Red But Mostly Blue

Great summary. And it's taken a lot for you to still hold faith. I haven't lost it, but I'm so confused by our effort this year, frustrated by the terrible coaching and angered that all the other teams went away and did their homework in the off season, so they didn't have to blame the new rules/adjustment on their performance

It's possible that we're not bad... ... maybe we're just TANKING?!!?

What a weird game. Increased output from many of the guys we expected to lift from last week. But so many are so flat. Our gameplan is (on best view) non existent. It's a long season and there's still time, but we're going to need to fix whatever is going on, very quickly. I'm not up for any of Goody's fluffy garbage at the presser either. I want to hear him say that his gameplan is stuffed and he's going to fix it. Oh and that backs and forwards are going to work out what is going on.

Agree, but I thought Salem was very good, and did about as much as he could. Wagner was decent, but that might just be in comparison.

Above all, I was expecting a return of our agro and pressure, and I saw none of that. Losing is one thing, but looking like losers is another. Bring the passion back in R2 boys, we're going to need it!

I hate getting shown up by Westhoff. He's a spud who kicks his goals against spud teams. And fancy bloody Watts showing us up as well. Classic stuff.

I know some of our boys were underdone, the injuries, lack of game time etc, but geez we were bad, and we got worse as the game went on. Jones was terrible, Maxxy was worked out, some of the boys were not even sighted, and we were outcoached. The icing is NO SCORE in the last qtr which is unforgivable. We're only 1 game in, and it's a long season, but we have some serious questions to answer.

We look absolutely knackered. It's like Port is playing in different conditions. I know some of our boys are a little underdone with game time, but it's not a great look. Gotta suck in the big ones this QTR and do what a top 4 team would do/needs to do - take our 4 points.

I think we've got this, but it's going to be ugly. I reckon we'll kick a few quick ones to start though...

When we win the flag next year, the tough draw won't mean very much at all. Tough draw, but that's what happens when you're seen as a top 4 side. It's been a LONG time since we were in this position. The boys will embrace it. Loving the extra tv exposure.

I'm sorry to see Jesse go, he's going to be a star... ...But we're building a legacy here - so we can't afford to take passengers (in a physical or mental sense). Jessie wanted to go home, and that's where he's going. Us? We've got ourselves some guys who are seriously talented (+ fill some gaps in our 22), and they're also coming home. And now we're going to win some flags. Be excited, we're about to see one hell of an era.

Haha true! In all of this, we've forgotten that at the end of today, some, hopefully, good people will be Dockers. Let's spare a thought for them...

Rock/hard place is exactly what this is. And that's a perfect definition of negotiation. Some people think it's defined as getting what you think something is worth, but that does not take into account the other party, and the fact that both parties will not come to the table with equal bargaining power. It might look like we have the upper hand with a gun, contracted player, but that's clearly not all that's in play here. If it was, we would have received our 2 first rounders last week.

I must have read about 50 posts today about us getting 'shafted' or 'bent over' (bingo must be going crazy today @binman), but have I missed something? The day is not done, and the deal has not been finalised. It would be great if we could wait it out (the FD won't, and shouldn't, be working off hyperbolic comments made here, I trust them to do what's right for the club, as their recent record is good), then determine whether we think it was right. And even then, it won't matter as long as we can plug a hole in the list (May, KK) and anyone else will be a bonus.

Absolutely. Bell is no genius, he's been handed a sweet set of cards - all he has to do is sit tight and not stuff it up. I think Mahoney is playing this about as well as he can given the circumstances.

It's true, this thread was breaking apart, and getting stale. It's just because we need something to chew on! Even a few crumbs will do... On this note, did anyone else read Jon Ralph's piece in the Sun? He seemed to be suggesting that Neale is worth more than Pick 5? I hope that sentiment is not shared by Freo. (All this aside, it must be my sense of humour, but it's funny that we, as, I think, mostly adults, have to be told that if we're going to talk biscuits, we need to take it outside (this thread)).

Love it, but +2 more flags. The golden era 2019 - 2025, thereby surpassing what we almost achieved in '55 - '60.

Wait, no, THIS one will bring on the 300. I'm as sure as Peter Bell is stupid.

This will bring on the 300. You watch.

They just seem to get stale so easily! Maybe I don't eat them fast enough haha

Yep, perfect way to pass the time. Especially given that there will not be any more updates at this time of the night, just rehashings of what we already don't know haha It's like a delicious ad break before we get back to the show tomorrow.

I have not tried this before! Thanks for the idea!

Dark chocolate royals are fantastic (and highly underrated)! And you can't go wrong with the classic Tim Tam!

Yeah, Nice are poor. Haha yeah I took a bit of a biscuit detour there. Agree with that approach, we hold all the cards, and it would be mighty hard for Hogan to leave us next year after we win the flag! And we'll get May (this or next year). Win win!

Totally agree with all of that... ... Except the milk coffee biscuit bit. Have I been living my life all wrong? They're not my fav biscuit by any stretch, but they've been alright from time to time! It's a dunking biscuit. And there's an art to dunking, but not losing the biscuit, because they're not as solid as, say, a malt o milk. Kingstons are worse, surely?