. Because we always lose.

Ha unfortunately work is getting in the way of those sorts of activities. In other news I've turned off the TV and am staring at the wall and it is providing more entertainment than the footy.

Are they cursing Blundstone Arena and Tasmania in general like this page does when we lose to North down here?

Not sure we'd get the events/attendances to make it work.

For anyone who's interested I can confirm it is a horrible night in Hobart, had to pedal my bike down the hills to get to work otherwise I would have been blown back up them. Just sitting here listing to the rain belting down on the roof. Shame because yesterday was perfect weather for footy. Anyhow, should make for an already terrible game to be even worse. Just need north to get up to get my multi home.

That was a terrible game. Adelaide's inability to defend Collingwood when they brought the ball inside with quick hands was appalling. Still don't rate Collingwood based on that, Adelaide were simply horrible.

Brayshaw in and dominates, cements his spot in the best 22 and rapidly becomes one of the best young players in the Comp. The rest of the competition starts to cry bloody murder that brayshaw, Oliver, Petracca and hogan are in the same side. That’s not too much of a stretch is it?

Almost embarrassing having those three in the same team.

No mention of giving baths to his first two opponents, and Brown getting gifts. Probably outmarked by Brown once from memory.

Slightly off topic, but what about this? "Brayshaw’s teammate Oscar McDonald has had a tough start to the season in defence with Ben Brown kicking four goals on him last week, but Lyon backs the 22-year-old to find form." That is utter garbage.

I remember this well, I was wondering who the hell he was. According to many hawks supporters they were hoping that was his breakout game, but that was the only decent game he has ever played, before or since, so hopefully it stays that way. As we all know we have a tendency to let average players play like superstars.

For those who are interested. Last time we met.

Always a tricky one when draft picks and future draft picks are involved. Based on our recent form at the draft table the odds are we would have done very well, but we could have also drafted a dud, or who knows! I agree we folded at the draft table, but he could be the final piece of the premiership puzzle and the list management team would not have wanted to risk losing that. At this point in time I'm not saying we have paid overs, and I'm not saying we haven't either. Have a look at Tom Boyd for the dogs. He has played 3 good games in his AFL career and ask any Bulldogs supporter if they are unhappy with that trade and most will say no, because he played a big part in delivering them the 2016 flag. Time will tell, but my view is we will be happy with the trade once we are able to look back on it.

This bloke will be a gun. He has the talent, work ethic and desire to be worth every penny (and draft pick). I have zero doubt. Staggered at the amount of criticism he has received after 3 games. Can't wait for him to be able to say "how do you like me now?" to all of the doubters. Might not be this week but very soon I suspect we will all be stoked we have him on our team.

Lever's head made illegal front-on contact with Goldy's elbow/forearm. That is the only logical reason I can see for the free.

Looked to me like two actions, one to elbow Lever in the head, and one to put his arms up. Not sure this changes anything in terms of you analysis, which I completely agree with, apart from I think Goldy tried to engage Lever as he was running in, perhaps to draw a free. Don't two wrongs make a right? Play on for mine.

Just had a wander over to the Hawks Big Footy forum. Came back very annoyed. Very confident of a win over there, one poster even said Jesse Hogan and Sam Frost aren't great forwards and should be covered easily by Frawly and Stratton. Really knows his stuff that bloke. Also found this gem: "Melbourne a due for a bad loss so I hope we can dish it out. They’re a limited team that’s had a very soft start to the season. They are exactly the kind of team that we need to beat to jump above that logjam of sides trying to improve." Only one poster out of 10+ pages was concerned about the degree of underestimation going on over there. Not sure if it's because of the number of smug Hawthorn supporting friends I have, but I can't stand the Hawks. Really hope we turn up and win this one. Didn't mind the side last week. Hoping we play a defensive forward on Sicily, not sure I could emotionally handle him tearing us up. Cyril is another one that causes us headaches, hoping Nev isn't injured and can go with him, otherwise bring Hunt back.

Hawks were rubbish early last year and still beat us. Really hopefully of a win but would be very surprised if it wasn’t close.

I remember that. Disgraceful. At one stage when the whistle went everyone (even North players including Goldstein) were looking around wondering who's kick it was. I can't describe how much I want us to win this game.