Swooper1987

Don't disagree as to why he was undisciplined but he needs to be better at evening up. Gawn was blocked and held all night but still managed to play a composed and highly effective game.

6. Brayshaw 5. Melksham 4. Petty 3. Gawn 2. Viney 1. Hunt I thought Oliver's lack of discipline nearly cost us the game.

I don't think so. They've played against each other twice in real games. Round 2 2020 - Gawn 2 Brownlow votes, 21 disposals, 34 hitouts v Pittonet 14 disposals 23 hitouts. Next game was the last time we played them - Round 9 2021 - Gawn 15 disposals, 44 hitouts v Pittonet 9 disposals, 23 hitouts and a goal.

Gawn has a career goalkicking record of 86 goals 78 behinds and this season has kicked 11 goals 13 behinds. After the Swans game he was on 11 goals 9 behinds. By comparison Petracca has kicked 16 goals 27 behinds. Gawn's last couple of games have had some average shots, but over the season he's not far off 50/50. If Tracc had been anywhere near that we win at least two more games, and top 2 is locked away.

I do struggle to see how Grundy could be a forward given he doesn't mark much. Career mark average per game is 3.5 (only 2 this year) and contested career average 0.9. His metres gained isn't great, he handballs a lot. Tackles reasonably well for a big man, and averages less goals per game than Gawn. I doubt the plan is for Grundy to spend much time forward. Up until his injury Gawn had become nearly a reliable shot at goal, his last few weeks he has struggled with that. It will be interesting to see what the plan is should a trade eventuate. I very much doubt they'll go down this path but it's worth looking at.

It's worth exploring. Grundy and Gawn are very different players with different strengths. They could complement each other nicely. He's no Max but he'd be the best second ruck in the league by that far it's not funny.

Greg Baum is a rusted on Magpie - he would have been cheering rather than analyzing.

No surprise at all given that Oliver was supposed to be on De Goey for much of the night. Gawn was outstanding and I'm pleased both coaches acknowledged it if some here couldn't.

Have a look at the coaches votes for the round. You might be unpleasantly surprised!

He has become particularly unlikeable. I remember when Chip left, Jared Rivers, Lynden Dunn, Watts, etc and I only wanted to see them do well. Not at our expense of course, but they'd given great service and publically at least seemed very appreciative of their time with us even if it hadn't been a bed of roses. For me Howe is down there with Scully.

Not a terrible set of results for us given that we didn't win. Swap from 2nd to 3rd. All of Swans, Collingwood, Brisbane and us have not dissimilar runs over the next two weeks. Swans v Pies, Saints, Brisbane v Saints, us, Collingwood v Swans, Blues, Us v Blues, Lions. I reckon ths Saints have got at least one more win in them. No doubt there will be a couple of upsets.

If they apply the correct classifications there's no way he avoids suspension.

Good job North. We are still 1.3% ahead of Sydney.

Max was going pretty well this season up until his injury. Certainly in his last few games he's been jittery in front of the sticks. He seems to have added a bit of a skip at the start of his run up. He's always spun the ball around. Still we haven't been terrible overall - 13-11 is not a particularly inaccurate performance and should've been enough to get the job done. The problem was more Collingwood's number of easy shots and as a consequence their incredible accuracy. 15-6 doesn't happen that often.

And Oliver, god love him, has just about the worst retention rate for delivery into forward 50 in the comp. Meh!

I'm pleased to hear that, because they'd be wrong.

Absolutely. The point is the crowd don't beat us.

Has Bowey ever played forward? Spargo is a great field kick but doesn't get enough of it. Bowey too is a better than average kick. If we could have him delivering inside 50 rather than the continual pounding away of Oliver and Petracca, as highlighted today on the SFS, we might get another 3 or 4 easier shots on goal - in most of the games we've lost that would make the difference. Perhaps Bowey at half forward or on the wing might be worth a try.

seems that Demonlanders are harsh on Gawny. Best on in both the Herald Sun and the Sunday Footy Show.

And yet our record on the road, in the most hostile environments is extraordinary. The best in the competition by a long way. Playing in Adelaide or Perth seems to hold no fear. And I don't think playing at the Gabba in the final game will bother us much.

It should be minimal changes from here. You want a pretty settled side going into finals. I think Goody knows what the best side looks like. He's decided we need to go with the smaller forward line and use Gawn down there as the second tall. I personally don't like it, because we are a much better side when he's on the ball, but it is what it is with McDonald unavailable. It will require enormous defensive pressure from our smaller forwards - something that was lacking last night. Really probably only Bowey would be in serious consideration for a recall from outside of last nights 23. McDonald won't be ready. Harmes for Melksham for mine.

Couldn't agree more. Jackson is a poor ruckman - he barely wins a hitout and when he also doesn't provide a contest it is terribly costly. Gawn was outstanding last night, goal kicking aside and as the best ruckman in the competition he should be playing there as often as possible.

True, but our defensive lines were poorer in my opinion. 13.11 should be a winning score. We average 60 points against when Lever, May and Petty are all in the same side. Not tonight though. The defenders lost far too many one on ones.

He's not a polished media performer. Not sure why the club let him speak, but I doubt it cost Melbourne the game. I think it was more to do with our inability to absorb Collingwood's second half pressure. 13.11 should get the job done almost every week. We leaked too many goals again. Just like against the Bulldogs.

6. Gawn 5. Petracca 4. Oliver 3. Brayshaw 2. Salem 1. Viney