Red But Mostly Blue

Yeah aerial contest is definitely a non-negotiable. I often wonder why we kick to packs when we have someone like him in the team. It's why I think Melksham has value. He doesn't gather big stats or get in an under packs, but he has great vision and will kick into space for a lead. Weideman probably plays better with people like Melsham and Spargo having a good day. Or the delivery in general being better.

I agree with this. I'm probably in the minority, I think Weid possesses some real talent (leads up well, good set of hands, decent kick - when 'on'), but the chatter about him now almost has a self-fulfilling prophecy feel to it. It's like he's been reading these threads about his lack of contribution, and he's doubled down on that the following week! Much like Jack Watts back in the day, Weid has had almost messianic expectations since Hogan left and TMac went off the boil. He's talented, yes, but we really just need to let him develop (a few weeks here and there won't cut it). Had TMac not re-emerged in the emphatic manner that he has, and/or we did not recruit Brown, I reckon Weid would have played better. But in saying all of this, I get it, we've been playing a man down for a good month+ and his position is not an inconspicuous one. I also suspect he'll be dropped, and it's probably for the best as there will be calls for his blood if he does not perform against the Bombers, and that's not a game we can afford to lose in the run home. It's time for a reset for him as well, get his confidence up (even though he supposedly came in off the back of some blistering performances), and actually address the reasons he hasn't clicked, and develop a plan for his return.

I tell you what, I'd have preferred Maynard played FOR us and not against on Monday. Played a super game. Not sure if we could/should pay the required $$$ for him, but the age/skill profile (with some disposal improvement) fits nicely. Solid replacement for Hibbo, but would be interesting if he stays.

This is true, 'flat by his standards' could be more appropriate. I still reckon he was pantsed against the Pies, but to be fair he was not alone there!! It's a tough gig being such a star, you're scrutinised a lot more!

A great start to the year! LOVED: - The buy-in, belief and confidence from the boys. - The continued rise of youngsters such as Jordon, Rivers, Spargo, Jackson, Kozzie and even ANB. - The impact and dependability of Clarry, Trac, Langdon and Salem, as well as Gus. - Our defensive fortress, including the leadership of May and Lever. - The return of TMac. - Making statements against top 8 sides. - Some interesting coaching moves. Goody has improved, and benefited from improved company. - Although we've been winning, we're nowhere near potential still. We're going to be scary good when we do. DID NOT LOVE: - Starting games slow! - We have not resolved our KPF issue. Is it Brown? Weid? Both? Neither???! Imagine another 2-3 goals a game! (this would have turned the Pies and Crows games) - The dropped games against bottom 8 teams, especially the Pies (I know asking for 13-0 is a lot, but just imagine!!) - Viney's '2-4 week' injury becoming yet another 2 month blowout. - Max has seemed flat for quite a number of weeks now. Looking forward to restarting after the bye with a bang. We need a solid win against the Bombers (they have been traveling ok, we can't start flat - we assumed the win against the Pies and it cost us) and reminding the competition that they're going to have to beat us to win the flag. It'll be great to get Viney back, we miss some of that backwards run, sort out our forward structure and fix our first halves. Very excited! Go Dees!

Yeah I hear you mate, seriously I was pretty deflated after today's display. I either buy into the theory that a hard fought 13 rounds have caught up with the boys, or they couldn't be stuffed, and while there may have been a few out there who might be guilty of that, I choose to believe this is a different team with a different mindset, as is evidenced by the results this year. It's both comforting and worrying that our only two losses have come against 16th and 12th on the ladder. In years past, those are the teams we would have flogged while failing to show up against the real deals. Should we have won today? Absolutely. But it won't waver my belief in the team/year. As we continue to build on this new direction we'll continue to win these games. The cats and tigers of recent times had to start somewhere... Go Dees.

Maybe the boys were gassed. It has been a long season already, and we've done a hell of a lot. 11-2 is a great reward for that effort. We'll be back after the bye, firing. Reset.

Completely agree, always a great communicator. Clear, no BS message

That was gross. Imagine losing to these spuds. Coached by a man who looks and talks like a potato. The only consolation is that it should have been more. Really disappointing, but we need to reset, come back with fire after the break.

That just about sums up our day.

I'd love to sink these spuds and wipe the grin off their faces but I honestly can't see how we're going to score.

That was criminal.

Poor Tommy, must have the bub on the brain.

Never in any doubt! Now let's start running, tackling etc!

Pies haven't been able to score all year, and here they are scoring no worries at all. We're being shown up by total spuds. Why do we have to wait until half time to make changes? Why the hell hasn't Harmes been put on de Goey earlier?!

We're making an art form of slow starts.

We could really have done with that TMac goal. Momentum changed after that. Plus we've been sloppy and goals might be precious. Also, man I miss Tomlinson. Petty has been ok at times but massive liability today. Nowhere near it Finally, who the hell is on Mihochek?

WHO WAS ON ELLIOTT?

Fear of 'last game' from coach Bucks aside, we'll win this by 32, Weid will kick 5 and Salem will play a blinder.

Final games from coaches always make me nervous, and this is especially so given Bucks is such a fixture at Collingwood. Still, they don't always end in fairytales for the outgoing coach. I don't think we won our last game with Neale? I think I went to that game and it was a real close loss against the Bombers?

6. Trac 5. Oliver 4. TMac 3. Spargo 2. Kozzie 1. Harmes

12 points and percentage ahead of the Lions. Not bad aye. Daylight.

HELL YEAH! We switched on the afterburners and got the job done against serious opposition. And the best thing is (I think) that there were a handful of players who never got in the game. We are capable of so much more. IT'S SCARY. So, have we beaten anyone yet?

Lol bugger off hipwood

HOW IMPORTANT WAS CLARRY'S HANDBALL!? And fantastic goal from Sparrow!