Red But Mostly Blue

I quite like the look of that forward line!! Agree that the backline is probably a little trickier, Lever's re-introduction will cause some minor structural headaches, and obviously result in someone currently getting games to no longer get those games. Someone will have to go.

Agree with much of the above. He's got heart, he runs hard - but sometimes his execution/decision making has let him down. Some of that could be confidence, and some perhaps injury. Either way, I think that our backline has settled a lot in recent times - and this will help. With a good pre-season, improved fitness and a boost in confidence (fresh start, maybe a premiership team haha), I think Hunt will find a spot in our 22. With our playing style, there will always be a home for fast, driving rebounds from our HB.

Also, how good (and handy) were our SMOTHERS!? I don't think I've seen that many smothers in a game before. Indicative of the game, really

Yeah! The pressure was amazing. They had nowhere to go. I'll sleep like a king tonight.

Spot on, I thought he was great. He's been very good these last few weeks. Very handy!

Yep, the Hawks game is a massive step in our march to erase our dark era. We've already done so much to build a new golden age, next Friday is just the next step!

Completely agree, although i thought anb's tackling pressure was pretty useful, and was generally in the mix of things. Loved the Weid standing tall tonight. Added another string to our bow.

Achievement unlocked: BEAST MODE. Just got home from the G, and I don't think I'll get my voice back for a few days. As long as it's there on Friday! Our conversion was lacking, but damn we were relentless. Suffocating. Inspired. Animals.

And that right there is proof that we've evolved. We're a different beast. We were up by the same margin at 3q as we were in round 18, but the result was much different. We came out and sealed the deal! It wasn't perfect, but we got the job done, and now we get the chance to give it to the Hawks. Go Dees!

Completely agree. He's showing all the hallmarks of a classic forward. I hope we see the value in Weids (and give him time to further develop - there's no rush!) and make sure he stays with us beyond his current contract.

The way I see it, we have a choice. Approach the last two games with the old (Ped) - who comes with some risk, as not all of us are convinced that he has what is needed, or that he'll even be here next year. Has he lit things up when he's played this year? I have liked Ped in the past, but I'd argue that he hasn't, or at least hasn't to the extent that contemplating the second option is out of the question, which leads me to option 2... Approach the last two games with the new (Weid) - who also comes with some risk, but his VFL form is decent enough to warrant a go (although admittedly not Earth-shattering). Look, 2 goals would be a great outcome. Hogan has kicked 47 goals in 20 rounds this year, almost all of them against bottom-feeders (I like Hoges, for the record). I'd gladly take 2 against the Eagles. The kid needs to add mass, but he has good hands, reads the ball well and is a good kick. So, we either go with what we know (but have not been impressed with this year), and miss an opportunity to develop talent. Or look to the future. If we don't play the Weid, we just won't know. If we do, and we make the finals, we will have a kid with some confidence, and options for the future. Adding Kent, Melksham etc. will add goals/goal contributions anyway. Option 2 for me.

THIS. I love the crew that pushes for an ousting, then expects some untested kids to do his job. With no proof that they'll actually do it.

This thread is madness. Hoges has a great first half of the year, some not so great games (by goal standards) but still great input further up the ground (I think that element of his game has been welcome, and will only be an asset)... and there's a contingent who want to jump at (maybe) 3 UNKNOWNS? And this is the same crowd that wants results NOW? I don't understand this club's fans sometimes. Hoges is brimming with talent, he's struggling a little now (most likely injured), but even if he wasn't, we stick with him and make good! There is going to be a very quiet little group of people when Hoges becomes a core part of this team when it wins premierships! It looks far off now, and I'm still angry about yesterday, but WE WILL GET THERE. And at most certainly will not achieve success by getting rid of superstars who don't perform for a few weeks.

Given the percentage that cost us a spot in the finals, having Jake in the team would have saved some of those precious points scored against us. If we had made the finals, who knows what could have happened. We beat most teams in the top 8. We beat Adelaide, and should have beaten the Tigers (before we choked - in a game where Jake's skills could have stemmed the tide). So players like Jake make a difference, and lift the rest of the team. This trade is costly, but you always get what you pay for. We're paying for 10 years of actual defence, and youngsters to one day learn from Jake and the others who have benefited from his presence. The fact that Jake wants to be here shows we're on the right track. Bring on 2018.