BigFez

I'm pre Robbie Flower but he is comfortably the best MFC player I have seen.

Collingwood have consistently won despite losing all the usual statistical categories that winning teams usually win. Contested possession, clearance and inside 50s to name a few. They don't fit the premiership model but it doesn't seem to bother them and they keep winning. Definitely a threat.

This award is a popularity contest IMO. From memory Clarry was nowhere near it last year despite winning the AFLCA award.

I haven’t read every page of this thread so apologies if this has been mentioned before. Taken from the mongrel punt, an excellent football page. This particular author LOVES Oliver and sees him as we do, despite not being a Dees fan.

He gave Hipwood an absolute bath, which has been somewhat overlooked. I loved how our players gave it to Zorko at every opportunity afterwards. Not sure if Demon sides from previous years would have had that in them.

Interested in some DL opinions on what reasons Brisbane are so much better at the Gabba than anywhere else? Geelong you can attribute to the dimensions of the ground, but the Gabba is similar in size to the 'G, where the Lions' recent record is terrible.

One thing I've noticed about the Collingwood chat is their willingness to reference the last time we met with no mention of the in-game injuries to key players we suffered, or the fact May was out. They seem to think it's a given they will win because they won last time. I'm not sure Cox will have a day out against a fit Gawn, and Mihocek mightn't kick 4 against May. Not saying we'll win for sure but to reference the last match is fools gold. The lack of analysis from Pies supporters is probably the worst I've experienced from oppo fans.

I thought Tigers would have been favourites against Port, but they are a $2.10 outsider. Might take that.

Weather update over there?

I thought all or duck or no dinner was saying something was all or nothing. If their all out attack and quick ball movement doesn't work they don't end up getting any dinner, but if it works they get to have duck, which was a delicacy. Could be wrong. I think the Pies are a top 4 side, their ability to pressure the ball carrier has been underrated IMO. They will always have a man press up and pressure the ball. You can get them out the back but they make it difficult. Wish I had the confidence of Binman.

I was at the Pies-Bombers game where Elliot won it with the after the siren kick. I was right in front of the umpire's race. The Collingwood supporters paused their wild celebrations to boo the umpires for the entire time they walked off, even though they just won. Classy.

Watching this one with my Collingwood supporting mate who wouldn't be able to name half of their team, but that won't stop him from giving it to me if they win. Please win Dees.

He's played three exceptional games in his career, two have been against us, one against Richmond. Surely he couldn't do it again. Max had a significant injury on QB, was literally on one leg, I don't think he will let Mason have the impact he did last time.

Don't mind it, adds a bit of something extra. Gee he'll cop it if we lose again.

Collingwood supporters will have a field day with this one.

Rivers?

May would get Mihocek, not sure if Lever is the right matchup on Ginnivan. Problem with Lever's matchup is that all of their forwards can be dangerous, even the mid year recruit Johnson has shown he can kick goals. Elliot, Ginnivan, Hoskin-Elliot, Johnson, Mihocek, De Goey when he's down there, Carmichael when he's not in the sub vest. With so many forward options they could play through Lever's man if he zones off. I reckon Pig goes to De Goey when he's forward, and Hunt will get Ginnivan. Lever could go to Johnson and as you say Petty to Cameron/Cox.

Would Goody be willing to play one of those guys forward? Have we employed Spargo or ANB as a tagging forward before? Looking forward to seeing how we line up. Prior to his injury Hunt had been having success on the crafty small forward. He do a job on Bolton from Richmond among others, wouldn't be totally surprised if he went to Ginnivan.

Will N. Daicos be minded by Melksham or Harmes? The games I've watched they go to him every chance they get because he is such a good user and decision maker. He gets lots of cheap possessions through handball receives while his opponent is in the defensive zone, but he probably should be shown some respect since he sets them up quite well. Hibberd to Ginnivan? Or Elliot?

Same here. Can't stand them, nor their supporters.

Cats form at the G isn't super compelling. 4 wins 1 loss sounds good, but they beat early season Essendon and Collingwood, fell over the line against Richmond and then beat Carlton, who are presently showing us how well they are going. Chuck in a loss to the Hawks and it is a bit meh. Having said that, they look seriously good at the moment. Tackling hard, great ball movement, playing with dare. Definitely a different proposition to last year.

I reckon the Bombers beat the Pies tomorrow. Pies scraping over the line against North and Adelaide, Bombers deciding to have a crack once their season is over. They'd love to dent Collingwood's top 4 chances, and I think they are playing well enough to do it.

Tomorrow night like a final for the dogs.

Got a feeling Weid is going to have an Elimination final 2018 type of game tomorrow night. Based on absolutely nothing.

Regarding Ben Brown. I agree he is down at the moment, and gets outmarked and moved out of the way too easily, but he does quite a few intangibles that aren't obvious in the play or on the stats sheets but I'm sure the coaches would value it which is why he continues to play. Below is a few grabs form Petracca's first goal. You can see he is being held by Doedee who is also trying to move him under the ball so O'Brien can take a simple intercept mark. Ben manages to get an arm free and spoil the mark, the ball lands in Trac's lap and results in an easy goal. Ben creates this type of contest multiple times per game as well as any tall forward we have available at this stage, which is why I think (IMVHO) he continues to get selected despite a relatively dry run of goals himself. He allows our superb fleet of smalls to go to work by creating that contest.